Samos· Κοκκάρι
Kokkari & the north coast
An old fishing village turned resort, with three pebble beaches and very clear water in a row to the west of it and the chestnut villages of Ampelos above.
- Beaches
- Couples
- Hiking
Kokkari is the old fishing village that became the island's beach base, and it kept the harbour and the tavernas on it while the hotels went up behind. West of it, Tsamadou, Lemonakia and Tsabou sit in a row — pebbles, very clear water, and small enough that the first car park fills.
The reason to stay here rather than in the south is what is above you. The flank of Mount Ampelos holds the chestnut forest and the villages in it — Vourliotes, Manolates, Pyrgos — linked by old kalderimia, with the monastery of Vrontiani in the trees. Samos is one of the greenest islands in the Aegean, and this is where that is obvious.
Two things to know. The north coast catches the meltemi, so a flat morning can become an unswimmable afternoon; and wildfires have taken chunks of forest here in recent decades, with an earthquake in 2020 damaging buildings in the north. Both are visible if you look.
🏛️ Kokkari & the north coast
Attractions · Kokkari & the north coast
🏖️ Kokkari & the north coast
Beaches · Kokkari & the north coast
🍽️ Kokkari & the north coast
Restaurants & tavernas · Kokkari & the north coast
🛏️ Kokkari & the north coast
Where to stay · Kokkari & the north coast
Hotels on the map · Kokkari & the north coast
Live prices and availability on a map centred on this exact spot — hotels, studios and villas — so you can judge the distance to the beach, the port or the village from here rather than guess from an address.
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Tours and day trips from here
Boat trips, guided tours of the ancient sites and tickets bookable ahead — free cancellation on most.
- Samos MuscatTerraced vineyards up to eight hundred metres and a PDO that runs from dry to the fortified Nectar; the cooperative museum pours the range.See wine tastings →
- The tunnel of EupalinosA kilometre-long sixth-century BC aqueduct driven through a mountain from both ends at once, which met in the middle. You walk a long section.Check tickets →
- Potami and the Seitani covesThe waterfalls above Potami and the coastal path to the protected coves where monk seals breed — the island's quiet strength.See guided tours →
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Where to stay
The other parts of Samos
- Pythagoreio & the southA yacht harbour with a castle, ruins at the edge of the pavement, the airport ten minutes away — and the two UNESCO sites that make Samos worth a detour.8 attractions · 3 beaches · 5 restaurants & tavernas · 5 where to stay
- Vathy & the eastSamos Town climbing the slope around a deep bay, with the kouros in its museum, the wine museum outside it and two beaches within walking distance.2 attractions · 3 beaches · 3 restaurants & tavernas · 5 where to stay
- Karlovasi & the westA university town with a tanning-industry past, a river gorge and waterfalls behind its beach, the coastal path to the Seitani coves, and Mount Kerkis above it all.3 attractions · 4 beaches · 3 restaurants & tavernas · 3 where to stay
Before you go
Car hire from local firmsIsland rental companies rather than the international desks — usually cheaper, often with full insurance and no card deposit. On Crete, Kefalonia or Naxos a car is what gets you to the beaches the buses do not reach.Compare local cars →Scooter, ATV & bike hireThe classic island runabout for coves and hilltop villages. Wear the helmet, check what the insurance excludes, and be honest about gravel roads — they are where most rental accidents happen.Find a scooter →Car hire, budgetAn aggregator that tends to surface the lowest headline prices. Read the fuel, insurance and ferry clauses — many contracts do not allow the car on a boat.Compare prices →
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