A day in Greece – by ferry from Kuşadası to Samos

From Kuşadası you can see Samos on the horizon: just over an hour by ferry and you are in Greece. We accompany you across the border and through the day – from the harbour town of Pythagorion with its tavernas to the 2,500-year-old Tunnel of Eupalinos and the Heraion, the sanctuary of Hera, and back when the sun is low over the Aegean. Two countries, one history: Ionia lay on both sides of the water.

Highlights

• Ferry crossing Kuşadası – Samos with a view of Mycale
• Pythagorion: harbour, Logothetis castle and waterfront tavernas (UNESCO World Heritage)
• Tunnel of Eupalinos: 1,036 metres through the mountain, dug around 530 BC from both ends
• Heraion: sanctuary of Hera with its last standing column
• Lunch with fish and Greek wine
• Assistance with all border and ferry formalities

Full description

The day starts early at the Kuşadası ferry terminal: passport control, exit, and the catamaran casts off. On the way we explain why Samos and the coast opposite were one world for centuries – Polycrates, Pythagoras and the Ionian cities whose ruins you see on other days on the Turkish side. In Pythagorion we stroll through the harbour town built on the walls of the ancient city.

Then a local taxi or minibus takes us to the Tunnel of Eupalinos, a masterpiece of ancient engineering, and to the Heraion, the great sanctuary of Hera by the sea. After lunch in a taverna there is time to swim or for a detour to Vathy with the Archaeological Museum and the five-metre kouros. In the late afternoon the ferry brings you back to Kuşadası.

What we see

We adapt order and selection to weekday, opening hours, weather and your wishes.

• 1 · Kuşadası ferry terminal
  Meeting point 7:30 am, passport and exit control, crossing.
• 2 · Pythagorion
  Harbour, Logothetis castle, remains of the ancient city wall.
• 3 · Tunnel of Eupalinos
  Aqueduct through the mountain from the 6th century BC.
• 4 · Heraion
  Sanctuary of Hera, UNESCO World Heritage, the last standing column.
• 5 · Lunch and free time
  Taverna by the water, swimming or Archaeological Museum Vathy.
• 6 · Return ferry to Kuşadası
  Arrival in the early evening, entry into Turkey.

Included

• 11 hours private, state-licensed guide in your language (Mehmet Humayunoğlu or an experienced colleague from his team)
• Planning, coordination and time management of the day
• Headsets for groups of 16 or more
• Personal tour escort for the whole day, from and to Kuşadası
• Help with ferry tickets, passport and border formalities

Not included

• Ferry tickets Kuşadası – Samos – Kuşadası (same-day return, approx. €47–59 per adult depending on operator; we reserve them for you)
• Local taxi or minibus on Samos
• Entrance fees in Greece (Tunnel of Eupalinos, Heraion, museum)
• Lunch and drinks
• Transfer from Izmir, optional: €120 + €10 per person
• Personal expenses, tips

Meeting point

The meeting point is the ferry terminal at Kuşadası harbour (Ege Port) at 7:30 am. From Izmir the optional transfer picks you up in the morning and brings you back in the evening.

You will recognise me by the sign “MeinReiseleiter.de” and the visibly worn guide licence. We confirm meeting point and time with your booking.

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Important information

German, English, Turkish, French, Italian, Spanish – 25 more languages on request.

• Passport – Every guest needs a passport valid for at least 3 more months; we need the passport details no later than 3 days before for the ferry tickets.
• Visa – Citizens of the EU, Switzerland, the UK and the USA travel visa-free. Turkish citizens need a Schengen visa or the Samos express visa – please clarify before booking.
• Guiding in Greece – Inside Greek archaeological sites only Greek-licensed guides may guide. We accompany and explain outside the sites; a local guide for the Heraion or the tunnel can be arranged on request.
• Season – Ferries run daily roughly from May to October; departure times may change at short notice.
• Tunnel of Eupalinos – Visits only with timed tickets and limited group size; not for people with claustrophobia.
• Cruise guests – Only possible with a long stay in port – because of border control and fixed ferry times, please check with us first.