Ferry from Symi to Astypalea

Symi Guide

The Greek island of Symi is one of the Dodecanese Islands and is located around 40 km to the north west of the island of Rhodes and 420 km from the Port of Piraeus. Symi's closest neighbours are the Datca and Bozburun peninsulars of Mugla Province in Turkey. The island's terrain is mainly mountainous and its coastline is made up of either beaches and secluded coves, or rocky cliffs. Located on the north east coast of the island is its main town, also called Symi. The lower town is the area around the harbour, called Yialos, and the upper town is called Horio or Ano Symi. There isn't a great deal to see or do on the island, and this is perhaps where its charm is. Apart from lazing on the beach or swimming in its crystal clear waters the Monastery of the Archangel Panormitis, which is an early 18th century Greek Orthodox monastery built on the coast in the south west of the country, is worth visiting. Overlooking Ano Symi is the Kastro which was built by the Knights of St. John as an expansion of a Byzantine castle on the same site. Quite a bit of the structure remains and there are also signs of an ancient citadel on which two later castles were built.

Astypalea Guide

The Greek island of Astypalea lies in the eastern Aegean Sea and is one of the 12 islands that make up the Dodecanese group of islands. The island, which sits at the point where the Dodecanese meet the Cyclades islands, has a long history and is characterised by typically Greek whitewashed villages and lovely beaches. Astypalaia is also the westernmost island of the Dodecanese and is naturally separated into Mesa Nisi (the inner island, western part) and Exo Nisi (the outer island, eastern part) by a thin strip of land less than 100 m wide.

The island's capital, and home to its port, is Chora and is regarded as one of the most picturesque towns in the Aegean. The town sits atop a rock that protrudes into the sea, forming two bays. Towering above Chora is a castle with the white domes of Evangelistria and Agios Georgios churches visible above its walls. Around the castle lie Chora’s houses with whitewashed walls, blue doors and windows, and wooden balconies.

The island is connected to the port of Piraeus and also to the other islands in the Dodecanese, the Cycladic islands and to Crete.