Everyone’s heard of Mykonos and Santorini, and even Milos and Naxos – all part of the Cyclades Islands in Greece. But not that many people have heard of Syros, the capital of this group of islands. Syros? Tell me more, I hear you say! Last September I spent a few days with the #DyscoverSyros team, well… discovering Syros. And what a treat that was! Known as ‘Lady of the Cyclades’ and ‘Nymph of the Aegean Sea’, this little-known island 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.
Table of Contents
- 1 Get lost in the alleys of picturesque Ano Syros
- 2 Be captivated by the neoclassical beauty of Ermoupoli
- 3 Admire the splendour of the Apollon Theatre
- 4 Soak up the atmosphere at Asteria Beach Bar in Ermoupoli
- 5 Swim in Syros’ excellent beaches
- 6 Enjoy the best Aegean cuisine in Kini
- 7 Devour gyros and souvlaki to your heart’s content
- 8 Indulge in the best loukoumi ever!
- 9 Get high to get the best views of the island
- 10 Where to Stay
- 11 Getting there
- 12 Getting around
- 13 Like this post? Pin and save for later
Get lost in the alleys of picturesque Ano Syros
Ano Syros, which means Upper Syros, is a beautiful Venetian settlement that was built in the 13th century like a fortress, and is now the Roman Catholic quarter of the island. Its alleyways are so narrow and steep that it feels like you are in a maze, and that’s part of its charm. Getting lost here is the best way to discover little delightful corners – a beautifully decorated door, a colourful balcony, a hidden corner with a typical Greek chair, where you can imagine a yaya sitting watching the world go by.
You can visit Agios Giorgios, a Catholic church built right on the top of the hill, from which you can enjoy some spectacular views. And the interior is pretty impressive too!
If you are interested in traditional Greek music, Ano Syros has a small museum dedicated to Markos Vamvakaris, a famous rembetiko (urban Greek music) musician who was born in the village.
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Be captivated by the neoclassical beauty of Ermoupoli
Syros was once an important commercial and manufacturing centre and one of the most visited islands of the Aegean. The effects of the financial boom of the time are visible in the beautiful neoclassical architecture. Buildings such as the Town Hall, one of the largest in Greece, the Apollon Municipal Theatre, and Agios Nikolaos are testament to the importance of Ermoupoli, the administrative capital of the Cyclades.
Named after the ancient Greek god Hermes, Ermoupoli is one of the most beautiful Greek towns. It was built on a hill overlooking the port – the pastel colours of the buildings as you approach it on the ferry are just dreamy, and the narrow streets of the town are just what you imagine when you think of idyllic Greece. Don’t miss the Vaporia district in the eastern part of the town and its impressive neoclassical mansions. Formerly owned by wealthy ship owners, some of them are now boutique hotels.
And like every good Greek town, there are plenty of cats roaming the street. In fact, I think cats rule the streets here! But best of all, cats here are really well looked after by the locals. So much so, that there is even a Syros Cat Garden!
Admire the splendour of the Apollon Theatre
Built in the 19th century, it is a replica of the famous La Scala di Milano but on a smaller scale. Its architectural grandeur didn’t save the theatre from major catastrophes over the years. The Apollon Theatre was forced to close and to spend a long period of renovations until 2000, when it opened its doors again. Today the theatre is one of Syros’ most important cultural centres and hosts various artistic and cultural events such as Animasyros and the Festival of the Aegean, famous plays and world-class performances.
Soak up the atmosphere at Asteria Beach Bar in Ermoupoli
Asteria Bar is located in the Vaporia district of Ermoupoli, on the waterfront right next to Asteria Beach. With wooden tables and director’s chairs lined up along the water’s edge, it offers magnificent views of the neoclassical villas. It has a ladder to get into the water, but be careful with the sea urchins!
It was recently voted one of the top 10 beach bars in Greece by The Guardian and I can clearly see why. The unique location is perfect to end a day of sightseeing or relaxing on the beach.
Swim in Syros’ excellent beaches
There are so many great beaches in Syros, I don’t even know where to start! And best of all, they never get as crowded as in neighbouring islands here.
Galissas is the one that perhaps caught my eye the most. In a secluded cove in the west of the island, it’s surrounded by hills and a cliff, so it feels very sheltered. The beautiful crystalline waters are so inviting that you won’t be able to resist dipping your toes in. And when you’re done, there’s an excellent beach restaurant there called aVentoura that makes delicious traditional Greek food. Try the parsley salad, a Syros specialty!
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Asteria Beach in Ermoupoli is another of my favourites, although it is not strictly a beach as we know it. It’s actually a concrete deck over the sea where you can soak up the sun and have a refreshing swim. The views from here are some of the best in the city, with the blue-domed Agios Nikolaos and the beautiful villas in the background. Asteria is frequented by friendly locals, some of who own ‘caves’ on the deck. You will notice the little doors on the cliff wall – they lead into little rooms that local people have turned into their own version of beach huts. If you get lucky, you may be invited in for a cup of coffee!
