Syros, Greece
The Greek Island That Quietly Steals Your Heart
Have you ever heard of Syros, Greece? Me either, until one of my best friends moved there and I visited.
Syros is part of a group of islands called the cycladas. It is the capital and a major port city to the mainland of Greece with Ermoupoli being the largest city on the island where most people live.
How to get to Syros from Athens
Getting there takes a little more effort than your typical vacation destination — but that’s exactly what makes the island feel like such a hidden gem once you arrive.
After landing in Athens, you’ll head about 20 minutes to Piraeus Port where you’ll catch a ferry to Syros. I booked all of my ferry tickets through FerryHopper, and I highly recommend booking ahead of time, especially during busy travel months.
There are a few ferry options, but if you can, book the high-speed SeaJets ferry. The ride is around two hours instead of four, which means more time wandering through pastel streets, swimming in crystal-clear water, and lingering over long dinners by the sea.
And honestly, the ferry ride itself feels like part of the adventure. Watching the islands appear in the distance with the sun reflecting off the water somehow makes the whole trip feel cinematic before it’s even started.
One quick tip: if you get to the port early and need something to eat, walk over, about ten minutes, to Kantina o Plastiras for gyros. It’s casual, quick, and exactly the kind of meal you want before boarding a ferry in Greece.
Where to Stay in Syros
I’d recommend staying in Ermoupoli, the island’s capital and the heart of everything happening on Syros. It’s where the ferries arrive, where the streets stay lively at night, and where you’ll find some of the island’s best restaurants, cafes, shops, and waterfront views.
I personally tend to prefer staying in an Airbnb over a traditional hotel — it just makes the experience feel a little more local and relaxed. During my trip, I stayed at Venus Luxury Apartment on Booking.com, and waking up to views overlooking the port honestly never got old.
If boutique hotels are more your style, there are also plenty of beautiful options throughout Ermoupoli, including Castro Hotel Syros, Apollonion Palace, and Soul Syros Luxury Suites.
One of the best parts about staying in Ermoupoli is how walkable everything feels. You can spend your mornings grabbing coffee by the water, wander through the marble streets in the afternoon, and end the night at dinner without ever needing to get in a car.
How to Get Around Syros
There are a few different ways to explore Syros depending on the kind of trip you want to have. You can rent a car, grab a scooter, or rely on taxis to get around the island.
During my visit, we mostly stayed around Ermoupoli, so taking taxis ended up making the most sense for us. It was easy and convenient for the few times we ventured outside of town, but the costs can definitely start to add up depending on how much exploring you plan to do.
If you’re hoping to beach hop every day or visit more remote parts of the island, renting a car or scooter will probably give you more flexibility and save money in the long run. But if your trip is more focused on relaxing in Ermoupoli with the occasional outing, taxis can be the easier option without the stress of parking or driving unfamiliar roads.
I’d recommend mapping out the places you want to visit ahead of time and deciding what makes the most sense financially and practically for your style of travel. Honestly, there’s no wrong choice — it just depends on how you want to experience the island.
Best Time to Visit Syros
While Syros is beautiful year-round, the best time to visit really depends on the kind of trip you’re looking for.
If your ideal vacation includes long beach days, swimming in crystal-clear water, and soaking up the sun by the sea, I’d highly recommend visiting between June and August. During the summer months, the island is warm, sunny, and perfectly set up for slow afternoons at the beach and late dinners outside by the water.
That said, one of the things I loved most about Syros is that even during peak season, it still feels more relaxed and authentic compared to many of the more crowded Greek islands.
5 Day Itinerary
Day One: Walk, Wander & Eat Your Way Through Ermoupoli
Start your morning by grabbing a coffee from the cutest little café, Epta—my go-to is always a hot vanilla soy latte. From there, hop in a taxi or your rental car and head to Agios Stefanos Cave-Chapel for a short but super rewarding hike.
The trail is about a mile round trip with around 400 feet of elevation gain, so it’s very doable in under an hour—but you’ll definitely want to take your time. The chapel is built right into the caves, and the views are incredible. If you’re up for it, bring a swimsuit and take a dip in the sea while you’re there.
After exploring, you’ll definitely be ready for lunch, and To Tsipouradiko tis Mirsinis is the perfect spot. We ordered the tagliatelle with salmon and cuttlefish ink, plus the grilled squid with basil pesto, arugula, and feta—both were so good and exactly what we needed to refuel!
Once you’re done, grab the bill and head straight to Athimaritis for something sweet. And I’m not exaggerating when I say we went here every single day—the pastries are unreal. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with anything you pick!
