Syros: The Cyclades graceful capital

Located in the middle of the celebrated island cluster, Syros is genuinely in a league of its own and more than worthy of being a primary stop at your sailing itinerary.

From the impressive town hall and the 19th-century sea captains’ houses in Ermoupolis to the medieval settlement of Ano Syros and charming Poseidonia, everything here exudes elegance and grandeur.

The timeless charm of Syros and its majestic past is nowhere more evident than at the marble gem that is its capital (and the capital of the Cyclades) Ermoupolis. Named after Hermes, the Greek god of trade, it is an impressive town full of neoclassical and industrial buildings and monuments. Explore it thoroughly beginning with designed Town Hall (designed by famous architect Ernst Ziller) in the central Miaouli Square and the renovated Apollo Theatre (a copy of the Milanese La Scala) and continuing to the colourful mansions of the wealthy shipowners’ neighbourhood of Vaporia and the maze of white-washed alleys in medieval Ano Syros. Syros has a lot of out of town attactions as well. A visit to the village of Poseidonia, famed for its beautiful old mansions is a must. The same applies, for different reasons, for the charming villages of Galissa, San Michalis and Chroussa with the twin churches at the top of the hill. Don’t sail away before enjoying a delicious meal (together with the renowned local San Michali cheese and loukoumia traditional sweets) and an invigorating swim at one of its many excellent beaches.

 

Must-Visit Attractions in Syros

  • The Ιndustrial Μuseum in Ermoupolis that showcases the island’s industrial history, which includes Greece’s first electric car, built in Syros in 1973. 
  • The Early Cycladic period cemetery and the prehistoric settlement of Kastri near the village of Chalandriani.
  • The Pancycladic Archaeological Museum, housed in the town hall of Ermoupoli. 
  • The much photographed 19th century Church of Agios Nikolaos in Vaporia with its trademark blue dome. 
  • The 17th century Our Lady of Mt Carmel Church and the Capuchin Monastery featuring the Church of Agios Ioannis in Ano Syros. 
  • The view from Markos Vamvakaris square (named after the legendary rebetiko musician) in Ano Syros that you should combine with a visit to the nearby museum that is also dedicated to him.

Sail and Swim

Sunbathing and swimming at Syros’s beautiful beaches. Among the most fascinating are the hard to reach northern beaches of Varvarousa, Aetos, Lia and Grammata, the family-friendly Azolimnos, Vari and Finikas and the more cosmopolitan beaches of Galissas, Kini and Agathopes.


Ports & anchorages

The choices for your yacht charter in Syros are plentiful. Including the port of Ermoupoli, the isle of Didyma and the Megali Agkali anchorage, the bays of Mega Gialos and Ampela, the port of Foinikas, the village of Galissas and the bays of Kini, Delfini, Aetou, Mega Lakkos and Marmari.