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Major city · Greece

SamosΣάμος

Give Samos 3–4 nights: base in Vathi or Pythagorion, rent a car for two days, and keep one day for the Heraion and Eupalinos tunnel.

Weather
see forecast
Currency
EUR
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–early Oct
avoid Jul–Aug (heat, peak prices, Meltemi wind), and the first week of May when season pricing starts
Airport
SMI
Nights
3–4
Not field-verifiedbasic guide
Print / PDF guide
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
  • Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
  • Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
  • Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
  • Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
  • Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
  • Greece ↗Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
  • Greece ↗Taking stones, pottery or other objects from archaeological sites is illegal; so is exporting antiquities without a permit.
  • Greece ↗Do not photograph military sites or border zones; signs mark them.
  • Greece ↗Acropolis tickets are sold for one-hour entry slots on the official Hellenic Heritage site (hhticket.gr); in peak season slots sell out days ahead, and you cannot enter outside your hour.
  • Greece ↗Businesses must give a receipt (apodeixi) for every sale; ask for one, and do not accept a handwritten note in place of it.

Samos is a large, green East Aegean island 2 km from the Turkish coast, with three ports (Vathi, Karlovassi, Pythagorion) and sights spread across the whole island. It suits travellers who want archaeology, mountain villages and beaches without the Cyclades crowds, and who will rent a car. Ferries reach it from Piraeus and the Cyclades; the airport sits next to Pythagorion.

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Samos, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • CoffeeCoffee or freddo espresso€2.50–4.50 (≈ US$3–6)
  • Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi across Vathi€5–10 (≈ US$6–12)
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)
  • Museum or sight ticketArchaeological site or museum entry€3–8 (≈ US$4–10)
  • Budget bedFamily room or studio (up to 4), a night, per room€90 (≈ US$110)
  • Mid-range bedDouble room, a night, per room€95 (≈ US$120)
  • High-end bedDouble room, a night, per room€220 (≈ US$300)

A day, not counting the bed: Budget €45 (≈ US$55) · Mid €90 (≈ US$110) · High €170 (≈ US$200)

Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Tunnel of EupalinosHeraion (Temple of Hera)Pythagorion and its ancient harbour moleMuscat wine and mountain villages
Airports
SMI Samos International Airport (About 3 km from Pythagorion, walkable to town; daily flights from Athens (about 55 min) and Thessaloniki (about 65 min), plus seasonal European charters)

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Samos: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

13°C

7°C

12 rd

Feb

13°C

7°C

10 rd

Mar

16°C

9°C

8 rd

Apr

20°C

12°C

6 rd

May

25°C

16°C

4 rd

Jun

30°C

20°C

2 rd

Jul

33°C

23°C

1 rd

Aug

33°C

23°C

1 rd

Sep

29°C

20°C

3 rd

Oct

24°C

16°C

6 rd

Nov

19°C

12°C

9 rd

Dec

15°C

9°C

12 rd

High / low °C · rd = rain days

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Buses are infrequent and do not run on Sundays or some public holidays, and intermediate-stop times may not be listed. Rental cars, scooters and quads are available near the port in Vathi, often open late; a scooter can cost about €10 a day. Taxis exist but are limited. Vathi is walkable, and the sites around Pythagorion can be done on foot or by bike.

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time

Fourni

go

Door to door: About 1–1.5 h each way

Ferry or excursion boat from Vathi or Pythagorion

Small island group for a beach-and-harbour day; check sailing days before you plan.

Kuşadası, Turkey

caution

Door to door: About 2 h door to door

Foot-passenger ferry from Vathy Port (customs), daily Apr–Oct, about 1 h

Morning departure, afternoon return — a day trip from Kuşadası to Samos works, the reverse does not. Bring your passport and check entry rules.

Patmos or the Dodecanese

overnight

Door to door: 2–4 h depending on the island

Hydrofoil from Vathi or Pythagorion

Schedules are seasonal and thin; treat as a one-way hop, not a day return.

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Vathi (Samos town)

The capital and main ferry port; waterfront tavernas, the archaeological museum and the Lion statue. Best for a first visit without a car.

