The sandy bay of Galissas

Syros · Beaches

The beaches of Syros

Syros is not the island you choose for one famous beach. It has a good one for every wind, though, and most are on the bus. The west coast, from Kini down to Galissas and Finikas, has sandy bays facing the sunset. The south coast, Posidonia, Agathopes, Megas Gialos and Vari, is sheltered from the summer north wind. The wild north has coves at the end of dirt tracks, and one bay you reach only by boat or on foot. In the capital itself, people swim off ladders below the mansions, a few minutes from the main square.

Our favourites

Start with these

The mansions of Vaporia above the rocks where Ermoupoli swims

RocksEasy-going

Asteria and the rocks of Vaporia

The town's own swimming place: concrete platforms, ladders and flat rocks below the captains' mansions of Vaporia and the church of Agios Nikolaos, with deep, clear water right off the edge. At Asteria there are sunbeds and a bar. Elsewhere you just leave your towel on the rock.

  • Snorkelling
  • Swimming
  • In town

A ten-minute walk from Miaoulis Square, down steps from Vaporia

The water is deep straight away, so it is not for small children. Come in the morning, before the platforms fill, or at sunset, when the mansions turn pink.

ErmoupoliStay in Ermoupoli

Sunset over the bay of Kini

SandOrganised

Kini

A sandy beach in front of the fishing village, with tamarisks for shade, calm, shallow water and tavernas a few steps away. It faces due west, and at sunset half the island seems to arrive.

  • Families
  • Sunset
  • Shallow water

Paved road and buses from Ermoupoli, about 20 minutes

Swim in the late afternoon, then stay on for the sunset and dinner by the water.

The west coastStay in Kini

Pick your kind of day

Every other beach worth the drive

Organised
Sunbeds, umbrellas and a beach bar. Easy with children.
Easy-going
A taverna or a few umbrellas, plenty of room for your towel.
Wild
Nothing but the sea. Bring water, shade and snacks.
The bay of Delfini on the west coast of Syros

Sand & pebblesEasy-going

Delfini

The next bay north of Kini, wider and quieter, with a beach bar, sunbeds at one end and empty sand and rocks at the other.

  • Quiet
  • Sunset
  • Snorkelling

A short drive or a walk over the headland from Kini

It catches the north wind more than Kini, so pick a calm day.

The west coastStay in Kini

The sandy bay of Galissas

SandOrganised

Galissas

One of the biggest sandy beaches on Syros, in a deep bay lined with tamarisks, with sunbeds, beach bars and tavernas, and the island's campsite just behind.

  • Families
  • Shallow water
  • Sunset

Paved road and buses from Ermoupoli, about 15 minutes

In August get there early: the shade under the tamarisks goes first.

The west coastStay in Galissas

Sand & pebblesWild

Armeos

A small cove around the rocks north of Galissas, the island's best-known nudist beach, with clear water and no facilities at all.

  • Nudist-friendly
  • Quiet
  • Snorkelling

A path of about ten minutes over the rocks from the north end of Galissas

Bring water and shade. There is nothing here but the sea.

The west coastStay in Galissas

The beach of Agathopes on the south coast

SandOrganised

Agathopes

A sandy beach with clear, shallow water a short walk from Posidonia, with sunbeds, a beach bar and a small islet just offshore.

  • Families
  • Shallow water
  • Swimming

Paved road from Posidonia, on the bus loop

Sheltered from the north wind, so it is a good choice when the west coast is rough.

The south coastStay in Posidonia

The bay of Vari on the south-east coast

SandOrganised

Vari

A deep, sheltered bay with a gently sloping sandy beach and calm, shallow water, tavernas on the sand and fishing boats at anchor. A favourite with families from Ermoupoli.

  • Families
  • Shallow water
  • Calm water

Paved road and buses, about 15 minutes from Ermoupoli

One of the calmest beaches on the island when the meltemi blows.

The south coastStay in Vari

A fishing boat on the beach at Azolimnos

SandOrganised

Azolimnos

The nearest real beach to Ermoupoli, a small sandy bay on the east coast with cafes, sunbeds and a view across the strait to Tinos.

  • Families
  • Close to town
  • Swimming

Paved road and buses, about 10 minutes from Ermoupoli

The east coast catches the north wind on some summer days. When it does, try Vari, the next bay south.

The south coast

The beach of Megas Gialos on the south coast

SandOrganised

Megas Gialos

'The big beach', a long sandy bay on the south coast below the village of the same name, with tamarisks, sunbeds, tavernas and rooms, and calm water when the north wind blows.

  • Families
  • Shallow water
  • Swimming

Paved road and buses from Ermoupoli, about 20 minutes

Walk along the shore to the smaller coves at either end if the main beach is busy.

The south coast

An ancient inscription carved into the rock at Grammata

Sand & pebblesWild

Grammata

A sheltered bay in the far north of the island where ships waited out storms since antiquity. Sailors carved prayers for a safe voyage into the rocks above the shore, in Greek from Hellenistic to early Christian times, and they are still there to read. The beach and its turquoise water are usually almost empty.

  • Quiet
  • History
  • Snorkelling

By boat trip from Kini or Ermoupoli in summer, or a long walk on a path from Ano Meria

Look for the inscriptions carved into the rocks around the bay. Bring everything you need for the day.

Ano Meria & the northStay in Ano Meria

Wind and sea change by the day. On windy days swim on the sheltered side of the island, and watch for red flags.

Wake up near the water

Find a room a short walk from Syros's best beaches.

Where to stay

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