Kokkari presents a striking image – whitewashed houses with terracotta roofs sit between the deep blue of the Aegean Sea and the lush green of Mount Karvouni. The town has not yet developed into a real tourist resort and the limited numbers of visitors allow it to maintain its village feel; friendly locals run the cafes and tavernas and there’s a small harbour surrounded by quaint restaurants.
Beaches
Kokkari’s main beach is aptly named Long Beach, a sprawling stretch of beach popular with windsurfers for its regular and reliable winds. However this wind also brings quite big waves, so it’s not ideal for swimming, especially if you have kids. Families may prefer the two small beaches east of the resort which are more sheltered and calm, or Lemonakia Beach, one of Samos’ best, is just a 20-minute walk away along the coast.
Things to Do
Lying behind the village is Mount Karvouni, where there are tons of walking trails waiting to be explored! There are several mountain villages worth visiting on your travels, particularly Manolate where you can find the ruins of the Temple of Asclepius and gorgeous local jewellery shops. Samos Town is only 15 minutes away by taxi, or you can take a boat trip to the town, the island of Patmos or even Turkey!
Food and Drink
Kokkari is fairly quiet; you can expect an evening to consist of a meal at your hotel or in a family-run taverna, followed by quiet drinks in a local bar. There are plenty of seafront venues where you can enjoy a cocktail as the sun goes down, providing a lovely holiday atmosphere and great photo opportunities! There’s one disco in the town, and on Sundays live music is played in the main square.
