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Pro
Beautiful buildings
Con
not for low budget travellers (is this a con???), daytripers from Rhodes fill the island between 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
In a nutshell
Great Place To Get Away And Relax
nickandchris Says: We had a day of drizzle and dull weather one day and decided to walk a little way round the coast. We ended up getting soaked as it poured down and had to shelter in an unfinished building.Here we met another English couple sheltering, also.We pressed on along an uninspiring...
nickandchris Says: This is the monastery of Taxiarchis Mihalail Panormitis.It's probably the trip that everyone goes on and certainly the first place we saw on Symi. Most trip boats from Rhodes to Symi call here enroute for a brief look round before heading to Symi port for lunch.Built in the...
nickandchris Says: While staying in Gialos, Symi's port, a" must do" is to climb the steps (Kali Strata) and walk the narrow alleys to the old town of Chorio. Apart from the views over the port, which are stunning, the old buildings and courtyards are fascinating. Most of the mansions were...
nickandchris Says: Once you've arrived on Symi, you will need to have your camera at the ready at all times. A very scenic island with it's old houses tumbling down the hill to the port, set against an arrid hillside.Apart from the scenery and architecture, cats abound and if you're a cat...
nickandchris Says: In 1985, Pedi, situated on a narrow inlet, was little more tha a fishing hamlet with a thin strip of shingly beach, one cafeneon and a new hotel which looked out of place, being so modern and swish looking. It's probably this hotel that has now turned Pedi into a resort,...
sandysmith Says: Panormitis is the most important monastery on Symi and the second most important in the Dodecanese (St John in Patmos claims first prize for that) and thus is on most people's itinerary when they visit Symi.Its situated right on the southern tip of the island and the day...
sandysmith Says: Panormitis Monastery can be reached by the day trip excursions from Rhodes as part of the package - we could have got the 2pm ferry from Symi on our way back to Rhodes and incorporated a visit to the monastery but this only gave a 40 minute visit with the crowds from the...
sandysmith Says: During our BBQ lunch on the boat trip these 4 young Afghanistan male refugees appeared - they must have travelled via Turkey which is so close to Symi. Apparently this is a quite a common occurence as Greece is not in the EEC and once they can get here they are free.
sandysmith Says: Aghios Georgios (St Georges) is one of the most dramatic coves on Symi - we didn't actually get to here - just saw from a distance as we sailed from Rhodes to Symi. Its only accessible by a taxi-boat from Symi too. Sheer cliffs - some 300m high back the beach which was used...
sandysmith Says: There's nothing better than being sailed around, enjoying the scenery, being served up a delicious BBQ lunch and having a swim in one of the many bays around Symi - I really enjoy it. The boats Posiedon and Triton do various island tours each day - some can be combined with...
sandysmith Says: Well the captain of our boat had to inform the local police about the refugees. They soon appeared in their boat but instead of picking up the young lads they made a tour round the bay to see if others were walking around. The captain of our boat ended up with extra...
Helpfulness
The lunch served up by the boat crew on the boat trip was simply delicious. They came prepared with their giant skewers and grills and cooked delicious chicken served up with all kinds of salads and greek mezzes with wine and retsina all included.
Favorite Dish: all of it!
Updated Sep 21, 2005
Helpfulness
Jean and Tonic is the late night spot on Symi.
Jean is opening her bar around 10 p.m. and there is talking and drinking until the morning hours.
The saying "getting Jeaned" is very popular on Symi, because in Jean's Bar you sometimes feel like in a time-machine. You want to stop by for one drink and when you walk away the sun's just creeping over the horizon and you ask yourself, where went time???
Visiting Symi and Jean's after months of hard work it's always like coming home to good old friends.
Dress Code: no dress code
Updated Dec 18, 2005
Address: Chorio
sandysmith Says: The Dodekanese Express also provides a high speed service to Symi during the summer - not every day and sometimes they just call at Panormitis in the south en route to other islands. They tend to be a bit more expensive but they are fast and comfortable. Check out their...
nickandchris Says: After a couple of days it was again time to move on. Next stop Nissiros.This time we made sure we caught the correct boat, the Panormitis, which left Symi around 11.45 am. I see this old faithful tug is still plying to and fro between the Dodecanese.It was a pleasant...
sandysmith Says: Triton is another island excursion boat - often operates in conjucntion with Poseidon. Weather permitting (and unfortunately too windy during our short stay) it tours around Symi's coastline for various swim stops, visits Seskia Island and Panormitis monastery. Price is...
sandysmith Says: The high speed Catamaran is a popular option of reaching Symi for a day trip from Rhodes. They leave at 10.30am from Mandraki or Colona harbour and take 45 minutes to reach Symi's harbour. Two boats usually go - one will stop at Panormitis monastery on the south of Symi on...
sandysmith Says: The Poseidon is one of the excursion boats that makes trips around the island to various bays for swim stops and a delicious BBQ lunch. Walking tours are also arranged in conjucnction with this - they conveniently join in time for lunch and then enjoy a swim and sail back....
sandysmith Says: Such a colourful array of shells are available in the harbour stalls of Symi - some rreal beauties there too but I am never sure if these are allowed past customs? Any they would be destined to get broken in my already overfull suitcase!
Helpfulness
As soon as the trip boats arrive and unload their cargo of grockles the restauraters are out in force, waiting to pounce on all and sundry as they troup through the town." Best food, best prices, come and sit down." I hate this. I'm not even allowed to pick up a menu to compare prices without being leapt upon and dragged to a table.The whole town seemed to carry on like this once the boats arrived. Amazingly, as soon as the boats had rounded up their passengers, the restaurants closed their doors and shut up shop until the evening. Lo and behold you if you haven't eaten by this time.
In the evenings we managed to find a better deal, a souvlaki place, but for some reason, this closed at 9.30pm.
The one restaurant we ate at we were over-charged and short changed so not a pleasant memory of Symi.
Unique Suggestions: Either grin and bear this treatment or refuse to be hassled. Try somewhere else where you're not bothered as much. Or make for Pedi instead or have a picnic.
Updated Apr 27, 2006
Symi is a greek gem in the Dodecanese group of islands. It has two distinctive areas -Yialos which is the island's harbour and Ano Symi or Chorio. Smaller settlements are those of Nimborios, Pedi,...
A snap decision whilst on Patmos led us to Rhodes, in search of my Greek aunt who helped out in her brother's hotel near Trianda. On arrival at the hotel we were informed she was in Athens so decided...
Symi - I haven´t heard of this island before. Fortunatly we´ve seen a few last minute offers and decided to go there! We got a very cheap flight and a wonderful accomodation via internet and had a......
The island lies 40 kms north west of Rhodes and close to the coast of south-west Turkey. and is approximately 13 kms in length and 9.5 kms across at its widest point. The distance from Pireaus is 230...
On Symi, you will enjoy beautiful bays and pebbled beaches that are best reached by small boats that leave frequently.
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