Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Horio
(Χωριό) is a maze of narrow streets zigzagging through a palette of sienna, ochre
and sugar-white buildings. Perched at the top of Horio is the
Knights of St John Kastro
,
with the
Church of Megali Panagia
within its walls. You can reach the castle through
the maze of Horio's cobbled pedestrian streets or along a road that runs southeast of Gia-
los.
En route to the
kastro
and signposted from the stop of Kali Strata, the
Archaeological
& Folklore Museum
(admission €2; 10am-2pm Tue-Sun)
has Hellenistic, Byzantine and
Roman exhibits, as well as some folkloric material. The nearby
Chatziagapitos House
is a restored 18th-century mansion that you can look around when the museum is open.
Behind the
children's playground
in the port of Gialos, the
Nautical Museum
(admis-
sion €2; 11am-4pm Tue-Sun)
details Symi's shipbuilding history and has wooden models
of ships and other naval memorabilia.
Activities
Symi Tours
( 22460 71307)
has multilingual guided walks (€12) around the island
(every Tuesday at 8am), often ending with a boat ride back to Gialos. The publication
Walks in Symi
by Lance Chiltern lists 20 walks on the island for novices and pros alike.
Keep an eye out too for
Walks in Symi
by Francis Noble Tsavaris.
Symi Dream
(
69364 21715; Horio)
offers specialised photo walks in the Pedi Valley (€10 per person).
Head to Symi Dream Gallery on the Kali Strata for more info.
Sleeping
Hotel Aliki
BOUTIQUE HOTEL $$$
( 22460 71655;
www.hotelaliki.gr
; Gialos; d/ste incl breakfast €60/130; )
Biscuit-yellow
Aliki is Symi's oldest hotel and evokes pure charm with its traditionally painted, wood-
beamed lobby, dotted with flower-shaded lamps and vintage leather armchairs. The
rooms are elegant, with antique iron beds, fragrant linen and serene views of the sea lap-
ping a few yards below. There's also a roof terrace.
Iapetos Village
APARTMENT $$$
( 22460 72777;
www.iapetos-village.gr
;
Gialos; d & apt €135; )
With 29 rooms and
studios in a leafy courtyard complex, Iapetos boasts the most modern accommodation in
Gialos. Finished to a high spec, rooms come with a private balcony, fridge, TV, en suite,
lovely wooden high ceilings and a safe deposit box. Apartments have fully fitted kitchens
as well. There's also a beautiful swimming pool.
