The south-coast port and the second town of Samos sits on the site of the ancient capital, with the modern harbour built right on top of the sixth-century BC mole that Herodotus listed among the wonders of the Greek world. The waterfront is wall-to-wall tavernas and small fishing boats, with caïques running day trips to nearby Patmos and Turkey.
It is the more touristy of the two main towns, with a livelier night and a better range of food, but it keeps a fishing-village feel out of season. The Archaeological Museum on the road inland is small but has good finds from the ancient city — sculpture, jewellery, and a Roman-era statue of the emperor Trajan.