Symi Paros Ferry

Symi Guide

The Greek island of Symi is one of the Dodecanese Islands and is located around 40 km to the north west of the island of Rhodes and 420 km from the Port of Piraeus. Symi's closest neighbours are the Datca and Bozburun peninsulars of Mugla Province in Turkey. The island's terrain is mainly mountainous and its coastline is made up of either beaches and secluded coves, or rocky cliffs. Located on the north east coast of the island is its main town, also called Symi. The lower town is the area around the harbour, called Yialos, and the upper town is called Horio or Ano Symi. There isn't a great deal to see or do on the island, and this is perhaps where its charm is. Apart from lazing on the beach or swimming in its crystal clear waters the Monastery of the Archangel Panormitis, which is an early 18th century Greek Orthodox monastery built on the coast in the south west of the country, is worth visiting. Overlooking Ano Symi is the Kastro which was built by the Knights of St. John as an expansion of a Byzantine castle on the same site. Quite a bit of the structure remains and there are also signs of an ancient citadel on which two later castles were built.

Paros Guide

The Greek island of Paros is one of the Cyclades group of islands and lies in the Aegean Sea close to the island of Naxos which is about one hour away by ferry. It is a popular holiday destination and has a reputation for being a friendly island and very welcoming to its visitors. It is the second largest of the Cyclades and has many things to see and do including taking part in the many different water sports that are on offer. There is also the Church of Panagia Ekatantapiliani which dates back to 326 AD and is also popular with tourists. For a relaxing way to spend your time on the island there are some lovely tavernas that line the Parikia seafront and also some lovely beaches that include Agia Irini, Farangas, Kato and Logaras.

The island's port is in Parikia and hosts both conventional ferries and high speed ferries. Ferries generally depart to Piraeus and to the other islands of the Cyclades.