Syros will take you on a journey to another era! A Cycladic Island full of contrasts, old mansions, picturesque alleys and with a unique cosmopolitan air, invites you to explore and enjoy it.
So, together with the well-known group, our friends Liana and Antonis, we booked our ferry at super price from ferryscanner.com. We took our motorbikes and left the port of Piraeus for the Cyclades princess!
First of all, in Syros you will meet Ermoupoli and Ano Syros. It is about 2 hills, where one constitutes the Orthodox and the other the Catholic community. In Ermoupoli, walk with your head held high, as the neoclassical buildings will attract your attention and admiration! In Ano Syros you will get lost in the Cycladic, picturesque alleys. But remember to be in Ano Syros after 18:00, as shops, bars and restaurants open from that time and on.
Syros, Cyclades
Sights on the island of Syros
What to see in Ermoupoli
The Vaporia: It will become your favorite place to walk, eat or swim in Ermoupoli. There you will find 2 jetties to dive in crystal clear waters. The area will take you to another era, the landscape will enchant you and remind you of Italy. It is impossible not to notice the church of Agios Nikolaos with its dome standing out from afar. If you have time, it’s worth a visit inside!
“Ciel” is a wonderful place in Vaporia to dive from the pier and enjoy coffee or breakfast.
Syros, Cyclades
Walking in the capital of Syros, Ermoupoli, it is worth visiting Miaouli square with the impressive Town Hall, a 19th century construction by Ziller. Of course, it is worth going inside to admire this extraordinary architectural work. Entrance is free, open from 8:00 to 15:00, Monday to Friday.
Near the town hall, you will find the well-known Apollo theater with its impressive artistic ceiling and the Chamber of Cyclades located in a beautiful neoclassical building full of ceiling paintings. It is worth visiting, with the entrance being completely free, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Take some time to browse the marble-paved streets of Ermoupoli and get lost in its neighborhoods. On your walk you will come across the “stairs”, as the locals call them. These are the local ladies of the island, who sit on the steps in front of their house and comment on passers-by.
Be sure to try the traditional loukumi of Syros. Our neighbor, in the house we rented, offered us rose Turkish delight with walnut. The taste is unique! And because you will definitely want to take it with you when you leave the island, know that you will find loukoumia everywhere in the center of Ermoupoli.
Syros, Cyclades
What to see in Ano Syros
To walk through its endless picturesque alleys, ending up at the highest point, where the Catholic Cathedral of St. George dominates. If you are there before 21:30 you will have the opportunity to enter the interior of the temple.
Visit the museum of the well-known Greek rebbe Markos Vamvakaris. The museum has a small collection of his personal items by paying a very low entrance fee. You will find it open from 16:00 until 22:00.
Opposite the museum you will find the most picturesque bar of the island, “Theosis”. Enjoyed delicious cocktails on its steps, sitting on its cushions.
Enjoy traditional local dishes on the terrace of the “Fragosyrgiani” restaurant, where you will also meet the bust of the “Patriarch” of the rebetiko Markos Vamvakaris. Another terrace with a wonderful view of Ermoupoli and delicious mezes is the “Apanochoritissa” meze restaurant.
Attention: Don’t forget that in Ano Syros shops, bars and restaurants open after 18:00.
Additionally, in Ano Syros, you can go on foot from Ermoupoli. However, I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it as there are so many steps! It’s preferable to use any means of transportation you have to reach the highest point by following the road around Ano Syros. Then, you can explore the area on foot more easily and comfortably.
Syros, Cyclades
Which beaches should I visit?
Whichever beaches you visit the waters are crystal clear, with the farthest beach being 25 minutes by car/motorcycle from Ermoupoli. Below we write the most famous beaches of Syros, as well as which ones we chose to visit.
Syros offers beaches that are friendly and accessible for people with disabilities. Read more here.
Galissa beach
West of the island there is the beautiful Galissa beach. It is worth sitting on this beach until sunset and combine it with food at the “Sunset” restaurant. To the left of the beach there is a jewel, the chapel of Agia Pakou and a beautiful, quiet cove, Armeos beach, which not even the locals will mention.
Agia Pakou Chapel
To find yourself at the chapel you will follow the path at the end of Galissa beach. You’ll climb a few steps, but it’s worth it! Be there when the sun goes down. The beauty of the landscape will simply enchant you.
Armeos beach
Above the chapel, you can’t help but notice the small creek that literally “hides” below. This privileged position of Armeos beach makes it especially dear to those who wish to isolate themselves from the crowds.
The little church of Agios Stefanos
Another chapel on Galissa beach is the hidden chapel of Agios Stefanos. It takes time, good physical condition and special courage to approach it, as you can only walk to it. Rumor has it that the sight will reward you. The small church is built into the rocks and for this reason, it has neither a floor nor a ceiling. Unfortunately we didn’t go, as we did not have sport shoes with us. It’s an experience we left for the next time we visit Syros.
Kini Beach
In the northwest of the island there is a cove called Kini beach. From this beach you can take a boat to take you to beaches of the island that you would not otherwise have access to. For more information and contact details about the boat, send us a message here. Combine your swim at Kini beach with lunch at the wonderful restaurant “Two cicadas in tamarisk”. Sit there at dusk and you will remember us!!
Kokkina beach
In the southwest of the island you will find the settlement of Finika and Kokkina beach. It is a very small, red but lovely beach with stones. It is worth passing by there for a few hours and a few dives and continue towards the settlement of Poseidonia.
Komito Beach
In Poseidonia, a Syros settlement with remarkable mansions, also known as Delagrasia, you will find the popular Agathopes beach. But if you don’t like the crowds and the occupation of the beach by deckchairs, continue a little further until you find the wonderful Komito beach.
Southeast of the island you have the option of swimming at the sandy and clear blue beaches of Azolimnos, Vari and Megalos Gyalos.
Syros, Cyclades
In Syros, on this stately, Cycladic Island of the Aegean, you will experience unique moments, vacationing against the background of the grandeur of the olden times!
