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7 Things To Do In Symi, Greece

amomentwithfranca · 6 July 2019 · 42 Comments

As you may know, Nick and I visited Rhodes for our 11th wedding anniversary enjoying a child-free week away. I wrote about our accommodation at Elefteria Apartments which was perfect for us. We really loved it and I was pleased we managed to find a great place to stay.

Table of Contents

    • EXPLORING SYMI
    • OUR TIPS FOR EXPLORING SYMI
  • 1. Walk around
  • 2. Rent a motorbike
  • 3. Stop for a drink
  • 4. Sample the local food
  • 5. Explore the beaches
  • 6. Watch the sunset
  • 7. Visit the Monastery of the Archangel Michael Panormitis

During our holiday, we wanted to spend time exploring as much as possible however it’s difficult to see and do everything in a week. But this meant that we were able to discover new places we may not have found otherwise.

This is how we discovered Symi. We had seen some beautiful photos of this Island and fell in love straight away so we made the decision to go and explore it. We found a local tour company called Kolymbia Tours on the high street of Kolympia which is the area where we were staying in Rhodes. They offered us a 35 Euros per person package to visit Symi and Panormitis Monastery.

The boat journey from Rhodes Town takes about an hour going there and coming back it is about 2 hrs because it stops at Panormitis Monastery. We were picked up by a coach very early from Kolympia at about 7:45 am which took us to Rhodes Port. From there we took a Ferry (King Saron through Sea Dreams) at 9 am which arrived in Symi just after 10 am. We had a few hours to explore this beautiful island before we needed to head back to Rhodes at around 2:30 pm.

EXPLORING SYMI

Symi is a Greek island that is part of the Dodecanese island group. Symi is known for its beaches and it also has an annual music festival too! The harbour at Symi Town is surrounded by colourful neoclassical houses. If you visit the southwest coast, you can find the 18th-century Monastery of Archangel Michael Panormitis which is a major Greek Orthodox pilgrimage site.

Symi is one of the most popular summer destinations in the Mediterranean. Perfect for those seeking a holiday with style, that combines cosmopolitan with old-world glamour, class and tradition. Symi is an island that is rich in history and culture. You can spot expensive yachts and sailboats along the harbour that have come over from Turkey.

One of the unique aspects of visiting Symi is that you are living among the locals and sharing in their lives. From riding the same village bus to eating in the same tavernas, and shopping in the same supermarkets. You will experience a real, authentic way of life on Symi.

OUR TIPS FOR EXPLORING SYMI

The day we arrived it was boiling hot! It was over 30C and I must tell you we felt dehydrated. They recommend you to take a big bottle of water per person. So we actually packed 1L of water each! And it was very well used!

Symi is gorgeous and not the hot weather didn’t put us off from exploring it. It is not big so you can get around it within a few hours. I wanted to share with you the highlights of our trip and what kind of things you can do in Symi for a few hours. See below:

1. Walk around

Of course, as soon as you arrive the first thing that you want to do is walk around. It has such lovely narrow streets that you will want to lose yourself as you explore. It is so beautiful that you will, of course, stop millions of times for photos.

2. Rent a motorbike

We didn’t do this due to lack of time but if we would have stayed longer or perhaps for one night we would have definitely liked to have done this. I saw a lot of other tourists doing this and it definitely looked like a lot of fun. It is also a much better way to explore higher ground as the island is quite hilly so it can be tiring doing this by foot, especially in hot weather.

3. Stop for a drink

You will see so many cute places to have a quick snack and drink. We saw a lovely place called TSATI – ΤΣΑΤΙ cocktail bar that caught our eyes. It was beautifully decorated with a stunning view. If we had more time we would have definitely stopped there for a drink.

4. Sample the local food

There were also lots of lovely restaurants to have lunch or dinner. Nireus Restaurant which is also a hotel has a big area to sit down and have a meal with a gorgeous view too. We thought about eating here but we decided to explore the beaches instead. If you visit Symi and have some time check out this place. It has great reviews on Google and TripAdvisor.

Being an island, fresh fish and seafood are in abundance on Symi. The most famous dish is popcorn shrimp. Fried and served crispy, very tasty. You can also try grilled octopus and squid. They also offer goat meat roasted in the oven with rice, orzo or spaghetti. Chicken and lamb, pork and beef were also available.

