Syros

Hermoupolis, which means "the city of Hermes", is one of the most notable cities and ports in the Cyclades. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with an attractive collection of huge terraced residences rising magnificently from the lively cafe-dotted promenade. It was an important industrial and commercial center in the 9th century, as evidenced by public structures such as the Town Hall, the Customs House, the Apollo Theater, the neoclassical houses and the beautiful squares. It has been nicknamed "the Manchester of Greece" and the Syros Industrial Museum shows the history of its early years.

Founded during the War of Independence by refugees from Psara and Chios, the city expanded in importance to become Greece's main port in the 19th century. Although eclipsed by Piraeus long ago, Hermoupolis remains the largest city in the Cyclades and the capital of the archipelago.

The Orthodox community has provided several religious monuments of paramount importance for its architecture, such as the churches of Metamórphossi tou Sotiros (Transfiguration of Jesus Christ), Saint Nicholas the Rich (Agios Nikólaos Plossios) and the Dormition of the Mother of God (Komissis tis Theotókou). .

Le Grand Bleu

Medieval Syros was a Catholic island, but the influx of Orthodox refugees during the War of Independence split the island into two different communities; now about the same size, the two groups still live in their own neighborhoods on two hills rising from the sea. However, they do enjoy each other's vacations, resulting in a diverse mix of culture that adds color to the island.

The medieval area of Ano Syros is located on the highest hill, with several Catholic churches below the Cathedral of Saint George. There are fine views of the city below, as well as the Capuchin Monastery of San Juan, which was built in 1535 to serve as a poor convent. The local art and church exhibits at the Markos Vamvakaris museum and the Byzantine museum linked to the monastery are worth seeing while you're here.

Miaouli Square, the central square, is named after a Revolutionary War admiral, whose statue is placed there, and locals march past its arcades at night. Benaki street houses a modest archaeological museum with three discovery rooms dedicated to Syros, Paros and Amorgos. More stairs go up to Vrondadio, the hill containing the Orthodox district, to the left of the clock tower. The beautiful Church of the Resurrection, with its vaulted ceiling and panoramic views of Tinos, sits on top of the hill.

The Apollon Theater is a replica of La Scala in Milan and sometimes hosts events. Later, in 1848-70, the exquisite neoclassical orthodox church of Agios Nikolaos was erected, with an amazing marble iconostasis and a modest church museum.

The coastal town with two beaches of Kini is closer to the capital and a few kilometers north of Galissas. Galissas was once a village, but its popularity grew due to the best camping on the island, which attracted backpackers. If you need to get away, you can rent a scooter or travel 10 minutes along the southern headland to Armeos, a small nudist beach.

A longer hike (1 hour 15 minutes) takes you along the ridge to the southeast and up to the Agios Stefanos sea cave.

The Phoenicians are said to have colonized FInikas (although finikas – “palm tree” in Greek – could be an alternative etymology). The beach is small and sandy, directly near the road, but somewhat protected by a row of tamarisk trees. Finikas is separated from its neighbor Posidona by a short point (or Delagrazzia after the local church Madonna della Gratzia). It's worth walking 10 minutes further south to Agathopés, which has a sandy beach and a small islet, Skhinónisi, just off the coast.