So, where should you stay in Samos? Pythagorion makes a first visit easy, Kokkari suits couples, and the southwest coast gives you more room for beach days.

I’ve chosen five areas and good hotels to help you find a base that suits the holiday you’d like to have.

The Best Areas in Samos

• Pythagorion - best area for first-time visitors
• Kokkari - best area for couples and evenings by the water
• Marathokampos and Votsalakia - best area for families and longer beach holidays
• Samos Town and Vathy - best area for town life and convenient transport links
• Ireon - best area for a small seaside village with a short airport transfer

Below, I’ll go through the five areas and recommend hotels at different price points. I’ll also explain the difference between staying in the town centre, by the beach and at a hotel where you’ll need more transport.

1. Pythagorion - best area for first-time visitors

• Distance to the centre: The harbour is a useful reference point for the centre. Potokaki Beach lies west of town.
• Transport: You can walk around the centre. Taxis and a hire car are useful for reaching other parts of the island.
• Journey from the airport: Allow around 5 to 15 minutes by car from Samos Airport, depending on your hotel.
• Price range: € to €€€. Small town hotels and more expensive beachfront hotels give you a broad choice.
• Safety: Watch out for traffic outside the centre, and keep an eye on your belongings at the harbour and beach.

Pythagorion is my first suggestion for a first visit to Samos. The harbour gives the town a natural meeting point, and you can spend the evening choosing a restaurant and strolling past the boats. It’s a base where you don’t need a packed itinerary or a car every day.

I’d stay near the harbour to have cafés nearby and be able to walk to dinner. You can start the day slowly and decide later whether to spend it on the beach or take a trip somewhere. It suits couples and anyone who’d like easy access to a little town life.

Potokaki lies west of the centre and is home to several of the larger beachfront hotels. It’s a better choice when the pool and beach will be part of every day. Just bear in mind that a hotel listed in Pythagorion won’t necessarily be a few minutes’ walk from the restaurant you’ve spotted by the harbour.

See hotels in Pythagorion here

You’ll also have a good deal of the island’s history nearby. Pythagoreion and Heraion are on the UNESCO World Heritage List, which gives the town an appeal beyond swimming and dinner. I’d set aside a morning for the historic sites and leave the rest of the day free.

The short airport journey is useful on a brief holiday or with children. Planes can be noticeable at some hotels around Potokaki, though, so read recent reviews if noise bothers you. The hotel’s actual location matters more here than whether it’s marketed as a peaceful beach retreat.

Without a hire car, I’d check the airport’s bus information and choose a central address. A week in Pythagorion can work well with just a few day trips. I’d rather hire a car for a couple of chosen days than feel I had to see the whole island in one go.

Places to Stay in Pythagorion

Casa Cook Samos - best luxury choice for adults by the beach

Casa Cook Samos is a five-star hotel for adults with an outdoor pool, fitness facilities and a beachfront location west of Pythagorion. It suits a holiday where you’ll spend a good part of your time at the hotel.

I’d choose it for couples and include transport to the harbour in the budget.

A guest on Booking.com says: “The property itself is beautiful.”

See photos and book Casa Cook Samos here.

Doryssa Method Hotel - a good town hotel near Tarsanas Beach

Doryssa Method is a few steps from Tarsanas Beach and has wellness facilities. It’s a good combination for staying in town while still being able to swim without planning a drive.

One guest mentions the breakfast buffet. Check your chosen rate to see whether breakfast and any spa access are included.

A Booking.com guest describes the breakfast: “Breakfast was a delicious buffet.”

See photos and book Doryssa Method Hotel here.

Hotel Damo - a simple option close to the harbour

Hotel Damo has rooms with air conditioning and Wi-Fi near the harbour. It suits a trip where you’d rather spend your money around the island and have a convenient base for restaurants and evening walks.

One guest describes good soundproofing with the windows closed. That’s a useful detail at a central address with activity outside.

A previous guest describes the room: “With the windows closed, the soundproofing was pretty good.”

See photos and book Hotel Damo here.

2. Kokkari - best area for couples and evenings by the water

• Distance to the centre: The small harbour and restaurants form the centre. Tsamadou is outside the village itself.
• Transport: You can walk around Kokkari. A car or taxi is useful for hotels and beaches further along the coast.
• Journey from the airport: Allow around 25 to 40 minutes by car from Samos Airport.
• Price range: €€ to €€€. Hotels with pools and sea views are often at the more expensive end.
• Safety: The north coast can be windy with waves. Choose where to swim according to the conditions that day.

