Rent villas in Greece
Rent villas in Greece, Syros Island!
Once Greece’s most important port, Syros still has the air of a classy capital.
Harbouring pangs of nostalgia for the refinements of yesteryear? Looking for a holiday with the quality and elegance of the good old days? Then Syros is the island for you. Built on two hills, the main town has a dual identity. Ermoupoli – Hermes’ town – is stately and grand, topped by an Orthodox church. Ano (Upper) Syros, on the other hand, is a typically Cycladic village, but crowned with Catholic monasteries and churches.
The contrasts blend attractively, from the marble-paved squares in the port to the fairy-tale mansions of Dellagratsia. This is a place you could live all year round, so much is there to do, and many people have chosen to since this is the capital of the Cyclades. You’ll find it easy to fit into the daily life, where the traditional and the classic are as sweet as a Syros loukoumi (Turkish delight).
What to do on Syros
Vaporia, the Mayfair of Syros.
This is where the island’s captains of industry built their elegant townhouses, all with a sweeping view of the Mediterranean. Back in the 19th century, they were the scene of glamorous receptions and also lavish balls. Below them the dome of Agios Nikolaos church stands out. Step inside to find an interior that reflects the wealth of its patrons; a marble icon screen and pulpit, chandeliers brought all the way from Trieste. With a little luck, you may hear the church choir that has been sweetening the breeze since 1920.
Ermoupoli, the queen of the Cyclades
You’ll never tire of this bustling yet regal port town. In the capital of Syros, marble flagstones pave its spacious main square, presided over by the grandiose Town Hall, one of the 19th-century masterpieces of Ernst Ziller, the famous Saxon architect who became a Greek national. Graceful, high-ceilinged neoclassical buildings emit an aura of earlier prosperity, among them the restored Apollo theatre (a miniature of Milan’s La Scala), the Hellas club, the Pallas cinema, and many more perfect examples of the urban architecture of yesteryear. Their interiors are just as impressive, with wonderful woodwork and delightful murals.
Ermoupoli’s beach
At Ermoupoli’s beach, you can find everything: cafe-bars, shops, tavernas and restaurants, even a casino that is housed in a mansion dating back to 1830. Also at the end of the coastal road, you’ll find the old transit storerooms and an imposing 19th century customs house.
Traditional Syrian sweets
They’re called loukoumia in Greek, Turkish delight in English, but these soft and chewy sweets, flavoured with rose water, pistachios, almonds and the like are a true specialty of Syros. The locals say it’s their water, not the sugar or the flavourings , that make them so exquisite. You may find them addictive, so don’t forget to take plenty with you when you leave. Try the nougat, also.
Ano Syros, where Greek blues meet Catholic monasteries
Ano Syros also has all the features of a typical Cycladic village. Its white cubist houses snuggle together on a steep hillside, linked by alleys barely wide enough for two people and occasionally opening up onto spectacular terraces. Two things make it unusual: the Renaissance Cathedral of St George on its summit and the monasteries below, and the bouzouki tunes of Vamvakaris still heard in its shops and squares. Markos Vamvakaris, a native son, went on to become one of the country’s finest rebetika (blues) musicians. From up here you’ll have a panoramic view of Ermoupoli.
Syros beaches for a break from sightseeing
Also remember these names: Ampela, Galissas, Delfini, Kini, Finikas and Dellagratsia, where yesterday’s elite built their splendid villas. Their serene landscapes, sheltered waters and pretty coves are just right for a family holiday.
Hidden gems of Syros
Rent Villas in Greece – Aegean View Villas
The Industrial Museum
Part of the former industrial district has been turned into a museum. Wander among its buildings and you’ll see permanent exhibits on shipping, industry and the history of Ermoupoli, which will add to your appreciation of Syros today.
Easter on Syros
Easter anywhere in Greece is by definition special, but Good Friday on Syros is particularly moving. All the town’s noble houses are illuminated, increasing the evening procession’s solemnity and heightening the sense that you have just stepped back into the 19th century.
Grammata and the Grey Cave
Grammata means writing and at Grammata Bay in northern Syros, there are letters scratched onto the rocks. Generations of desperate sailors, washed up on this inhospitable coast, inscribed their wishes, prayers and names on them. Most of them date from Roman and Byzantine times. You may reach the bay and the Grey Cave near it by boat or on foot.
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