Day Two: Boat or Catamaran Tour to Delos Island
One of the best things about Syros is how many nearby islands are only an hour or two away, making day trips incredibly easy. This turned out to be one of my favorite days of the entire trip.
We booked a half day boat tour with Spira Cyclades that included drinks, snacks, and an amazing captain who made the whole experience even better. I highly recommend heading out in the morning when the water is much calmer and the sea feels glassy and peaceful.
Our first stop was Delos, one of Greece’s most significant mythological and archaeological sites. Now an uninhabited UNESCO World Heritage Site, it is famously known as the legendary birthplace of Apollo and Artemis. After spending about an hour exploring and walking through its ancient ruins, we set back out to sea and anchored in the middle of the stunning Aegean.
From there, we spent the afternoon swimming, snacking, drinking, and completely unwinding—it was the perfect mix of exploration and pure relaxation.
Day Three: Book a Cooking Class
What better way to get into Greek food than learning to cook it from locals themselves? I honestly can’t remember who we booked our class with, but I’ve heard amazing things about the classes at Villa Maria if you’re looking for something super authentic.
We started by walking through a local market and hand-picking all of our ingredients, which made the whole experience feel so much more intentional—you actually know what’s going into everything you’re about to eat.
First up, we made a classic Greek salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, Kalamata olives, feta, and of course… lots of olive oil. For the main, we did stuffed tomatoes with potatoes and I swear we were all just standing there drooling over it. The biggest takeaway? Greek cooking = olive oil, olive oil, and more olive oil (and it has to be good quality).
We also made fresh homemade bread to go with everything, and obviously had Greek wine flowing the entire time. It was one of those meals—and experiences—you wish you could relive again and again.
Day Four: Spend the night in Mykonos
Because Syros is just a couple of ferry rides from nearby islands, spending a day or night in Mykonos is absolutely doable—and something you should definitely do. We caught the earliest morning ferry again via Ferryhopper and arrived late morning.
Stepping off the ferry, you immediately notice a completely different Greek island vibe compared to Syros in the best way possible. It genuinely feels like you’ve walked straight into the Instagram version of Mykonos.
We headed straight to our Airbnb, which was perfect for our one-night stay (& plenty are usually available even on a whim), dropped off our overnight bags, and got ready for lunch.
If you’re visiting Mykonos, I highly recommend booking lunch reservations ahead of time at Scorpios. I won’t sugarcoat it—it’s expensive, but also so worth it. We ordered wagyu tartare, a freshly caught whole fish, and a selection of vegetables on the side, along with cocktails and rosé. It was worth every single penny.
After our stomachs were full, we went to explore Mykonos’ famous windmills. The island is known for being extremely windy—and they weren’t exaggerating.
Right next to the windmills is the bar we ended up spending the entire night at, Cerise Bar. This gave us the full Mykonos party experience, and we didn’t stop dancing all night long (aka until about 11:00 PM because we’re getting old). The views of the sea from the patio are unreal, and with music and people dancing on tables, it was the perfect spot for our one-night Mykonos experience.
For a late-night snack, we grabbed gyros, which were the perfect way to end the night. There are so many gyro restaurants open late, all serving pretty much the same delicious options, so you really can’t go wrong. It was the perfect end to a perfect day.
The next morning, I highly recommend waking up before everyone else. The streets are so quiet, and it’s the perfect time to wander around and take beautiful photos without the crowds. There’s something really special about seeing a new place in that stillness—it feels more authentic and intimate, like you have the island all to yourself for a little while.
Day Five: Grab Sushi at Ciel + Relax at the Beaches
Sushi with an ocean view? Say less. Ciel ended up being the perfect last meal on the island. We ordered a mix of different rolls to try a little bit of everything, and honestly, every single one hit. Pair it with a crisp glass of rosé, that unreal view, and you really can’t go wrong. It’s one of those meals you just sit back and soak in.
One thing to know—beaches in Ermoupoli might not be what you’re expecting. Instead of long stretches of sand, you’ll find more platform-style spots where locals sunbathe and swim right off the rocks. But honestly, that’s kind of the best part of traveling—getting to experience places the way locals do. The most popular spot is Asteria Beach, and it’s definitely worth checking out.
If you’re craving a classic sandy beach day, you’ll need to venture a bit outside of Ermoupoli and drive either north or south on the island. The good news? The drive itself is part of the experience. Every corner of Syros has stunning views, and it’s one of those places where you really never get tired of looking around.
I can honestly say Syros exceeded every expectation I had. I hope this blog inspires you and helps kickstart your own adventure through the Cyclades!
with love, ally
