Overview
Lying just off the Turkish coast, the Greek island Samos stands out for its lush green natural setting, quaint fishing villages, vineyard-coated mountains, unspoilt beaches and wild flower-infused interior.
This gem of the Eastern Aegean, famous for its sweet Muscat wine and a true paradise for walkers, is the birthplace of the goddess Hera, the great mathematician Pythagoras and the hedonistic father of atomic theory, Epicurus. You will be surprised by the many archaeological monuments and sites from several historical periods all around the island, like the Tunnel of Eupalinus – one of the most remarkable technological achievements of its time.
- Exquisite beaches and turquoise waters at Potami and Seitani
- The Waterfalls of Potami
- Idyllic mountain villages
- The astonishing 524 BC Evpalinos Tunnel
- Some of the best dessert wines in the world
Click to view map
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Samos and travel to Karlovasi
After your arrival at Samos airport, a taxi will take you to Karlovasi (1-hour drive), a lively town with unique character. It is through exploring the town to discover the beautiful neoclassical manors, the impressive churches and beautiful squares, that one may comprehend the real spirit of the town. For a great way to understand the town’s history, visit the Karlovasi’s Tannery Museum.
- Accommodation: Hotel Astir or similar
- Optional accommodation upgrade: Hotel Samaina Inn or similar
Day 2: Round walk via Potami Beach and Leka | 11.5km
The beach of Potami is one of the best on the island, and not far from it, the trail leads to the waterfalls of Potami. On your way to the waterfalls, there is a stunning Early-Christian church and a small path to a medieval watchtower. Visit the taverna on top of the cliff next to the waterfalls, which offers breathtaking views and delicious food.
- Walking for the day: approx 4h, 11.5km, ↑400m ↓400m
- Accommodation: Hotel Astir or similar
- Optional accommodation upgrade: Hotel Samaina Inn or similar
Day 3: Round walk to Seitani Beaches | 9.2-17.5km
After breakfast, reach the beautiful Potami beach – the start of today’s walk. This coastal walk leads via narrow trails, sometimes high above the sea. First, you reach the pebbled beach of Mikro Seitani and then the sandy beach of Megalo Seitani, Natura 2000 protected area. After a refreshing swim, the walk continues inland along numerous olive groves. Admire the gorge that widens to the beach of Mikro Seitani.
- Walking for the day (Option 1): approx 3.5h, 9.2km, ↑380m ↓380m
- Walking for the day (Option 2): approx 4.5h, 13.5km, ↑540m ↓570m
- Walking for the day (Option 3): approx 6h, 17.5km, ↑740m ↓740m
- Accommodation: Hotel Astir or similar
- Optional accommodation upgrade: Hotel Samaina Inn or similar
Day 4: Round walk Kokkari | 13km
In the morning, you travel by taxi or local bus to Kokkari. For more comfort, you can pre-book a taxi transfer with us. Today’s walk starts from Kokkari and crosses beautiful forest landscape with stunning views over Kokkari, Vathy and the Turkish coastline, and passes through the picturesque village Vouliotes. Optionally, you can make a small detour to the historic monastery of Vronta, built in 1566, almost completely destroyed by fire in 1999 and restored again.
- Walking for the day: approx 4.5h, 13km, ↑480m ↓480m
- Accommodation: Hotel Athena or similar
- Optional accommodation upgrade: Hotel Arion or similar
Day 5: Round walk from Agios Konstantinos | 13.5km
Start early in the morning from the nearby village Agios Konstantinos. From the small port, you ascend through the traditional village of Ano (Upper) Agios Konstantinos, where you head further south through terraced fields, vineyards and olive groves to Stavrinides and one of the most picturesque villages of Samos: Manolates. After a refreshing drink in a local café, the route continues towards Vouliotes. Reach the chapel of Agios Spyridonas for a spectacular view of Manolates. The walk concludes with a pleasant descent through olive groves and pine tree forests to Agios Konstantinos.
- Walking for the day: approx 4.5h, 13.5km, ↑500m ↓500m
- Accommodation: Hotel Athena or similar
- Optional accommodation upgrade: Hotel Arion or similar
Day 6: Travel to Pythagorion. Short walk to Ancient City walls | 7.5km
In the morning, travel to Pythagorion (or prebook the transfer with us) with a stopover in the capital Vathy. On the outskirts of Pythagorion is the Temple of Hera and the Tunnel of Efpalinos – a huge aqueduct carved out of limestone rock. And in the harbour is an impressive statue of Samos’ most famous son, Pythagoras. Fittingly, it’s in the shape of a right-angled triangle.
- Walking for the day: approx 2.5h, 7.5km, ↑250m ↓250m
- Accommodation: Hotel Samaina or similar
- Optional accommodation upgrade: Hotel Lithos or similar
Day 7: Round walk from Myli | 13km
Today you will be exploring the rural landscape around Myli. There is a remarkable 2,500 years old olive tree there, saved by the locals from the devastating forest fires of 2000. It is impressive to see how this area turned into a lush green hillside in the past 2 decades! You should definitely visit the Byzantine Monastery of Megali Panagia near the village Koumaradei from where you have great views over the plain of Chora to the south. After your return to Myli, take a taxi back to Pythagorion.
- Walking for the day: approx 4.5h, 13km, ↑340m ↓340m
- Accommodation: Hotel Samaina or similar
- Optional accommodation upgrade: Hotel Lithos or similar
Day 8: Departure
After breakfast, you will be transferred to the nearby airport of Samos.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in cosy small hotels in double or twin private en-suite rooms. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour.
Click to view default hotels
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Click to view upgraded hotels
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a particular hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfasts are included on all days. When no restaurant location is available on the route, lunches and snacks should either be bought from local shops, or packed lunch can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. You can have dinner at your hotel or nearby restaurants and taverns.
Difficulty and terrain
Moderate day walks, 3-5h per day (excluding breaks) on hilly to mountainous areas using well kept, sometimes stony paths (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps, and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This tour is available from end-April to mid-October. The flexibility of self guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates, and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Samos (SMI).
- There are charter flights from most European countries and domestic flights from Athens. Visit Samos Airport for more details.
- The arrival transfer from Samos Airport to Karlovasi and the departure transfer from Pythagorion to Samos Airport are included. There is a rate deduction available is you availf you opt for a rental car for the duration of the trip, please selec
- Samos is served by several ferries to Karlovasi, Vathy and Pythagorion.
- From Piraeus (Greece) to Karlovasi port is app. 10h (cabins on board). Departures in low season approx. 3 times per week and in high season almost daily. Arrival from Kuşadası (Turkey) to Vathy would be an option as well.
- From Pythagorion you can take a ferry to Kuşadası or the nearby islands.
- There are ferries from Vathy to Piraeus, 3-4 times per week. Duration of the trip is approx. 10 hours and there are cabins on board.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 nights on a bed & breakfast basis
- Arrival and departure transfers
- Luggage transfers NOT included
- Detailed digital holiday information pack including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, road notes and maps. Please note that the info pack is emailed to you prior to departure and no printed documents are mailed or provided on-site.
- GPS tracks
- 24/7 phone support by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and ferry tickets
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Luggage transfers
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- Single room supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers; a supplement will be charged as accommodation and luggage transfer costs are not shared (we never mix and match – solo travellers will be accommodated in single rooms)
- Extra nights in Karlovasi or Pythagorion
- Car rental
- Upgraded accommodation options available only upon request
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