Karlovassi Patmos ferry

Karlovassi Guide

Karlovassi Ferry Port

Found on the glittering ultramarine coast that kisses the north-western edge of Samos, a roughly oval-shaped island deep in the Greek stretch of the North Aegean Sea, is the charming port-town of Karlovasi. Built in a wedge between a landscape of steep hills, the town is picture-perfect in its guise as an idyllic Mediterranean community. Traditional white-walled apartment blocks rise in anarchic tiers upon slopes coloured deep-green with Mediterranean pines, while a web of narrow lanes snake idly through the suburbs. The waterfront is lined by a sweeping promenade studded with alfresco restaurants and bars and canvas stalls selling local wares. Beyond them, in the warm shallows of the Aegean Sea, yachts and sailboats bob gently on their moorings. The port in Karlovasi is found at the north-eastern edge of town. It is a small site featuring a handful of piers that jut into a section of the sea sheltered by an arcing breakwater. Incoming ferries dock along the edge of the largest pier where facilities are limited to just a check-in booth and a short stay car-park. Travelling to and from the harbour can prove difficult. The island is hewn from rugged mountains that are split by just a few “main” roads, while most of the villages, Karlovasi included, are designed around a cramped network of streets more suited to pedestrians than cars. A few public buses travel between the towns and villages found nestled in the niches between the hills. Most services travel to the synonymous capital of Samos; this quaint, bay-side town sitting at the end of the number 62 highway which curves away from the heart of Karlovasi and traces the island’s rocky northern coastline east. A number of routes currently operate from the port in Karlovasi throughout the week. Services hosted by Hellenic Seaways sail to several of the islands that speckle the Aegean Sea; including Chios, Limnos and the port-city of Mytilene on the isle of Lesbos to the north; and Mykonos, Syros and the town of Evdilos on Ikaria in the west. A couple of other routes head to the city district of Piraeus and the town of Kavala further away on the Greek mainland.

Patmos Guide

What is there to do in Patmos?

Most famous for being the setting for the Book of Revelation, Patmos still maintains its spirituality among the modernisation inevitably caused by the growing tourism industry. The harbour attracts the main block of tourists, especially in the warmer months where the restaurants offer picturesque views whilst serving delicious sea food fresh from the waters. To form a taste of the traditional values associated with Patmos, head to the surrounding villages that provide an insight into the island’s history whilst basking in the warm, welcoming atmosphere. After exploring the history of Patmos, it is worthwhile heading to the coastline to enjoy the golden sands and azure blue waters that encompass the island. Psili Ammos Beach is the most popular with visitors, offering a particularly mountainous landscape that is perfect for embarking on a leisurely stroll under the afternoon sun. The entire island is littered in challenging walking trails and steep hills, so it’s the perfect place to escape the stress of the modern world.

How do visitors get around Patmos?

Patmos is fairly small so it is possible to cover much of the island by foot. Alternatively, there are taxis readily available.