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Discover the History, Beaches, and Magic of Siros, Greece

Syros, also known as Siros or Sira, is one of the beautiful lesser-known Greek islands of the Cyclades group.

The central city on the island is Ermoupoli, a town populated with noble houses, squares, churches, and beautiful beaches.

The architecture of the houses has the hallmark of the constructions of the islands of the Cyclades.

Hermoupolis
Hermoupolis (photo: Graeme Churchard)

Visitors will be impressed by the buildings' neoclassical style, with the windows, doors, and terraces that make the island so dreamy.

This picturesque town has a great port that, until today, retains its magnificent splendor. It was one of Greece's most important commercial ports in the prior century.

The villages on the island include Foinikas, Manna, Galissas, Poseidonia, Kini, and Pagos. 

Siros' total population is about 20,000 inhabitants, and the island has a lot to offer visitors, including beautiful beaches, scenic bays, and a wide variety of hotels.

The island of Siros is ideal for family vacations and couple adventures, as it has various facilities to cater to any traveler, even those looking to practice water sports.

Typical Greek restaurants and taverns complement an intense nightlife, guaranteeing an unforgettable stay on the island.

Siros
Siros (photo: Trevor Owens)

Getting to Siros

Getting to the island is also relatively easy and pleasant. The trip to the island of Siros from the port of Piraeus is four hours long. You can also reach the island by plane from Athens.

A trip to Siros can be complemented with a visit to the islands of Tinos and Kythnos due to their proximity.

Ferries cross the island from Piraeus or Rafina to Tinos, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos, Ios, Santorini, and other islands of the Cyclades.

Siros and Its History

The first inhabitants of Siros were the Phoenicians. A testament to this theory is the name of the island itself, which seems to be of Phoenician origin, and even the fact that a locality of the island is called Finikas.

The island played a crucial role in the development of the Cycladic Civilization.

The archaeological discoveries in the towns of Chalandriani and Kastrí revealed significant findings that actively contributed to the study of that ancient civilization. We are talking about the years 2700 – 2300 BC.

The philosopher Ferekydes, a professor of Pythagoras, lived on the island. After the Persian wars, Siros was allied with Athens.

A significant date for the island of Siros and the Cyclades was the year 1207 when the Venetians arrived.

The powerful Marco Sanoudo conquered Siros and integrated it, like most of the Cyclades, into his dukedom, whose center was the island of Naxos. Finally, the island fell into Turkish hands in the year 1537.

Kini Bay
Kini Bay (photo: Graeme Churchard)

The Best of Siros

Siros still retains its archeological sites and ancient history and traditions.

Walking down the streets and alleyways of Siros, you will see several sophisticated Venetian mansions and notable Neoclassical buildings.

They also have several museums where you can learn about the historical events of the island.

The tourist destinations have natural sceneries that will give you a wonderful experience, including the fantastic beaches with tourist facilities where you can swim in crystal clear blue waters.

If you're more of a hiker, you'll be glad to discover the island's mountains, which may offer you a slight challenge.

You can visit the local food vendors and restaurants to enjoy delicious traditional dishes. And, of course, stay at luxury villas on Siros island for comfort and relaxation.

Delphini Beach
Delphini Beach (photo: Graeme Churchard)

Beautiful Places and Beaches to Visit on Siros Island

Many interesting sites are worth seeing on the island of Siros.

Siros island's capital, Ermoupolis, is recognized for its beautiful Venetian mansions, large churches, the attractive area of Vaporia, and notable Neoclassical buildings like the Apollo Theatre and the Town Hall.

Galissas, Kini, Megas Gialos, and Posidonia are the major beaches on the island.

They are family-friendly and partly organized with sandy shores, crystal clear waters, water sports activities, and tourist facilities.

You can do other things on the beach, like relaxing at one of the beach bars while refreshing yourself with a drink, eating in the restaurants there, or even resting in the hotels surrounding the beach as you view the magnificent scenery.

One of the museums that attract many visitors is the Bouboulina Museum. Bouboulina was regarded as the heroine of the Greek revolution.

You will find items inside the museum, such as gun collections, documents, and letters from the Greek Revolution.

You'll also find old books, maps, ship models, paintings and portraits, old furniture, and personal items of the heroine.

Top Hotels, Restaurants, and Bars

Different spots in Siros offer relaxation, fun, and fantastic nightlife.

Jar and Plaza offer a combination of cafe and bar services, while Baraki and Peiramatiko offer bar and Club services to provide you with an unforgettable night in Ermoupolis.

Siros is one of the islands where you can get delicious international and local dishes.

Savvas, Talaras Taverna, and Seminario restaurants are some of the best places to eat on the island. They offer tasteful Mediterranean, Greek, contemporary, and vegetarian-friendly cuisines.

Laoutari, Kastri, To Kapilio tou Markou, and Plaza Cafe & Croissant are excellent choices for cheap eating. They offer delicious Greek and Mediterranean dishes and seafood at a pocket-friendly price. 

Are you wondering where to stay during your visit to Siros? The hotels in Siros have got you covered. You can make a choice based on your budget and taste. 

The top hotels on the island based on facilities, location, and services include Hotel Benois, Apollonion Palace, 1901 Hermoupolis Maison, Hotel Ethrion, Lila Guesthouse, and Hotel Ploes.

Conclusion

This Greek island might not be as famous as Santorini or Mykonos. Still, it is just as beautiful and offers a splendid landscape to enjoy beautiful and happy holidays in a corner of Greece that is not so saturated.

If you have given Siros a chance, let us know about your experience in the comments below.

Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:

Jade

Thursday 28th of March 2019

Greece is really beautiful! And its more amazing in person :)

Dave

Friday 29th of March 2019

Totally agree. I finally made it there myself in 2015. Still have to write about it!

Lombok Wander

Tuesday 26th of March 2019

Nice Kini Bays in Greece !

location voiture casablanca

Tuesday 19th of March 2019

My name is Ryo Furukawa and I'm making a news programme called "Morning Show" in Japan. To introduce Syros Island, we would like to use this beautiful photos. Could you possibly give us a permission to use it??

Dave

Tuesday 19th of March 2019

Hello, unfortunately neither I (owner of gobackpacking.com) nor the author own the rights to the photo. I'm not sure which photo you're referring to, but if you click on the one you want to use, you'll be linked to the owner's page on Flickr. You can contact him/her from there.

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