Some of the best beaches are found on the southwestern coast of Samos and a number of small low-key resorts have grown up to service them. Ormos Marathokampou, the port of Marathokampos village lies at the foot of Mount Kerkis, with a cosy pedestrianised quay packed with tavernas. Boats leave her for Samiopoula and to beaches along the coast.
A couple of kilometres along the shore is Votsalakia, family-oriented and straggling along the coast road. Further on is Psili Ammos, not to be confused with its namesake in the east, while Limnionas is a tiny settlement built around the eponymous cove.
Karlovasi
The second largest town on Samos, it is 32 kilometres north of Vathi. Karlovasi lies in one of the most fertile areas of the island, and it was greatly involved in the export of wine in older times, while in the 19th century tobacco and tanning contributed significantly to the wealth of the island. The main commercial port in the early 1900’s, many of the buildings on the harbourfront are old warehouses and tanneries rather than the handsome mansions found elsewhere.
The two nearby beaches of Mikro and Megalo Seitani are not easy to reach but they are worth the effort while Potami is one of the best on the island. Inland there are the waterfalls to explore, and further on the mountain villages on the slopes of Mount Kerkis. Leka and Kastania have pretty squares with traditional stone houses, while Nikoloudes and Kosmadei are further up the mountain and have spectacular views over the sea.
Manolates
One of the most picturesque villages on Samos, Manolates is surrounded by lush green forests with tall trees and the wider area is perfect for hiking. On the slopes of Mt. Ambelos, there are narrow alleyways, well-preserved stone houses and small squares with traditional tavernas. Known for its pottery, the village is also a centre for producing grapes so ask for a local wine if you choose to eat or drink here.
Kokkari
The coastal road west of Vathi is lined with olive groves and vineyards and ends in the fishing village of Kokkari, one of the livelier spots on the island. Until the 1980’s and the advent of tourism, there was not much here except for miles of onion fields that give the village its name. Although there are now hotels and European tourists, Kokkari has retained its traditional character and the locals have developed the village as a windsurfing resort due to the reliable winds on its shoreline. The nearby beaches of Lemonakia, Tsamadou and Tsabou are a continuous stretch of sand and pebbles separated by pine-clad headlands.
Read also:
Samos: A noble island with mountains and lovely seas
Flavours of Samos: From Traditional Tavernas to Modern Gourmet Restaurants
Wine Experiences on the Rugged Island of Ikaria
