Karlovassi is situated 32km. to the west of the town of Samos. Is the second largest village in size and  a major commercial center. In the old days Karlovassi was known as Karlovasia, (plural number), since there were three communities: New, Middle and Old Karlovassi. All of them were built on the hills surrounding the valley. During the 1950’s the three communities were united as one.
Today, Karlovassi has a population of approximately 7,000 inhabitants. On the north side of the village the traditional harbor can be found.
The visitor can be go to the beach of  Potami, on the western part of the village, where there is a also a hot spring. A little further on there are two more beaches, known as the Small and Big Seitani. Both are protected areas, since they are the habitat of the Monachus-Monachus seal.