Essential information for Samos

When to go

Tourists flock to Samos in the peak holiday months when the temperatures can reach a very high 30°C during July and August. In January the temperatures can descend as low as 10°C, and December is the wettest month. The autumn months bring a drop in temperatures to 20°C to 21°C, but it’s the winter months of late November until March that are the coldest.

The sea retains its heat right up until the autumn – staying a very pleasant 21°C – and some people prefer visiting to book Samos holidays during the months of September and October because of the moderate air-temperatures and still-warm sea water.

May and September can be busy on Samos, thanks to well-attended dance festivals that are hosted during these months. If you’re considering visiting taking your holidays to Samos at this time, it might be a good idea to book early.

Health and safety

In common with with any holiday, you should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover yourself and family on your trip. It’s also essential to apply for a free European Health Insurance Card – EHIC – before leaving the UK as this entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Greek nationals. It won’t, however, cover you for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment.

If you are visiting Samos specifically to take part in sports or watersports, including hiking, you should make sure your insurance covers this. See our holiday extras page for more information and for the latest health and safety information visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/health.

Passports and visas

British citizens don’t need a visa to enter Greece and its islands but must have a valid passport. By law, you must carry your passport with you and may need to show it when paying by credit card. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/greece/entry-requirements.

Getting around

The Samos bus system is good, as are the roads. A 20-minute bus ride, for example, will carry you between Vathy and Pithagorio. You can get to some of the more isolated beaches by boat – Megalo Setani can only be reached this way.

Car hire does exist, and if you are more independently inclined you might prefer to have your own transportation during your Greece holidays. If you’re using a taxi, it’s a good idea to negotiate the fare before you set off on your journey. You might find yourself sharing your taxi with another passenger – a local custom and the reason why taxi fares are relatively inexpensive.

Advice for travellers with children

Samos holidays are centred around its beaches and exploring the natural beauty of the area. There are plenty of hiking opportunities and there’s even a castle in Pythagorion.

For lots to do for all the family, Balos beach, with its shallow waters, and selection of excellent family friendly tavernas is a fantastic destination. Psili Ammos is another venue that’s excellent for those with young children. The resort has shallow water, long stretches of sand and shops and tavernas are close by.

Many of the hotels based in and around Pythagorion have their own kids’ clubs and plenty of child-centered activities. And if your children are old enough, there’s plenty of opportunities for watersports on the beaches of Potakaki and Remataki.

Electricity

Connector type: Generally round two-pin plugs, marked as southern Europe.

Voltage Info: 230 volts AC, 50Hz. and the power sockets are Type F – therefore you might have to take an adaptor for your battery charger and other electrical gadgets.

Emergency information

The standard emergency telephone number is 112. Tell the operator which service you need and they will put you through. Most operators are multi–lingual, so they should be able to help you if your Greek is poor.

British Consulate

There is no consulate on Samos and the nearest place to contact in an emergency is the Honorary Consulate on Rhodes –

29 Gr. Lambraki Street

851 00 Rhodes

PHONE LOCAL: (22410) 22005

INTERNATIONAL: +30.22410.22005

Alternatively you may want to contact the British Embassy in Athens if the matter is serious –

1 Ploutarchou Street

106 75 Athens, Greece

PHONE LOCAL: (210) 727.2600

INTERNATIONAL: +30.210.727.2600

Hospital

The main hospital is in Vathy – tel: 0030 22730 83100