Last updated: September 2026
Samos holidays offer a wonderfully varied and relatively undiscovered Greek island experience. Lying just off the Turkish coast in the eastern Aegean, Samos is one of the greenest and most fertile of the Greek islands, with pine and fir forests covering its mountains, excellent local wine from the Muscat grape variety, and beaches that range from the well-developed north coast resorts to quiet coves in the south accessible only by boat. The island’s ancient connections to Pythagoras and Epicurus add intellectual interest to the natural beauty.
Samos suits travellers who want a quieter, greener Greek island holiday, with good wine, ancient history and the option of a day trip to Turkey within easy reach.
The capital, Samos Town (Vathi), has an attractive seafront with excellent restaurants and a good museum housing finds from the island’s ancient history, including remarkable offerings from the famous Heraion sanctuary. Pythagorion on the south coast is perhaps the most attractive port town on the island, a picturesque harbour lined with restaurants, a Venetian castle on the hill above and the ancient ruins of the original Samian capital all around it.
The town is named after Pythagoras, who was born in Samos around 570 BC, and the famous Efpalinos Tunnel nearby, an engineering feat of the ancient world bored through a mountain to carry water to the ancient city, is one of the most impressive ancient monuments in Greece.
Samos is one of the most celebrated wine islands in Greece, producing outstanding sweet Muscat wines that have been famous since antiquity. The Samos Wine Cooperative is the largest producer and offers tastings and tours. The local dry Muscat white wine is also excellent and pairs perfectly with the fresh seafood available throughout the island.
The north coast of Samos has the most developed beaches and resorts, including Kokkari (one of the most attractive small resorts in the eastern Aegean), Tsamadou and Lemonakia. The south coast around Pythagorion has excellent beaches including Psili Ammos. The west of the island is quieter and more rugged, with beautiful coves.
Samos International Airport, Aristarchos of Samos (SMI), receives direct summer charter flights from UK airports, with a flight time of approximately three and a half hours from London. The airport sits roughly midway between Samos Town and Pythagorion.
Car hire is recommended for exploring the island’s villages, vineyards and quieter beaches independently. For peace of mind when booking, always check your holiday is ABTA protected.
| Airport | Samos Aristarchos (SMI) |
| Main resorts | Samos Town, Pythagorion, Kokkari |
| Highlight | The Efpalinos Tunnel; sweet Muscat wine; birthplace of Pythagoras |
| Best for | History, wine, families, quieter authentic holidays |
| Climate | Hot and sunny June-September, mild winters |
| Flight time from London | Approximately 3.5 hours |
| Currency | Euro (EUR) |
| Language | Greek |
Search4Sun compares thousands of Samos holiday deals from the UK’s leading tour operators, with departures from local airports across the UK. For peace of mind when booking, always check your holiday is ABTA protected.
For last-minute Samos deals, check LastMinute.com for the latest availability and rates.
Samos is famous as the birthplace of Pythagoras (the mathematician), Aristarchus (who proposed that the earth orbits the sun in the 3rd century BC) and Epicurus (the philosopher). The island is also celebrated for its sweet Muscat wine, its green and fertile landscape, and the ancient Heraion sanctuary, one of the most important temples in the ancient Greek world.
Yes. Samos is very close to the Turkish coast and ferry connections to Kusadasi (near Ephesus) and Cesme operate regularly from Samos Town.
Day trips to Ephesus, one of the best-preserved ancient cities in the world, are very popular from Samos. British visitors need a Turkish e-Visa, obtainable online in advance.
Samos is an excellent family destination. The north coast resorts of Kokkari and the Samos Town area have good beaches with calm water. The island’s manageable size, good facilities and authentic Greek character make it appealing for families who want something a little less commercial than the major island resorts.
May, June and September are ideal for Samos. The island is at its greenest and most beautiful in May when the spring flowers are in bloom.
September offers warm sea temperatures with significantly fewer visitors than the peak summer months. The island’s wine harvest in late September is a particularly evocative time to visit.
Most popular full-day tours
Search4Sun has been comparing UK holiday packages since 2005. We work with some of the best ABTA-registered operators.
