Travel Solo To Stunning Samos | Heritage Wanderlust

Are you dreaming of going to the charming Greek island Samos, but don’t have anyone to go with? Don’t fret. Samos may seem like a destination most ideal for a romantic getaway, but I can assure you that Samos is also perfect for a week’s solo travel.

Continue scrolling to see my one-week solo travel itinerary ro Samos in pictures.

SAM_7214 — Picturesque Kokkari was my base for the week.

Why going to Samos solo?

First some background information. I am a huge fan of solo travel. Being a social introvert, it gives me some much appreciated time to recharge my batteries. However, I had never travelled alone to a package holiday destination like Samos. I had actually never been to Greece before at all.

Samos looked beautiful and surely like the perfect destination for a romantic getaway. Would I feel lonely being here on my own?

So why did I choose this small eastern Agean island, just off the Turkish coast? In addition to looking utterly charming, it also seemed like there was enough things to do for a week other than tanning on a beach. There were mountains with hiking trails, bike rental, SUP rental, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a larger city with museums and shops, and several opportunities for day trips by boat.

Day 1: Go hiking

Get to know Kokkari’s surroundings on a morning hike in the mountains behind Kokkari.

On your way uphill, you will walk past local farms, small churches, olive groves, and ruins. It is rather steep, which means you will get sweatty. It also means you will be rewarded with a fantastic view at the top!

Tip! The kiosks in the town centre got maps of all hiking trails. And remember to bring enough water.

Day 2: Culture and shopping in Samos city (Vathy).

Jump on the bus from Kokkari to Vathy, Samos’ largest city for some culture and shopping. The bus journey takes approx. 20 minutes, and suits for a half day excursion.

Tip! Visit the Archaeological Museum of Vathy, Samos. Among other historical items, you get to see the 5,5 metre tall statue of a kouros (man) from the sixt century BC.

Day 3: Excursion to Patmos

Samos is located in the Eastern Agean sea, and there are plenty of opportunities to visit some of the neighboring island. Turkey is also just a stone throw away, and worth if you have not been there yet.

Having spent a summer on Turkey’s Agean coast, I opted to go on a guided tour to Patmos instead. An island with no more than approx. 3000 inhabitants a few hours boat ride away from Samos.

Guided tours are always great for meeting people when travelling solo. And so was this trip. Instead of booking via my package travel company, I booked directly with one of the operators in Kokkari.

Tip! Visit the old capital Chora, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1999. On the hills above, you find the old monestary of St. John. Built as a fortress to protect itself from pirates. Interested in UNESCO sites? See all my posts about World Heritage.

Bring swimwear and spend an hour on the town beach after lunch.

Inside the monastery, you can also find the cave where the apostel John apparently got his revelation.

Day 4: A two-wheeled adventure

When I visited, there was one bike rental in Kokkari, but I trust there are more today. Using the same map as I did for hiking, I cycled uphill on the main road until I reached immensly picturesque village of Vourliotes.

Going back downhill, I took the steeper route on trails and gravel roads through the forest. Did I get lost? Yep! But I knew that all paths would lead to the sea eventually, and that was where I was going.

Tip! Stop for lunch in idyllic Vourliotes before heading downhill on the trails.

SAM_7068 — The cutest company for lunch!

Day 5: Explore the island

On day 5 I rented a car in Samos and set out for a drive around the island. Used to Western-Norwegian roads, I didn’t have to worry. If you are not used to narrow, winding roads, just drive slow and stop to let cars pass you every so often.

Tip! Park in Pythagorion and walk up to the Spiliani monastery in the mountain side above. Also, make sure to buy an ice cream from the from the kind Munk if he’s still there.

SAM_7074 — Pythagorion is nice, but does not have quite the same charm as Kokkari.

Tip no. 2: Stop by Heraion to explore the ancient Temple made to praise the goddess Hera. Supposedly it was the largest Greek Temple ever built. Of all the 115 standing columns in 500 BC, only 1 is still standing. Pythagoreion and Heraion of Samos have been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list since 1992.

Day 6: Beach day in Kokkari

Kokkari is by far the cosiest town on Samos, you will wish to spend some time here too.

Tip! If you spend the days exploring the island, like I did, enjoy a couple of hours on the beach in the afternoons. Arriving late, but to the same place every day may give you a free or discounted sunbed. At least if you are a solo travelling woman…

Bonus tip! I recommend getting a Greek mate, like Alexandros. He came driving on his moped bringing fresh peaches every afternoon, and could tell all the stories of life in Greece the last 50 years.

What about the solo evenings in Samos solo?

I spent the evenings eating Greek meze, sipping wine, exploring the town, and chatting with the cats.

Tip! Bring your partner. Or at least a really good book (which I forgot). The evenings were the only time I regretted not bringing my boyfriend… Kokkari is just as romantic as I assumed, and most other visitors were couples.