41 Awesome Things to Do in Samos (+ Best Samos Beaches)
Here are all the best things to do in Samos, Greece, for your next Greek holiday. If you’re wondering what to do in Samos, here’s everything you need to know…
Samos is definitely overlooked by us Brits. Thanks to the likes of Santorini, Corfu, Skiathos, Mykonos and Crete, it’s kind of under the radar. This is good for us in the know that are going though. It means the prices are better, there are less people at the beach, and we can enjoy the genuine Greek charm without it being laid on for tourists.
Samos is known for being a rocky island. It’s hilly, very close to Turkey, and is the sixth biggest island in Greece. My brother’s wife, Xanthi, is from Samos, so after hearing all about it, the first time I went was for their wedding. I went back again a year later, and then I went again in 2021 to meet their first baby. I think a Samos trip in 2024 could be next on the cards!
There are lots of things to do in Samos. This holiday guide to Samos will tell you all the best spots to explore, and the most interesting things to do.
Best things to do in Samos
Here are all the activities in Samos for anyone planning a trip there.
My top 5 Samos activities
1. Relax in Pythagorio
You can’t really go to Samos and not have a night in Pythagorio. The pretty horseshoe shaped harbour is filled with restaurants, ice cream shops and cute places to explore as you walk down. It’s also where a lot of the boat trips go from, and where you’ll find the statue of Samos’ most famous resident, Pythagoras, the mathematician.
Don’t leave Pythagorio without trying the avocado and egg toast at Pergamonto. It had me looking in all the shops for the pesto they used. Delicious.
The gelato at Storiadolce is a definite do. Get that pistachio with a biscuit in. Ooo yeahhh.
2. The mountain towns
Hire a car from Savvas Rentals and drive up to Manolates, in the mountains. This pretty town makes for a lovely afternoon of wandering about. There are some art galleries, trinket shops and a shaded restaurant too. More on this fun thing to do in Samos below…
3. Visit Psili Amos Beach at Marathokampos
Psili Amos is my favourite beach on the main island of Samos. It’s sandy, which means a lot on this rocky island. It’s also sheltered from the wind which is so prevalent on the north coast near Kokkari. There are sunbeds which you’ll need to buy drinks to use, and it’s a great thing to do in Samos if you have kids with you.
There are also 3-4 tavernas here. I’ve tried two – Stefanakos Tavern at the back, and the one down the side with the octopus hanging out the front. I’ve been there twice in fact as their souvlaki is spectacular, but I definitely wouldn’t recommend the calamari!
4. Spend the day at Proteas Blu
I love Proteas Blu Hotel. I’ve seen a lot of hotel pools in my line of work, but this is my favourite. I love the pool, the beach bar, the beach, the hammocks and the range of comfortable beds too. Proteas Blu is absolutely one of my most favourite things to do in Samos.
It’s definitely one of the best places to stay in Samos.
My boyfriend and I spent our first anniversary here just lying on the beds on the beach and ordering gin and tonics to the bed, on the beach. It was fantastic.
I’ve never actually stayed here, but phone them up as a courtesy to check and they’ll give you a visitor pass for the day. Well, they always have for me anyway!
Or, you can check out the prices to stay at Proteas Blu Resort on Booking.com.
5. Boat trip with Andreas
Take a boat trip out to Samiopula Island with Andreas and you’ll get to see the south of the island without actually having to drive it.
From the comfort of the boat you can see the beaches, along the south coast and pick your favourite. Samiopula Island is beautiful. The boat will drop you on the south side and it’s a 5-minute walk over the top to the paradise beach. It’s a bit rocky but there were plenty of oldies doing it so as long as you have some good shoes you’ll be alright. I did it in flip flops.
We paid €35 each for a group trip to Samiopula, then a trip to a beach with a BBQ lunch, then a stop in the sea for a jump off the boat and back to where we started in Pythagorio. It was a great day out and totally worth every penny.