Kokkari is the village I’d look at first for a holiday for two. Small houses sit close to the water, and the harbour is a lovely place for lunch or dinner. You’ll have a seaside village with enough going on that you won’t need to plan your evenings before leaving home.

I’d prioritise the centre to have restaurants within walking distance. It’s easy to settle into a rhythm of morning coffee, a few hours by the water and a break at the hotel before dinner. A smaller room close to everything can therefore be a better choice than a fancier hotel further away.

Many of the beaches around Kokkari are pebbly, so water shoes are worth packing. The coast can also be windy, and I wouldn’t choose this area expecting perfectly calm water every day. The coves and green hillsides do make a lovely setting for time at the beach, though.

See hotels in Kokkari here

Hotels at Tsamadou are outside Kokkari, even though the village name often appears as the destination in searches. They can be good for views, pools and time at the hotel, but you’ll need to consider the journey into the village. I’d have a car or budget for taxis to eat by the harbour regularly.

Kokkari is also a good base for trips along the north coast to see more than one beach. You can read about the island’s nature and winemaking on Greece’s official page about Samos. I’d choose a few outings and leave plenty of time for the village itself.

Are you still comparing Greek islands? I’ve also written a guide to the best areas to stay in Corfu. On Samos, I’d choose Kokkari for a smaller seaside village and Pythagorion for the shorter airport transfer. Both work well for a full week, so the choice mainly comes down to how you’d like to spend your days.

Places to Stay in Kokkari

Armonia Bay Hotel - best choice for views near Tsamadou

Armonia Bay sits above Tsamadou Beach and has an outdoor pool, terrace and restaurant. It’s my choice for views and time at the hotel a little away from the centre.

You’ll be outside Kokkari itself, so factor in transport to eat at the harbour every evening.

A guest on Booking.com says: “The rooms are elegant and comfortable.”

See photos and book Armonia Bay Hotel here.

Semeli Boutique Hotel - a smaller hotel with a pool near Tsamadou

Semeli is also near Tsamadou and has an outdoor pool, garden, terrace and bar. It suits a stay at a smaller hotel where you don’t need the village restaurants right outside the door.

I’d compare the room types with Armonia Bay and choose based on the view, price and actual route to the beach.

A Booking.com guest says: “I enjoyed the breakfast every day.”

See photos and book Semeli Boutique Hotel here.

Hotel Athena - a good simpler choice with a pool

Hotel Athena has a seasonal outdoor pool, garden and bar in Kokkari, as well as family rooms. It’s a useful alternative to the more expensive hotels when you’d like to take a break by the pool without paying for a large resort.

One guest mentions the space and balcony. Look at photos of your chosen room type before booking.

A previous guest describes the room: “The room was large and comfortable and had a lovely balcony.”

See photos and book Hotel Athena here.

3. Marathokampos and Votsalakia - best area for families and longer beach holidays

• Distance to the centre: Marathokampos is the inland village. Votsalakia and Ormos Marathokampou are the coastal areas I’m recommending here.
• Transport: A hire car is useful for day trips. Choose a central address along the coast to walk to restaurants.
• Journey from the airport: Allow around 40 to 60 minutes by car from Samos Airport.
• Price range: € to €€. Studios and smaller apartment hotels can offer a good amount of space for the money.
• Safety: Watch out for traffic along the coastal road, and check the seabed and waves before children enter the water.

The southwest coast near Marathokampos is my choice for a holiday with plenty of time on the beach. You can stay in an apartment or smaller hotel and follow a simple daily rhythm, with breakfast, swimming and dinner all close by. It suits families and longer stays in one place.

The names need a little explanation before you book. Marathokampos is inland, while Kampos Marathokampou and Votsalakia are used for the holiday area along the beach. Ormos Marathokampou is the small harbour further east. I’m recommending the coast here, so check the precise address when a search result says Marathokampos.

Votsalakia works best for spending much of the day on the beach with several places to eat along the coast. The area is more spread out than Pythagorion, so your hotel’s location affects how far you’ll walk. With children, I’d choose easy access to the water, shops and dinner over the most secluded view.

See hotels in the Marathokampos area here

Ormos Marathokampou is my alternative when a harbour setting appeals more than a long beach outside the door. You can stay near the fishing boats and walk to tavernas, but you’ll need to leave the village for more varied beach days. It gives you a quiet base on a smaller scale than the larger resorts.

I’d have a car for some of the time to see the rest of the island. The distances and winding roads mean a trip to the north coast is more than a quick detour after breakfast.

For a week here, I’d choose accommodation with enough space for everyday holiday life and keep the itinerary simple. Look at kitchen facilities, air conditioning and pool access rather than just the number of stars. A good studio near the beach can be the right choice even when a hotel further away lists more facilities.

