Samos Town is the picturesque capital of Samos Island. Situated on the north coast of the island in a large protected bay, it serves as the main harbour and is a good pick-up point for charter boats in the eastern Aegean. Samos Town is the administrative centre of the island and has an excellent tourist infrastructure. Samos Town is a beautiful place set against green hills, with a waterfront promenade for evening strolls and a handful of good museums. It is known for its sweet wine.
It is worth visiting the Archaeological Museum to admire the imposing statues, grave objects and offerings, mainly from the area of Heraion. Heraion of Samos, 6km south of the city, was a large sanctuary to Hera, goddess of women, family, marriage and childbirth. Also very close to the town of Samos lies Vathy, which is one of the oldest villages and has a typically Greek character.
From here you can cruise around the lovely island of Samos, birthplace of Pythagoras, stopping in at its small coves, crowded sandy beaches or traditional seaside tavernas. On a one week boat charter you could also sail over to Ikaria and Fourni, or north to Chios and Lesvos.
Samos Town is the main port for ferries from Piraeus, the Cyclades and Ikaria. Samos Town is also connected daily with the port of Kusadasi in Turkey.
Samos Aristarchos International Airport is only 15km from Samos Town and connects to Athens, Thessaloniki and, in the summer, a number of European cities.
The Northern and Eastern Aegean is fully exposed to the ‘meltemi’ summer winds which blow from north-northwest and, although sailing can sometimes be challenging, it is mostly good and steady. Samos itself offers great sailing along its southern coast and the nearby Turkish mainland. For those that like open passage the islands here are more spaced out than other areas in Greece and offer just that. It is recommended to sail south on a one way charter.