In the final week of June, we travelled to Samos for three days as a group of fourteen, together with my parents’ wonderfully wild university friends. Before we left, several people reacted with ‘Oh, it’s ugly!’ or ‘There’s nothing to see there,’ so I expected a rather unattractive island. Only after arriving did I realise that three days would not be enough. We wanted to share the notes from our short trip before summer ended because Samos is an easy and rewarding Aegean escape from Türkiye.
HOW TO GET TO SAMOS
Because we lived in İzmir, the easiest route for us was the ferry from Kuşadası. We bought our tickets from Meander Travel. At the time, a same-day return cost €40 and a return with an overnight stay cost €55; these are historical prices, not current fares. Routes, ports, sailing times and prices change by season, so confirm them directly with the operator before booking. Entry rules depend on your nationality and passport. Greece’s temporary short-stay visa-at-the-border scheme for eligible Turkish citizens was renewed from 31 March 2026 for another year and includes Samos; the visa is valid only for the participating island or islands under the scheme and for up to seven days. It is not an automatic visa on arrival: applications and supporting documents are normally handled in advance through participating travel agencies, and fees and processing deadlines can vary. Travellers who already hold a valid Schengen visa should check its conditions. Always verify the latest rules with an official Greek consular source and your ferry company before paying.
WHERE TO STAY IN SAMOS
We chose Aria Boutique Hotel in Samos Town because it was close to the ferry port. It was clean and friendly rather than remarkable, which was enough for me on a trip where a spotless bed and shower mattered most. The hotel breakfast was fairly ordinary, but guests could then be driven to a different buffet breakfast that was included in our rate. This describes our stay at the time; check the property’s current facilities and recent reviews before booking.
Because we lived in İzmir, the easiest route for us was the ferry from Kuşadası. We bought our tickets from Meander Travel. At the time, a same-day return cost €40 and a return with an overnight stay cost €55; these are historical prices, not current fares. Routes, ports, sailing times and prices change by season, so confirm them directly with the operator before booking. Entry rules depend on your nationality and passport. Greece’s temporary short-stay visa-at-the-border scheme for eligible Turkish citizens was renewed from 31 March 2026 for another year and includes Samos; the visa is valid only for the participating island or islands under the scheme and for up to seven days. It is not an automatic visa on arrival: applications and supporting documents are normally handled in advance through participating travel agencies, and fees and processing deadlines can vary. Travellers who already hold a valid Schengen visa should check its conditions. Always verify the latest rules with an official Greek consular source and your ferry company before paying.
WHERE TO STAY IN SAMOS
We chose Aria Boutique Hotel in Samos Town because it was close to the ferry port. It was clean and friendly rather than remarkable, which was enough for me on a trip where a spotless bed and shower mattered most. The hotel breakfast was fairly ordinary, but guests could then be driven to a different buffet breakfast that was included in our rate. This describes our stay at the time; check the property’s current facilities and recent reviews before booking.
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THINGS TO DO IN SAMOS
For us, the best things to do in Samos were swim and eat, although the island also has major archaeological sites. The Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos are UNESCO World Heritage sites, but in the summer heat we chose not to put ourselves through an archaeological marathon =). Our 09:00 ferry from Kuşadası reached Samos at around 11:30, and border formalities took another half hour. We then collected cars reserved from the Sixt office opposite the port and discovered that our quoted rate did not include the insurance we expected. Car hire worked out at roughly €50 per day on that trip; treat this as an old personal expense, not a present-day average. Buses do serve parts of the island, but a car gives much greater flexibility for remote beaches and mountain villages. Compare the full rental price—including insurance, deposit and fuel policy—before confirming.
We dropped our bags at the hotel and immediately set out through narrow, charming streets towards Mytilinii. While looking for Niko the butcher, an acquaintance of my father’s friends, local shopkeepers told us he was at the barber. We eventually met him at the café in the village square. Fresh orange juice and frappé seemed to play the role that tea does for us: the natural response to ‘Shall we have a drink?’ After our orange juice, Niko took us to a beach near Pythagoreio. We were already hungry and tired, so we spent the rest of the day swimming and resting there, then returned early to the hotel and slept.