Places to Stay near Votsalakia and Ormos Marathokampou

Anemos Apartments - best choice for a stay by the harbour in Ormos

Anemos Apartments is by the water in Ormos Marathokampou and has free Wi-Fi and parking. It’s my choice for having the small harbour around you rather than staying along Votsalakia’s beach road.

I’d compare the apartment sizes and choose it for a quiet stay with dinners in the village.

A guest on Booking.com says: “The host always greeted us with a big smile.”

See photos and book Anemos Apartments here.

Alexandra - a simple stay a few steps from Votsalakia Beach

Alexandra is a few steps from Votsalakia Kampos Beach. The short walk to the water is the main reason I’d choose it for a holiday spent going back and forth between the room and the beach.

Here, it makes sense to prioritise the location and your actual accommodation over a long list of hotel facilities.

A Booking.com guest comments on the location: “It was well located right next to the beach.”

See photos and book Alexandra here.

Villa Maria - a good choice with a pool and your own kitchenette

Villa Maria is close to Votsalakia Beach and has a pool and studios with kitchenettes. That makes it easy to have a simple breakfast at home and head down to the water without packing for a full day out.

I’d particularly consider it for families or a longer stay, when the extra freedom is useful.

A previous guest describes the stay: “The place was very comfortable and peaceful.”

See photos and book Villa Maria here.

4. Samos Town and Vathy - best area for town life and convenient transport links

• Distance to the centre: The waterfront is the centre of Samos Town. Vathy is also used for the area and the older settlement on the hill.
• Transport: Buses and taxis make the town convenient for getting around. Check the actual departure port for your ferry.
• Journey from the airport: Allow around 20 to 35 minutes by car from Samos Airport.
• Price range: € to €€€. You’ll find both simple town hotels and hotels with pools outside the centre.
• Safety: Keep an eye on your bags at transport hubs, and allow for hills and traffic on the way to your hotel.

Samos Town is my choice for more everyday town life and convenient transport links. You’ll have the waterfront, shops and restaurants, and you can combine your stay with museum visits and trips around the island. I’d mainly consider it for a short stay or as part of a journey by ferry.

You’ll come across both Samos Town and Vathy when searching. Look at the map, because a hotel by the water gives you a different daily routine from an address further up the hill. I’d stay on or near the waterfront to walk to dinner and avoid too many climbs.

The town wouldn’t be my first choice for a whole week with a sun lounger right outside the door. There are places to swim on the outskirts, including Gagou, but a central town hotel gives you a different holiday from a beachfront one. For a holiday mainly spent on the beach, I’d compare it with Kokkari or Votsalakia first.

See hotels in Samos Town and Vathy here

Samos Town is good for a day away from the beach. You can check visiting details for the Samos Wine Museum run by the island’s wine cooperative. It’s a way to learn about the local wine tradition without organising a trip to several producers.

To use the buses, check services with KTEL Samos for your travel dates. I’d choose a hotel around the journeys I actually want to make, rather than assuming every beach has frequent buses. The same applies to ferries, as Samos has more than one port.

Are you travelling via Athens and spending a couple of nights there? You can also use my guide to where to stay in Athens. On Samos, I’d give the main town two or three nights before moving to a beach base, provided the holiday’s long enough for two stays.

Places to Stay in Samos Town and Vathy

Ino Hotel & Suites - best choice with a pool on the edge of town

Ino is in the Kalami area of Samos Town and has a pool and restaurant, around 450 metres from Gagou Beach. It gives you a good combination of time at the hotel and the option of heading down to the water.

You’ll be outside the central waterfront, so I’d check the walk and hills before choosing it for a stay without a car.

A guest on Booking.com says: “The restaurant and breakfast were both excellent.”

See photos and book Ino Hotel & Suites here.

Aeolis Hotel - a good town hotel by the waterfront

Aeolis has a restaurant, bar and fitness facilities in Samos Town. One guest mentions the location by the promenade and a sea-facing room with a small balcony.

It’s my choice for having town life nearby. Make sure you select a sea view in your booking if that’s what you’d like to pay for.

A Booking.com guest describes the location: “The hotel was right on the promenade, close to everything.”

See photos and book Aeolis Hotel here.

SeaView City - a good smaller choice with modern rooms

SeaView City is within walking distance of the town’s archaeological museum and has Wi-Fi. One guest mentions modern interiors, a comfortable room and views from the balcony.

I’d consider it for a short town stay where location and the room matter more than a pool. Check what view the cheapest room type has.

