Although the whole island of Samos can be considered one beautiful sight in its own right, there are naturally some stunning individual attractions every visitor should go and wonder. Samos boasts a long and fascinating history, and there are still some ancient marvels standing that testify of the island’s grand past as a cultural and economic centre of the area. Some world-famous sights have deteriorated because of time, some have seen destruction also by the human hand but they still allow you to get a glimpse of the wonder that Samos possessed.

SANCTUARY OF HERA, also known as Heraion, was like no temple ever seen before. Its biggest and latest version had such immense dimensions that even the magnificent Parthenon Temple in Acropolis, Athens, would have looked like a doll’s house, if placed next to it. It must have been an impressive sight also thanks to the staggering 155 columns, although today you will only be able to see one proudly standing. Situated just a few kilometers southwest of the modern town of Pythagorion, the whole area is designated Unesco World Heritage Site since 1992. Read more about the Temple of Hera…

EUPALINIAN AQUEDUCT is also known as the Tunnel of Eupalinos, and could well be termed one of the wonders of antiquity. Being a tunnel carved in solid rock, it has been saved from the destructive mania of people and still today allows you to understand the engineering skills of ancient Greeks. The aqueduct is over 1 km (3,399 ft) long and passes through the Mount Kastro, but what really makes it unique is that the construction was started from the two ends simultaneously. Like the most amazing version of the Temple of Hera, also the Eupalinian aqueduct was undertaken during the reign of the busy tyrant Polycrates. Read more about the Eupalinian aqueduct…

PYTHAGORAS’ CAVE is just what its name implies; the cave where poor Pythagoras fled the wrath of tyrant Polycrates and the ruling class after upsetting them with his theories and questioning their position with his teachings. Situated up on the hills of Mount Kerkis, the cave system allows you to travel over 2,000 years back in time and imagine yourself waiting for your teacher, Pythagoras, arrive whilst admiring the breath taking view. Read more about the Cave of Pythagoras…

CASTLE OF LYKOURGOS LOGOTHETIS may not be a reminder of Samos’ ancient past, but it tells a silent story of the island’s stormy years in the hands of the Turks and the Samian’s thirst for independence. The castle was built and named after Lykourgos Logothetis, who had taken a leading role in the local revolution movement. The castle, built in 1824, served as their headquarters and was actually built using bits and pieces of various archeological monuments that were more than ample in the Pythagorion area. Read more about the Logothetis Castle…

MUSEUMS are naturally part of a proper introduction to the history and traditions of Samos. Some of them lead you to the marvels found from the ancient ruins, such as the sanctuary of Heraion and the ancient town of Samos, today Pythagorio. Some tell you about the Byzantine years, and some about the daily life of ordinary Samians.  You can expect to see anything from statues, pottery, coins, weaponry, agricultural tools, and furniture to fossils of ancient animals that once walked on Samos and even rare stones. Read more about the Museums of Samos…