For dessert, you can try loukoumades (puffed pastries like doughnuts topped with honey and cinnamon. You can get them with walnuts or Nutella too) and akoumia (look like loukoumades but they are made with rice and topped with sugar).

5. Explore the beaches

Nikolaos beach

Marina Beach

To be able to explore their beaches you will need to get a taxi boat. You will see this option in the port. There are a few people offering this but not all have regular times and good prices. We chose Taxi Boat Symi. We liked the girl offering the information and their times were more frequent. We paid 7 euros each for a taxi boat ride to Nikolaos beach. The taxi travelled to 6 beaches. Ours was the second stop so we only managed to see Nikolaos beach and Marina beach before getting off. The other beaches are Nanou beach, Georgios beach and Marathountas beach.

The nearest beach to the main harbour at Symi is Nos beach. It is very convenient as it is just walking distance but it cannot compare to the other beaches reached by taxi boat. I’ll likely post more about the beaches to visit in Symi in another post.

6. Watch the sunset

Of course, if you have the chance and stay for the night you should definitely enjoy the sunset. With such gorgeous scenery, the sunset must be the most amazing experience to watch.

7. Visit the Monastery of the Archangel Michael Panormitis

Our boat stopped at Panormitis on our way back to Rhodes. It is a stunning monastery and it is, of course, worth a visit. It is very important on the island and the second largest in the Dodecanese (after St John’s Monastery in Patmos). The Monastery was jaw-dropping. As soon as the boat turned into the bay you have an amazing view of it. Ladies need to cover their legs and shoulders before entering the chapel.

I hope you find this post useful if you are planning to visit Symi and want to know what to do. Symi is beautiful and we 100% recommend you visit it if you are in Rhodes. Nick and I loved it and had an amazing time there.

If you like this post, you might also like my post “4 Hours In Chrissi Island, Greece” for more travel inspiration.

Have you been to Symi? If so, do you have more tips to share with us?

Thanks for stopping by,

Love you all ❤️

Franca  💋

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Filed Under: Travel, Holidays, List

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Comments

  1. Tracey Bowden says

    6 July 2019 at

    It looks absolutely stunning Franca. I can see why you loved it there #kcacols

    Reply
    • Bread says

      19 July 2019 at

      I love these Mediterranean towns by the sea and the way the houses sit on the hills.

      Looks like an amazing place to visit.

      #kcacols

      Reply
      • amomentwithfranca says

        28 July 2019 at

        It is a must visit! Definitely to put on your bucket list! 🙂

        Reply
        • Jan says

          5 May 2022 at

          Thankyou. We have been considering a visit. Having read your blog, we will definitely go.

          Reply
  2. Rachel George says

    6 July 2019 at

    I have missed a lot of your wonderful posts over the last year. Life just got difficult and some things have had to fall by the wayside. But I have missed your joyous times and sunny photos. Symi looks beautiful! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  3. Jo (A Rose Tinted World) says

    6 July 2019 at

    What a stunning place! Your Rhodes holiday looked lovely, but will definitely look into island hopping to Symi if I go back to Rhodes #KCACOLS

    Reply
  4. Lydia C. Lee says

    6 July 2019 at

    That is so beautiful!!! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  5. Fiona Cambouropoulos says

    7 July 2019 at

    It looks gorgeous and makes me excited that we have managed to book at week at the end of summer with 2 of our oldest kids to Corfu. #KCACOLS

    Reply
  6. Veronica Lee says

    7 July 2019 at

    I will certainly add Symi to my bucket list. Love the beautiful photos.

    #kcacols

    Reply
  7. Enda Sheppard says

    8 July 2019 at

    Oh my gosh, that is the most beautiful place, and so well described. Must remember the name, Symi! #KCACOLS

    Reply
  8. Sam says

    8 July 2019 at

    Lovely ideas to explore and enjoy beautiful Greece X #kcacols

    Reply
  9. Samantha O'D says

    8 July 2019 at

    Gorgeous photos, looks amazing

    Reply
  10. Mummy and the Mexicans (Ruth) says

    11 July 2019 at

    What a gorgeous place! Perfect for a wedding anniversary and it looks like you had a wonderful time. #kcacols

    Reply
  11. jeremy-thirstydaddy says

    11 July 2019 at

    Looks stunning. There are so many places that most of us will never get to, it really is a shame that we can’t just all travel all the time. Time to buy some more lotto tickets! #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      28 July 2019 at

      I know! I feel the same way!

