Why are package holidays to Symi so special? Symi is one of Greece’s best-kept secrets, and sailing into the harbour from Rhodes is an experience visitors will never forget. It’s a breathtakingly beautiful view of brightly painted neo-classical mansions tumbling down the hillside, traditional fishing boats bobbing in the azure sea that twinkles as if stars dance across the water. At the same time, lively chatter from tavernas and bars echoes around the quayside to seal the welcoming atmosphere. Symi has its doors open to anyone - even our last-minute worriers.
Destination Profile
Yialos, the lower part of Symi Town, has a cosmopolitan feel. In summer, there's a lively buzz around the pretty boutiques, cafes, tavernas, and bars. Visitors can stroll through the quaint upper town to reach a medieval castle.
Chorio village is higher up from the quayside; the 350 or so steps put off some people from visiting, but it is well worth the effort because Chorio retains a feel of old, laid-back Greece. There are many narrow passageways, ruins, and kafenion—cafes where locals relax, discuss the day's news, and play cards.
Symi, in the southeast Aegean, has dozens of small, often isolated, beaches tucked away in coves that can be reached by water taxi, so choose a different beach every day! A friendly taverna on the beach usually adds more pleasure to the experience. Some beaches can also be reached by bus or car, but arriving by boat is a special holiday memory for Symi. Well-marked footpaths make the island an excellent destination for walkers who can explore the rugged inland with juniper and oak forests and tiny monasteries scattered across the island. The finest frescoes on the island are at the hilltop Kokkimidhis monastery, which is reached by a steep path off the Panormitis road.
Taxiarchis Mikhail Roukountis is Symi's oldest monastery, and it can be seen during a three-hour walk across the island from Yialos to the western coast, where Aylos Emilianos monastery is on a small islet connected to the coast through a narrow causeway. There are so many reasons why Symi is one of the best picks for a package holiday to Greece.
Top Hotels in Symi
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you get to Symi from the UK?
There is no airport on Symi so visitors fly into Rhodes then take a scenic ferry journey to Symi (around 1hr).
What is the nearest island to Symi?
Rhodes and Tilos are both very close to Symi, making them very convenient to visit on an island hop in Greece.







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