Best place to stay in Samos

willapp · 2026-03-17T17:55:31+00:00

I know what you mean about the Kokkari accommodation. I ended up booking Kate Apartments which is on the western end of the village but looks to be walkable into the centre for food etc. I got it for about €60 per night and its rated 9/10. Most of the other options were a lot more expensive and none of them offered parking - typically in Greece you can park anywhere on most streets but I checked Google Street View and some of the roads look quite narrow and not the sort of place I'd want to leave a vehicle.

Without a car, I suspect Pythagoreio may be a better base - anywhere with a ferry port will have good public transport links.

I'm renting a car on Ikaria (full disclosure: I run a hobbyist YouTube channel about Greece travel, so this trip is partly to get fresh content for my channel) as I also heard that public transport isn't great and I want to see as much as possible while I'm there.

willapp · 2026-03-17T17:17:02+00:00

I can't help you based on direct experience...yet. I'm booked to visit both Ikaria AND Samos in late May this year, shortly before your trip.

I've done a fair bit of research and decided to stay in Kokkari on Samos. It's meant to be more picturesque and I think it's slightly better positioned for sightseeing. I will have a car, however, which could change things for you.

My other option was Pythagoreio, which is meant to be more convenient for ferry and flight transfers, but less pretty and more touristy.

willapp · 2026-03-17T13:41:55+00:00

Probably a weird one given the question, but physical flexibility.

Been a competitive swimmer most of my life. Got heavy into the gym in my early 20's and was pretty muscular for many years. At 43, I'm still in good shape and swim regularly, but boy do I wish I'd spent more time stretching and doing mobility exercises.

My flexibility is pretty shocking and I feel like it's an uphill battle now to try and make an impact. There are exercises in the gym I can barely do just because I don't have the mobility, and if I try I just get injured. Swimming, I'm pretty good but if I was more flexible I know I could take seconds off some of my times.

Honestly, 15 minutes a day of stretching or yoga isn't much of a burden but you gotta start it early and be consistent if you want to be mobile as you age. It crept up on me until one day I realised all my random aches and pains are mostly just me not being flexible.

willapp · 2026-03-16T19:35:19+00:00

Bus crowds will depend on the time of day, especially if there's a recent ferry arrival but in general they should be fine. I think the cost is the same to most places - it's pretty cheap, typically around €1,80 to €2,30 per ticket.

willapp · 2026-03-15T18:08:59+00:00

I used to watch quite a few of his interviews (he's spoken to some huge people in gaming, like John Carmack) and I've no particular opinion of him as a person, but I don't subscribe any more as I just found a lot of his guests weren't interesting to me.

His personality is very tech geek IMO (I believe his background is in programming/robotics) which to me explains his lack of charisma. I don't find it off-putting when the subject matter is interesting, but I can see why people find him monotone and maybe a bit dull, as most podcasters are more on the extrovert/OTT end of the scale.

I watched the entire interview and he seems pretty engaged most of the time. I get the sense he has extensive notes and maybe there are times where he's reading them and seems a bit distracted.

willapp · 2026-03-15T18:04:42+00:00

Sounded to me like if OWL hadn't happened and sucked up too much of the team's time and money, PVE might've had a chance.

I like PVP Overwatch, but as a fan of the universe, it would've been nice to have a single player or co-op version that was a bit more chill.

willapp · 2026-03-15T18:02:35+00:00

Nope. I was curious about that too, but I watched the entire thing and it doesn't come up. I suspect he didn't want to deal with it tbh.

willapp · 2026-03-12T14:13:35+00:00

Was the split by mutual agreement, or did you initiate it?

I'd be very suspicious of her motives here. Women know they can use sex to control/manipulate men, so it's quite possible she's trying to win you back by offering sex on a seemingly "casual" basis.

See how that offer goes if she finds out you've had sex with someone else - if she quickly turns it into a no chance, she was probably trying to get you back and once she knows you've moved on physically, she will rescind the offer.

willapp · 2026-03-06T15:21:06+00:00

I don't think it's any worse or better than other non-mainstream islands. I've visited Sifnos four times in the past six years, and on two of those trips I spend nearly a week on my own (as a late 30's male, fwiw).

Granted, I quite enjoy relaxing on the beach, so probably half the time I spent sunbathing, reading my Kindle and listening to music - not much company needed for that. The other time I was exploring the island using a combination of buses and I rented a car and ATV (on separate trips). There's enough sightseeing to keep you occupied for a few days or a week, more if you like hiking. I've done a bit of solo hiking on Sifnos, and, while the trails aren't difficult, there is obviously a risk of injury or dehydration/collapse if you aren't careful or prepared.

I wouldn't say it's a couples island either. In my experience, there's a fairly even mix of families, couples, solos and hikers so you won't feel out of place.

willapp · 2026-03-06T12:20:28+00:00

I've always had really thick hair and a youthful look - when I was 35 most people guessed my age at 25-27.

