Symi, Greece

The tiny Greek island of Symi is located north of Rhodes in the Dodecanese. Its beautiful port town of Yialos offers one of the most breathtaking sights in Greece with its amphitheatrical setting. The port has plenty of lovely 19th century mansions with red-tiled roofs, some accommodation, restaurants, bars, the old shipyards (still in use today), plus a variety of monuments attesting to historical moments of Symi’s past.

The Chorio (main village) can be reached by shuttle bus from the port where you can visit the Castle of the Knights and the museum. The village is filled with 18th and 19th century houses and mansions; many are uninhabited, but add to the overall beauty of the town .

Things to See and Do

* Taxiarhis Mixhail Panormitis Monastery
* Castle of the Knights
* Kali Strata
* Church of Megali Panagia

General information

Cruise Season – Feb to Dec
Currency - Euro (€)
Language – Greek
Land Area – 58 km²
Population – 2,500
Electricity – 2 round pins European style
Time - GMT/UTC plus two hours
International Country Telephone Code – + 30

Port Location - The port is located in Yialos Harbour.

Travel Links - There are two boats connecting Rhodes and Symi, the 'Symi' car-ferry and the 'Aegli' hydrofoil. You can also catch one of the day-trip boats from Rhodes to Symi from April to October. They leave from Mandraki every day at 9.00am.There are also connections from Rhodes to Symi on a 'big boat', an inter-island ferry or one connecting the Dodecanese with Piraeus.

Getting around Symi is best done on foot or by ciaque. During the summer, it is possible to take the small bus that shuttles back and forth around the island, or one of the few taxis on the island.