Mourtia Beach | A Hidden Gem in Northeastern Samos

🏖️ Mourtia Beach in Samos

A small pebbled beach with clear turquoise waters, natural shade and picturesque fishing boats on the eastern coast of Samos

Mourtia Beach is located on the eastern side of Samos, approximately 6–7 kilometres from Samos Town. It serves as the coastal harbour of Vlamari and lies inside a picturesque bay surrounded by olive groves, pine trees, rocky slopes and rich Mediterranean vegetation.

The pebbled shore, clear waters and small fishing boats anchored inside the bay create one of the most characteristic coastal scenes in eastern Samos. Road access reaches very close to the beach, while during the summer season a small seasonal canteen operates and umbrellas, sun loungers, a shower and changing facilities are available.

📍 Location

Mourtia is situated east of Samos Town, along the coastal zone below Vlamari. Access follows the route through the Vlamari valley and continues along the road that ends at the bay and the shoreline.

Its position offers open views across the eastern Aegean Sea and towards the opposite coast of Asia Minor. To the south, the natural coastline continues towards the smaller beaches of Mikri Lakka and Megali Lakka.

🏝️ The Bay and Natural Landscape

The beach lies inside a natural bay with rocky, vegetation-covered slopes on both sides. Olive trees, pine trees, shrubs and other vegetation close to the shore create a green natural frame around the sea.

Some trees reach close to the rear part of the beach and provide natural shade. The available shaded areas are limited and can fill quickly during hot summer days.

Small fishing boats are an integral part of the Mourtia landscape, as the bay is used as a natural shelter and anchorage for local vessels.

🏖️ The Shore and Its Composition

The beach is narrow and consists mainly of small and medium-sized pebbles. A local record estimates its length at approximately 160 metres and its average width at around 6 metres.

Smaller pebbles dominate the central section, while more stones and rocky areas appear near the edges of the bay. Water shoes provide greater comfort when walking along the beach and entering the sea.

The limited size of the shoreline means that areas near the natural shade and seasonal umbrellas can fill quickly, particularly during summer weekends.

🌊 The Water and Seabed

The waters of Mourtia are clean and transparent, with vivid blue and turquoise shades. The excellent visibility allows visitors to observe the seabed and the small fish moving close to the rocky areas of the bay.

The seabed near the shore consists mainly of pebbles and small stones. Entry into the sea in the central section is relatively smooth, and the depth increases gradually, providing comfortable swimming conditions.

Towards the rocky sides, the seabed becomes more uneven, with stones, rocks and marine vegetation. These areas are particularly interesting for exploration with a mask and snorkel.

🌬️ Wind and Waves

The position of the bay usually provides protection from northerly winds and strong waves. On most summer days, the sea remains calm, particularly close to the shore.

Conditions may change when strong winds blow from the direction of the bay’s opening. Swimmers moving farther from the coast should monitor the weather and the movement of small boats.

🚤 Fishing Boats and Vessels

Mourtia is a traditional anchorage for small fishing boats and private vessels. The colourful boats resting in the bay add a distinctive character to the scenery.

Swimmers should keep a safe distance from mooring areas, ropes and the routes used by boats when approaching or leaving the shore.

🤿 Swimming and Snorkelling

The clarity of the water and its usually calm surface offer excellent conditions for relaxed swimming. The central section provides easier entry, while the rocky sides offer greater interest for snorkelling.

Near the rocks, visitors may observe small schools of fish, stones, marine plants and different seabed formations. Exploration should take place at a safe distance from anchored boats and their mooring ropes.

There is no organised water-sports centre or permanent equipment-rental service on the beach.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Suitability for Families

The easy road access, usually calm sea and gradually increasing depth make Mourtia a suitable option for families. Recent reports indicate that the central section is comfortably used by families with children.

The pebbles can make walking and playing more difficult for very young children, so water shoes and a thick beach mat or mattress can provide greater comfort.

