Syros belongs to Cyclades and is in fact the capital of the region, while being located at about the center of the island complex. It is a small island, the 11th largest of Cyclades, but also the most densely populated island of Greece.

Syros has a long history and it is no coincidence that is is the administrative and cultural center of Cyclades. Here the first hospital of Greece was founded in 1823 and the first Highschool in 1833. The wealth the island had is apparent when visiting the Vaporia district where the ship owners had built their mansions.

The capital of Syros is Ermoupoli which is the most well-preserved town in Greece. As soon as the ferry reaches the harbor you can see it built amphitheatrically with the two hills, on top of the one standing the catholic church of Agios Georgios and on top of the other the orthodox church of Anastasi. This is exactly how the population of Syros is divided, half catholic and half orthodox. At the south edge of the harbor lies the historical industrial zone of the city with the shipyard seen from a distance.

Syros is an island with high-quality tourism and little nightlife. It is an island with intense aristocratic beauty and has been justly called the duchess of Cyclades. It may not have many and large beaches, but it certainly a distinct island offering something unique in order to make your vacations memorable.

On Syros there are important annual cultural festivals like Ermoupolia and Vikelia. Ermoupolia are held at the end of the summer and include exhibitions, shows, concerts, sailing races, etc. Vikelia are 3-day aquatic contests devoted to the local Dimitrios Vikelas who was initiator of the revival of the Olympic Games and first President of Olympic Committee.

Syros is not known for its beaches, but this rumor is completely unfair. The exceptional beaches Agathopes and Galissas have nothing to envy from beaches of other islands. All Syros beaches are beautiful, clean with plenty of shade from trees and/or umbrellas, as there is no beach without some free municipal umbrellas. Most of them and the more easily accessible are found at the south part of the island which is the more developed one.

• Armeos (West Syros): This is a small quiet beach with sand, pebble and a few trees.
• Galissas (West Syros): The largest and one of the most popular beaches of Syros with sand, calm sea and plenty of tamarisks.
• Lotos (West Syros): A delightful beach with clean shallow sea, lovely light sand and many large trees.
• Kini (West Syros): A long beach with nice golden sand and several tamarisk trees.
• Delfini (West Syros): A lovely beach with less easy access than the others. It is divided in two parts, the southern one with large pebbles and the northern one with sand.
• Komito (Southwest Syros): A scenic and secluded beach with sand, pebble and a few trees.
• Agkathopes (Southwest Syros): A large beautiful beach with light sand, shallow sea and easy access.
• Finikas (Southwest Syros): One of the most popular beaches of Syros with calm sea and lovely sand.
• Posidonia (Southwest Syros): A wide organized stretch of sand and pebble with many tamarisks.
• Azolimnos (Southeast Syros): A relatively small but rapidly developing sandy beach with transparent water.
• Vari (Southeast Syros): A rather large organized beach with calm sea and many people.
• Megas Gialos (South Syros): A long and narrow stretch of nice sand with transparent shallow sea and many large tamarisks.
• Ampela (South Syros): A small beach with sand and clean sea.
• Ahladi (South Syros): A small beach in walking distance from Vari beach that is equally wind-free as it is located in the same bay.
• Grias Spilia (North Syros): A beautiful small and secluded beach with crystal clean turquoise water, ideal for seclusion.
• Lia (North Syros): A long lovely secluded beach with white pebbles and light-colored sand.

Syros is connected with Piraeus via everyday ferries with a trip duration of 2,5 hours with the high-speed ferry up to 4 hours with the older ships. An interesting alternative is traveling by ferry from Lavrio or Rafina port which takes almost 5 hours to reach Syros but the ticket is considerably cheaper. There is also an airport on the island with almost daily flights from Athens, only half an hour long.

Public transportation on Syros is rather good, with buses departing every one hour and passing from the most central points of the island. The road network stretches mainly to the south part of the island and it is in good condition.

Syros does not have large hotel units. Most of the accommodation is focused in Ermoupoli where it is worth staying in order to enjoy your nights out, but unfortunately there is no descent beach in walking range. There are however several seaside settlement with many rooms to let, mainly Galissas with is the most important resort of Syros, Kini, Azolimnos, Finikas, Poseidonia, Megas Gialos and Vari.

The traditional cuisine of Syros includes delicacies like Marathopita, skordoloukaniko (garlic-sausage), Louza and various recipes with local capers. Naturally there is plenty of fresh fish and sea-food.

Before leaving Syros you have to buy some loukoumakia and halvadopita which are the most famous traditional products of the island. Halvadopita is made with honey and almond, while the loukoumia of Syros are made with water, sugar and starch, and come in various flavors like mastic, rose and vanilla. Furthermore, everywhere in Syros you will find local capers being sold. Finally you can get some excellent local cheese varieties like the spicy kopanisti (spread cheese) and the famous cheese of Syros San Mihali, a light-yellow hard cheese.

Ermoupoli

The beautiful Ermoupoli is the jewel of Syros. Get lost in its picturesque alleys and explore its countless shops, bars and restaurants.

Miaouli Square

The central square of Ermoupoli is the meeting point and the pride of Syros.

Ermoupolis Town Hall

The impressive Town Hall of Ermoupoli is one of the largest of its kind in Greece and it was designed by the famous architect Ernest Ziller.

Vaporia

The impressive Vaporia district with its majestic mansions reflects the wealth that once existed on Syros island.

Ano Syros

Take a walk in Ano Syros for the spectacular view, its numerous attractions, its impressive bars and the picturesque alleys.

Syros Arcaeological Museum

One of the oldest museums in Greece as it was founded in 1834, and it is housed in 4 rooms of the City Hall in Ermoupoli.

Ecclesiactical Museum of Ermoupoli

It operates on Syros since 1982 in a two-storey building next to the Park of Agios Nikolaos.

Markos Vamvakaris Museum

Ιn Ano Syros there are two rooms housing exhibitions focused on the life and work of Markos Vamvakaris.

Kini Aquarium

It is unique in its kind in Cyclades, with an aquarium, local boats, fishing equipment, and more.

Cultural Center of Syros

It is housed in a two storey neoclassical building in Ermoupoli, along with the Public Library and the Museum of Cycladic Art.

Art Gallery of Cyclades

The gallery only hosts temporary exhibitions and there is no permanent collection.

Industrial Museum of Ermoupoli

It operates in a building of 1888 which once hosted a color workshop, and it presents the rich industrial history of Syros.

Apollon Municipal Theatre

A famous attraction of Syros, the theatre is also called Little Scala of Milan.

Church of Agios Georgios

The Catholic Metropolis of Agios Georgios in Ano Syros is an impressive basilica of the 13th century.

Kimisi Theotokou Church

One of its oldest churches in Syros hosting the icon of Kimisi Theotokou painted by the famous El Greko.

Agios Nikolaos Church

The magnificent temple is in Vaporia, the most aristocratic neighborhood of Ermoupoli, with a splendid interior.

Church of Resurrection

The magnificent temple was dedicated to the "Resurrection of the Nation" and operated for the first time in 1880.

Cycladic Art Museum

The Cycladic Art Museum is housed in a room on the first floor of the Cultural Center of Syros where copies of exhibits are showcased.