Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Pireás
Rafína
Sýros
SÝROS
is a living, working island with
only a fleeting history of tourism,
rendering it the most Greek of the
Cyclades. There's a thriving, permanent
community, the beaches are busy but
not overflowing and the villages don't
sprawl widely with new developments.
As well as being home to a number of
excellent restaurants, the island is
known for its numerous shops selling
loukoúmia
(Turkish delight),
mandoláta
(nougat) and
halvadhópita
(soft nougat
between disc-shaped wafers). In
addition Sýros still honours its
contribution to the development of
rebétika
music: Markos Vamvakaris,
one of its prime proponents, hailed
from Áno Sýros where a square has
been named after him.
The island's sights - including the best
beaches - are concentrated in the south
and west; the north is unpopulated and
barren, offering little interest. Most
people tend to stay in Ermoúpolis,
which offers better connections to a variety of beaches, none further than 15km away.
0
2
kilometres
N
Kámbos
Liá
Kastrí
Halandhrianí
Syríngas
Plátos
6
Hartianá
Mýtakas
Fínikiá
Dhelfíni
Kíni
Áno Sýros
ERMOÚPOLIS
Dhanakós
Galissás
Mána
Faneroméni
Parakopí
Fínikas
Azólimnos
Khroussá
Vári
Posidhonía
Mégas
Yialós
Agathopés
Komitó
Vári
Akhládhi
SÝROS
ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
SÝROS
By plane
The island is served by Athens (via Olympic, 1
daily; 45min). There is no bus service from the airport, and
you will have to take a taxi.
By ferry
All ferries dock at Ermoúpolis.
Destinations
Amorgós (3-4 weekly; 5-6hr); Anáfi (3
weekly; 10hr); Ándhros (2-3 weekly; 2hr 30min);
Astypálea (1 weekly; 6hr 30min); Folégandhros (5 weekly;
5hr 30min); Ikaría (6-7 weekly; 3hr); Íos (3-5 weekly;
4hr); Koufoníssi/Lesser Cyclades (3 weekly; 3hr-7hr
30min); Lávrio via Kéa/Kýthnos (2-4 weekly; 4hr); Mílos/
Kímolos (3-5 weekly; 5-7hr); Mýkonos (2-5 daily; 1hr);
Náxos (2-5 weekly; 2hr); Páros (2-5 weekly; 1hr 10min-
1hr 30min); Pátmos (1 weekly; 3hr 30min); Pireás (2-3
daily; 3-4hr); Sámos (6 weekly; 4hr 30min); Santoríni (3-5
weekly; 5-7hr); Sérifos (3 weekly; 2-5hr); Sífnos (3
weekly; 2hr 30min-6hr); Síkinos (3-5 weekly; 5hr); Tínos
(2-6 daily; 30-50min).
INFORMATION AND TOURS
Tourist o
ce
TeamWork (
T
22810 83400,
W
teamwork
.gr), at Aktí Papágou 18 on the waterfront in Ermoúpolis, is
a useful source of information and is able to help with your
accommodation, excursion and ticket needs. In the
summer there is an accommodation kiosk on the
waterfront open during ferry arrivals.
Services
There are several banks and about a dozen ATMs
in Ermoúpolis, mostly around the waterfront. The post
office is on Protopapadháki street. Laundry facilities are
available at Krinos, Protopapadháki 34 (
T
22810 88554).
In Spot, on the seafront at Papágou, has internet but
requires that you become a member, the cheapest option
being €5 for 3hr. It is open 24/7.
Tours
Starting from Platía Miaoúli in Ermoúpolis a small
tourist train runs a 40min tour of the town's main sights
(€4), while horse-drawn carriages (
T
22810 81517) start
from the centre of the waterfront in season, doing city
tours of various durations (€10-50).
GETTING AROUND
By bus
The buses inside the city are free, but there are
moves to start charging soon. Buses
run on the main beach
loop road south (to Galissás, Fínikas, Mégas Yialós, Akhládi,
Vári and Azólimno) hourly in high season, until late.
By taxi
Sýros drivers tend not to use the taximeter, so insist. If
you are unsuccessful, a fare inside the city should cost around
