Vatos, the hidden beach of Samothraki

Vatos Beach isn't one of Samothraki's easy-to-reach beaches. Quite the contrary! It's in an inaccessible area of the island, beyond the mountains and far from any roads.

Vatos is in the south, a few coves away from Pachia Ammos as you go eastwards. The homonymous river flows into the sea here through a picturesque canyon.

It's an incredibly wild and beautiful long beach, with sand, white pebbles and clear turquoise water.

To the right, seemingly impenetrable rocks border the stretch of sand. An arch opens towards the open sea and lets the waves through. Visitors named it i Trypa tou Vatou ("the hole of Vatos").

Plane trees and oleanders follow the river down to the beach, so you can find shade. There's also fresh water in the form of a small spring nearby.

The only ways of getting to Vatos Beach are hiking or going by boat.

The most popular path starts above Pachia Ammos and cuts through the abrupt cliffs of Mount Saos. The hike is not long (1.5-2 hours at most), but not for the faint of heart. The path is marked with red painted dots. Some portions require mountaineering experience and definitely a lack of fear of heights.

An alternative would be to follow the ascending dirt road that intersects the one that goes to Panagia Krimniotissa. After a 1 km climb, you'll reach the remains of the prehistoric settlement Fylla on a plateau. From that point on, you'll have to make your way 400 meters down to the river bed, which eventually leads to the beach. For the most part, there's no path or markings of any kind and some sections can be somewhat dangerous. Attempt this trail only if you're familiar with the area and have mountaineering experience, bring proper equipment and beware that most of the time there's no phone signal.

Both paths are best to be avoided if you are not an experienced hiker.

Vatos Beach is considered one of the most beautiful in Samothraki. It's loved by those who desire freedom and living in nature, far from civilization. Some people come here every year, camping for weeks, enjoying silence and relaxation.