Syros is a beautiful island of the Cyclades with 29 picturesque settlements that successively generate a picture perfect setting with medieval references, Greek symmetries and authentic touches reflecting its glorious past.

ANO SYROS Ano Syros was founded in 1200 by the Venetians and continued to be inhabited throughout the course of history while maintaining its Catholic and medieval character. A city characterized by countless steps that pass by the white houses and arches at the edge of the hill leading to the top of the village where the Catholic Cathedral of Saint George is situated. The town was created gradually, amphitheatrically on the rocks like a natural fortress so as to keep its residents safe from several attacks while the exterior walls of all houses formed a natural fort protecting the locals from the raids. The narrow cobblestone streets gave residents the opportunity to hide from the various pirate attacks while the wooden doors in the entrances of Portara, Epano & Kato Terma, Skalakia and Sabastias completely sealed the city from any invasion. Home of the philosopher Pherecydes, Ano Syros was and remains a city with distinct character and identity, a city telling a story through its monuments and historic buildings, through the Historical Archive of Ano Syros, the Exhibition of Traditional Professions and other points of interest such as the bust of the national hero, Don Ioanni Dalezio and the spring of Agios Athanasios. A city with a catholic identity unfolding through the Jesuits and Capuchins monasteries, the Church of Virgin Mary of Karmilou and other Catholic churches. By 2010 Ano Syros was the capital of the municipality while today constitutes the island’s historic base offering a plethora of tourist facilities, restaurants, taverns, cultural landmarks and attractions including the old Castle gate leading to the old town, the bust of the great traditional singer Markos Vamvakaris and the Town Hall. Ano Syros is just 3.5 km away from the port of Ermoupolis, a distance worth covering on foot.

APANO MERIA Apano Meria stretches on the mountainous terrain, where the tranquility and serenity are embracing the scattered farmhouses with the heady scents of fennel, thyme and wild olives. The view is magnificent, as a picture taken from times gone by while the few taverns that come into view here and there invite visitors to travel through the local flavors to the wonders of the past. The settlements Mitakas, Papouri, Richopos, Platy Vouni, Chartiana and Saint Michael seem as they have been forgotten in time while the beaches of Apano Meria such as Barbarousa, Aetos, Marmari and Gria Spilia will surely enchant all visitors.

CHROUSSA HIGHLIGHTS The Church of Agios Spyridonas The Church of the Virgin Mary The Catholic Monastery of our Lady Revealed Chroussa is a charming village with quaint chapels, majestic mansions, villas, Orthodox and Catholic churches, footpaths and alleys that pop up through a magnificent pine forest worth exploring. Just 8.5 km from Ermoupoli, Chroussa constitute an absolute oasis of peace and tranquility while offering a multitude of events throughout the year.

EPISKOPIO The resort of sovereigns HIGHLIGHTS The Church of Prophet Elijah The Church of Panagia Piskopiani The Red House Episcopio or Piskopio was the first site of the metropolis of Syros and the residence of the Bishop hence its name. The first villas of sovereigns were built on the green hill episkopio and thus was considered one of the most stunning resorts of the island. Located on the road to Kini just 4.5 km from Ermoupoli, Episcopio offers magnificent views. The Church of Prophet Elijah dominating the Hill, the Piskopiani Virgin Mary and the red house that inspired M. Karagatsi to write the great novel Chimera are some of the main attractions

ERMOUPOLIS The open air museum of Syros HIGHLIGHTS City Hall Miaoulis Square Tarsanas Cultural Center The Port Apollon Theater Municipal Library The Church of Agios Nikolaos Cycladic Art Gallery Customs square Archeological Museum of Syros The capital of Syros as well as of the insular complex of the Cyclades exudes an aura of neoclassical romance harmoniously combining elements from ancient Greece and Western Europe. Visitors are welcome to follow the narrow streets through the picturesque neighborhoods, discover images and experiences of a bygone era and encounter monuments along with neoclassical buildings from the imperious history. From the impressive Town Hall in Miaouli square, inspired by Ernest Ziller and the palaces of Troy, the Apollon Theater which is a miniature of Scala di Milano, the mansions in the charming area of Vaporia, the municipal library and the remarkable museums of the island to the Temple of the resurrection and other beautiful Orthodox and Catholic churches, the town of Ermoupolis constitutes much more than a beautiful island capital, it constitutes an open-air museum worth exploring from side to side.It is a cosmopolitan capital with its own special character, a vibrant city buzzing with life throughout the year. Ermoupolis has an excellent tourist infrastructure and offers a wide variety of facilities for accommodation, dining, entertainment and relaxation with a breadth of accommodation options, cafes, restaurants and bars as well as plenty of sports facilities and cultural venues. The Syros Culture festival constitutes one of the island’s main cultural institutions and a benchmark for its guests. It is a festival held each year during the summer giving an even more impressive cultural extension to the island. Ermoupolis is the main port of the island connected daily with the ports of Piraeus, Rafina, the Cyclades and the North Aegean Sea. The island’s airport is situated at a distance of 3 kilometers and offers direct flights to Athens.

