Jet2 has just begun flying to a beautiful Greek island home to rugged mountains, cobblestone alleys and fresh waterfalls. In May 2026, the budget airline launched a new flight route from the UK to Samos, becoming only the second airline to offer direct flights to the island, after TUI.
From May to the end of October, Jet2 will be flying twice weekly from Manchester Airport, London Stansted and Birmingham to Samos, with fares from £48. The island of 32,000 is not one on the British holidaymakers' Greek trail, at least not when compared to the likes of Crete, Cyprus or Mykonos. But there are plenty of reasons why a visit to Samos is a great idea.
Historical and Cultural Riches
For one, it's a place of serious historical pedigree, home as it is to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites of Pythagoreion and Heraion, and as the supposed birthplace of the Greek goddess Hera. Zeus's sister/wife is far from the only famous child Samos has to shout about. It is also the birthplace of the Greek philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, the philosophers Melissus of Samos and Epicurus, and the astronomer Aristarchus of Samos, the first known person to suggest that the Earth revolves around the Sun.
Natural Beauty and Outdoor Activities
Samos is one of the greenest Greek islands, and its nature is genuinely impressive. It is quite different from the more barren, sun-bleached look of many other Aegean islands. Forests and mountains are a big part of that. Much of the island is covered in dense pine and cypress forests, and Mount Kerkis dominates the western end, rising to around 1,434 metres. It's one of the highest peaks in the Aegean and is popular with serious hikers. The summit trail takes about 5–6 hours round trip.
Rivers and waterfalls are unusual for a Greek island, yet Samos has several. The most famous is the Potami waterfall near Karlovasi in the west, where a river flows through a gorge shaded by plane trees into a series of cascading pools you can swim in. It's one of the most scenic spots on the island. Beaches range from busy, sandy coves to wild, pebbly stretches backed by cliffs. Psili Ammos in the east has fine golden sand, while spots like Mikro Seitani and Megalo Seitani on the northwest coast are only reachable on foot or by boat.
Local Hospitality and Authentic Experiences
Antasia Nalmpanti is the general manager of Casa Cook Samos, a hotel on the island with rooms from €243. She told the Mirror: "Samos is one of those rare Greek islands that still feels genuinely undiscovered - and that's a big part of what makes it so special. Unlike many Mediterranean destinations, it hasn't been shaped by mass tourism; the pace is slower, the landscape is wilder, and the locals are incredibly welcoming."
"Our hotel, Casa Cook Samos, was designed to mirror exactly that spirit - inspired by the architecture of a traditional Samian village, nestled between lush hillsides and the Aegean, with private beach access and a restaurant that genuinely tastes of the island. Guests arrive looking for something real and unspoiled. Samos delivers that, every single time."
"At Casa Cook Samos, our goal is also to bring people together and revive the spirit of parea - the Greek tradition of sharing moments, stories, food, and connection, just as people once gathered around the village square. Guests can experience this feeling at our Parea Bar, where conversations flow naturally, and during our Samian Dinner, where a local yiayia joins us to prepare traditional dishes and share the island's culinary heritage. It's these authentic moments of togetherness that make a stay on Samos truly memorable."