There are also a few beaches that can only be reached by boat, but unfortunately I run out of time to go and visit them. I will just have to go back another time and check them out!
Enjoy the best Aegean cuisine in Kini
Kini is one of the most picturesque villages in the island, and it’s well known for its fish restaurants. It can get pretty busy in July and August with predominantly Greek tourism. Located on the west side of the island, it has a beautiful sandy beach with a lovely promenade and a melancholic statue that honours those who have lost their lives at sea.
The best meal I had in Syros was at a seafood restaurant called Allou Yialou. At the northern end of Kini beach, the restaurant has an open canopy built over the water, with impressive views of the bay on both sides, and the turquoise sea right in front of you. Combine this stunning setting with mouth-watering seafood and you have a winner. Some of the dishes I tried included a vegetable salad with Anthotiro cheese, royal herring eggs with bread, olive oil and lemon, and fresh calamari with feta sauce and ouzo. Absolutely delicious!
If visiting Allou Yialou for lunch, after your meal, you can take a boat from Kini to those beaches that can’t be reached from land and enjoy the peacefulness of an unspoilt Aegean paradise. If you visit for dinner, just relax and enjoy the sunset!
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Devour gyros and souvlaki to your heart’s content
And as we are talking about food, I couldn’t write about Syros and not mention gyros and souvlaki, the Greek version of ‘fast food’ but nothing to do with the idea that most of us have in our head when we think of fast food.
Everyone knows gyros, meat (pork, chicken or lamb) with onion, tomato and tzatziki sauce served with pita bread. It is sometimes also served with chips inside the pita. Souvlaki is similar to gyros, but the meat and vegetables is cooked on a skewer, and is sometimes served with pita bread too or on a plate.
They are both delicious, and whichever you go for I can guarantee you it will just hit the spot!
Indulge in the best loukoumi ever!
If you have a sweet tooth, then you’re in luck. Syros loukoumi is worldwide famous and it still gets made the traditional way here.
Loukoumi comes originally from Constantinople (today’s Turkey) but it was brought over to Syros in the 19th century.
There are only three ingredients in loukoumi – water, sugar and starch. These are boiled in copper cauldrons while the loukoumi maker stirs them constantly until they can see that the mixture is ready. The only way to know if it’s ready is through the expertise passed on by generations. The mixture is then emptied into wooden crates and left to set until the next day, when it gets cut into cubes and coated with icing sugar.
It can be said that loukoumi has put the island on the map, and even though this little treat is made in a lot of Greek towns, Syros loukoumi is particularly distinctive because the brackish water in the island gives it a special quality.
Don’t leave the island without trying it and if you can, visit one of the traditional factory-shops and watch it being made.
Get high to get the best views of the island
This will not come as a surprise, as wherever you are, if there is a hill, chances are you will get great views from the top. But Syros doesn’t just have a couple of hills. Hills are everywhere here, and no matter where you are, there is always an opportunity to appreciate the beautiful coastline all around the island. These are some of my favourite spots…
At the back of Anos Syros there is a windmill with a little church next to it, where you can enjoy the view of Anos Syros itself, perched on the hill and crowned by the local church, Agios Giorgios.
From here you can make your way to Agios Giorgios church. From the front porch, you will see the southern side of Ermoupoli hugging the coastline. This is a great spot to enjoy sunset.
For sunrise, drive up to the village of Episkopeiou, more precisely to Profitis Ilias church. Chris from Trip and Trail and I went up one morning before dawn and had the most spectacular sunrise!
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Where to Stay
Syros has a wide range of accommodation across the island.
- Airbnb – Get your £25 credit on your first booking with Airbnb here.
- For the best hotel deals check Booking.com. Get a £15 credit for your booking here.
Getting there
There are ferries to Syros from Piraeus, the main port of Athens, every day. As Syros is located centrally in the Aegean Sea, it serves has ferry connections with many other islands of the Aegean Sea, such as Mykonos, Andros, Tinos, Ikaria, Lesvos and more. The port of Syros is at Ermoupolis.
The ferry from Athens is extremely comfortable and it even has a cinema. I loved being on the deck as we approached Syros and seeing Ermoupoli built up on to the hill above the port.
Getting around
The best way to explore the island is by hire car, which gives you the freedom of discovering out of the way villages and hidden viewpoints. For the best hire car deals, click here.
Have you ever been to the Greek Islands? Which one was your favourite?
Let me know in the comments!
For more must see destinations in Greece click here!
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Disclosure: A big thank you to Discover Syros, who hosted me on this trip. As always, all views are my own.
Teresa is an award-winning travel blogger based in London. She’s on a mission to explore the world through responsible cultural and adventure travel, and through deeper, more meaningful local experiences. She’s a lover of adventure, the outdoors and everything food related, and she’s always looking for ways to make a positive impact through sustainable travel.
Amazing photos of Greece! It’s been awhile since I’ve been there but I’m honking of going back next year.
