With its close proximity to Rhodes, Symi is a popular island in Greece for a day trip or to spend a couple of nights. As soon as you pull into the colorful port and set your eyes on the stunning Symi beaches, you’ll see exactly why! So is Symi Greece worth visiting? Here’s everything you need to know.
How to Get to Symi Greece
It was a sunny Monday morning at 10am when we hopped on the SAOS ferry from Rhodes Acandia Harbour. While there are several boats that make the trip, this route was recommended to us by the Rhodes Information Center.
They were actually having a promotion where the tickets only cost 5 Euros round trip! Other boats cost 40 Euros each for the same route. We took the slow boat which is another reason why the cost was lower.
If you are traveling on a day trip to Symi it may be worth your time to pay for a faster ferry. Nevertheless, if you have time then the normal ferry only took 1.5 hours. Here’s our full guide for the Rhodes to Symi ferry and what to expect!
Pulling Into Symi Harbor
Once we caught our first glimpse of Symi we were so glad we made the trip! The beautiful homes and churches will leave you spellbound as the colors bounce off the clear blue water of the Aegean.
As soon as the massive ferry gates opened there was a rush to get onto Symi Greece island. If you’ve never traveled Greece by ferry as a walk-on passenger it’s quite the experience!
Make sure to head downstairs and don’t stay on top for too long taking photos. The ferries in Greece move very quickly in and out of port. Unfortunately, if you don’t make it off on time you’ll be headed to the next island!
→ Greek Island Ferries: The 12 Most Important Questions Answered!
Day Trip to Symi Greece
While many travelers make the trip to Symi Greece for only the day we quickly realized that wasn’t enough time. Honestly, we had two full days and didn’t feel like we saw it all! Still, the harbor is a splendid place to spend a few hours if that’s all you have.
You can wander around the local shops, enjoy a delicious seafood lunch, and hit one of the Symi beaches close by. Even just diving right off of the town dock into the ocean is a thrill!
At the end of the day though, you’re going to be tied to your ferry times and forced to leave. So if you can squeeze in some more time instead of a day trip to Symi we definitely recommend it!
→ Short On Time? Book a Full Day Symi Island Trip
Spending One or More Nights in Symi Greece
Like we explained above, you’ll need more than a few hours if you want to fully embrace Symi Greece Island! Many of the most amazing places are actually outside the port which you need a vehicle to get to. Another option is to do a boat trip from the harbor which will take you to all the best Symi beaches!
Our favorite part of staying overnight was grabbing dinner for sunset and watching the town light up at night. Seeing it after dark truly felt special and was a fantastic way to end the day. This is something you won’t be able to experience if you’re just taking a day trip to Symi Greece.
Where to Stay in Symi Greece
We stayed at Iapetos Village which is a gorgeous hotel in Symi port. The location is perfect as it’s just a 5 minute walk from where the ferry arrives. We loved our view from the balcony, and the garden and pool area were so relaxing. Once we checked in and dropped our bags it was time to explore the island!
Renting a Vehicle in Symi Greece
We often like to avoid the hot afternoon sun while in the Greek Islands. Yet, with only one full day to explore we needed a set of wheels to see as much as possible. A motorbike rental was our choice because the roads are very tight, and it was easier to maneuver our way around to the Symi beaches.
Our motorbike cost 20 Euros for the entire day and we definitely felt like we got our money’s worth! We used Glaros Car & Bike rentals which is located directly across from where the ferry drops off. You can find several more shops to rent a car or motorbike from right in the main harbor.
Symi Travel Guide Tip: While on the Greek Islands you need an international driver’s license to rent from most places. Also, to rent a motorbike make sure to have the special section marked that says you are able to drive one.
Motorbike Adventure Around Symi Greece
Taking off right after lunch, we zoomed around the island and saw as much as we possibly could. Our route took us up and over the mountains to the unreal Symi beaches, and the spectacular Panormitis Monastery. This monastery is a must-see attraction on Symi Greece island, and they even have a museum dedicated to its history inside.
