Syros

The island of Syros is part of the Cyclades archipelago. The island is full of beauty and charm created by the untouched landscapes, traditional villages, Venetian and neoclassical buildings, beautiful beaches, crystal clear waters and medieval towns.
Archaeological excavations have brought to light many tombs, ceramic vases, statuettes, skeletons, various objects, ancient remains dating back to the Bronze Age, proving that the island has been inhabited since that period.
The sixth century BC. C. is the century in which Pherekidis, teacher of Pythagoras was born. He invented the heliotrope and reached the peak of his science right on the island of Syros. The cave where he used to live is in Ano Meria.
Like the rest of the Greek islands, Syros suffered for many centuries from pirate attacks and that is why the settlements were built on the hills, for protection.
In the sixth century BC. C. Syros was a thriving island. After the Persian Wars Syros became an ally of Athens. Then it underwent the dominion of the Macedonians, the Romans and the Byzantines. From 1207 the island passed into the hands of the Venetians before ending up in those of the Turks in 1537. Since then the island followed the fate of the other Cycladic islands until its liberation.
The characteristic of the medieval architecture of the island, combined with the typical Cycladic architecture and the Venetian influence, can be admired in Ano Syros, in a splendid scenery made of narrow streets, white stairs, wooden balconies with flowers, wooden doors and small courtyards full of flower pots.
Public transport allows you to visit the whole island.
Some buses, with regular frequency, serve the southern coast of Syros, making stops at the main beaches, from 08:00 to midnight. Some bus lines connect Ermoupolis to Talanta, Galissas, Finikas, Delagratsia, Megas Yialos, Vari; others connect Ermoupolis to Talanta, Galissas, Vissa, Parakopi, Ano Mana, Agathopes, Komito, Kini and Faneromeni. There is also a bus that connects Ermoupolis to Ano every day.
A taxi service is available in Ermoupolis which makes connections with Ano Syros, with all the localities and with each main beach.

Syros

The island can be reached by plane or by ferry.

Syros Dimitrios Vikelas Airport is located south of Ermoupolis, a few kilometers from the resort of Manna. Olympic Airways is the airline that operates daily flights from Athens to Syros, and vice versa. In addition to regular flights from Athens it also receives some international charter flights.

For more information:
Dimitrios Vikelas Airport of Syros
Tel.: +30 22810- 79545
E-mail: kasovtl@hcaa.gr

The island is also well connected by ferries to Athens and the other Aegean islands. The itineraries from Piraeus, the port of Athens, to Ermoupolis, are daily and the journey lasts about 4 hours. The island of Syros is also connected with Thessaloniki. The journey is approximately 18 hours. There is also a ferry that leaves from Lavrio, south of Attica and reaches Syros in about 5 hours. There are also many hydrophiles connecting Syros with the other Aegean islands.
Normal ferries connect Syros to Aegiali, Amorgos (5 hours), Andros (3 and a half hours), Donousa (6 hours), Folegandros (6 hours), Heraklion, Crete (12 hours), Ios (5 hours), Karlovasi, Samos (4 hours), Katapola, Amorgos (7 hours), Kea (4 hours), Kimolos (6 hours), Kos (4 hours), Koufonisia (8 hours), Kythnos (2 and a half hours), Leros (3 and a half hours) , Milos (8 hours), Mykonos (1.5 hours), Naxos (3 hours), Paros (1.5 hours), Patmos (3 hours), Rhodes (8 hours), Schinoussa (9 hours), Serifos (4 hours), Sifnos (5 hours), Sikinos (5 hours), Skiathos (9 hours), Skopelos (8 hours) and Santorini (7 hours).
Regular hydrophiles connect Syros to Mykonos (1 hour) and Tinos (40 minutes).

Here are some useful numbers:
Olympic Airways Ermoupolis office: + 30 22810 86606 / 81309 / 86244
Taxi Station: +30 22810 84222 / 86222

Syros

There are beautiful places to visit on the island.
Ano Syros
Very close to Ermoupolis, Ano Syros is the highest district of the latter. The two cities gradually expanded so much that they merged and became one city. Ano Syros stands out for its elegant architecture and beautiful sea view.

