In Pythagorio, the fortified ancient city, its water engineering and its preserved places of worship take centre stage. Together with the Heraion of Samos, the ancient city is part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site. When choosing a place to stay, you can therefore first consider whether ancient history should be the main focus of your trip or whether you are also interested in Samos’s varied nature and activities.

Ancient City and Eupalinos Tunnel

The Eupalinos Tunnel supplied water to the ancient city of Samos, now Pythagorio. The structure was in operation for 1,100 years. Its tunnel dates from the 6th century BC and runs 1,036 metres through the mountainside. It was designed to supply the ancient city with water and was built by Eupalinos of Megara, son of Naustrofus. This makes it possible to consider the water engineering both as part of Pythagorio’s history and in the broader context of the island of Samos.

Samos’s archaeological heritage also includes the remains of an ancient fortified harbour with Greek and Roman monuments. These traces add further aspects of ancient architecture to the picture of the fortified city and the aqueduct. Together with the World Heritage connection to the Heraion, they create a historical focus that extends beyond a single structure.

Temples and Museums

The preserved remains of the Temple of Dionysus are in central Pythagorio, near the Archaeological Museum. The temple is particularly important for understanding the religious life of the ancient city. Exploring the ancient sites therefore offers a chance to consider religious history alongside water engineering and fortifications.

The Archaeological Museum of Pythagoreion is housed in a newly built building in the centre of modern Pythagoreion, on the site of the ancient city of Samos. It contains more than 3,000 objects illustrating the cultural development of the ancient city and its rural surroundings. The collection spans from the 4th millennium BC to the 7th century AD. It therefore provides a broad timeframe in which to place the region’s archaeological evidence.

The Archaeological Museum of Samos is spread across two sites: a two-storey neoclassical building from 1912 displaying finds from the Heraion, and a new building from 1984 housing a collection of important Archaic sculptures. The two museums have distinct focuses: one displays finds from the Heraion, while the other features Archaic sculptures.

The restored tower of Lykourgos Logothetis Castle also houses a museum. Six thematic sections cover the history of Samos from Late Antiquity to the 19th century; there is also an exhibition on the period of Lykourgos Logothetis. Check the tower’s current accessibility before visiting.

Samos: Other Island Highlights

Those looking for landscapes and outdoor activities alongside ancient sites will find different themes on Samos than in Pythagorio’s history. Marked trails on Mount Kerkis pass through gorges, chestnut groves and olive groves, with views stretching from the Ionian coast to the Cyclades. On Mount Ambelos, the Vourliotes–Manolates route is used for hiking, mountain biking and off-road excursions. Check local conditions before setting out.

Nature offers another way to experience the island: Mount Ambelos is part of a Natura 2000 site with more than 1,400 plant species, including many endemic species, as well as rare birds of prey such as golden eagles and short-toed snake eagles. The coasts and surrounding waters provide habitat for numerous endemic fish, shellfish and molluscs, as well as dolphins, seals and seabirds.

Samos offers several coastal areas for watersports. The often-windy north coast is popular with windsurfers and kitesurfers; the shores are also suitable for scuba diving and other watersports. These island-wide options differ from Pythagorio’s archaeological focus and may be worth considering when choosing a destination.

If ancient urban history is central to your trip, Pythagorio offers a clear thematic anchor: its World Heritage status, aqueduct, temple and museum collections complement one another. If you would also like to include hiking, nature or watersports, consider Samos as a whole and choose your accommodation based on the themes that matter to you.

Discover more destinations: Samos, Mesokampos, Pandroso, Potokaki, Koumeika, Agios Konstantinos, Psili Ammos, Marathokabos

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