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Why go to Symi

Picturesque and peaceful, holidays to Symi are full of visits to secluded beaches, plates of excellent Greek food and shopping in chic boutiques. If a slice of laid-back island life sounds good to you, plan a trip to Symi to relax and unwind.

The first thing you’ll notice as you sail towards Symi’s harbour – you can’t fly to the island – is its collection of beautiful, brightly coloured neoclassical houses with terracotta roofs that cling onto the hillside. As there are regular ferries to Symi – most holidaymakers opt to arrive via Rhodes – the island can be quite busy with day-trippers in peak season. But, in the evenings, you’ll enjoy a much quieter setting.

Travelling by ferry, you’ll arrive into Gialos (or Yialos) where you can relax waterside in a taverna watching boats bobbing on sparkling, clear water. This is the gateway to Symi Town, the bustling port at the heart of the island. It’s divided into two areas – harbourside Gialos and Chorio. Chorio is the higher part of town on the slopes and is generally less crowded than Gialos. To get there, embrace a challenging climb up 500 steps, through cobbled streets, to see glorious Gialos and the sparkling sea stretching out below. You’ll find attractive churches and the ruins of a castle here.

Travel Information

Language

Greek

Currency

Euro (€)

Average flight time(from London)

4 hrs (Rhodes) plus ferry

When to go to Symi

The weather in Symi is typically Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and mild winters. The summer months of July and August have average high temperatures of around 27C but can rise to over 30C so bring sun-cream and seek out shade at the hottest times of the day. The summer months will also be the busiest with day-trippers from Rhodes as well as visitors staying on the island.

For a combination of cooler conditions perfect for hiking and sightseeing, fewer crowds and a higher chance of bagging a cheap holiday to Symi, consider travelling in spring or early autumn. In spring, you’ll also see some lovely floral displays and temperatures can creep above 20C.

What to do in Symi

You could go to Symi and simply relax in a secluded bay, soaking in the peace and quiet. But, if you’d like a mini adventure, or to learn more about the island’s history, there are some fascinating attractions to visit, from an impressive monastery to castle ruins with a view.

Monastery of the Archangel Michael Panormitis

On the southwest coast of Symi, this monastery is one of the island’s most popular sights. Dedicated to the island’s patron saint and protector of sailors, the Archangel Michael, it has an impressive baroque-style bell tower, church and museums.

Look out for notes and offerings in bottles that have been dropped off boats for luck, wall paintings and an icon of the Archangel Michael. In the summer, you can stay at the still-inhabited monastery too.

Beaches

You could spend your entire holiday discovering Symi’s beaches. Agios Georgios is a remote shingle beach offering a place for sun-worshippers to relax. At Agios Nikolaos, meanwhile, you’ll find kid-friendly shallows with a gently sloping shoreline as well as beach bars for the adults.

Marathounda Beach tends to be one of the last stops on water taxi routes and is also accessible by road. Its crystal-clear waters make it an ideal stop for snorkelling.

Chorio

Tackle the 500 steps on the Kali Strata path up to Chorio, the upper part of Symi Town and admire the villas, some crumbling, some pristine, on the way up. You’ll be rewarded for your efforts with a knockout view over the twinkling harbour, so pack your camera.

There are plenty of places to enjoy a drink or bite to eat at the top too. Keep going to find the ruins of the castle at the top.

Archaeological Museum of Symi

Symi’s small archaeological museum is also in Chorio, in a traditional house in the old part of town.

Expect to see archaeological collections from the Roman and Byzantine eras, as well as traditional clothing and furniture and exhibitions on its folklore.

Wine presses of Symi

Winemaking is an old tradition in Symi, a fact fairly recently discovered when, in the 1990s, presses from the Byzantine era were uncovered all across the island.

From the more than 100 discovered, 11 have been restored in the Kourkouniotis area near the Monastery of Megalos. The presses, made of enormous stones, have been constructed in circular shapes in which the grapes were trampled.

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