Kini
9km west of Ermoupolis, it is a delightful tourist resort on the western side of Syros. Colorful fishing boats moor in the small port and the village offers a beautiful sunset.

Galissas
It is located in a cove, with a fine beach, currently considered the first tourist attraction of the island. It is surrounded by the splendid bay of Armeos, a paradise for nudists.

Kimisis tis Theotokou
It is an orthodox church famous for one of the masterpieces of religious art created by the well-known Greek painter El Greco, made in 1562. The church has a splendid bell tower.

St George's Cathedral
It is the finest Catholic Church in the medieval town of Ano Syros. Built on a mountain in the 13th century, it has been restored many times. It was destroyed by the Turks in 1617 and rebuilt for the last time in 1834 in its current form.

The capital of the island of Syros
Ermoupolis
Located on the eastern side of Syros, Ermoupolis is the capital and main port of the island. The city, whose name means "the city of Hermes" (god of commerce), is a commercially and culturally developed seaside resort, which stands out for the great beauty of its neoclassical and Venetian architecture. Ermoupolis was founded by Greek refugees and revolutionaries from various parts of Greece, such as Chios, Psara, Kassos, Crete, and Asia Minor, to escape the massacres of the Turks during the Greek Independence and after the Revolution of 1821, who combined their strength, their faith and their skills to create the magnificent Ermoupolis, which quickly flourished to become the most important naval and commercial territory and also the major cultural center of the New Greek State of the 19th century.
The great economic prosperity of the city was followed by social and cultural development and the establishment of the bourgeoisie. The glorious past of the capital can still be seen in its splendid neoclassical architecture: old villas, marble streets, grandiose marble squares, imposing churches, monuments, statues. The architecture justifies the various names by which the city was often called: "Little Milan" and "Duchess of the Aegean" or "Noble Lady of the Aegean". Faced with all this fantastic beauty and noble architecture, Eleftherios Venizelos once said: “Greece was reborn in Ermoupolis”. Architects from various states, such as Germany, Italy and Greece itself, came to the island to build this wonderful city and to combine their talents in a glorification of artistic and architectural beauty.

To be seen
Common
The imposing building is the seat of the municipality of Ermoupolis and is the symbol of the island. It was built according to the neoclassical architecture by Ernst Ziller, a famous Greek architect. The Palazzo del Comune is located in Piazza Miaouli.

Church of the Resurrection
The beautiful church was built in 1870 on the Vrodado hill above Ermoupolis and offers a spectacular view of the nearby islands of Tinos and Mykonos.

Municipal Theater Apollo
Built in 1864 by the French architect Chabeau, it is located in Piazza Miaouli, in the center of Ermoupoulis, and is a miniature replica of the Scala in Milan. The white marble building has two floors, beautiful painted walls and wooden steps. It was the first opera house in Greece and until 1944 Italian operas were frequently performed. It was almost completely destroyed by the Germans. In 1970 there was an unsuccessful attempt to refurbish it. Subsequently, another attempt produced better results and today the Apollo Municipal Theater is the venue for the most important events taking place in Ermoupolis.

Miaouli Square
It is one of the most beautiful squares in Greece. It is known for its tall palm trees that shade small cafés and restaurants, creating a charming environment and a relaxing atmosphere. The square is surrounded by the imposing Town Hall building, designed by the famous Bavarian architect Ziller and completed in 1898. In Miaouli Square there is also a round marble stage with beautiful relief panels with representations of Apollo and the Nine Muses.

Cultural Center
Piazza Miaouli is also surrounded by the Cultural Center, a beautiful building with high painted ceilings and chandeliers, where the Archaeological Museum is located and where various cultural activities such as concerts and interesting art exhibitions are organized throughout the year.

St. Nicholas Church
It is located near the port of Ermoupolis. It was built in the 19th century and has two tall bell towers.

Church of the Assumption
It is among the most important churches in Ermoupolis. Inside there is the holy icon of the Virgin Mary, created by the famous painter El Greco.

