Kalodoukas Holidays - Yachting Services - Gulet Charter

Symi Island - Dodecanese - Greece

Symi is one of Greece’s best kept secrets. The island lies 40 kms north west of Rhodes in the Dodecanese, and is approximately 13 kms in length and 9.5 kms across at its widest point. The long deep harbour is like an amphi-theatre, with multi coloured two and three storey 19^th century neo-classical grand old houses of the former sponge trading merchants, and churches with coloured domes tiered up the steep hillsides. The high hill overlooking the harbour is Kastro, with the original settlement of Chorio and dominated by the Church of Megali Panagia, and the ruins of the castle. Surrounding the harbour area is the town of Yialos, which was built in the 19^th century and prospered during the affluent sponge fishing era.

Symi has no airport, and is reached by Symi’s own high speed ferry “Panormitis” from Rhodes, hydrafoil, or inter- island ferry 

Connecting Yialos and the upper old town of Chorio, where the majority of the islands population live are the 375 steps of the famous Kali Strata. It is well worth the effort as you will pass neo classical mansions, and views down to the harbour.

There is a new road which links Yialos and Chorio with Marathounta and Panormitis. Marathounta is a short distance off the main road, and has a very attractive bay and pebble beach Panormitis lies at the other end of the island from Yialos, at the head of a sheltered bay, and is famous for the Byzantine style Monastery of the Archangel Michael, originally built about 450AD, and rebuilt in 1783.

In the summer, one of the main attractions of Symi are the beaches and coves around the island. Taxi boats will take you to beaches and coves for the day and collect you later in the afternoon. Our excursion boat will take you further afield, to deserted beaches, the island of Sesklia, and around the island, with swimming stops, barbecue lunch and drinks. 

Pedi valley – a fertile sheltered valley stretching from the old Port of Pedi up to Chorio. The valley is full of orchards and gardens, fig and olive trees.

As there are reputed to be over 300 monastries, churches and chapels on Symi, it is well worth spending time visiting them,

Walking on Symi when the weather is cooler is a very pleasurable experience and a good way to explore the island. There are many tracks through the hills and forests and along the coast, from which there are marvelous views. As the whole of the island is covered with Oregano, Sage and Thyme, the air is filled with the heady fragrance of herbs. Goats and the sound of goat bells are everywhere you go. 

During the summer months the famous Symi Festival takes place, with performances by music and drama groups from neighbouring islands and other parts of Greece