Kokkari Samos

holiday report and Samos map

Kokkari beach Samos

KOKKARI is on the north coast of Samos about 10km west Samos Town and is one of the island's premier holiday resorts, the third largest on Samos.
Kokkari was once just a busy little port and the original site of the hill village dates back to the 19th century. The name Kokkari is thought to derive from a small onion that was once grown here.
The modern tourist resort of Kokkari has spread down the hill and over the coastal plain with tourism now the main industry here. Despite the modern tourist sprawl much of the village remains picturesque, adding to its tourist allure.
The area around Kokkari is also very lush and green with pine-forested hills capping the vineyards and large groves of olive and citrus that stream down the hillsides.
The eastern end of Kokkari has a large harbour, enclosed by attractive rocky outcrops at each end, both with small pebble beach strips. The long harbour wall is packed with waterside tavernas and bars.
At the western end of Kokkari is a long, straight and steeply banked pebble beach facing north-west. Like the harbour, Kokkari beach is backed by a long line of tavernas and cafes. There are plenty of clubs and bars here to attract younger crowds.
Kokkari beach is pleasant enough but the pebbles are uncomfortable to walk on and they drop sharply into the sea, so Kokkari is not the ideal family beach.
All the usual watersports you expect of a large beach resort are here including jet skis and paragliding. The fresh northerly breezes also make Kokkari a popular windsurfing beach.
Heading west along the coast is Lemonakia beach nearby and a little further along the shore is the larger and more popular Tsamadou beach. Handcrafted pottery can be found at the nearby village of Manolates.