Pythagorion Holidays

On Samos’ southeast coast, Pythagorion is the island’s most popular holiday destination – a picturesque town of whitewashed buildings with terracotta roofs. It was named after the great mathematician who was born here some 2,500 years ago, though, in truth, not much has changed since then. The harbour is still dotted with boats, the beaches are the same shade of pale gold, and the fishermen still supply the town with fresh fish. In fact, the only major difference is the healthy nightlife, which may not have appealed to a teetotaller like Pythagoras.

The town is home to one of Samos’ best beaches, Potokaki, immediately west of the harbour. This kilometre-long ribbon of sand and pebbles has a prestigious Blue Flag award to its name, plus a list of watersports up for grabs. There are also 2 town beaches on either side of the harbour. The more popular sands are at Remataki Beach, which has knee-deep water and rustic tavernas along its edge.

The real heart of Pythagorion is the harbour. It’s the oldest manmade harbour in the Mediterranean, dating back to 600BC, and throughout the summer hundreds of yachts and sailing boats moor here. The harbour front is crammed with seafood restaurants, bouzouki bars and water’s-edge nightclubs. After nightfall, it fills up with a melting pot of people from around the world.

Everywhere, you’ve got traces of the ancient city of Samos, which once flourished here. On the outskirts of town is the Temple of Hera and the Tunnel of Efpalinos – a huge aqueduct carved out of the limestone rock. And in the harbour is an impressive statue of Samos’ most famous son, Pythagoras. Fittingly, it’s in the shape of a right-angled triangle.