Agathonisi Symi ferry

Agathonisi Guide

Forming part of the Dodecanese group of islands, the Greek island of Agathonisi is the most northerly of the Dodecanese islands. It is surrounded by a number of smaller islands and is around 16 miles from the islands of Samos and 23 miles from Patmos. There are three main settlements on the island which are Megálo Chorió ("Big Village"), and Mikró Chorió ("Small Village") and the island's only port is the settlement of Agios Georgios (Saint George). The island is sometimes referred to by its ancient name, Tragea or as Gaidaro.

The crossing to the island can be by either conventional ferry of by high speed ferry depending on the time and day of the crossing and by the ferry operator chosen. Crossing times are around 8-11 hours by high speed ferry and 6.5 - 8.5 hours by conventional ferry depending on route and operator.

Symi Guide

The Greek island of Symi is one of the Southern Dodecanese and is located to the north of the island of Rhodes and is close to the coast of south west Turkey. The island is around 13 km in length, north to south, and about 8 km east to west and has a total land area of around 70 sq. km. The four main areas on the island are Yialos, which is where the island's main harbour is located, Chorio is the top town, Pedi Bay is the valley that is located below Chorio and Nimborios is the bay and settlement that lies to the north of Yialos. Also on the island is the small village of Marathounda and the Monastery at Panormitis.

There are a number of popular sites across the island and includes a number of old churches and monasteries with one worth visiting being the Church of Constantinos and Eleni on the southern slopes of the Vigla which has lovely gardens and terraces. Also on the island, and built by the Knights of St. John in the 14th century, is the Monastery of the Archangel Michael at Roukouniotis which was built on the site of a 5th century monastery, which itself was built on the site of a pre-Christian temple.