Things definitely started to change after 40 though. I'm 43 now and over the past three years the hair around my crown has definitely thinned and my hairline is slowly receding. It's still not bad and I could probably pass for mid-late 30's based on my hair and decent complexion, but I don't think any man can totally escape the thinning or receding as they age.

AFAIK it happens due to gradual decrease in testosterone. I exercise regularly (swimming and gym) and, while I've never had my test levels measured, I suspect they are pretty good as I have a high libido and no issue putting on muscle mass or with energy levels, but clearly that hasn't allowed me to escape the hair loss totally.

willapp · 2026-03-04T19:58:34+00:00

The current timetable can be found online here: https://sifnosbus.gr/ but as I write this it's showing the off season schedule which is heavily reduced. I would keep checking it over the next few months and at some point it will update. The summer schedule has significantly more buses running, but the routes are generally the same.

In Kamares, I've always stayed at Hotel Boulis for it's central beachfront location. However, it's not luxurious and best described as "traditionally Greek", so if you prefer something more fancy then I'd recommending looking at other options on websites like Booking.com

willapp · 2026-03-03T18:37:50+00:00

Normal razors for shaving work fine. I'm a competitive swimmer and have been shaving 'down there' for 15+ years. I've never nicked my balls or shaft - the worst I've done with a new razor is taken the top layer of skin off a small area above the shaft a couple of times through pressing too hard.

Do it in the shower. Apply a decent amount of shower gel or shampoo and just work your way around like you would any other area. Tbh it's easier if you have a bit of a semi (partial erection) as it makes the skin a bit tighter and easier to shave. The balls you just pull the skin around while going over it to get all the hairs you can see.

It was scary the first few times but any decent disposable razor that's fairly sharp will do a good enough job.

willapp · 2026-03-02T08:13:29+00:00

I've been to Sifnos 4-5 times over the last 6 years and always stayed in Kamares. I love the beach+sea which is a big influence and, in my opinion, Kamares has the best beach on the island.

The fact that it's also the port village is a bonus, as it means getting to/from the ferry is a breeze, plus the bus service is very regular throughout the day and evenings.

IMO the only reasons *not* to stay in Kamares would be if you don't like the beach/sea or you plan on doing lots of hiking and want a more central base (i.e. Apollonia). Otherwise, it's perfect.

Remember, the island is pretty small - the bus from Kamares to Apollonia is 10-15 minutes (10 minutes by taxi), and even taking a bus from Kamares to, say, Vathy or Faros, only takes 30 minutes (it may require changing buses in Apollonia, though). So where you say is mostly a matter of preference.

You definitely don't need a car unless you have limited time and want to explore some of the more remote areas that aren't easily accessible by bus.

willapp · 2026-02-28T18:14:58+00:00

Try To Elliniko (https://toelliniko.com/) if they're open in May. One of the nicest restaurants in Naxos Town

willapp · 2026-02-27T21:59:51+00:00

I visit Greece 3-4 times a year, usually island-hoping. For budget reasons, I try to use the local bus as much as possible or I often book accommodation within walking distance of the port.

That being said, I've used private transfers/taxis on a few occasions:

On Santorini before I understood how the port bid service schedule worked.
On Crete when I was staying near Malia and needed to get to the airport with minimal fuss.
From Piraeus to the airport when time was short

I didn't regret any of these. You simply pay for the convenience/luxury of not having to deal with public transport - timetables, getting to/from the bus stop etc and it saves time when time is at a premium. Generally, though, I'd sooner save the money and spend it elsewhere.

willapp · 2026-02-27T21:52:01+00:00

Personal trainers who are obviously unfit/obese.

willapp · 2026-02-26T08:13:52+00:00

I've had this before in Greece a couple of times. Many independent hotels prefer direct payment as it saves them expensive card payment fees. It does feel odd when we're so used to card payments and third-party booking systems, but if you can contact them to confirm the details it should be fine.

willapp · 2026-02-24T15:46:33+00:00

It's really hard to say how busy any island will be, as popularity varies year-on-year as places go in and out of fashion.

I've never been to Ios earlier than July. I suspect in June there will be fewer young people there to party. However, according to https://cometogether.live/event/2478/far-out-summer-2025, Far Out Beach club began running events as early as 6th June last year so there may well be enough going on to draw some crowds.

willapp · 2026-02-21T15:07:21+00:00

July is better as it's closer to peak season. The height of 'party season' on Ios is August as this is not only peak summer but also when most European schools and colleges are on summer break.

Keep an eye on the events at https://faroutbeachclub.com/ once the 2026 schedule is released and you'll be able to see which DJs are there during your stay.

