Syros
From CruisersWiki
| Syros There are Port(s) of Entry here
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 Map of Syros |
The island of Syros (Σύρος) or Siros is the capital of the Cyclades. It is not a very tall island and its area is 86 km2 and it has about 35,000 inhabitants.
Syros is a wonderful island in the middle of the Aegean. It is not overly developed but yet it manages to provide all the amenities.
Charts
- BA
- 2682 Kolpos Petalion to Nisos Nisiros
- 1038 Steno Sifnou to Steno Kafirea
- Imray-Tetra
- G31 Northern Cyclades
- NIMA
- 54320 Kiklades Nisoi to Kriti
- Greek
- 421 Karystos to Naxos
Weather
See Aegean Sea.
Passages
- Passages between Athens Region and Samos - Kusadasi
- Passages between Athens Region and Rhodes - Marmaris
- Cruising the Cyclades Islands
Islands
None.
Communication
- Coast Guard - VHF channel 12
- Olympia Radio - VHF channels 03 and 04
Also see World Cruiser's Nets.
Approaches to Syros are straight forward, no dangers.
Entrance
In Ermoupolis.
Berthing
Ports
– port of entry || 
– harbour || 
– marina || 
– anchorage ||Marinas & Yacht Clubs
- Finikas Marina
- There is an unfinished marina in Ermoupolis
Anchorages
Galissas
Delphino
Grammata
Grammata on the NW corner of the island. It is a very attractive anchorage and it provides good shelter from the meltemi although there are high gusts from every direction. The rocks (W side) are covered with the names of seafarers who have sheltered here, hence the name Grammata - letters. Legend has it that the region in inhabited by feral rabbits which a kind soul had released to provide food for sailors waiting out a gale. You can anchor at the E side or at the W. Use a shore line. On the W side there are a number of tie-downs, the E side is less gusty. Holding is moderate in sandy patches in the E part (Americanou), but poor in sand and weed in the W. Anchors do not easily penetrate the weed roots just below the sandy surface, so test holding thoroughly.
Warning: The sketch and information provided by Heikell in the Greek Waters Pilot is not entirely correct. The depths are wrong!
Varis
Velostasi
Amenities
Also see each Port.
| Facilities | |
|---|---|
| Water | See each Port |
| Electricity | See each Port |
| Toilets | In Finikas |
| Showers | In Finikas |
| Laundry | In Ermoupolis and in Finikas |
| Garbage | There are bins around the harbors and in several anchorages |
| Supplies | |
| Fuel | See each Port |
| Bottled gas | In food stores and channdlers |
| Chandlers |
|
| Services | |
| Repairs |
|
| Internet | In internet cafés |
| Mobile connectivity | Strong 3G signal and in places 4G |
| Vehicle rentals |
|
Provisioning
The market place in Ermoupolis is well worth a visit. They have everything. Make sure you buy a jar of capers and loukoumia (Turkish delight), both are specialties of Syros. In Finikas there is a "supermarket" about 50 m towards Ermoupolis. It is well supplied with basic provisions, bread, and fresh fruits. There is also a very good bakery and a fruit stand near the waterfront.
Eating out
- There are many good restaurants
- Ano Syros
-
Lilys [[Syros#Lilys|Lilys]] is the oldest restaurant in Syros is hard to beat both for its food and its view. Needs reservations (+30 22810 88 087).
- Foradenes [[Syros#Foradenes|Foradenes]] very good traditional food.
- Asotos Yios [[Syros#Asotos Yios|Asotos Yios]] serves many good mezedes (+30 22810 43 722).
Transportation
- There are daily flights from Athens
- Also, there are several fast ferries every day to Piraeus.
Tourism
History
The name Syros has been used since antiquity and it is probably of Phoenician origin. There was a sizable Cycladic settlement (Bronze age) over the NE coast and the island is mentioned in the Odyssey as the home of the swineherd Eumaios. Pythagoras' teacher Pherekydes was from here. In the Middle Ages Syros was dominated by the Venetians. Today there is a sizable Catholic population, remnant of that period. In later times many well known European visitors such as Byron, Nerval, Chateaubriand, and Melville started their Eastern Mediterranean tour from here. During the 1821 war of independence many refugees from Chios and Psara came to Syros. Until that time the population was predominately Catholic and agrarian. The new comers were Greek Orthodox, seamen and merchants.
After the Greek War of Independence of 1821, Syros became the maritime, commercial, and cultural center of the Aegean and a place of refuge. Young Nikos Kazantzakis went to school in Syros. Today there are many neoclassical mansions in Ermoupolis and Piskopio as well as in the aristocratic resort of Della Grazia near Finikas.
Places to Visit
Ermoupolis
See Ermoupolis.
Bronze Age Settlement
There is an excavated Bronze Age Settlement on the NE of the island. However, we have not been able to locate it after a several hour trek.
Galissas
It is well worth a visit to this nice bay. There are a number of attractive tavernas. Galissas is a favorite with the people from Syros for its wonderfull sunsets.
Friends
Contact details of "Cruiser's Friends" that can be contacted for local information or assistance.
Forums
List links to discussion threads on partnering forums. (see link for requirements)
Links
References
See Greece.
Comments
We welcome users' contributions to the Wiki. Please click on Comments to view other users' comments, add your own personal experiences or recommend any changes to this page following your visit.
- Syros is a favorite stop of mine --Istioploos.
Verified by
Date of member's last visit to Syros and this page's details validated:
- August 2011 (Grammata) --Istioploos
Travels with S/Y Thetis
- July 2019 (Grammata) —Anma
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{{Contributors|Istioploos, Lighthouse, JLsailing}
