June 8, 2026, 7:05 am | Read time: 5 minutes
When you arrive by ferry at the port of Syros, it’s hard to believe you’re in the Cyclades: Instead of white and blue houses, pastel-colored neoclassical villas rise up here. Despite secluded beaches and a beautiful old town, few tourists find their way here.
The water has the clear turquoise hue of the Aegean, with palm trees and rose bushes standing out between Orthodox churches and winding alleys. The floors are made of pure marble, and the harbor is bustling with sleek yachts made of gleaming wood. Fortunately, you won’t find concrete hotel monstrosities and high-rises on Greece’s lesser-known island of Syros.
On two neighboring hills sit the colorful twin towns of Ano Syros and Ermoupoli. The former was built by the Venetians in the 13th century and instantly transports you to the Italian Middle Ages; the elegant, much younger Ermoupoli is the vibrant capital and administrative center of the Cyclades.
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Syros–Greece Without Mass Tourism
How can an island with only about 21,000 residents and just 16 kilometers long be so sophisticated and magnificent? And why is it so unknown despite its beauty? We have five reasons why tourists overlook the island of Syros–and why you should definitely pay it a visit because of that.
1. Tourism Plays a Minor Role on the Island
Unlike the often overcrowded Cycladic islands of Santorini and Mykonos, Syros has no international airport. And it’s farther from the Athenian port of Piraeus than popular day-trip destinations like Kea and Aegina. It takes four hours to travel from Athens. As a result, tourists in the Greek capital rarely venture to Syros. International travelers are seldom seen here. Additionally, unlike many of Greece’s dream islands, Syros doesn’t need to focus on tourism.
The island still primarily thrives on shipbuilding, agriculture, and the production of delicious sweets for which it is known throughout the Mediterranean. For this reason, Syros is much more untouched than other islands in the Aegean and has so far been spared from mass tourism. This is reflected in both the absence of crowds and relatively low accommodation prices.
2. Ermoupoli is a City of Design Students
The University of the Aegean spans dozens of different islands. Ermoupoli is fortunate to host the design faculty. For this reason, the city boasts a large number of designer shops, experimental architecture, and countless boutiques for furniture and textiles. Every café, restaurant, and bar on the harbor promenade Akti Ethnikis Antistaseos competes with each other in stylish interior design, offering good, affordable food and creative cocktail creations.
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The shopping and dining options in Syros resemble those of a metropolis, even though it is actually a picturesque small town.
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3. Syros Was Once Greece’s Most Important Port
The elegance and beauty of the island’s architecture are mainly explained by its history. Before Piraeus, Ermoupoli was the most important port in all of Greece for a long time. With huge shipyards, the city was able to finance its magnificent streets and buildings. Additionally, as mentioned, Ermoupoli is the capital of the Cyclades.
Therefore, Syros is the only island in the group that is accessible by ferry from all other inhabited Cycladic islands and boasts one of the most beautiful town halls in Greece. The town hall is open to visitors.
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4. The Wild Hinterland and the Beaches
The island of Syros is very small. You can cross it by car in 15 minutes and end up at secluded beaches, fishing villages, and green bays. If you hike from Kini Beach through the hinterland to Dolphin Bay, you’ll see flocks of sheep grazing on meadows covered with wildflowers. Beehives hang on ancient houses, and roosters crow everywhere. If you visit the island in spring, you’ll have Dolphin Bay all to yourself. Besides Kini and Dolphin, the beach of Galissas is also particularly popular. Those who want to wander completely away from restaurants and people should head to Aetos Beach in the northwest.
And if you’re staying in Ermoupoli and don’t feel like taking a trip by car or bus, you can always go to Agios Nikolaos Beach right in the city. While there’s no fine sand, you can enjoy a unique way of swimming: Jump into the sea from a stone platform, with a view of the beautiful house facades and churches of the old town.
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5. The Neighboring Islands
If you want an absolute insider experience on Syros, you should visit the small sister islands off the coast, where you can enjoy nature completely alone and undisturbed: Strongylo and Gaidaros, Vavarousa, Aspro, Nata, and Schinonisi. Gaidaros, in particular, is a paradise for divers, as it is home to the wreck of the ship Litos, which can be explored alone or with professional divers. Day trips to all the small islands can be booked with several agencies on the island. Just stroll along the promenade of Ermoupoli and ask a passerby about the relevant offices: On Syros, you’ll always find a friendly person willing to help and share plenty of personal insider tips.