Vourliotes Samos

Vourliotes is one of the oldest villages of Samos. It is built at an altitude of 300 meters, at the foothills of Mt. Ambelos, in an area covered with lush vegetation, consisting mainly of pine trees and numerous vineyards. It owes its name to the origin of the first settlers who were refugees coming from the village of Vourla in Asia Minor and who settled in Samos at the end of the 16th century. At that time, Vourliotes was the only village in the wider area. The village was at first built in the lowlands, in the area of ​​Paleochori but due to the pirate raids the inhabitants moved higher, to the place where the village lies now. Nowadays, most of the inhabitants are engaged in the cultivation of vineyards and in tourism.

Vourliotes preserves elements of traditional architecture and has been characterized as a settlement of special natural beauty. It has beautiful traditional houses that stand the one next to the other, with colored shutters and doors and whitewashed courtyards. Wander through the narrow alleys to admire the well-preserved houses, typical sample of local architecture and the old churches, like the church of Agios Ioannis of the 18th century, the Assumption of the Virgin with the wood-carved iconostasis and the church of Agios Ioannis Prodromos in Pnaka. Two kilometers to the south, is situated the Holy Monastery of Vrontas or Panagia Vrontiani, which is considered to be the oldest monastery on Samos. It was founded in 1560 by two brothers, the monks Iakovos and Makarios and it is dedicated to the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. In the village square there is a stone fountain, and a few cafes and tavernas where you can taste local dishes and drink the famous wine of Samos.

It is very easy to reach the village, either by car or by bus from Vathi. The broader area is ideal for walking and hiking. Many hiking trails start from Vourliotes, connecting the village with Manolates, Agia Marina and other villages in the wider area.