What to add to my agenda

Nicknamed the “island of festivals,” Syros impresses with a packed cultural calendar year-round, and in summer, the tempo rises even higher. In Ermoupoli and Ano Syros, music, dance, and art events spill into the streets and squares. The International Festival of Classical Music, now under the auspices of UNESCO and renamed Syrreo Music Festival, will take place from August 2 to 17. Also on the calendar are the International Church Organ Festival “ANO” from August 18 to 23, the Rebetiko Festival from August 28 to 31, and the Syros Jazz Festival from September 11 to 14.

Beach life

While the island may not be known primarily for its beaches, it still offers a range of options to suit your mood and preferences. Asteria, located beneath the Vaporia district in Ermoupoli, is a local landmark. Dive from rocks or platforms into deep blue waters, with views of grand neoclassical mansions. Kini, Ampela, and Achladi are ideal for a swim followed by great food, while the more remote yet stunning beaches of Varvarousa, Lia, and Grammata in the island’s northwest are accessible by boat from Kini.

Quiet spots

Apano Meria, a protected Natura 2000 area spanning the island’s entire northern part, offers classic Cycladic landscapes, untouched by mass tourism. You can walk through the village of San Michalis, explore churches and monasteries, and enjoy breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea.

Wander a little further

The southwestern side of Syros is ideal for a day trip. Starting from Ermoupoli, you can pass through the villages of Episkopio, Parakopi, and Chrousa to admire countryside estates from a bygone age. In Poseidonia, once the playground of wealthy merchants and aristocrats, you’ll find stunning architectural landmarks like the Tsiropinas and Valmas mansions.

What to eat and where

Enjoy fresh fish tartare prepared by chef Konstantinos Bougiouris at Iliovasilema (on Galissas beach), savor rib-eye steak and chickpeas at Lygeros, and don’t miss the parsley salad and veal with eggplant in clay pot at Meltemi Tavern in Poseidonia. In Ermoupoli, options abound: from perfectly grilled calamari and tender octopus at Mikraki to well-prepared meze dishes at Lautari. If you’re craving something more casual, head uphill to Ano Syros, where Chyma kai Tsouvalata serves great wraps.

When the sun goes down

Ano Syros offers a spectacular view over Ermoupoli, the port, and the sea. All this can be enjoyed from the balcony of Braziliana at sunset, where excellent service, well-crafted cocktails, and delicious snacks await. Thanks to its location, Epta in Ermoupoli is a great all-day spot for coffee, brunch, and drinks as is just like Armadillo, another local favorite. As night falls, the scene shifts to the seaside promenade, where Boheme del Mar draws an eclectic, alternative crowd with curated music and chilled-out vibes.

Souvenirs to take home

Don’t leave without picking up Syros loukoumia (Turkish delights), a signature local treat. Five traditional workshops produce and sell this sweet treat via their shops in Ermoupoli: Denaxas, Kanakaris, Korres, Leivadaras, and Sykoutris. For other local specialties, visit Prekas grocery store, where you’ll find everything from dried capers and sun-dried tomatoes to San Michalis cheese and fennel paste.

Insider tip

Syros offers far more than beaches and sunlight. In addition to the various festivals, there is a variety of engaging concerts, exhibitions, and theatrical performances. Ermoupoli itself, with its elegant neoclassical architecture, feels like an open-air museum. Take time to wander its narrow alleys, admire 19th-century mansions, and step into the island’s rich past at three excellent museums – the Historical Museum of Ermoupoli, the Industrial Museum of Ermoupoli, and the Textile Museum of Ermoupoli – to discover firsthand the fascinating stories of the island’s past.