FOINIKAS HIGHLIGHTS The small port The beach of Foinikas The islet of Psachno The beach of Kokkina The Church of Agios Panteleimonas The Sports Club of Foinikas Foinikas got its name from the ancient port of the Phoenicians that was established at the Foinikas Bay which continues until today to host private boats, sailing races and water sports. 12 km from Ermoupoli, 5 km from Galissas and near the town of Posidonia, Foinikas attracts a multitude of visitors due to its scenic location and sandy beaches that offer boat access to Psachno islet and its magnificent beach. While in the settlement of Foinikas one can also visit the Church of Agios Panteleimonas and the Kokkina beach located nearby. Foinikas has about 700 residents while the sports club of Foinikas features one of the best volleyball teams in Greece competing in Volley league and counting many distinctions such as repeated Championships in the Prefecture of the Cyclades, A2 National Championship and League Cup while also having a continuous presence in the top four of the A1 National League.

KINI HIGHLIGHTS The small port The aquarium Delfini beach (nearby) Lotos beach (nearby) The Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary The monastery of Agia Varvara The monument of the mermaid Virgin Mary The museum of the fishing vessels, the aquatic organisms & shellfish Nautical Ecological & Cultural Association of Kini The picturesque fishing village of Kini is a tourist seaside village where guests can enjoy local flavors and aromas in taverns and cafes situated along the small port. From the golden beach one can distinguish the fishermen mooring their boats but also travel by boat to one of the small beaches in the North of the island and discover the beautiful beaches of Delfini and Lotos. Other places worth visiting in the area include the Catholic Church of the Virgin Mary, the monastery of Agia Varvara, the monument of the mermaid Virgin Mary in the harbor, the museum of the fishing vessels, the aquatic organisms and shellfish. Those who are fortunate enough to find themselves on the island on June the 29th, should attend the custom of the Fotaerides, a unique feast in honor of St. Peter just 9 km away from Ermoupoli at the village of Kini, a village becoming one of the main tourist attractions of the island

GALISSAS HIGHLIGHTS The beach of Galissas The chapel of Agia Pakous The Catholic Church of the Holy Heart of Jesus The ruins of ancient Galissos The chapel of St. Stephen The beach of Armeou (nearby) Galissas is situated in a picturesque setting around a natural cove with golden sand that used to be the perfect place for seclusion and nudism. Today is a favorite tourist destination with an abundance of tourist accommodation options. Galissas offers plenty of taverns, bars and other tourist services. Just 7 km from Ermoupolis one can visit the stone pier with the palm trees, the chapel of Agia Pakou, the Catholic Church of the Holy Heart of Jesus, the ruins of ancient Galissos, the chapel of St. Stephen beneath the sea cliff and the beach of Armeou.

MEGAS GIALOS HIGHLIGHTS Megas Gialos Beach Church of Saint Thekla The Chapel of St. Antony Abela Beach (nearby) The coastal settlement of Megas Gialos is a magnet for travelers as it brilliantly combines a scenic atmosphere with easy access and a wide range of hotels as well as rooms for rent. Just 12 km from the town of Ermoupoli, between Vari and Poseidonia travelers are invited to discover the small beaches of the village one after another, swim at the beach with the golden sand, visit the Catholic Church of “Agia Thekla”, the chapel of St. Anthony and the quiet beach Abela.

VARI HIGHLIGHTS Fabrika Beach Achladi Beach Empati Beach Santorinoi Beach Goulandris Tower House The Church of Virgin Mary With evidence of habitation since 4000 BC, Vari is certainly the oldest village of the island. This charming village is located 9 km from Ermoupoli and it is considered a beloved tourist destination with plenty of accommodation options, restaurants, cafes, taverns and other tourist services. Guests can enjoy swimming on the sun kissed beaches of Fabrica, Achladi and Santorinioi, visit the the Goulandris tower house and Chapel of our Lady both enjoying the most dreamy panoramic views.

POSIDONIA The artistocratic resort HIGHLIGHTS The Aristocratic Mansions Villa Tsiropina The Orthodox Church of St. John The Club of Poseidonia The Catholic Church of St. Peter The Catholic Seminary Fetouri Beach (nearby) Komito Beach (nearby) Agathopes Beach (nearby) Formerly known as Della Grazia by the Catholic Church of Madonna de la Gratsia, the settlement was eventually named after ancient Posidonia dedicated to the god Poseidon as the aristocratic resort of Syros. Until this day the settlement is dominated by holiday villas with turrets and gardens traveling visitors to the glamour of a bygone era while the Orthodox Church of St. John, St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Agathopes with the sea lilies, the beaches Fetouri, Voulgari and Komito as well as the tennis court and Club attract numerous tourists especially during the summer months. Posidonia is located in Foinikas Bay, just 10 km from Ermoupoli.