Tour of Symi Island
Symi is a small, beautiful and romantic island of the Dodecanese complex that attracts thousands of visitors every year.
It is a small paradise ideal for quiet and unforgettable holidays with picturesque settlements and beautiful beaches.
In the island there are traditional hotels, rooms to let of all categories, restaurants, taverns, coffee shops and bars for your nightlife.
SYMI
SYMI, the capital and main harbor of the island, is built at the head of a sheltered bay, with characteristic two-storey houses spreading on the hills around the harbor.
The town of Symi has two settlements: Chorio (or Ano Symi) the village and Gialos the harbor.
The clock-tower at the entrance to the harbor, the castle of the Knights, bearing their coat-of-arms, at the highest point above the town, the church of the Panagia on the hill with the castle, the large number of churches with carved icons and pebble courtyards, the Archaeological and Folklore Museum and the Nautical Museum, are some of the sights worth seeing in the small town.
From Skala square and following “Kali Strata” with the 500 stairs, you can reach the settlement of Ano Symi.
Walking in the paths of Ano Symi you will see beautiful neoclassic residences of traditional architecture with dome-shaped doors, balconies and fireplaces in the yards.
The Archaeological & Folklore Museum is divided into 5 sections (each one dedicated to a different period of time) and presents an archaeological, a Byzantine and a folklore collection.
The Nautical Museum in Gialos has a collection of old maps, ship models, and other exhibits from the maritime.
In front of the clock tower, the little fisherman’s statue Michalaki welcomes the ships and the boats.
Tour of Symi Island
To the south-west is the picturesque bay of Agios Emilianos, with the little church of the same name on the island opposite.
North-west of Symi town is the second harbor, Emborios (or Nimborio), which has some Byzantine ruins.
It is a small graphic settlement with a beautiful beach.
In the region you will find rooms to let.
PEDI
The coastal settlement of Pedi is situated 2 kilometers east of Ano Symi (or Chorio).
It has a fine sandy beach.
In the region you can find hotels and rooms to let.
There are also the church of Agios Georgios, with the wooden icon of the Holy Trinity, the chapels of Agios Andreas and Agios Thomas.
The small island of Nimos opposite has a church of the Panagia Apokouis.
Tour of Symi Island
To the south is Panormitis with its fine beach, several pine trees and the monastery of the Archangel Michael Panormitis, the patron saint of Symi.
This church has Byzantine wall-paintings and a superb wood-carved icon and also a notable library, a Folklore and Ecclesiastical Museum and a guest house.
On the way to Panormitis you will meet the interesting churches of Agia Ekaterini, Panagia of Stylos, Agios Konstantinos and among the cypress wood you will see the churches of the Panagia Strateri, Agios Ioannis, Agios Dimitris, Agia Marina of Nera and the monastery of Megalos Sotiris.
The Monastery of Michael Roukouniotis with the wall paintings of the 15th century in the old lower church, provokes the interest of many visitors.
SYMI BEACHES
On Symi island, you will enjoy beautiful bays and pebbled beaches that are best reached by small boats that leave frequently.
The most popular beaches of Symi island are:
NOS A popular sandy beach, very close to the harbor
AGIOS NIKOLAOS A fine sandy beach with shade, reached by foot from Pedi (or by boat)
NANOU : A picturesque bay with cypress trees
MARATHOUNTA, FANEROMENI a beautiful bay 20 minutes by foot from Panormitis
AGIOS EMILIANOS a small island near to Maroni bay.
AGIOS VASILIOS in a bay with crystal clear waters and cypress trees.
PEDI, EMBORIOS a pebble bay at 15 minutes of walk from the harbor.
TOLI on the north coast of the island, west of Emborios
NEARBY ISLANDS
There are a number of islets around Symi, such as Nimos the largest one, Sesklia, Artikonisi, Chondros, Agia Marina, Marmaras, Platy
. All these can be visited by small boats.
TRADITION – EVENTS
There are many festivals and cultural events on the island with dancing, songs, exhibitions, etc. and many customs are revived during Lent.
The annual Symi Festival, held from July to September, is an important cultural event on the island.
The most famous religious feasts are: the Holy Trinity in 24th June, of Panormitis and Michael Roukouniotis on the 8th November, of Saint John, of Agios Pantleimonas in 27th July, of Agia Marina in 17th July in the small homonym island, and of the Virgin in 15th and 24th August (Panagia Alithini and Panagia Myrtariotissa).