Holidays in Siros: Complete Guide

You have already read and heard about it by many. After our trip to Siros we can definitely say with certainty that we agree with the characterization that it is ___The Lady of Cyclades__. It is an island that combines many different elements in a unique way. Gracious architecture, artistic flair, romantism, orthodox and catholic religious traits, small fish-village, beaches with crystal clear waters and many choices for delicious food. All these are enough to make you visit the multidimensional Siros and in the meantime we will analyze all of these below to make Siros your next island destination.

The capital of Cyclades branches off to the stereotypes. It doesn’t comply with the usual “rule” of white-blue color (with a first glance, it looks like Venice of Italy) and is “alive” all year round (it has 25000 permanent residents) forming an interesting destination all year round.

However, this first impression and the sound of the ship are not enough for you to understand that you arrived in Siros if you don’t walk through Miaouli’s square and don’t behold the Town hall-symbol of Hermoupolis. The image you behold every time you turn a corner from the port at the paved road of El. Venizelos street is magical. It might be the most photographed building of Siros. The Town Hall was built in 1876 by Ziller under the administration of Mayor Dimitrios Vafiadakis. The building houses the community’s services and the Court of Law and it is open to the public during the week, but not during weekends.

As you walk up the street you will come across with Apollon theatre (Theatro Apollon). A theater of 1864, influenced by the one of Milan in Italy, that impresses the visitors and continues to attract the artistic interest until today as it frequently hosts theatrical performances, events and festivals. Entrance fee for having a tour: 2€. We had the opportunity to watch a comedy, the Mandrake, performed by the theatrical team of Siros, sitting at one of the loges. It was a unique experience.

At the Industrial area of the island you will also find the Museum of Textiles. In regard to this place, we have to say a few things as it is indeed something special both for the island and entire Greece, as well. There were 68 factories in Syros,  of which 24 were of the textile industry. Zisimatos factory is the only one still standing today and is accessible to the public. Here, time has stopped exactly on the day that the factory closed its doors. The experiential tour will transform you to a worker of the old era. Only if you see it up close, you will be able to understand what a distinct place it is. In order to book your ticket, you will have to access the museum’s site (Hermoupolis heritage) as it is the only way to visit it. The fee starts from 15€/person depending on the deal you will choose to buy. At the end of the tour and only, you can enjoy your drink at the museum’s especially decorated garden, which was created exclusively for the museum’s visitors.

Next to the Museum of Textiles the Museum of Industry is also located. We didn’t have the time to go there, but if you want to learn more about the old industrial area of Siros, of which the role was clutch for the island’s life, we suggest that you visit it. The entrance fee is 2€.

Above Siros port, the Temple of Assumption, the second oldest church of the island is located. At the entrance, the authentic painting of Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco) has painted in 1562 is located. There are many people visiting the temple just to admire the painting. We would say that the visit to the temple is totally worth paying, as its architecture is truly unique and special.

It was once the fortress of the whole island and its position was ideal to protect it from pirates’ raids. Upper Siros might not be the epicenter of the island but it’s definitely one of the places you have to visit if you find yourself at the island. It is about a settlement with cobbled wide and narrow alleys that attract you to stroll around them. You will admire historical monuments and many small churches, yards colored with bougainvilleas, picturesque little taverns and places with a view to the entire Siros.

At the peak of Upper Siros the Catholic temple of Saint George is located. The Metropolis of the Catholics was built in 1834 and is also known as San Tzortzis. Even though you have to climb many steps to get there, the view that you ‘ll have when you reach the place will make you forget everything. If you ‘re also lucky enough and the weather is clear, the islands of Paros, Mykonos, Naxos, Dilos and Tinos are visible from there. Moreover, walking through the alleys, you will come across with the monastery of Capuchins’, the Museum of Traditional Professions, the monastery of Jesuits and the house, now transformed into a museum, of the great Greet composer Markos Vamvakaris.Don’t leave from Upper Siros if you don’t enjoy the view to Aegean and Hermoupolis in one of the places there.

The Syrianon Bar (Syrianon kafekopteio) is a beautiful bar with an amazing view that we suggest you to enjoy with a cocktail-Loukoumi (lokum), which we found no other like this in the entire island. The Fragkosyriani and the Apanochoritissa are places to visit during the entire day. Would you like an evening coffee with homemade sweets? Are you up to an evening with meze (Greek appetizers) and wine? They are there and waiting for you. A particular mention to the Maison de meze, a tavern with mezes, that apart from the traditional breakfast, also serves tsipouro (Greek alcoholic drink) with nice meze and wine with delicious dishes. Finally, the Theosis Bar might not offer you the view but it’s a bar that you have to visit before you leave the island. Great variety of special cocktails in a very delicate catalogue and an atmosphere that eventually beautifies your night. I think we’ve covered everything about Upper Siros.

Tip: In order to get to Upper Siros there is road network circumferentially up to a certain point. After that, you will need your feet. However, due to the high possibility of you getting lost, be aware and follow the white lines on the big steps of the stairs. They will lead you to the beginning of the settlement until the San Tzortzis without facing any difficulty.

There were many people that told us, when they heard about our upcoming trip to Siros, that the island doesn’t have nice beaches. We can reassure you with abundant certainty that this is not true! Alright, it might not have beaches with crystal clear blue waters like Syvota or Chalkidiki, but the waters are still crystal clear and there are options for everyone (families with or without children) and for all tastes (peddles or sand).

