The geography and Climate of Samos Island

The geography and climate of Samos island is unique.

Samos is located in the Northeastern Aegean Sea, close to the islands of Ikaria, Fourni and Chios and near the Turkish coast, with less than a mile (approximate) distance at Mycale Strait. Samos has an area of about 476km2, dominated by two large mountain ranges, Ampelos and Kerkis, with Kerkis having the highest peak. The island has many large and fertile plains.

The capital is located in the northeastern part of the island, a town called Vathy or Samos town. The population of the island is about 40,000 inhabitants, making it the 9th most populated Greek island. The geography that makes it unique is the lush forests and valleys, separated by the mountains, covered with olive trees, bushes, vineyards, pine forests and more vegetation.

The climate of Samos is rainy in winter but with temperatures rarely falling below 0 degrees. The rainfall is due to the mountainous terrain of the island. Summers are normally hot and dry.

In summer, strong winds from the North, locally called ‘meltemia’, cool down the island.

Samos is one of the sunniest islands with over 3,300 hours of sun annually and few trace of summer clouds. But in winter, when the southern winds start blowing, they bring rain, normally from late October till early April. The average rainfall is 918,8 mm, most of it falling in December.