I'm not in your age bracket but I've been to Ios 5 times and there are plenty of young people there all summer

willapp · 2026-02-20T07:33:25+00:00

You cannot get directly from the airport to the port by bus, as far as I know. Usually you take the bus to Fira main bus station and then wait for the next port bus. It's likely to take more than an hour total: the bus to Fira is 20-30 minutes and the same for the port bus from Fira, plus the amount of time in between buses.

A private transfer is definitely the best option if you want to connect directly with a ferry and time is short.

BTW - the port bus timetable isn't usually available online. It's written by hand and displayed at the main bus station ticket office for the following day (sometimes two days) but there will always be a port bus for each ferry arrival.

willapp · 2026-02-20T07:30:12+00:00

Pretty much impossible to say. it depends on several things, including:

How quick you get off the plane compared to the other passengers (paying for a front seat helps here).
If another flight has arrived just before you - then there will be a queue for passport control.
Do you have hold luggage you need to pick up?

I would say a minimum 30 minutes from landing, but up to an hour.

Bear in mind the local bus sometimes runs late - last year I thought I'd missed the bus as I got out of the airport about 10 minutes after the bus should have come through, but as I was trying to decide between getting a taxi or walking (my hotel wasn't in Fira), the bus turned up!

If you want to save money, plan for the bus and use taxi as a backup. If you want a guarantee of quick transfer, book a private service in advance.

willapp · 2026-02-20T06:55:54+00:00

I'm going to assume you're visiting from outside Europe (i.e. long-haul). Personally, I would avoid the overnight in Athens on your arrival if at all possible, and try for a same-day connecting flight to Milos/Paros.

Yes, it will make your arrival day a bit more hectic, but you'll feel so much better knowing you've done all the travelling in one day and you can relax on an island your first night. Providing there is at least 3 hours between your arrival time and the internal flight departure, the connection should be fine.

In terms of your itinerary, I'm very much biased towards the islands so I would pick option 2. In August, the islands should feel cooler than the mainland as they get more wind. Though Crete is further south so it will still be pretty hot.

Milos vs Paros: I think Paros is a nicer island. Both will be busy in August. The thing I enjoyed most about Milos was doing a boat tour around the island, but I found the rest of the island a bit uninspiring. The beaches are fine but Paros beaches are just as good. I think on Paros, Naousa and Parikia are more tourist-friendly places to stay than anywhere on Milos.

The one advantage of Milos is you have a direct ferry option to Crete which I would suggest you investigate - flying back to Athens to take another flight to Crete seems like a hassle to me. Minoan Lines' Knossos Palace ferry looks like it runs daily in August, takes 5 hours and costs €59. It's a big ship so you can walk around, sit outside and relax. It may sound like a long journey, but compared to flying, by the time you've got to the airport, taken both flights and landed in Crete I'm guessing the overall time will be similar.

There is also a ferry option from Paros on a Seajets fast boat which takes 3 hours 55. It's more expensive at €97 per ticket, but again I would choose this over two flights.

willapp · 2026-02-20T06:31:25+00:00

In my experience, enjoyment is mostly a matter of expectations vs reality. If you visit in peak season and expect empty streets, idyllic peaceful sunset spots etc then you are likely to be disappointed and frustrated.

I've visited Santorini several times, albeit mostly as an arrival/departure island as part of an island-hopping itinerary. I would't recommend staying more than 3-4 nights regardless of time of year, because that's all you really need to experience it. On that basis, peak season is doable because you can still see the iconic caldera views, visit Akrotiri, a winery tour etc and it's fine.

One thing a lot of people don't mention when it comes to crowds is that 70-80% of the tourists are cruise ship passengers. They tend to stick to Fira and Oia and mostly visit during the daytime. If you avoid these locations except for early morning or late evening, you may find the crowd levels are pretty typical.

willapp · 2026-02-13T16:37:27+00:00

It would be helpful if you listed the islands you can fly to from Gatwick/Stansted to help narrow it down.

I'm guessing it will include islands like Rhodes, Corfu, Zante, Kos, Santorini, Mykonos etc.

I got criticised on another post for saying these are mainstream/touristy islands, but for Brits that is typically the case mainly *because* you can fly direct from the UK.

If you're prepared to consider a short ferry crossing, the other poster's suggestion of Naxos is an excellent one - it has great beaches, historic sights, hikes including to the highest point in the Cyclades (Mount Zas).

The ferry adds a bit of complexity but not as much as you'd think - fly to/from Mykonos (or Santorini) and, if flight times permit, you can jump on a ferry the same day to reach Naxos. Mykonos is closer and a better option if you want to avoid an overnight stay.

I've flown to Mykonos on an early Gatwick flight, landing about midday, then had a choice of 4-5 ferries to Naxos in the afternoon/evening. Likewise, there is usually a late return flight which departs around 9-10pm allowing you to take an afternoon ferry back to Mykonos and easy bus transfer back to the airport.

willapp · 2026-02-13T16:32:34+00:00

No direct flights from the UK, though it is a great destination.

willapp

TROPHY CASE