Pefkos of Samos

🏚️ Pefkos – A Village with a Heart of Stone and Pine

📍 Location

Pefkos is an old, abandoned settlement located southwest of Karlovasi, built on the slopes of western Samos, between Marathokampos and the Kerkis mountain range. It is surrounded by dense pine forests—which gave the village its name—along with old vineyards, farmlands, and stone farmhouses.

🧭 Quick Overview

Pefkos is no longer "inhabited" in the traditional sense. It is a deserted village, full of ruins, low stone walls, narrow paths lined with dry-stone fences, and shaded by overgrown trees. The place has a rare tranquility, almost metaphysical — as if touched by nature and the memory of those who once lived there.

Access is mostly via hiking trail or 4x4 vehicle, and those who reach it often feel like they've stepped into an old black-and-white film.

📜 History & Tradition

Pefkos was a remote farming village without any transport connections, which led to its gradual abandonment during the postwar decades. Its inhabitants mostly relocated to Karlovasi or Marathokampos.

Local lore suggests that the pine trees of the area provided excellent resin and timber — used in ovens, boats, and barrels.

Today, only remnants of old houses and stone structures remain, surrounded by the deep silence of the forest.

👀 What to See

🪨 Ruins of homes, with crumbled walls, empty windows, and nature reclaiming every corner.

⛪ A small countryside chapel (if you can find it – nature often hides it completely).

🌲 The dense pine forest around the area – creating an otherworldly atmosphere.

🥾 A footpath leading toward Marathokampos or nearby ravines.

🕰️ Best Time to Visit

Autumn or spring: Ideal for natural light and mild temperatures.

Summer: Visit only in the early morning or late afternoon (there's shade, but the light can be harsh).

❗ There are no tourist facilities. Bring water and proper hiking shoes.

🧭 How to Get There

You can access the area via an agricultural road starting either from Marathokampos or from a junction southwest of Karlovasi. The final part requires a 10–15-minute walk. With a 4x4, you can get much closer.

🏖️ Pefkos Beach

The small beach of Pefkos (about 200 meters long), with coarse pebbles, is located approximately 37 kilometers southwest of the island's capital. The water is deep and crystal-clear, and the beach is naturally sheltered within the Bay of Marathokampos.

The marine ecosystem here is rich in biodiversity. The coastal and underwater environment hosts many endemic fish species, shellfish, and mollusks. The seabed is home to extensive Posidonia meadows and red algae, crucial for the survival and reproduction of marine life.

The beach itself has pebbles, while the seabed consists of sand, stones, and a few rocks. From Pythagorio, heading toward Skoureika, you follow 4 km of moderate asphalt road to reach this small, secluded beach. It's believed the area got its name from the surrounding pine trees, which offer both shade and a distinctive forest aroma.

You'll find lush vegetation reaching down to the sea, rock formations with strange shapes, and a sense of untouched charm. Pefkos offers stunning views of the surrounding landscape and the small scenic cove where boats and fishing vessels are moored.

A beach for true nature lovers, fully isolated from the lights of civilization.
There is a nearby tavern offering fresh seafood. You’ll also find the neighboring beaches of Peri and Psili Ammos of Skoureika just a short walk away.

This beach is not organized, but it’s ideal for a quiet swim in beautiful waters, far from the capital and mass tourism.

👥 Population

Pefkos belongs administratively to the Municipality of West Samos.
According to the 2011 census, the settlement had 17 residents.