      Reply
  12. Cassie Parish says

    11 July 2019 at

    Sounds and looks stunning. I like the idea of visiting somewhere more authentic and off the beaten track too. Glad you had a lovely anniversary together. #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      28 July 2019 at

      Exactly! That was one of the things that attracted to us to go and visit Symi. It is very authentic 🙂 x

      Reply
  13. Sarah-Marie says

    12 July 2019 at

    I haven’t been to Greece but it looks so beautiful that’d I’d definitely like to! #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      28 July 2019 at

      Yes! Definitely recommend it! So pretty! 🙂 x

      Reply
  14. Christy says

    13 July 2019 at

    So many things to see here, and such beautiful views. Your photos are all amazing. I last visited Greece over 10 years ago now and really must get back. #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      28 July 2019 at

      Thank you lovely! The scenery was amazing. Yes you should go back! Greece is beautiful! 🙂 x

      Reply
  15. Jade says

    14 July 2019 at

    Wow Symi looks stunning and looks like you had a fantastic time Franca. Hopefully one day I will visit for myself. #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      28 July 2019 at

      Yes, we did Jade! I would like to go back! We loved it there! 🙂 x

      Reply
  16. Twicemicrowaved tea says

    14 July 2019 at

    Oh I’d love to visit. It looks so pretty and I just can’t believe how clear the water is! #kcacols

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      28 July 2019 at

      The water is unbelievable! Loved it! 🙂 x

      Reply
  17. Lisa Pomerantz says

    15 July 2019 at

    Franca, with each post of yours I read, my bucket list gets longer and longer… may I live so long! I would be pleased to do just 1 of these 7! Whoa! #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      28 July 2019 at

      I hope you visit Symi one day Lisa! It is gorgeous! 🙂 x

      Reply
  18. Geoff Hibbert says

    16 July 2019 at

    No I’ve never been

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      28 July 2019 at

      Hope you do! It is beautiful.

      Reply
  19. Rachael Sexey says

    16 July 2019 at

    Greece is my husband’s favourite place

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      28 July 2019 at

      I can imagine why! We loved it! 🙂

      Reply
  20. Susan Smith says

    16 July 2019 at

    It looks beautiful, idealic, beautiful photographs

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      28 July 2019 at

      Thank you! It is gorgeous 🙂

      Reply
  21. Kelly says

    18 July 2019 at

    Oh wow how beautiful is this little place, I would love to adventure here with my family. So many amazing photo ops too #kcacols

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      28 July 2019 at

      Thank you! You should adventure there! I can highly recommend it! It os beautiful 🙂 x

      Reply
  22. Crummy Mummy says

    20 July 2019 at

    Wow this sounds like an amazing trip – and childfree too! Lucky you! #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      28 July 2019 at

      I know! We were very lucky indeed! 😉 xx

      Reply
  23. Tracey Carr says

    21 July 2019 at

    It looks like such a beautiful place, I am closing my eyes and pretending that I am there. Especially since it is bucketing down here at home right now!! #KCACOLS

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      28 July 2019 at

      It is beautiful there! We loved it and would like to come back! It is raining here in London too! X

      Reply
  24. Debbie Skerten says

    26 July 2019 at

    Such a wonderful place to holiday. Your photos are beautiful. I’ve never heard of it before, but I shall be adding to my lists of places to visit. Many thanks Franca.

    Reply
    • amomentwithfranca says

      27 July 2019 at

      Oh thank you. So happy to hear that you enjoyed this post. We had a great time in Symi. It is beautiful and definitely recommend to visit. 🙂

      Reply
  25. Laura - MUMMYLAURETTA says

    1 August 2019 at

    It looks beautiful, lucky you having a child-free break. We have booked to go to Corfu in October for our main holiday this year and we can’t wait!

    Reply

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Hi, I'm Franca, a lawyer mum of 2 gorgeous girls married to my best friend, living in London. Award nominated parenting & lifestyle blogger. Read More…

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