Holiday in Symi

What makes Symi special as a destination?

Symi is the quintessential postcard image of the Aegean — the harbor of Gialos, lined with neoclassical houses in all pastel shades from ochre to terracotta to sunny yellow, tiered on steep slopes, is considered one of the most photogenic places in all of Greece. When the ferry enters the harbor, passengers often hold their breath. The island belongs to the Dodecanese and is only 25 kilometers off the Turkish coast — closer to Marmaris than to any major Greek city. Symi was once wealthier than Rhodes: the sponge diving industry made the island rich in the 19th century, and the magnificent captains' houses by the harbor testify to this golden age. The tradition of sponge diving continues in the souvenir shops. The Panormitis Monastery in the south of the island is one of the most important religious centers of the Dodecanese: dedicated to the Archangel Michael, it welcomes pilgrims from all over Greece. The courtyard with its pebble mosaic and the baroque bell tower form a harmonious ensemble. The upper town Chorio can be reached via 500 steps — the Kali Strata — and rewards visitors with a panorama that stretches from Symi over the sea to the Turkish coast. The island's bays — Nanou, Marathounda, Agia Marina — are accessible by boat or hiking trail and offer crystal-clear water in absolute seclusion. Symi's shrimp are considered the best in the Aegean.