Pythagorio (Main Hub/Port)

Pythagorio is a small harbour town on the southeast coast of Samos, and it stands on the site of the ancient capital of the island, which makes it one of the most important archaeological places in the eastern Aegean. The modern name honours Pythagoras, the philosopher and mathematician born on Samos in the sixth century BC, and it was adopted in the 1950s. In 1992, UNESCO listed Pythagoreion and the nearby Heraion as a World Heritage Site, recognising the ancient harbour, the fortifications, the water tunnel and the great sanctuary of Hera.

The harbour is the core of the town. A curved quay lined with tavernas and cafes faces yachts and fishing boats, and a statue of Pythagoras stands on the waterfront. The ancient breakwater, built under the tyrant Polycrates in the sixth century BC, still forms part of the harbour's outer wall, and it counts as one of the earliest engineered ports in the Greek world. Ferries run seasonally from here to some nearby islands, and boats cross the narrow strait to the coast of Turkey, which is only a couple of kilometres away.

The town sits close to major ancient works. The Tunnel of Eupalinos, a water conduit about a kilometre long dug through a hill from both ends in the sixth century BC, is a short walk north and is one of the great engineering feats of antiquity. Parts of the ancient city walls climb the hill above, and a Roman bath and a small theatre have been excavated near the town. West of town, the Heraion marks the site of the temple of Hera, once among the largest in the Greek world, with a single column still standing.

On the hill behind the harbour stands the Castle of Lykourgos Logothetis, a tower built in 1824 during the War of Independence by a local leader. The main collection of the island's antiquities is in the Archaeological Museum in Vathy, the capital, where the great kouros statue is displayed, so Pythagorio works best combined with a visit there.

The old town is a tangle of stone-paved lanes and has a relaxed rhythm. Samos airport is close, about two kilometres away, which makes the town a convenient base for visitors. In summer the waterfront is lively until late, while spring and autumn are calmer and good for walking among the ruins. Wear comfortable shoes for the cobbles and take water if you go up toward the walls or the tunnel.