You can choose either to swim or enjoy an immemorable sunset at Kini, a quite touristic settlement. It has coffee places, beach bars and taverns. We ate at “Dyo tzitzikia st’ armirikia” tavern, located right in front of the splashing waves. We would say that the food was tasty, the portions were normal but the prices were a little bit on the high end. Furthermore, during the summer months, there is a boat starting from Kini (Perla company) for the northern, deserted beaches of the island. These beaches are not accessible by car so if you want to visit them and the weather is auspicious, this is the only way to do it. Send us a message to provide you with the contact details of Mr. Lakis, the owner of the boat. Next to Kini, the Delfini beach is located. As you walk down the left part of the beach, you will see people, quite isolated, loving nudism and at the right part you will find a beach bar where you can relax enjoying the waters. The beach is worth visiting. Close to Kini and Delfini, there is also Lotos. You choose and you visit according to your liking. Alternatively, you can swim in Galissas that is located 7 km away from Hermoupolis and is an easily accessible beach for people with disabilities, as well. There 2-3 beach bars that charge 15-20€ per set of beach chairs, while in the middle of the beach there are also public beach umbrellas without charge on which you can lay your towel and enjoy your swimming. On the same side you will find Vari, Agathopes and Komitos beaches. At the southern part of the island there are Megas Gialos  and  Ampela beaches. You can always swim in their crystal clear waters, as the wind is never affecting them.

During the Greek Revolution, the wealthy refugees from Chios island, Creta and Kasos came to Siros and built their houses in such a way that looked like ships, that’s why they were named as Vaporia (Vapori = boat, ship; in Greek language). This is the colorful neighborhood of the wealthy, that resembles a little bit Italy. There you will see neoclassical buildings and classy hotels and restaurants such as Ciel, in which you can enjoy either coffee with your breakfast or a romantic dinner. At the homonymous neighborhood, the Orthodox Christian church of Saint Nikolaos of the wealthy is looming.

For us it is one of the most impressive and magnificent temples that we have ever visited, as the azure dome draws the attention of every visitor in the island. Next, the interior of the temple reveals that it is about a church of the wealthy people as wherever you drop your eye on you will see unique mural paintings, gold, special wooden carvings and marble. Moreover, you can swim, throughout the day, with the best view of the island, at Asteria beach. There you will feel like you are situated somewhere at the Italian riviera.

The northern side of the island is named as Upper (Apano) Chora. There the San Michalis village is located. When the sun starts to go down, then the San Michalis village is the perfect place to see the sky changing color and the sun giving its place to the moon. If you want to sit at some of the places and enjoy the moment, we suggest you to book your spot early at the Plakostroto tavern or at Chatzaki winery if you are a wine tasting lover. Alternatively you can grab your drink and simply sit somewhere where you can enjoy the view of the sunset. It’s truly magical.

Apart from the places we have already mentioned above, in the island you will have plenty of choices for both coffee  and food. If you want to enjoy special coffee varieties accompanied by distinct dishes go to Armadillo. On the other hand, if you want coffee and qualitative-homemade (mumsy) brunch go to Epta Syros. If you want something quick, affordable and delicious we suggest you the bakery of Artisti prozymi that is located at Miaoulis square. A choice for the entire day with a view to the square and the Town Hall we suggest you to visit the Ellinikon Bistro and the Belle Epoque. If you prefer Greek souvlaki we suggest you the Gnision and as a dessert, we suggest you the best ice cream from fresh cow milk at Django. Moreover, for the lovers of meze we suggest the Laoutari, a musical meze tavern with extra fine food, the Revans, a caff that the locals are patronizing and the tsipouradiko of Myrsinis, for more delicate mezedes (Greek finger-food). Finally, for cocktails we suggest the Porte Galleria, the Kouchico and the Cantina Analogue. For the wine lovers we suggest a winetasting  at the winery of Para Kopois. Anezoula and Petros have created the last years with meraki a family vineyard which they constantly develop and grow. It is the finest winetasting that we ever had, beating over many wineries with great history. You will have the possibility to try 3 wine labels accompanied by a plateau of Syrian local products. Before your visit at the winery, get in contact with them to book your appointment. It was a unique experience and we suggest it point black.

Syros = lokums and chalvadopites (chalva pies). There is not a single person that hasn’t tried one of those when coming to the island. After extensive research and trial we ended up at Sykoutri for lokums and at Korre for chalvadopites.

We would never tell or decide for you where to stay. Each one can make its own choice according to the amount that each can afford and according to its needs. However, what we can do is suggest you the beautiful accommodation that we stayed at in Upper Siros (its owner has another one in Hermoupolis). At the point where the road network to approach Upper Siros is ending and at less than 1 minute walking distance, is located the Clock Wise Syros accomodation. Petros, the owner of the lodging, after picking us up from the port, welcomed us at the accommodation which was similar to those that you see in the pages of a travel magazine. Modern wooden choices of decoration, hidden lights and at the same time, traditional elements of the island are those that constitute a dreamlike-accommodation. We need to add here that everything was super clean and there was also coffee and breakfast and drinks for all days included during our staying there without extra charge. What else would someone ask for? Click here for availability.

In conclusion, we could say that the Lady of Cyclades, the beloved Siros, has everything! Some people say that either you hate or you love this island. From our perspective, we really can’t understand how someone would be listed in the first category. We think that with the aforementioned guide, not only you will try to visit but also have a personal opinion of what Siros island is.

History, Life, Culture, Beaches, Entertainment, Art. Yes, Siros is all of these and we urge you to visit it so that you also see it with your own eyes.

It's as if this sweet Frangosyrian woman is casting a spell on you, and Vamvakaris said so too!