A previous guest comments on the bathroom: “The bathroom was lovely and modern.”

See photos and book SeaView City here.

5. Ireon - best area for a small seaside village with a short airport transfer

• Distance to the centre: The restaurants and beach are close together in this small coastal village.
• Transport: You can walk around locally. A car or taxi is useful for day trips and evenings in other towns.
• Journey from the airport: Allow around 10 to 15 minutes by car from Samos Airport.
• Price range: € to €€. Small hotels and guesthouses are more common than large luxury resorts.
• Safety: The beach has both stones and sand. Check local conditions and watch children near the water.

Ireon is my suggestion for a smaller seaside village and a short journey from the airport. You can stay near the water, walk to dinner and return to the same little places during the week. It works well when you’d like a simple, easy holiday.

I’d choose Ireon over Pythagorion when a smaller village matters more than a wider selection of restaurants and shops. You won’t have a new town experience every evening, but that doesn’t have to be the aim. Sometimes it’s nice to have found your morning coffee and your spot by the water.

The village beach is a mix of sand and stones, so I’d choose based on the particular stretch of coast near the hotel. With small children, the surface and access often matter more than the beach’s name. A hotel with a pool can be a useful addition to give you two ways to spend the day swimming.

See hotels in Ireon here

Ireon is also close to Heraion, which gives you a historic reason to take a break from the beach. You can combine a visit with the rest of the day in the village rather than filling a whole day with driving. I’d go early and save the hours around midday for shade and relaxation.

For a holiday without a car, I’d first check the hotel’s address and current bus options. It’s easy to get around Ireon itself, but that doesn’t mean every trip around the island is equally easy. Hiring a car for a day or two can give you a good balance between relaxing and seeing more of Samos.

I’d choose Ireon for quiet days or as a final stop before flying home. A full week in a small seaside village might feel too slow for you, in which case I’d choose Pythagorion or Kokkari instead.

Places to Stay in Ireon

Sunrise Hotel - a good choice with a pool in the small seaside village

Sunrise has a garden, sun terrace and pool, with continental breakfast available. It’s a good choice for having another place to swim at the hotel while staying in Ireon.

I’d compare the total price with the smaller guesthouses and pay extra here if I’d be using the pool for a good part of the holiday.

A guest on Booking.com says: “The service was good and the owners were very nice.”

See photos and book Sunrise Hotel here.

Hotel Angeliki - a good smaller hotel close to the beach

Hotel Angeliki is around a minute’s walk from the beach and has a shared lounge, terrace and bar. It suits a holiday with a simple base and days spent by the water.

One guest mentions both the welcome and breakfast. I’d include it in the comparison for a holiday where location and price come first.

A Booking.com guest says: “We were very well looked after.”

See photos and book Hotel Angeliki here.

Marialena Pension - a simple choice by the water

Marialena Pension is by the beach in Ireon and has access to a terrace or courtyard. It’s a smaller place for a holiday with the water and village close by.

Choose it for the location and your particular room type. I’d use it as a base for quiet days rather than expect a resort stay.

A previous guest describes the stay: “The hotel was clean and the location was lovely.”

See photos and book Marialena Pension here.

Where Should You Avoid Staying in Samos?

I’d avoid a remote hillside address when travelling without a car and wanting to walk out for dinner every evening. Sea views can be lovely, but they can also mean a long journey home along a road without a comfortable walking route. Check the whole journey, not just the distance as the crow flies.

Don’t book Marathokampos village when you actually want to stay by Votsalakia Beach. The two locations give you different holidays. The same applies to hotels near Tsamadou, which are outside central Kokkari.

I also wouldn’t choose the north coast expecting calm swimming conditions every day. The wind, waves and beach surface need to suit the people you’re travelling with, and a hotel with a pool can be useful.

Pythagorion is my most straightforward choice for a first trip to Samos, especially for an easy arrival and restaurants nearby. Kokkari is my suggestion for couples, while the Marathokampos coast suits a week on the beach with more space in an apartment. Samos Town makes sense for town life and transport, and Ireon is the smaller alternative near the airport.

For a week, I’d normally choose one base and hire a car for a few days to see more of the island. Two hotels can make sense on a longer holiday, but I wouldn’t move around just to tick off every area. The best base is somewhere that works for both your days and evenings.

To compare Samos with another Greek island, you can read my guide to where to stay in Skiathos.

Once you’ve chosen Samos, I’d prioritise the right address and a good room type over chasing the highest possible star rating.

The post Where to Stay in Samos? The 5 Best Areas & Places to Stay 🇬🇷 appeared first on Destination Well Known.