The Acropolis of Sami is located on the tops of the two hills, Paleokastro and Agioi Fanentos, above the current city of Sami. From the walled hills, two arms descended to the beach, so the whole city was protected. It seems that the inhabitants of Sami in ancient times, in addition to farmers and breeders, were sailors and traders. This was helped by the city's strategic position, located in the east of the island, and the fact that it has a large and well-protected port. From this specific geographical position it was possible to control the strait of Ithaca, but also the passages from north to south, between mainland Greece and Kefalonia.

During the years of the Roman conquest, as can be seen from a large number of mosaics and other findings brought to light by the excavations, Sami must have been the most important city of Kefalonia