Thanks David! Greece is one of those countries that I don’t mind going back to over and over again. There’s so much to explore! 🙂
I love exploring offbeat places and hidden gems. I am so glad that you shared this post . Definately adding in my itinerary to the greece trip. thanks for sharing.
Thanks Krupa! I’m so glad you’ve enjoyed it. Syros is for sure a hidden gem waiting to be discovered. 🙂
Wow, great list and you photos are really cool. ill def be swimming in those beaches and exploring those beautiful alleys. it looks like a great spot to spend the summer in!
Thanks Bee. I’m so happy that you enjoyed it. I hope you get to visit Syros. It’s a beautiful island with true Greek island life 🙂
Oh my Goodness! Syros is just gorgeous. I’m planning to head to Greece next year, and Santorini & Athens are in my list. Guess I should add Syros too!
Isn’t it just? Syros and Santorini are in the same group of islands so you could probably include an itinerary that includes both. Enjoy! ?
Gorgeous pictures, especially that theater. Looks amazing! Definitely a hidden gem here. 🙂
Thank Lorelle! Syros is super photogenic, so it was hard to take a bad photo ?
Your article is lovely and so is Syros!
Thanks Chris! So happy you enjoyed it. Syros is lovely indeed! 🙂
I could absolutely spend hours photographing the beautiful alleys in Greece. I feel like everywhere you look it’s like a postcard. I will be saving your post for when I can finally get there 🙂
Thanks Michelle. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. Greece is a photographer’s paradise wherever you look 🙂
Wow So many hidden gems in Greece and I can’t wait to visit there!
I wonder how long it would take to visit all the islands one by one, and from your pictures I think I put Cyclades on the list and thanks a lot for introducing this secret place! @ knycx.journeying
Hehe. I think it would take quite a while… there are over 1000! I hope you get to visit Syros some time. You’ll love it 🙂
WOWDZA!
Why had I never heard about Syros? Such a stunning destination.
Thanks for putting it on my radar, Teresa!
It’s stunning, isn’t it? I heard about not long before I visited and I’m amazed it’s not better known 🙂
Never heard of this place before but it definitely looks worth checking out the next time I visit Greece! The sunset photos, especially the pastel-colored one, is too lovely!
I’d never heard of it until recently either and I’m so glad I visited! If you like pastel colours, you’ll love this island! 🙂
You’re right, I’d never heard of Syros until now! It looks and sounds gorgeous though! I could do with that sunshine now!
Thanks Danielle! Not many people have heard of it and it’s such as shame. It’s truly beautiful! 🙂
Syros looks so beautiful! We lived in Athens for 6 months and visited many Greek islands back then. Last summer we road tripped through Crete for 3 weeks, but still haven’t gotten to Syros yet! Hopefully soon! Thank you for this very inspiring post!
Thanks Mei and Kerstin! I’m glad you enjoyed it. It’s very easy to get to Syros from Athens so do visit if you have the chance. You won’t regret it! 🙂
You are so right! I have never heard of it before but have all the others (and been to all them). Thanks for sharing this beautiful place. The photos are stunning!
Thanks Tracey! It’s a true hidden gem. Almost like a little secret kept by the locals 🙂
Wow this place is really gorgeous. It has everything a traveler is asking for. The architecture is super amazing and the view is breath-taking too!
It truly is Chloe! The place is full of magic… nature and man have made this place pretty special 🙂
What a beautiful area with a ton to see and do. I would enjoy the alleyways as you never know what you will find. I love the Greek colors of blue and white. I would definitely enjoy seeing all the cats as well. What a nice city.
There are plenty of quaint alleyways and cats here, so you’d absolutely love it! 🙂
I was completely unaware of this place when I visited Athens.The sea food looks mouth watering and delicious..Hope you had a nice time with the food and the beaut prevailing there
Thanks Somnath! I had a fabulous time. I’m a big fan of seafood, so you can imagine I was in my element 🙂
Syros is so beautiful, and I appreciate the introduction! It appears to have more touches of traditional European architecture that the more popular Greek Islands. I love Greece, so I’ll be adding Syros to my list for my next trip!
Thanks Carmen! I has a lot of Italian influences in its architecture so it’s a really interesting island from that point of view, but it’s also preserve its traditional Greek character. I hope you make it to Syros. You’ll love it! 🙂
We love Greece and were hoping to take a trip back. We will add Syros to our itinerary because we did want to try a different island. Your photography makes this island look very beautiful and inviting!
Thank you Sherrie! It is a truly beautiful island. I’m just so surprised that it’s so little known! I think that’s about to change though ?
Wow, so gorgeous! I could definitely get lost in those alleyways, love all the tumbling flowers and cute colours!!!
Thanks Claire! Syros is seriously photogenic. Impossible to take an bad photo there ?
Wow! Syros seems like a perfect summer destination and I would love to cross it off my bucket list soon, Teresa. Is it easy to find a good accommodation there?
It is a fantastic summer destination. There are lots of hotels in the island so I’d say it’s very easy to find accommodation. I hope you get to cross it off your bucket list 🙂