Syros, which is situated in the Aegean Sea around 78 nautical miles from Athens, is on its way to becoming the next “it” spot to visit in Greece.
I just returned from a trip to the island, where I spent three weeks exploring, and I’ve come up with the top reasons why you should start planning your own vacation!
Contents
History
Despite the fact that the island is just 84 square kilometers in size and has over 20,000 people living on it (the greatest population of any of the Cyclades Islands), it nevertheless has the impression of a little hamlet.
The history of Syros is one that is both rich and diverse. Even Homer’s “The Odyssey” makes reference to the island, which he calls Syrie in the book.
Once upon a time, the island served as the gateway to Turkey and Egypt and was considered to be one of the most significant commercial maritime ports in all of Greece. During that historical period, the island had a high level of prosperity. The remarkable neoclassical design of the town hall, which is one of the biggest in all of Greece, is proof that this building formerly played a significant role in the region’s history.
The island of Syros is hilly, and several Catholic churches may be seen perched on its many peaks. During the time of the Romans, the most prevalent religion on the island was Catholicism.
Visiting a few of the churches and gaining insight into the profound impact that Catholicism has had on the island for so many years was a fascinating experience.
The beaches
Spending some time lounging on the sands of a Greek beach is an essential part of any vacation to a Greek island.
Because Syros is not yet as popular a tourist destination as other locations in Greece, its beaches are not nearly as congested as those in other parts of the country.
The people
Syros is making concerted efforts to attract tourists; the locals truly welcome the opportunity to show off their island to visitors. If you walk outside of Ermoupolis on the island of Syros, you will get the impression that the island is still somewhat unexplored. This is in contrast to the other Greek islands, which are crawling with visitors.
What does this imply for you moving forward? You won’t have any trouble finding hospitable store owners who are eager to show you around their establishments. You will come across restaurant owners that are more than happy to discuss their menus with you.
And every once in a while, you may even run across fishermen who are willing to demonstrate the day’s catch for you:
The Scenery
Unintentionally, Syros is full with picture-perfect scenes that are simply begging to be captured on Instagram.
You’ll discover picture-perfect scenes all across the island as you make your way through the twisting alleyways and small streets.
Check out World Travel Bug’s article if you want to see even more breathtaking photographs of the natural beauty that can be found on the island of Syros. The post is filled with pictures that capture the island in all its splendor.
The Colors
During my stay in Syros, I made several comments about how beautiful the island’s landscape was. Simply said, the hues are different in Greece, particularly on the island of Syros.
The ocean’s turquoise tones have a stronger sense of vibrancy.
The contrast of the brilliant colors of the flowers against the whitewashed buildings makes the colors of the blooms seem more vibrant.
The Cats
I will be the first to say that I am not the greatest animal rights activist in the world. On the other hand, the cats of Syros are really stunning and quite attractive.
It is said that since Syros was a port town, ships were constantly coming in and out of the harbor, as is typical for port towns. This would be consistent with the definition of a port town.
When the ships arrived, so did the rats. Many rats in abundance.
Snakes were brought in as a means of dealing with the rat infestation (but why?). I can’t confirm this, but I’ve heard that this is how urban legends work) and became quite the issue on their own.
Therefore, cats were brought in as a means of combating the newly merged rat and snake problem.
I don’t understand why the snakes weren’t brought in before the cats. Who is to say. But it seems to be working since I didn’t see a single rat or snake the whole time I was on the island, and the cats seem to be settling down for the long haul.
Even on Instagram, the cats have their own own hashtag, which is:
The Food
If I didn’t speak about the food in one of my entries, then it just wouldn’t be one of my posts. Although I have previously sampled Greek cuisine, experiencing the cuisine of a nation for the first time when physically there in that country is a totally unique and unforgettable experience.
Syros, being an island in the midst of the ocean as islands are often known to be, offers an incredible variety of seafood due to its location.
For a complete list of the best Syros restaurants click here
There are additional Greek meals that can only be found in Syros, commonly known as the island’s specialities, such as this delectable fennel pie called marathopites:
The Sunsets
We made it a point to spend almost every evening of the vacation at the beach or at a restaurant that overlooked the water so that we could watch the sun go down over the water.
As we watched the sky transform gorgeous colours of orange, red, and yellow until ultimately fading, we were never disappointed.
Have I convinced you to visit Syros, Greece yet? Let me know in the comments section below!
FAQs
Why you should visit Syros?
Amazing beaches with hardly any other people around.
There are a few beaches on Syros that may become rather crowded, particularly those that feature tavernas and cafes located directly on the sand. However, in addition to that, it has hidden bathing areas, remote bays, and sandy beaches. The Blue Flag is awarded to each and every one of Syros’ beaches (highest rating for cleanliness and safety).
Is Syros very touristy?
Because Syros is not yet as popular a tourist destination as other locations in Greece, its beaches are not nearly as congested as those in other parts of the country.
Is Syros a party island?
Questions and Answers Regarding Your Trips to Syros
Although the island of Syros has a nightlife scene, it is not considered a party island in the same way that Mykonos and Ios are. Is it true that Syros has beautiful beaches? The island of Syros is stunning, and it has some beautiful beaches. The names Galissas, Azolimnos, Kini, Agathopes, Vari, and Finikas are among the most well-known of them all.
Does Syros have nice beaches?
You may find wonderful sand and pebble beaches on the island of Syros in the Cyclades, regardless of whether you want to be someplace private or somewhere organized with beach bars and water sports.
Is Syros Lively?
During the winter, one of the best places to go is the island of Syros, which is located in the Cyclades. It’s not far from Athens, buzzing with activity all year long, and simple to get there by boat.