Metamorphosis
It is the most important Orthodox Church of Ermoupolis and of the entire island, today the seat of the bishop. It has some outstanding icons and beautiful Baroque architecture and decoration, unusual for an Orthodox church.

Museums
Archaeological Museum
It is located in Ermoupolis, in the Town Hall, in Miaouli Square. It was established in 1835 and includes works from the excavations of Halandriani, in the island, and other islands of the Cyclades, such as Amorgos and Kythnos.
The museum is open every day except Mondays from 08.30 to 15.00.
Ticket price: €3 (full price) €2 (reduced)
For more information:
Tel.: +30 22810 88487

Industrial Museum
It is based in three old factories in Ermoupolis. It exhibits old machinery and objects from the island's factories, as well as maps, architectural drawings, paintings by local painters and ship models.
The Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 14:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00 (Monday and Wednesday from 10:00 to 14:00).
For more information:
Tel.: +30 22810 81243

Museum of Cycladic Art
It is located in Ermoupolis, near Miaouli Square. It exhibits an interesting collection of Cycladic art and finds of objects of the Cycladic period from the archaeological excavations of the island and other Cycladic islands.
The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:30 to 14:00 and from 19:00 to 22:00.
For more information:
Tel.: +30 22810 85300

Villa Velissaropoulo
It's a really interesting building to visit. Built by an island architect in the 19th century, it was designated a work of art in 1987.

Syros Historical Archives
They are based in the neoclassical building called Ladopoulos Building located in the main square of Ermoupolis, Miaouli Square. The Historical Archives of Syros contain rich historical material and documents that really help to understand the history of the city and the island and its society.

Vamvakaris Museum
It is dedicated to Markos Vamvakaris, a famous Greek musician born in Ano Syros. It exhibits some personal items and photos of the musician.
The Museum is open only during the summer period, from 10:30 to 13:00 and from 19:00 to 22:00.
For more information:
Tel.: +30 2281360914
E-mail: dioikitiki@anosyros.gr

Beaches
The beaches of the island of Syros, with their soft sand and calm waters, are mostly within easy reach. If you are not afraid to take long walks, you can reach secluded and heavenly bays.

Galissas beach
9 km southwest of Ermoupolis, it is among the most popular beaches of Syros. Many bars are arranged along the coast.

Megas Gialos beach
12 km south of Ermoupolis has many tourist facilities. It becomes very popular in the summer.

Possioni beach
13 km southwest of Ermoupolis, it is a long, well-organized beach. It is a picturesque and very peaceful place. Gets very crowded during the summer time.

Finikas beach
11km southwest of Ermoupolis, Finikas bay is the second largest beach on Syros. It is well organized and becomes very popular in the summer.

Agathopes beach
It is located 14 km southwest of Ermoupolis and is a small beach near Poseidonia, a popular tourist resort of Syros. Along the beach there are small taverns.

Fun
Nightlife on the island of Syros is rich and varied. Most of the bars and clubs are located in the capital, especially outside the city, in the Limokathartiria area, where old buildings have been transformed into bars and nightclubs and offer a wide variety of music and events. Piano bars, jazz clubs, mood music, pop music and more can be found in Ermoupolis as well as in Galissas and Finikas. In the most popular beaches there are bars and clubs along the seafront. In many places you can hear Greek music.
Numerous festivals also take place on the island.
Every year, in July, the Guitar Festival takes place in the city of Ermoupolis during which guitar courses of various levels, competitions and concerts are organised.
Also in Ermoupolis, in the Apollo Theater in Piazza Miaouli and at the Palazzo del Cinema, the Art Festival takes place during the summer with theatrical, musical and cinematographic events, all with free admission.
The city of Ermoupolis also has a large Casino, which opened in 1997. The Casino has 186 slot machines and 26 tables with the most popular games: Roulette, Black Jack, Stud Poker. It also has a panoramic terrace. To enter the Casino you must have appropriate clothing, a minimum age of 23 and an identification document.
For more information:
Casino Syros
Stamatiou Proiou 74
Hermoupolis Greece 84100
Tel.: +30 22810 84400
E-mail: http://www.casinosyros.gr/index.php/en/2009-08-01-11-30-52