Best things to do in Syros, Greece

Syros – have you heard of it? Probably not! But I bet you’ve heard of its’ ‘more famous’ sisters – Mykonos and Santorini. All these islands are in the Cyclades region – famous for its sunsets and white-washed houses. Syros is, in fact, the capital of this cluster of islands. And I’m here to tell you why Syros should be added to your Greece itinerary.

Syros is one of the first stops on the ferry from Athens to Santorini. It’s one of the least-visited islands in this region, and so is a pleasant change from the more crowded Greek islands. Syros is the epitome of Greek island life. So here are a few things to do in Syros that will make you add this hidden gem to your bucket list.

Is Syros worth seeing?

YES! It’s not overcrowded with tourists – it’s one of the least-visited islands in the Cyclades region of Greece. But that’s not to say it isn’t beautiful, it was one of the prettiest islands we’ve ever visited. Plus, the population of Syros is just under 25,000 people so you’ll get a true sense of small Greek island daily life here! Syros was in fact one of our favorite stops on our six week trip through Greece.

P.S. Another big favorite of ours was the super-unique Meteora on mainland Greece.

BEST Things to Do in Syros

1. Explore the island’s biggest town Ermoupoli

Ermoupoli is the administrative capital of the Cyclades. It is filled with narrow, cobbled streets, white-washed houses, and everywhere you look, gorgeous sparkling blue water (enticing you to jump in). I did jump in when I got too hot, by the way!

Whilst Paul climbed up to Ano Syros, I went swimming off the pier in the Vaporia Quarter. Afterward, we had lunch at Taverna To Petrino, which is located down a narrow, colorful lane. My lunch order in Greece is always a frappe and a gyro.

One of the best ways to see Ermoupoli is on a guided walking tour with a local, like this 2-hour tour which takes you to the city’s top-rated attractions like the theater of Apollo, the church of Agios Nikolaos, and the Virgin of El Greco. The best thing is your guide is a history teacher, so you’re sure to learn a lot about the history of the island from him. It’s priced at just €20 per person.

Some of my favorite places to visit in Ermoupoli include Vaporia, a cute neighborhood that’s sprinkled with luxurious mansions in the neoclassical style. It’s also home to the Church of Agios Nikolaos, which is oh-so-photogenic with its blue dome.

We also loved learning about the history of Syros at the Archaeological Museum.

A truly unique and excellently rated thing to do from Ermoupoli is this Cooking Class which is a multi-day experience and takes place in a stunning villa on the outskirts of the city. Throughout your time you’ll learn all the aspects of cooking Greek cuisine. You’ll get to visit a local market and learn how to forage for wild herbs and much more! Prices start from €150 per person.

Related Read: Check out the absolute BEST things to do in Santorini in the summer!

2. Have a beach day at gorgeous Galissas beach

We stayed a couple of steps from the gorgeous Galissas beach – easily the nicest beach on the island. Galissas is a sleepy beach town, with several outdoor restaurants lining the promenade and the sea crashing behind. Fresh seafood is the order of the day here.

Every morning I got up early and walked the beach – that’s the sign of a special place when I’m up early on vacation. I didn’t want to miss out on any time here. For a quieter beach experience, try Armeos Beach. Follow the pathway from Galissas Beach to get here.

3. Climb up to Agia Pakou church for sunset

Every single night, we bought some beers from one of the little corner shops in Galissas and climbed up to this gorgeous white church on the hill. The actual name of the church is the Chapel of Santa Paku. Then, we sat on the wall and watched the sun sink into the ocean for what seemed like hours.

The climb to the church will take just 5-10 minutes, and my tip is to get here at least 30 minutes before sunset to nab a seat on the wall.

4. Eat all of the fresh Greek food

Greek food is one of my favorite cuisines, and the island of Syros specializes in fresh seafood. You will find a lot of octopus and calamari on the menus here. Some standout dishes native to Syros include marathopita (fennel pie) and lachanodolma (cabbage leaves stuffed with rice)

Some restaurants we recommend in Syros –

• In Ermoupoli – Taverna To Petrino for impeccably prepared dishes, excellent service, and a lovely outdoor seating area
• In Galissas – Savvas for fresh seafood and friendly service and Iliovasilema for great greek cuisine and a lovely view.