Pythagorion

Next to the airport and the ancient sites; the harbour mole, the Eupalinos tunnel and the Heraion are all within a short drive. Best for archaeology and boat trips.

Kokkari

North-coast village with a protected architectural character and a beach; quieter, needs a car or scooter.

Karlovassi

Second port with an old town; useful for ferries and the western beaches, less polished.

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
€45–75 (≈ US$55–90) excl. bed
Mid
€80–130 (≈ US$95–160) excl. bed
High
€150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Double room1 × 4 nights × €95€380
Food, local transport, entries2 × 4 days × €90€720
Car rental, one day, small car1 × €50€50
Scooter rental, one day2 × €10€20
Ferry Vathi → Fourni, return2 × €20€40
eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15€30
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge€124
Trip total≈ €171 per person per day, bed included€1,364≈ US$1,600

2026 estimate in euro; flights and ferries excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee or freddo espresso€2.50–4.50 (≈ US$3–6)
Souvlaki or gyros portion€4–7 (≈ US$5–9)
Taverna meal with wine, per person€18–30 (≈ US$25–35)
Local muscat wine, bottle€8–20 (≈ US$10–25)
Archaeological site or museum entry€3–8 (≈ US$4–10)
Taxi across Vathi€5–10 (≈ US$6–12)
eSIM or data SIM, about a week€10–20 (≈ US$12–25)

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Samos is a low-crime island and safe for tourists; the real risks are scooter and quad crashes on mountain roads, summer heat and fire, and swimming where the Meltemi wind is up. Use 112 for anything urgent.
  • Most archaeological sites and museums close on Tuesdays.
  • The two Vathi docking points are about 3 km apart — roughly 30 minutes on foot; check which one your ferry uses.
  • North winds bring swell into Vathi and Karlovassi harbours; Pythagorion is the sheltered option.
  • Summer forest fires happen almost every year; follow local instructions.
  • The Turkey day-trip ferry works from Kuşadası to Samos, not the reverse in a day.

Emergency numbers

European emergency
112
Police
100
Ambulance
166
Fire
199
Tourist police
1571
Coast guard
108

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

SamosΣάμος

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

Σε αυτή τη διεύθυνση, παρακαλώTo this address, please

Emergency

  • European emergency112
  • Police100
  • Ambulance166
  • Coast guard108

Embassy

No embassies on Samos; the US embassy and most others are in Athens. Consular help for EU citizens: any EU embassy.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • Ferry Vathi → Fourni: about €10 (≈ US$12) one way, 1–1.5 h
  • Ferry Vathi → Kuşadası, day trip: about €36 (≈ US$45) adult return
  • Taxi airport (SMI) → Pythagorion: €10–15 (≈ US$12–18), about 5 min

Say or show

  • Γεια σας — Hello (YAH sas)
  • Ευχαριστώ — Thank you (ef-kha-ree-STO)
  • Πόσο κάνει; — How much is it? (PO-so KAH-nee)
  • Τον λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ — The bill, please (ton lo-gha-ria-SMO pa-ra-ka-LO)
  • Πού είναι το λιμάνι; — Where is the port? (poo EE-ne to lee-MA-nee)
  • Μπορώ να πληρώσω με κάρτα; — Can I pay by card? (bo-RO na plee-RO-so me KAR-ta)

Sites and museums often close on Tuesdays — check before you drive.

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Samos. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: May–Jun, Sep–early Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (heat, peak prices, Meltemi wind), and the first week of May when season pricing starts · month by month →
  2. 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 3 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for SMI: taxi and walk times to Pythagorion, plus ferry-port transfer rungs.
  2. Four driving clusters: Vathi and the south coast, Pythagorion and the ancient sites, the north coast (Kokkari, Vourliotes), and the west (Karlovassi, Marathokambos).
  3. Place pages with verified opening days for the Heraion, Eupalinos tunnel, both archaeological museums and the paleontological museum at Mytilini.
  4. Ferry-day fixtures for Vathi and Karlovassi so arrival gates can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to Greece

Sources