Car Hire in Samos

About Samos

Samos is a Greek island in the eastern Aegean Sea. It is a separate regional unit of the North Aegean Region and the only municipality of the regional unit. It is located near the coast of western Turkey, from which it is separated by the 1.6-kilometre-wide strait of Mykale. The capital of Samos is Vathi. The island has a mountainous landscape with a lot of forests. The highest peak of the island is the mountain Kerketeus with a height of 1433 meters. In the past, Samos was a very rich island and a very powerful city-state. The main export product was wine, as the island is famous for its vineyards. Also, the island is famous as the birthplace of the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, after whom the Pythagorean theorem is named. Besides Pythagoras, Samos is also the birthplace of several other famous figures in Greek history, especially philosophers and astronomers.

Today, the island is known as the greenest island in the Aegean Sea and is a popular summer destination for many tourists and travellers from all over the world. Besides tourism, the main income of the inhabitants of Samos is the export of wine, tobacco, olives, olive oil, fruit, and cotton. This is mainly due to the very fertile soil.

Thanks to its size (Samos is quite a big island), it has many different beaches that you can visit. All of them have something unique to offer and you will feel comfortable at any of them. There are also some beaches for nudists, which makes the tourist offer here even more diverse. You can also visit some charming villages and towns on the island and learn more about the traditional way of life on this island.

There are also many historical, cultural, and religious sites on the island that you can visit and explore the history of this place.

With so many different places to visit and things to do, Samos is undoubtedly a great holiday destination for any kind of tourist. The only thing you need to do before coming to Samos is to make a good plan because there are so many attractions that you will not be able to visit them all if you are not well prepared. The best way to explore the island is to rent a car. Buckle up and drive safely!

Basic info and car hire on Samos

• Location: Aegean Sea, Greece
• Population: 32,977
• Official language: Greek
• Currency: Euro
• Weather: Samos has a typically Mediterranean climate, with mild rainy winters, and warm rainless summers  
• Internet coverage: Hotels, bars, restaurants, and cafés offer Wi-Fi.
• Road conditions:  Most roads on Samos Island are in good condition.
• Car hire on Samos: The most common pick-up point for vehicles on Samos Island is at Samos airport. Please note that prices vary frequently. It is best to book a car 3 to 8 weeks before your desired pick-up date - this will ensure you get the cheapest rental rate. Alternatively, it is also possible to find cheap last-minute car hire. Find the best deal on car hire on Samos Island!

 Driving on Samos

Renting a car in Samos is the best solution if you want to explore the island properly. Since Samos is a fairly large island, it is easiest to get around by car. The main roads are in good condition and well equipped with all road signs and other infrastructure. However, if you are driving from one village to another, especially in the mountainous part of the island, the roads can be quite damaged in some places, so you will need to drive extra carefully in these areas. If you are not used to driving on mountain roads, you should reduce your speed even more and be careful.

It is also good to know that there are a lot of motorcycles on the roads, especially in the summer, so you need to be extra attentive.

The fines for breaking the laws and regulations are strict and expensive. Running a red light or ignoring a stop sign will cost you 700 euros. Not wearing a seatbelt in a car will cost you 350 euros. Talking on a mobile phone without a hands-free kit will cost you 100 euros. Driving under the influence of alcohol is punishable by a fine of between 200 and 1200 euros and a likely driving license suspension of between 10 days and six months, depending on how much the breathalyzer test reveals.

• Age limits: The minimum age to drive a car in Greece is 18 years old. The minimum age to rent a car is 21 years old, and some rental companies for people over 75 years old. Young driver surcharges may apply to those under 25 with many rental companies.
• International Driving Permit:  Visitors need a valid driving license to drive a car in Greece legally. Drivers of motorcycles up to 125cc must be at least 18 years old, while drivers of mopeds (up to 50cc) must be at least 16 years old. Driving licenses issued in E.U. and EEA countries are accepted. With an International Driving Permit (IDP), you can legally drive in Greece and 174 other countries and present your valid driver's license. Only two organizations issue IDPs: Automobile Association of America (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA), and you can order it online if there is no office near you.
• Additional papers: Identification (passport), a valid driver's license, and valid proof of insurance. (It is advisable to take out insurance with the car rental company if your policy does not cover you when driving in Greece). 
• Additional requirements: Warning triangle (mandatory in every vehicle), headlight deflectors (for cars from UK. Depending on the vehicle, you may either need deflector stickers or have to adjust the beam manually), fire extinguisher (mandatory in every car), first aid kit (mandatory in every car), warning triangles, spare wheels are required, and hands-free devices with hearing aids if you are talking on the phone while driving. 
• Children in the car:  A suitable child seat must be fitted for children under three years of age. Local authorities approve child restraint systems that comply with the ECE R44/03 standard. A suitable child seat should also be used for children between 3 and 11 years of age smaller than 1.35 meters. Adult seat belts are already approved for children over 12 years of age and over 1.35 meters tall. If you wish to fit a rear-facing child seat, you may do so because the front passenger airbag is deactivated.
• Driving side of the road: Right
• Lights: In poor daytime visibility, use low beam headlights. The use of high beams in cities is strictly prohibited.  
• General speed limits: Unless otherwise stated, the maximum speed on the motorway is 120 km per hour. On rural roads, you may drive 110 km/68 mi per hour. In residential areas, the speed limit is 50 km/31 mi per hour.
• Parking suggestions: Parking is prohibited in Greece: Within 5 meters (m) of intersections, within 15m of railway crossings, within 15m of bus and tram stops, within 3m of a fire hydrant, within 5m of a stop sign, or traffic light. In some streets, signs indicate which side of the road to park on. Parking fees vary from city to city, with meters usually operating between 30 minutes and two hours. In Athens, particular parking areas are reserved for tourists. E.U. disability cards should be recognized in Greece. However, to be on the safe side, you should apply for a card from the Institute for the Rehabilitation of Disabled People in Athens or from local prefects in other provinces.