5. Stroll around Anos Syros

In stark contrast to the more bustling Ermoupoli is the pretty and quiet Ano Syros – a 20-minute walk uphill from Ermoupoli. It’s a former Venetian settlement and is known for its narrow, winding streets and whitewashed buildings. One of the only catholic churches on the island can be found here – the Cathedral of San Georgio which stands tall at Anos Syros’ highest point. Be sure to climb to the cathedral for a view of the sparkling Aegean Sea below.

Grab a coffee at one of the lovely Cafes in the Piatsa before heading back down to Ermoupoli.

Related Read: Check out my detailed guide to spending one day in Santorini!

6. Take it easy in Kini

Another favorite spot of mine on Syros is the quaint fishing village of Kini which is conveniently just over a 10-minute drive from Ermoupoli. The beach here is one of the prettiest in all of Syros, with its golden sand and bright blue water. In fact, I’d go so far as to say it’s some of the clearest water I’ve ever seen.

As such, it’s one of the most-visited beaches on the island.

We spent a full day in Kini relaxing on the beach, swimming in the warm water, and eating delicious seafood at one of the many sea-facing tavernas.

7. Go hiking!

Hiking is a super-popular thing to do on Syros, thanks to several breathtaking trails that range in difficulty. The first hike we undertook during our time on the island was the 2.9 km trail from Kini to Delfini Beach. It’s a relatively easy trail but is quite a narrow path and you may be scrambling over rocks in some sections.

Another great coastal hiking trail is the Varvarousa Beach trail, which starts at Delfini Beach. It’s 2.4 km long and can be quite challenging in sections.

There are also several great trails from Kampos (the most northern village) – some take you over remote countryside and others lead to hidden beaches like Marmari and Lia.

8. Spend a day relaxing on Vari Beach

As you can tell, it’s all about the stunning beaches on Syros. And last on this list of things to do in Syros is Vari Beach – another popular tourist spot on the southeast of the island. Here, you’ll find a small, sandy beach with super-clear water. The beach is backed by several restaurants and Cafes. A big plus is the shallow water, which is ideal for young kids.

The best places to stay on Syros Island

As mentioned, we stayed at the sleepy beach town of Galissas. More specifically at the bright and modern Hotel Remvi. Gorgeously decorated and airy rooms featuring a fantastically large balcony. A lovely pool to dive into after a hot day of exploring. Also worth noting is the excellent breakfast and the very reasonably priced beers at the bar. Here’s a list of other awesome accommodation in Syros –

• Apollonion Palace in Ermoupoli for luxurious rooms and direct sea access. Price from €90 per night

• Doras’s Studio and Apartments in Megas Gialos for great views, clean and luxurious rooms, and friendly service. Price from €50 per night

• Aktaion in Ermoupoli for beautiful neoclassical rooms right in the heart of the town. Price from €80 per night

• Aegean Paradiso in Azolimnos is just steps from the beach with a lovely outdoor swimming pool. Price from €60 per night

How do you get to Syros, Greece?

Syros is well-connected with Athens and other Aegean islands. The ferry to Syros from the main port of Athens – Piraeus port, is daily and the trip takes about 3 hours.

There is also a small airport on Syros, just 3km from Ermopoli. Direct flights operate from Athens with Aegean Air and Olympic Air. The flight takes approximately 40 minutes.

How many days do I need in Syros?

I recommend spending 5-7 days in Syros. We spent 5 days in Syros, and it was the perfect amount of time for us, as it meant we had some chill-out days on the beach in Galissas (where we stayed) and it also enabled us to go on day trips to the capital city Ermoupoli as well as visit other awesome beach towns like Kini and Vari Beach.

What is the best month to visit Syros?

May and June are the best months to visit Syros – as you’re guaranteed good weather, but it also means it won’t be too crowded as schools in Europe don’t break up until July. The weather in May in Syros averages 22 Celsius (72 Fahrenheit), and in June, you’re looking at an average daily temperature of 26 Celsius (79 Fahrenheit). It also doesn’t get dark until 8:30/9 pm in June – which means more daylight hours for exploring!

Thanks for reading my blog!

So, tell me what did you think of our recommendations for things to do in Syros. We’d love to hear from you in the comment sections below.

We have loads of other European content including how to spend 3 days in Santorini; the best things to do in Alicante Spain; 5 unique things to do in Cinque Terre Italy; Istanbul Travel Guide and much more!

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Last Updated on November 30, 2024 by snaphappytravel