There is no confirmed lifeguard coverage. Children must remain under continuous adult supervision, particularly because of the boats moving or anchoring inside the bay.

☂️ Organisation and Available Facilities

During the summer season, a small canteen operates and offers coffee, soft drinks, alcoholic beverages, snacks and simple food options. The most recent reports from 2025 confirm both its operation and the presence of an organised section with umbrellas and sun loungers.

A shower and changing facilities are also available through the seasonal installation. These amenities are connected with the summer operation of the canteen and may not be available at the beginning or end of the tourist season.

The presence of a public toilet on the beach has not been confirmed.

🍹 Canteen and Food Options

The canteen operates as a small seasonal service point beside the shore. It offers drinks, coffee, snacks and simple meals, serving visitors who choose to spend several hours at Mourtia.

It is not an independent restaurant or seaside taverna. Outside the main summer period, visitors should carry drinking water and basic supplies.

🚗 Access by Car or Motorcycle

Mourtia is reached from Samos Town through the Vlamari area. The road ends at the beach, and no hiking or descent along a footpath is required.

The route passes through olive groves and natural vegetation. In certain places, the road is narrow and requires careful driving, particularly when two vehicles meet from opposite directions.

🅿️ Parking Area

Free parking is available on natural ground close to the shore. The short distance between the parking area and the beach makes it easier to carry equipment.

On busy days, the nearest spaces may fill up. Vehicles should be parked without blocking access to the shore, the boats or the continuation of the road.

♿ Accessibility

Road access to a point very close to the shore helps visitors who find it difficult to walk long distances.

The pebbled beach and natural ground make independent wheelchair movement difficult. Dedicated parking spaces, a permanent mobility pathway, an access ramp or a SEATRAC system have not been confirmed.

🌿 The Atmosphere of the Beach

Mourtia retains a calm and natural character, with its vegetation, turquoise waters and fishing boats dominating the scenery. On weekdays and during the morning, the atmosphere is usually more peaceful.

During the summer season, and especially at weekends, the beach attracts more visitors. The small canteen and limited organised section provide comfort without changing the natural character of the bay.

🤿 What Is Worth Doing

Swim in the central part of the bay, where entry into the sea is smoother and boat movements are easier to observe.

Use a mask and snorkel near the rocky sides, while keeping a safe distance from boats and mooring ropes.

Observe the small schools of fish moving above the pebbled and rocky seabed.

Enjoy the view across the eastern Aegean and towards the opposite coast of Asia Minor.

Photograph the traditional fishing boats and the contrast between the turquoise waters and green hillsides.

💡 Useful Advice

Bring water shoes, as both the shore and seabed are mainly pebbled.

Arrive early to find parking, natural shade or a place in the organised section more easily.

Do not swim between anchored boats and avoid the mooring ropes.

Do not rely on the presence of a lifeguard or public toilet.

Carry drinking water and basic supplies when visiting outside the main summer period.

Do not leave rubbish on the beach or in the surrounding densely vegetated areas.

⭐ Beach Characteristics

✅ Small pebbled beach on the eastern side of Samos.

✅ Approximately 6–7 kilometres from Samos Town.

✅ Coastal harbour of Vlamari.

✅ Narrow shoreline with small and medium-sized pebbles.

✅ Clear and transparent turquoise waters.

✅ Relatively smooth entry in the central section.

✅ Gradually increasing depth.

✅ Usually calm sea inside the bay.

✅ Rocky sides offering interesting snorkelling conditions.

✅ Small fishing boats and other vessels anchored inside the bay.

✅ Limited natural shade from trees close to the shore.

✅ Seasonal canteen offering drinks, snacks and simple meals.

✅ Umbrellas and sun loungers during the summer season.

✅ Seasonal shower and changing facilities.

✅ Road access to a point very close to the shore.

✅ Free parking area close to the beach.

✅ Suitable for families with continuous supervision of children.

✅ Calm natural character with increased visitor numbers during summer weekends.