Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
During the 17th and 18th centuries Capuchin monks and Jesuits settled on the island.
Becoming overwhelmingly Catholic, Syros even called upon France for help during
Turkish rule.
During the War of Independence, thousands of Orthodox refugees from islands rav-
aged by the Turks, such as Chios, fled to Syros. They brought an infusion of Greek
Orthodoxy and a fresh entrepreneurial drive that made Syros the commercial, naval and
cultural centre of Greece during the 19th century. Syros' position declined in the 20th
century, but you still see shipyards, textile manufacturing, thriving horticulture, a size-
able administrative sector and a continuing Catholic population.
Getting There & Away
AIR
Olympic Air flies daily from Athens (€70, 45 minutes) to
Syros Airport
(JSY;
22810
81900)
, 5km south of Ermoupoli.
BOAT SERVICES FROM SYROS
Year-round ferries serve the mainland ports of Piraeus and Rafina and neighbouring is-
22810 84444;
www.vassilikos.gr
;
Akti Papagou 10)
in Ermoupoli.
Port Authority
(
22810 82690; Plateia Laïkis Kyriarchias)
On the eastern side of the port.
BOAT SERVICES FROM SYROS
DESTINATION
TIME
FARE
FREQUENCY
Anafi
9hr 35min
€19
2-3 weekly
Andros
2hr 50min
€9
1 weekly
Astypalea
6¼hr
€25.50
3 weekly
Donousa
7hr
€19
2 weekly
Folegandros
5hr 20min
€14
1 weekly
Ios
3½hr*7hr
€17
1 weekly
Iraklia
4hr 20min
€18
3-4 weekly
Kea (Tzia)
3hr 40min
€12
2 weekly
Kimolos
3¾hr
€14
3 weekly
Kos
6hr 20min
€39
3 weekly
