🪪 The island at a glance
📍 Where it is
Symi lies in the Dodecanese, north of Rhodes, very close to the coast of Turkey. The easiest way is to fly to Rhodes and take the boat, which takes about an hour. There are also ferries from Piraeus, but the trip is very long.
📍 Where Symi is
Symi lies in the Dodecanese, north of Rhodes and very close to the coast of Turkey. The island is shown in red, and the port and airport of Rhodes in green.
🗺️ The map of the island
Symi is small and dry, with mountains and many little coves. The town has two parts: Gialos, around the harbour, and Chorio, high on the hill. A road goes to Pedi and south to Panormitis. Most beaches are in bays on the east coast, and you reach them mainly by boat.
🗺️ Map of Symi
Gialos, the harbour, and Chorio, on the hill, are in the north. Pedi is in a bay to the east. The beaches of the east coast are reached mainly by boat, and Panormitis is in the south. Tap each number to see what it is.
Map: Benedetto Bordone, 1547 (Public domain) · Wikimedia Commons
⚖️ Is it worth it? The pros and cons
Symi is an island for strolling, photography and calm days. It is not an island for big sandy beaches. Here is an honest picture.
📊 At a glance, from 1 to 5
👍 The pros
- One of the most beautiful harbours in the Aegean.
- Neoclassical houses in soft colours.
- The monastery of Panormitis.
- An easy day trip from Rhodes.
👎 The cons
- Lots of steps and uphill lanes.
- Very hot in summer.
- The good beaches need a boat.
- Crowded at midday with boats from Rhodes.
⚓ Gialos
Gialos is the harbour and the heart of Symi. In the 19th century the island grew rich from ships and sponges, and its people built the neoclassical houses that now climb the slopes in soft colours. At the edge of the harbour stands the clock tower, from 1881.
See the Nautical Museum, with the story of the ships and the sponge divers, and the shops selling sponges and spices. Symi was under Italian rule from 1912, and in 1945 the Germans signed the surrender of the Dodecanese here.
Neoclassical houses in every colour.
Boats below the houses.
Built in 1881.
The story of the ships and the sponge divers.
The island’s old trade.
Photos: Szilas (Public domain), Vvlasenko (CC BY-SA 3.0), Gortyna (CC BY-SA 4.0), Jebulon (CC0) · Wikimedia Commons
🏘️ The Kali Strata and Chorio
From Gialos, a long stone stairway with hundreds of steps, the Kali Strata, climbs to Chorio, the old part of town. At the top is the Kastro of the Knights, with the church of Megali Panagia, and on the hill next to it old windmills. Chorio also has the Archaeological and Folklore Museum.
Chorio and Gialos from above.
The stairway from Gialos to Chorio.
Steps everywhere.
On the hill above Chorio.
Colour on every corner.
Photos: Tomisti (CC BY-SA 4.0), Ellibah (CC BY-SA 4.0), Vadim Indeikin (CC BY-SA 3.0), INDALOMANIA (CC BY-SA 3.0), Nikater (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons
The Kali Strata has no shade. In summer climb early in the morning or in the late afternoon, and take water. There is also a bus from Gialos to the top of Chorio.
⛪ Panormitis
In the south of the island, in a sheltered bay, is the monastery of the Archangel Michael of Panormitis, with a tall, decorated bell tower. Panormitis is seen as the protector of sailors, and many people come from all over Greece. The big feast is on 8 November. Go by boat from Gialos, on the ferry from Rhodes that stops here, or by car.
The monastery in the bay.
Tall and decorated.
Arches and pebble mosaic.
Photos: npinikas (CC BY 3.0), Jebulon (CC0), Vadim Indeikin (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons
🏖️ The beaches
The beaches of Symi are small, with pebbles and clear water. Near Gialos is Nos, and to the west the quiet bay of Nimborios. From Pedi you walk to Agios Nikolaos. The most beautiful are on the east coast, such as Agios Georgios Dysalonas, below a tall cliff, Nanou and Marathounda, and you go by boat from Gialos.
The closest beach to Gialos.
A quiet bay west of Gialos.
Photos: Vadim Indeikin (CC BY-SA 3.0), Nikater (CC BY-SA 3.0) · Wikimedia Commons
- Nos: on foot from Gialos.
- Agios Nikolaos: on foot from Pedi, with a taverna.
- Agios Georgios Dysalonas: below a tall cliff, by boat.
- Nanou: a big bay with a taverna, by boat.
- Marathounda: a small bay with a taverna.
Every morning, at the harbour, boats and water taxis go to the beaches of the east coast and to Panormitis. Check the boards on the quay the afternoon before.
🍽️ What to eat
Try the Symi shrimp, tiny shrimp fried whole and eaten shell and all, and fresh fish at the tavernas of Gialos and Pedi. At the bakeries you will find sweets with cinnamon and honey.
📅 When to go
The best time is May, June, September and October: warm sea and good weather for the steps. In July and August Symi is one of the hottest islands, and at midday it is crowded with boats from Rhodes.
⛴️ How to get there from Athens
| How | Duration | From | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plane and ferry | About 1 hour + 1 hour | Athens Airport → Rhodes | The easiest way. Boats from Rhodes every day. |
| Ferry | About 15 hours | Piraeus | A few times a week, a very long trip. |
From Ioulianou 50 you reach the airport on Line 1 to Monastiraki and then Line 3. For Rhodes, read our guide to Rhodes, and to compare ferry and plane, our guide to ferry or plane.
🗓️ Three days on Symi
Gialos and Chorio
A walk in Gialos and the Nautical Museum, then up the Kali Strata to Chorio and the Kastro. Sunset at the windmills.
Beaches by boat
A boat from Gialos to Agios Georgios Dysalonas, Nanou or Marathounda, with lunch at a beach taverna.
Panormitis
Morning at the monastery of Panormitis, by boat or car, and an afternoon swim at Pedi or Agios Nikolaos.
Frequently asked questions
Can I go for a day from Rhodes?
Yes. Many boats go in the morning and return in the afternoon, and some also stop at Panormitis. If you can, though, stay a night, because Gialos is lovelier once the crowds leave.
Where should I stay on Symi?
In Gialos, for food and boats. In Chorio, for views and quiet, but with steps. In Pedi, to be right by the sea.
Do I need a car?
No. There is a bus from Gialos to Chorio and Pedi, and boats to the beaches and Panormitis.
How many days do I need?
One day for a first taste. Two to three days to see Chorio, Panormitis and the beaches by boat.
— Kathy