The holiday companies might try to charge you €50 but just go direct to Captain Andreas’ boat in Pythagorio – outside the frozen yogurt shop – and you’ll get a better deal direct. Every day it’s a different tour, to a different place, so it could be good to check the day before.
The private beach he takes you to is amazing!
10 best Samos beaches
The beaches are some of the best things to do in Samos, of course. Here are my favourites…
1. Potokaki Beach
Potokaki Beach is one of my favourite beaches on Samos. It’s under the airport runway, which is way better than it sounds. You get to watch the planes go over at close proximity – it’s only around 5 a day so it’s not like you’re lying under the Heathrow flight path or anything.
Feels a bit like Ibiza at the Monday Circo Loco parties at DC10 – anyone? Misspent youth.
The sun beds are super comfy here, the sea seems calmer and the Almrya Cafe serves excellent food. This is a great place to stop if you’ve had to leave your accommodation early on your final day in Samos, and you’re waiting for your flight. It’s less than a 5-minute drive to the airport.
2. Kokkari Bay
Kokkari Bay is another great Samos Beach, just round the corner from one of the most popular areas in Samos, Kokkari. You can walk across the top to get there – which is probably the safest option – or you can walk through the sea – watch those tides. This is a bit sketchy but totally possible.
I thought it’d be fun at first for me, mum and dad to walk through, but then as I realised how slippy it was my mind changed to working out what kind of a lifeguard I’d be when they fell in.
No need.
Parents did me proud.
This is a great beach with comfy loungers and a nice little bay too. Loungers are two for €7, and you can have a massage overlooking the bay too. There’s a restaurant called Basilico which I haven’t tried yet, but I will next time I’m there.
You can also walk out to the rocks and take posing pictures, like I have.
3. Potami Beach
Visit Potami Beach and you can fit the waterfalls in too – more on that below. Check out the Cafe del Mundo restaurant for a nice coffee with hippy vibes. Next time I go I’d definitely like to spend more time here.
On your way to Potami make sure to stop at St Nicholas Church for a stunning view. The church is a slick and beautiful design and looks out over a beautiful beach. This is an iconic view in Samos.
4. Tsabou Beach
There are cool Mediterranean vibes here at Tsabou Beach. To be honest, last time I was there I conked out on the comfy bean bags as soon as I’d finished my (delicious) mango smoothie, and didn’t move again until it was time to leave.
One of the greatest things about Tsabou Beach in Samos is that you can drive your car down right next to the beach, and you don’t have to hike down any cliff faces to get there. And please, order that mango smoothie.
5. Samiopula Beach
You can only reach Samiopula Beach by boat, so read back to point 5 up there on my list of the absolute best things to do in Samos and you’ll find the details of how to get there with boat captain Andreas. The beach is stunning, and one of the most private you’ll find.
More beaches in Samos to try…
- – Avlakia
- – Lemonakia
- – Tsabo
- – Kervil
- – Mikali
- – Votsalakia
- – Ireon
- – Ormos
- – Kambos
- – Limionas
- – Klima beach
- – Livadaki
- – Kerveli Beach
8 best restaurants on Samos
I’ve spent over three weeks eating my way round Samos now, here are the best Samos restaurants I’ve found.
1. Two Spoons in Pythagorio
This official photo from Two Spoons in Pythagorio isn’t an exaggeration – this was the actual chocolate melty thing I had there and when you put your spoon in it, it all oozed out.
Delicious.
There’s also great coffee there, and gelato too.
2. Prawn saganaki at Primavera
Had this on the first night last time I was in Samos, and it is SPECIAL. Bit of bread to dip in, and yum yum.
Eating is definitely one of the best things to do in Samos!
Update: CLOSED
3. Pizza at Girasole
If you want a good priced dinner while you’re in Samos, but still super tasty, then visit Girasole. You can easily have a pizza between two and they have loads of different flavours.
4. Spinach pie at Grandma’s
I absolutely love a spinach pie. This one at Grandma’s in Kokkari is a delight. That, an iced coffee and a bit of Greek salad – yum.
