Samos is known for its beauty and for those said to have been born there: Hera (queen of the Greek gods), Pythagoras (the father of geometry) and Epicurus (the philosopher who believed that pleasure was the highest good). The island is dotted with green wooded hills, clear sparkling water, tall cypress trees and stunning whitewashed buildings—it's a wonder Epicurus ever left.
Visit the excellent archaeological museum in
Vathi, the scenic fishing village
Pythagorio (known locally as Tagani), explore the hiking trails crossing the island or just pick a beach and relax (our favorites are Tsamandou, Votsalakia and Hrysi). For a more remote beach, hire a boat and head out to the tiny island of
Samiopoula. Don't leave Samos without trying the delicious dessert wine with the same name. The island is reached by air or boat from Athens.
160 mi/260 km east of Athens.