Symi Maps

Symi is a small island in the Dodecanese, located northwest of Rhodes near the Turkish coast. The island covers 25 square miles and has a permanent population of approximately 2,600 residents. Symi Town (also called Gialos), the capital and port, is one of the most visually striking settlements in Greece, with neoclassical mansions in ochre, terracotta, and pastel shades rising in tiers around the harbor, creating an amphitheater effect.

The upper town, Chorio, is connected to the port by approximately 500 steps (the Kali Strata) and features the ruins of a medieval castle at its summit. Symi prospered in the 19th and early 20th centuries from shipbuilding, sponge diving, and maritime trade, which funded the construction of the elegant mansions. The island's decline came with Italian occupation, World War II, and the introduction of synthetic sponges, resulting in depopulation and building abandonment.

Since the 1980s, many buildings have been restored, and tourism has revitalized the economy. The Monastery of Panormitis in the south is an important pilgrimage site dedicated to the Archangel Michael, featuring an ornate baroque church and icon. The monastery operates a small museum and guesthouse. Symi has limited beaches due to its rocky terrain, with the most accessible being Nos and Nimborio near the port. The island is a popular day-trip destination from Rhodes. Traditional boat-building continues on a small scale, and the island celebrates this heritage with the annual Symi Festival.