Jet2 has launched a new route from Birmingham Airport to Samos, a lesser-known Greek island, with fares starting from £48. The budget carrier began operating flights to Samos in May 2026, making it only the second airline to offer direct services to the island after TUI.
The twice-weekly flights run from May to the end of October, departing from Manchester Airport, London Stansted, and Birmingham. Samos, home to 32,000 residents, remains relatively undiscovered by British tourists compared to popular destinations like Crete, Cyprus, or Mykonos. However, the island offers numerous attractions.
Rich Historical Heritage
Samos boasts two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Pythagoreion and Heraion. It is considered the birthplace of the Greek goddess Hera, as well as the philosopher and mathematician Pythagoras, philosophers Melissus of Samos and Epicurus, and astronomer Aristarchus of Samos, who first proposed a heliocentric model of the solar system.
Natural Beauty
Samos is one of the greenest Greek islands, with dense pine and cypress forests and rugged mountains. Mount Kerkis, the highest peak in the Aegean at 1,434 meters, offers a challenging hike of 5–6 hours round trip. The island also features rare rivers and waterfalls, such as the Potami waterfall near Karlovasi, where a river flows through a gorge into swimming pools.
Beaches range from sandy bays like Psili Ammos to secluded pebble coves like Mikro Seitani and Megalo Seitani, accessible only on foot or by boat.
Local Insights
Antasia Nalmpanti, general manager of Casa Cook Samos, a hotel with rooms from €243 per night, described the island as "one of those rare Greek islands that still feels genuinely undiscovered." She noted that Samos has not been shaped by mass tourism, offering a slower pace, wilder landscapes, and welcoming locals. The hotel, designed like a traditional Samian village, emphasizes the Greek tradition of parea—sharing moments, stories, and food.
With its unique blend of history, nature, and authentic experiences, Samos is an emerging destination worth exploring.