For us, the best things to do in Samos were swim and eat, although the island also has major archaeological sites. The Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos are UNESCO World Heritage sites, but in the summer heat we chose not to put ourselves through an archaeological marathon =). Our 09:00 ferry from Kuşadası reached Samos at around 11:30, and border formalities took another half hour. We then collected cars reserved from the Sixt office opposite the port and discovered that our quoted rate did not include the insurance we expected. Car hire worked out at roughly €50 per day on that trip; treat this as an old personal expense, not a present-day average. Buses do serve parts of the island, but a car gives much greater flexibility for remote beaches and mountain villages. Compare the full rental price—including insurance, deposit and fuel policy—before confirming.
We dropped our bags at the hotel and immediately set out through narrow, charming streets towards Mytilinii. While looking for Niko the butcher, an acquaintance of my father’s friends, local shopkeepers told us he was at the barber. We eventually met him at the café in the village square. Fresh orange juice and frappé seemed to play the role that tea does for us: the natural response to ‘Shall we have a drink?’ After our orange juice, Niko took us to a beach near Pythagoreio. We were already hungry and tired, so we spent the rest of the day swimming and resting there, then returned early to the hotel and slept.
The following morning, after an early start and a simple hotel breakfast, we drove towards the mountain villages of Vourliotes and Manolates. The roads were narrow and winding, but Vourliotes was an exceptionally pretty little village. We walked for about forty minutes, had another frappé in the square and continued along even greener, twistier mountain roads to Manolates. We noticed tiny roadside shrines almost every hundred metres, each about the size of a birdhouse and shaped like a miniature chapel. Behind their glass doors were small icons and candles. These kandylakia often commemorate a person, an accident or a prayer; admire them respectfully and do not open or handle their contents.
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Manolates is a small, green village known for craft workshops, including pottery. Its shops display bright geraniums and colourful ceramics. We ate lunch in a lovely garden in the village, although there was another restaurant with a magnificent view for anyone willing to climb higher. I strongly recommend trying the aubergine moussaka: unlike the Turkish version we knew, it arrived baked in a small dish with béchamel and cheese.
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After exploring more of Manolates’ craft shops, we followed several recommendations and descended to Lemonakia Beach. We cooled off in turquoise water and rested with the view in front of us. Lemonakia deserves a place on any list of Samos beaches, although sea conditions and beach services vary by season.
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For dinner we drove at sunset along the island’s winding roads and through fields to Posidonio, known for simple fish tavernas right beside the sea. Everyone probably says it, but during our trip seafood, meze and ouzo meals on Samos felt much less expensive than similar meals in Çeşme and elsewhere in Türkiye, and the portions seemed larger. That comparison belongs to our travel dates and should not be treated as a current price guarantee. We combined calamari, saganaki, prawns and salads with ouzo and ate extremely well.
The next morning was our final day, so we explored Pythagoreio and chose a beach nearby. The town is larger than the villages we had visited and has a wider range of shops. After browsing for souvenirs and drinking coffee on the waterfront, we walked to the well-known statue of Pythagoras. The philosopher was born on Samos, and the town—formerly called Tigani—was renamed Pythagoreio in his honour. The beach just behind the statue had sand and beautifully clear, cool water. We swam and ate snacks there until it was time for the ferry. A staff member named Hasan was especially friendly and even gave us a discount on prices that already seemed reasonable.
The next morning was our final day, so we explored Pythagoreio and chose a beach nearby. The town is larger than the villages we had visited and has a wider range of shops. After browsing for souvenirs and drinking coffee on the waterfront, we walked to the well-known statue of Pythagoras. The philosopher was born on Samos, and the town—formerly called Tigani—was renamed Pythagoreio in his honour. The beach just behind the statue had sand and beautifully clear, cool water. We swam and ate snacks there until it was time for the ferry. A staff member named Hasan was especially friendly and even gave us a discount on prices that already seemed reasonable.
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We returned to the hotel, collected our luggage and took the 18:00 ferry back to Kuşadası. I had expected three days to feel long; instead, I realised Samos could easily sustain a much longer sea-and-sun holiday. Its landscapes and beaches were beautiful, and the lively but manageable crowds made it feel genuinely summery. The island is close to Türkiye, but do not leave the practical details to chance: recheck ferry ports, schedules, entry documents and local transport immediately before travelling. Visa information verified with the Hellenic Ministry of Foreign Affairs and destination facts checked against Visit Greece in August 2026.
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