Things to do in Samos

Samos lies so close to Turkey that the Mycale Strait is only 1.6 km wide at its narrowest. Vathy, the capital, is on the north-east bay. Pythagorion lies on the south-east coast and Karlovassi in the north-west.

Things to do in Samos mix antiquity, villages and boats. Pythagoras was born here. So was the astronomer Aristarchus.

What the island holds

• Pythagorion and the Heraion. The harbour town and the ruins of the sanctuary of Hera, together a UNESCO site. The Heraion is closed on Tuesdays.
• The Eupalinos tunnel. A water tunnel over a kilometre long, dug in the 6th century BC under the tyrant Polycrates.
• The villages. Pyrgos is known for honey and ceramics, Koumaradei for pottery. The Megali Panagia monastery dates from the 15th century.
• Wine. Muscat is the island's grape. The west-side island tour ends at a winery for a tasting.

Where the boats go

• Kusadasi and Ephesus. The boat lands in Turkey at about 9.50 am. The tour takes ten hours, with time for the market in Kusadasi.
• Patmos. A ten-hour day to the Cave of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of St John, founded in 1088.
• Samiopoula. A small island with a sandy beach. The eight-hour boat day leaves from Votsalakia, with a barbecue lunch on board.

Practical

• Weather. The hottest weeks reach about 33C, and June to August is almost dry. January runs 7 to 13C. November and December bring 130 to 145 mm each, in a year of about 665 mm.
• Turkey. Take a passport valid for at least 150 days. Digital IDs are not accepted. A port tax of 10 euros is paid on arrival.
• Monasteries. Knees and shoulders must be covered, and men need long trousers at St John's.
• Pick-ups. They are by area. The island tour collects only on the west side, and the Samiopoula boat is not for non-swimmers.