The Symi beaches are the main draw if you’re leaving the port. Still, don’t miss out on the churches and small tavernas along the way. Also, keep your eye out for wild goats roaming the hills! We recommend eating in town as there are more options, but you can find some hidden gems on your way in and out of the port. For more of the best things to do in Symi Greece check out our blog below!
→ 12 Amazing Things to do on Symi Island in Greece
Our Favorite Symi Beaches
The beaches on Symi are mostly small pebbly enclaves, each with their own beauty and charm. As with many of the Greek islands, you won’t find long sandy beaches. However, the clear water of the Aegean Sea more than makes up for that! Below we listed our favorite Symi beaches, but you will find more as you see the island for yourself.
Nos Beach: Closest beach to Symi town. Perfect for a mid-afternoon dip if you don’t want to go far from the harbor.
Pedi Beach: Just over the hills from town and 10 minutes by car. There is a Taverna right on the beach to enjoy some local food.
Nimborio Beach: Beautiful bay 3km from town, and surrounded by trees providing shade from the hot sun. A popular place for diving, snorkeling, and relaxing.
Agia Marina: Quiet beach with a taverna that has excellent seafood. A lot of fun to swim out to the island in front of the beach, too!
Marathounda Bay: Fabulous pebble beach in the South of Symi. We recommend stopping here on your way to the Panormitis Monastery if you’re not planning on doing a boat trip.
Is Symi Greece Worth Visiting?
Absolutely!! In fact, we recommend staying at least two or three nights if possible instead of a day trip. Once you see the colorful port and beautiful Symi beaches it will be so hard to leave.
If you couldn’t tell by now, we love Symi! Rhodes is one of our favorite islands in Greece, but make sure to explore the other amazing destinations surrounding it. Have any questions on this article or want to share your own thoughts on Symi Greece? Leave us a comment below!
Safe Travels,
Brigitte & Jake
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- Lindos Rhodes: Guide to One of Greece’s Most Beautiful & Historic Villages
- 11 Best Beaches on Rhodes Greece: Anthony Quinn to St. Paul’s Bay
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Greece Travel Planning
Packing Lists: Find all the inspiration you need with our Amazon packing lists. Including electronics and camera gear, must-have medical items, and long flight essentials!
When island hopping use FerriesinGreece to compare different routes, prices, and companies.
Flights: We always check Skyscanner and Kayak to search for cheap flights. That’s how we got from Crete to Athens for under $50 USD!
Accommodation: Compare multiple sites to get to the best deal such as Booking.com and Agoda! Also, Hostelworld should be your go-to source if you’re traveling on a budget.
Rental Car: You can book a rental car for around $20 a day in Greece! We use Discover Cars to explore the larger islands with a vehicle.
Tours: Check out Get Your Guide for thousands of activities in Greece. You can find everything from visiting the Acropolis in Athens to wine tasting in Santorini, and a boat tour in Milos.
Travel Insurance: Never travel abroad without protection. We’ve been using SafetyWing for the last few years on the road and they are there when we need them.
We’re Brigitte and Jake! American travel bloggers currently based in Spain. If you can believe it, we started Nothing Familiar way back in 2015 on an Ipad in the Ecuadorian jungle. Ever since, we haven’t stopped traveling! We’ve now been to over 60 countries around the world, with our expertise being Europe and Southeast Asia. We love outdoor adventures, tasting local specialties, and island hopping through tropical destinations. Hopefully, our guides and authentic experiences will inspire you on your own travels!
Nice article!
Worth pointing out also there’s there’s dive center on symi. They do trips to a local sunken village, shipwrecks, old spongediving spots from back in the day etc.
We went with them 4 time during our stay and saw so much hidden history that most tourist miss out on.
Author
Wow that’s so cool! I bet it was amazing. Thanks for the tip (-:
If you are planning a Day trip I recommend using the Dodecanese Pride or Express. They only take 50 minutes for the trip.
Author
Awesome. Thanks for the tip!
Do you know if any ferry’s leave Rhodes between 10am-12pm
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Hi Evelyn! Not that I see online for this month but maybe it changes! We’ve been first thing in the morning or late evening.