Night view of a large settlement from the sea with hills that have churches on the tops.

Syros

NOW 15 °C

Next 5 days

SUN 13 °C
MON 14 °C
TUES 13 °C
WED 12 °C
THURS 10 °C

Source: National Observatory of Athens /meteo.gr

The Elegant Island

Syros Island is a fascinating mix of Venetian Catholic style, architecture & traditions and eastern Greek culture, a place with a distinctive charm and a very long history that dates as far back as the Bronze Age’s Cycladic Civilisation. Today, the island is well-known for its rich cultural tradition, which includes the events that take place in Ermoupoli, the island’s capital town, such as the International Classical Music Festival of Cyclades, the ANIMASYROS International Animation Festival, and the Ermoupoleia Cultural Festival. Make the most of what’s on offer and have a truly memorable stay on the island.

The island has a large number of beaches you can enjoy as well as your favourite water sports, and a rich delicious cuisine. The famous halvadopita (a type of nougat pie), loukoumia (small cubes made of a mixture of sugar, water and starch that are offered in a number of flavours), the cold meats louza and maratholoukanika, as well as the PDO cheese San Michali will tempt the most demanding palate.

Large colored church with a blue dome over colored houses that reach the sea. Small pier in front.

Unique Experiences

CULTURE

Hermoupolis Textile Museum

Touring the Island

The seaside town of Ermoupoli (named after God Hermes) is the capital of Syros Island, and used to be the first commercial and industrial centre of Greece. It experienced an unprecedented economic growth during the 19th c. As the city started to get populated and thanks to its ideal geographical position Ermoupoli’s harbour became the most important tradingn and shipping centre of the newly established Greek State -by 1850 the Custom's Office revenue was equal to three quarters that of the country.

During your stay in Ermoupoli make sure you visit the Industrial Museum, housed in three different structures that show the town’s economic growth. This elegant town features exceptional neoclassical architecture highly influenced by 19th c. western standards. Houses, public squares and buildings such as the Town Hall, the Customs office, the Apollon theatre make Ermoupoli an open-air architectural museum.

Ermoupoli is a hillside town that overlooks the Aegean Sea. Its most prominent landmarks among others are the Orthodox churches of Metamorfosis Sotiros, Agios Nikolaos Plousios and the Dormition of the Virgin Mary (Kimisis Theotokou). Ano Syros (upper town) is a Venetian 13th c. neighbourhood where a Catholic community resides, whose houses are built around the cathedral of Saint George (San Giorgi) dominating the top of the hill. Today Ano Syros’ (aka Epano Chora) mediaeval style is evident on its whitewashed houses and its winding alleys and stairs that lead to the neighbourhoods. The view from the hilltop is amazing and only 2km from Ermoupoli, so it's definitely worth the climb.

Azolimnos is a seaside village on the northeast side of the island with a golden sandy beach, the nearest one to Ermoupoli (5km) and among the most famous of the island.

The renowned village of Galissas is located 9 km W from Ermoupoli on a bay inhabited since ancient times. Walk up to Agia Pakous hill and see the ruins of a small fort and the ancient citadel walls. Drink in the panoramic view of the sea and the village below.

The peaceful village of Kini is famous for the little fish eateries. It is located 9 km west from the island’s capital next to a wonderful sandy beach. The beaches of Loto, Varvarousa, Aeto, Grammata or Delphini are ideal for more off-grid getaways.

Chalandriani is mostly visited for its archaeological sites (cemetery, settlements and other finds), which were unearthed in the end of the 19th c. by archaeologist Christos Tsountas. Don’t miss the site of Kastri, a prehistoric settlement surrounded by walls dating to the later years of the Early Cycladic period (2300-2200 BC). Stop by the cave where philosopher Pherecydes (also written Ferekydi) used to reside (6th c BC) as well as Syriga springs, from where the view is astounding.

The seaside hamlet of Megas Gialos is on the southernmost side of the island (12 km from Ermoupoli). It has a lovely sandy beach that will please the whole family. At a short distance there is also the beach Ampelas, found in a small sheltered cove. Foinikas is yet another famous seafront village with a sandy beach.

The most renowned village on Syros is Posidonia (aka Delagratsia) located 13 km from Ermoupoli. Don’t miss out on seeing the stately neoclassical houses with their manicured gardens - once vacation homes of the wealthiest families on the island. The name Delagratsia was taken from the catholic church found in the area, Madonna della Grazia, while Posidonia is the name of the ancient town that stood in the exact same place in the past. On your way towards Ermoupoli, make a point in visiting the traditional hamlet of Parakopi and its beautiful houses.

Vari is one of the largest villages on the island, with picturesque neighbourhoods, beautiful beaches, and cultivated fields in the environs. Visit the ruins of a prehistoric settlement and Roman tombs in the area. Τake a trip to the inland traditional village of Chrousa, which is 2.5 km away. Vari is located 7 km south of Ermoupoli.