Syros
Located in the Cyclades, Syros is one of the largest and the main trading centre of the group of Islands. Accessible from the port of Piraeus or by ferry from Mykonos (via the international airport there), the visitors first impression of the island is the main port and the islands capital, Ermopolis. Although the visitor’s first view will be of the town’s ship-yards on the south side of the harbour, a short walk will take you to the elegant square and shopping centre just off the harbour road. The town features an impressive town hall, set in Mastrouli square which runs the length of the building. It’s also home to the main taxi rank, and to the South West side, coffee shops and bars can be found on the galleried pavements opposite the hall. Benizelou Street connects the Square with the harbour road and leading off from here there’s enough shopping opportunities to keep the most cosmopolitan shopper happy for an hour or two.
Although the streets of Ermopolis feature many bars, tavernas and even a casino, The casual visitor will probably want to visit one of the many lounge bars and eateries which front the harbour road, mainly located towards the end of the road towards the Hotel Hermes, which can be seen almost anywhere on the port.
Unless you arrive via the national airport, located just outside of the town, you will be arriving by one of the many ferries, either from Piraeus or more easily from Mykonos. These dock on the harbour front opposite the numerous travel agencies where ferry tickets can be purchased and cars or bikes hired. Hotel owners are there to greet the visitors with signs of available accommodation but many visitors will have made bookings via the internet.
Head left out of the ferry port and you will find the bus station around a hundred meters on the right. Busses run regularly to the resorts dotted around the south of the island and run either clock wise or anti clock wise. Take your pick but make sure the chosen bus stops where you want to go.
Out of Ermopolis
Ano Syros
Ano Siros is well worth a visit. Located on the Hill above the main town, Ano Siros was constructed by the Venetiens at the beginning of the 13th Century on the Hill of St Georgio. Its around 3.5 KM from the main town so a taxi would be advisable (although it perfectly walkable back down again). There’s no access by car to the town and access it via a small alleyway next to a gift shop which gives way to a maze of Medieval Streets where neatly restored houses nestle in between ruins. Views from the top are outstanding and some of the neighbouring Cycladian Island can be seen.
The South Coast and the Beaches.
The route around the South Coast can be made by either heading South from Ermopolis or by heading West, over the mountain.
If you are hiring a car, head in the direction of the ship maintenance yards until you come to Iroon Square (roundabout) and take a left. Busses with carry straight on here and take you the scenic route over the mountain to Kini. By heading left, you will pass the Lidl supermarket and come to the right hand turn which will take you in the direction of Galissas.
Kini
After around 15-20 minutes drive over the mountain you will see the AB Supermarket. Take the right hand turn for the road which will take you to the pleasant resort of Kini. Built behind a crescent of golden sand, Kini features a beach road lined with Tavernas, some of which front right onto the sea. There’s parking on the edge of town to the left or the bus stops right on the sea front. There’s an interesting fountain dedicated to mariners lost at sea located right in the centre of the beach road and sun loungers and parasols can be rented on the beach.
Galissas
South of Kini, also on the coast road is Galissas. Some would say this is the Island premier beach resort. It certainly has a decent stretch of sand and enough Tavernas and bars (which you could count on the fingers of both hands) to keep you occupied for a week’s stay. As with some of the other Cycladian islands though, the authorities have made an extra effort here with disabled access and there are dedicated parasols on the edge of the beach (near an access ramp) for visitors with disabilities and there are also disabled toilet facilities on the beach.
There are plenty of opportunities for good sun set photographs here and the climb to the small church of Agia Pakou is worth the effort for the view of the sunset and also for daytime views over the Galissas.
Accomodation Options.
Accomodation in Galissas is varied. From the small studio and apartment blocks which are located throughout the village to the larger units such as the Dolphin Bay hotel which dominated the hillside on the south side of the resort.
The excellent Galissas Studios can be found around 100 meters from the beach. Featuring a swimming pool and a variety of room types, the studios and apartments can be rented via Olympic Holidays in the UK or by visiting the Alpha rent a car office on the beach road.
Finikas
Head South and over the hill to Finikas. Home to a sizable harbour, the village again has a handful of Tavernas and bars stretching along the sea front which is partly fronted by a beach. Apart from a few supermarkets, there’s little else here and beach lovers would prefer to visit the next beach area of note which is Posidonia.
Posidonia
The beach is easily missed as you need to take a right by the Military base (busses keep to the main road). Photographers should keep a low profile here due to the restrictions on photography near Military installations which means you won’t be able to get a picture of the pleasant harbour which is located next to the bases gates. Apart from the gates, though, there is little else to suggest a Military presence and Posodonia features a fine sandy beach, sheltered by the rocky outcrop on the South Side. Divers can visit the Salt Water Divers centre, located the other side of this in Agathopes.
Komito
A kilometre or so’s drive further South will bring you to Komito. There’s a pleasant enough beach here with Parasols but few facilities. Its worth taking a look at some of the old Venetian Mansions which are located here and which can be seen in the main town of Posidonia.
Ampela & Megas Gialos
If seclusion of what you need, Ampela is certainly worth a visit. Accessed off the main road, around a kilometres drive will bring you to a compact but pleasant crescent of sand with parasols. There’s a tavena right behind the beach and the hill sides which surround the beach are dotted with pleasant villas and apartments. Being away from the main road means that traffic noise is at a minimum.
Megas Gialos, sits a little further on and on the point where the road starts to turn northward back to Ermopolis. The tiny church of Agios Antonios can be found just beyond the jetty on the West side of the harbour.
This is where the festival of Panagia Thalassini takes place on August 22nd, The church has an interesting array of bells and is well worth a look. As Megas Gialos is again located in a sheltered bay, the beach here is pleasant and served by the sole taverna across the road.
Vari
Here, the building is less prevalent and the coastal drive is pleasant. Vari sits in the last of the sheltered bays on the south side of the island, before the road heads inland and north back to the capital. Vari is one of older of the island resorts and again, has a fine sandy beach located in a natural harbour. This means the beach is protected and the waters are calm and the beach features orderly rows of parasols in front of the Hotel Kamelo.
The drive north gets increasingly industrialised and takes you past the Islands power station before the view improves as you get closer to the main town again. This is probably one of the best views of Ano Syros, topped by the Church of San Giorgio with houses spilling down the hillside to town below.
Here, we are back where we started in the island capitol. The drive is manageable in a day or longer if you want to sample some of the beaches that the south of the island has available.
For more Hotel and Destination videos, please go to http://www.primeguides.net
Copyright- Paul Walters 2016 no part of this transcript may be reproduced without permission.
