The island Samos, famous for Samians of Antiquity, Pythagoras the father of mathematics, the astronomer Aristarchus and the philosopher Epicurus was the home of Hera and the land that hosted Herodotus and fabulist Aesop.
Samos is in the eastern Aegean Sea with overwhelming vegetation, imposing mountains, caves and canyons. Walk along Mt. Kerkis, from Votsalakia in Marathokampos, till the Mt. Vigla, at an altitude of 1,400m. Along your hike you will see over 1,400 species of rare plants, many of which are endemic to the island, as well as dozens of species of prey birds.
There are many rare places to visit in Samos, with your rented car, such as the convents of Zoodochos Pigi Aliotissa, Prophet Elias,Panagia Vrontiani, Agia Zoni, with the splendid library, the Holy Cross and the church of Panagia Sarandaskaliotissa, builted at the entrance of Pythagoras’ Cave, where the ancient Greek mathematician found refuge when being persecuted by tyrant Polycrates.
If you love the challenges, the terrain is ideal for those who choose to ride mountain bikes on their travels. Every summer, many cyclists, fully equipped for their adventures, visit the island’s trails which starts from the chapel of Agios Ioannis, at Potami, above the pebble beach of Potamos, and ride towards Karlovassi, Konstantinos and Kokkari. Birdwatchers set up near the Alyki habitat or Glyfada Lake to photograph herons, Dalmatian pelicans and pink flamingos that rest here before continuing their migration. When the flamingos ascend into the sky at dusk, their colour mingles with the red sunset, creating a visual extravagance that visitors can’t forget!
When the heat covers the island like a blanket, those in the know, start their journey to Karlovassi waterfalls early in the day. The larger of the two waterfalls is five metres high and one has to climb 60 wooden steps to reach the clearing offering a panoramic view of the waterfall.
Samos does not only feature important monuments and historical tales, nor just mountains and hiking trails. Above all else, Samos is a modern island, with immaculately organized beaches, such as Tsamados and Lemonakia, Votsalakia in Marathocampos, Chryssi Ammos (= “golden sand”), which more than lives up to its name, and Psili Ammos (= “fine sand”), where, according to the people of Samos, one can hear the roosters across the sea in Turkey crow at dawn.
But Samos is also cosmopolitan if you choose to stay at Vathy, Kokkari or Pythagoreion. It is isolated if you prefer Marathocampos, Kerveli or Mykali. It is a place of late-night revels, as well as a place of peace, ideal for rest, relaxation and contemplation.
If you are of the athletic persuasion, you can enjoy the beach volley tournaments organized every year at Livadaki beach and Potokaki at Pythagoreion. If you prefer relaxation and unobstructed contact with nature, Mikri Tsambou, Kerveli and Saitania should be your top choices.
Our colleagues over there they will tell you more secrets about the island. The staff of Selecta Rent a Car will be happy to provide you with useful information about the attractions along with the sights in the area, the magical beaches, and the routes you need to follow.