What to see on Samos

Samos is a great place for all kinds of tourists. There are many great places to visit and interesting things to do here. It is up to you what kind of holiday you prefer. The best way to explore the island is to rent a car and take a road trip around the island. This way, you can make your plan and move at the pace you prefer and visit the attractions that interest you.

Beaches you can visit on the island: Tsamadou beach, Potokaki beach, Lemonakia beach, Kokkari bay, Psili Amos, Mykali beach, Posidonio beach, Heraion beach, Karlovassi beach, Kedros beach, Platanakia beach...

Villages to visit: Vathy, Kokkari, Karlovassi, Pythagorion, Manolates, Marathokambos, Mytilini, Mavratzei, ...

Other places on the island worth visiting: Sanctuary of Heraion, Tunnel of Eupalinus, Castle of Lykourgos Logothetis, Archaeological Museum, Archaeological Museum of Pythagorion, Roman Baths, Caves of Pythagoras, Monastery of Panagia Spiliani.

Drive your rental car beyond Samos

Greece is an ideal destination for a road trip you will never forget. Once you have explored Samos, it's best to explore the surrounding area as well. The island is connected to the mainland by a ferry. So, if you have rented a car in Samos, you can bring your car to the ferry and continue your road trip wherever you want. There are so many fantastic places to visit in this country that you will simply enjoy a trip through Greece. The roads are mostly in very good condition, so you will have to think carefully about which parts of the country you want to explore.

Greece or many would say the cradle of western civilization, is the southernmost country in the Balkan Peninsula. This perfectly situated country of over 2000 islands, around 170 of which are inhabited, has access to the whole world via the sea and also has a beautiful inland area full of mountains and volcanic soil, a rich culture, many historical and religious sites, delicious food and genuinely nice people - a place that every person should visit at least once in their lifetime. There are so many different things to see and do here that you are sure to find something for yourself.

If you are planning a holiday to Greece, you should make a good plan. A rental car is the best solution if you want to explore the country to see different places, try different foods and meet different people from different parts of Greece. First, you need to decide if you want to explore the islands or if you are more interested in the interior. For both options, there are plenty of activities you can do and plenty of sights you can visit.

Athens, the capital of Greece, is one of the cities you should visit if you are planning a road trip through Greece. Athens is something very different from Samos, but no less interesting and exciting. Greece is a country that is a mixture of Europe, the Balkans, the Mediterranean, and the Middle East. It sits at the crossroads of Europe, Asia, and Africa and is the legacy of classical Greece, the Byzantine Empire, and almost four centuries of Ottoman rule. All this gives the country a great religious, cultural, architectural, and also political background that contributes to the diversity of the country.

The size of the country is equal to that of Great Britain and it is divided into six main regions: Central Greece: the Píndos Mountains, North-Eastern Greece: Makedonía and Thráki, Eastern Greece: Thessalía and Attikí, Southern Greece: the Pelopónnisos, Western Greece: Ípeiros and Akarnanía, The Islands of Greece. Each of these regions has something to offer you. It is best to rent a car and explore region by region. You will need time to explore this country well, so it may be best to explore the regions one by one. The roads in Greece are in good condition, the people are friendly, the country is beautiful, the food is delicious and the sights are breathtaking, so all you have to do is buckle up and drive safely.

Where to eat, drink, and party on Samos

Samos, like all of Greece, is a destination that any food lover will fall in love with. The cuisine here is based on local ingredients as many vegetables, fruits, and herbs are grown on this island. There are some great restaurants serving fish and seafood, but you will also find many places where you can try all kinds of menus, from traditional Greek cuisine to modern culinary and menus from all over the world.

There are some very attractive nightclubs on the island where you can party all summer long. There are also many bars on the beaches where great parties take place, especially during the tourist season.

Best restaurant on Samos

To Magazaki pou Legame

Akrogiali

Orizontas Restaurant

AAA

Leon

Knife & Fork