Syros, Greece - The 2017 Travel Guide

Syros is the capital of the Cyclades and known for its diverse population and culture – a mix of Roman Catholic and Orthodox Greeks. Easter on Syros is celebrated on the same day across its many Orthodox and Catholic churches and chapels.

Its capital, Ermoupolis is like something out of a theater set. The two religious communities co-exist each on two hills overlooking the port. Syros is amphitheatrically built with grand neo-classical mansions, landmarks and smaller island houses connected via marble steps and picturesque pathways.

Its diverse quarters bear witness of a once thriving island community: Ano Syros – the medieval borough built by the Venetians in the 13th century on the hill of San Giorgio, Ermoupolis – the industrial center, and the waterfront Vaporia district – where affluent sea captains built their homes. Due to its role as a major trade and shipping center in the 19th century and home to Greece’s first shipyard – Neorion – Syros reminds one of a European city complete with central court, art galleries, city hall, museums, hospital, libraries and opera house.

Today, as the administrative center of the Cyclades, Syros is busy all year round also serving as a base for municipal and government bodies, the Aegean University, and the Aegean casino.

Things to do on Syros

Explore the town and its districts – Make sure to walk around the capital and through its many quarters which come together at the regal Miaouli Square with its landmark City Hall (designed by German architect Ernst Ziller), cafes, bars and restaurants.

Syros Town Hall - Syros, Greece - The 2017 Travel Guide

Syros Town Hall in Ermoupolis

Horse-riding – Want to combine island (family) fun and horse riding, then visit the Cyclades Equestrian Club.

Experience the ‘rebetiko’ – Syros is home to the forefather of the “rebetiko” (the Greek blues) Markos Vamvakaris, born in 1905. It is in the streets of Ano Syros that Markos would play his bouzouki and compose the songs that marked an era and made music history. Every year, the island pays tribute to the master with the Rebetiko Festival, bringing lovers of the genre from across the globe. Don’t forget to stop by the museum dedicated to Markos.

Visit the Apollo Theater – A fine opera house which opened in 1864 and was designed by Italian architect Pietro Campo. It is a mini copy of Milan’s famed La Scala.

Take in art and music – Syros was and is re-emerging as a very popular arts and music scene hosting international festivals on everything from classical music to film.

Visit the Kimisis tis Theotokou church to see original El Greco art.

Tour the island’s other seaside towns – Galissas, Vari, Delagracia, Foinikas, Parakopi, Piskopio, Manna, Kini and Poseidonia.

Syros, Greece - The 2017 Travel Guide

Syros, Kini Village

Don’t forget to buy – wafer confection chalvadopitta, the traditional “loukoumia” chewy sugar sweets and the famed local San Michali cheese.

How to get to Syros?

Car ferries depart from Piraeus port daily for a 3.5-hour journey.

Daily 40-minute flights depart from Athens airport to Syros airport, some 2km from Ermoupolis.

What’s near Syros?

Andros, Tinos and Mykonos. But there are regular services also running to the rest of the Cyclades.

Syros ports

Syros, Greece - The 2017 Travel Guide

Syros port in ermoupolis

The port of Ermoupolis caters to all incoming vessels and has fuel, water and maintenance provisions for sailboats and yachts. Foinikas also has a small port with basic mooring facilities.

Ferries to Syros / Athens to Syros / Syros ferry tickets

There are daily ferries, both in the morning and the afternoon, from Athens, Piraeus port to Syros, the capital of the Cyclades. The ferry routes to Syros are operated by large, modern conventional ferries which make their first stop here on their way to either Mykonos, Ikaria and Samos or to Kos and Rhodes.

There is also a slow conventional ferry departing from Athens, Lavrio port to Syros twice per week. The Artemis operates the intra-island route connecting Lavrio to Kea, Kythnos, Syros, Mykonos, Paros,Naxos, Ios and Sikinos.

Below is a detailed list of all 2017 ferry schedules from Athens to Syros:

Ferry schedules from Athens, Piraeus port to Syros:

Blue Star Ferries from Athens, Piraeus port to Syros:

  • Until the 31/10/2017
    • Daily at 07:30 with Blue Star Naxos or Blue Star 1 or Blue Star 2 or Blue Star Paros
    • Every Tuesday – Thursday – Sunday at 17:30 with Blue Star Paros or Blue Star Naxos or Blue Star Patmos
    • Every Monday – Wednesday – Friday at 19:00 with Blue Star 2 or Blue Star 1 or Superfast.

Note concerning the Piraeus port gates from which Blue Star Ferries vessels depart from:

  • Blue Star Naxos, Blue Star Paros, Blue Star Patmos depart from the Gate E7
  • Blue Star 1, Blue Star 2 and Superfast XII depart from the Gate E1

Hellenic Seaways from Athens, Piraeus port to Syros:

  • Until the 31/03/2017 & From 19/04/2017 until 11/06/2017
    • Every Monday – Tuesday – Friday at 16:00 with Nissos Rodos
  • From 31/03/2017 until 09/04/2017
    • Every  Monday – Wednesday – Friday at 16:00 with Nissos Rodos
  • From 10/04/2017 until 18/04/2017
    • Every Tuesday and Thursday at 16:00 with Nissos Rodos
    • Every Monday and Friday at 16:00 with Nissos Mykonos
    • Every Thursday at 07:35 with Nissos Mykonos
  • From 12/06/2017 until 10/09/2017
    • Daily except Wednesdays at 07:35 with Nissos Mykonos

Note concerning the Piraeus port gates from which Hellenic Seaways vessels depart from:

  • Nissos Mykonos departs from the Gate E7
  • Nissos Rodos departs from the Gate E2
Ferry schedules from Athens, Lavrio port to Syros:

Hellenic Seaways from Athens, Lavrio port to Syros:

  • Until  31/10/2017
    • Every Tuesday at 05:00am with Artemis
    • Every Friday at 06:00 am with Artemis

Seajets from Athens, Lavrio port to Syros:

  • Until  30/04/2017
    • Every Thursday at 07:00 am with Aqua Spirit

Aqua Spirit schedules have been only been released for the period until the 30th April. We expect SeaJets to publish more schedules soon.

All ferries to Syros are available for online booking via danae.travel

How much does it cost to travel from Athens to Syros / Syros ferry prices

Prices for 2017 ferries connecting Athens’ main port of Piraeus to Syros start at 30.00 euros per person in economy with Hellenic Seaways.

Indicative ferry prices from Athens, Piraeus to Syros per adult in economy:

  • Blue Star Ferries:31.50 euros per person
  • Hellenic Seaways: 30.00 euros per person

Prices for 2017 ferries connecting Athens’ secondary port Lavrio to Syros start at 15.70 euros per person in economy with SeaJets.

Indicative ferry prices from Athens, Lavrio to Syros per adult in economy:

  • Seajets:15.70 euros per person
  • Hellenic Seaways: 19.50 euros per person

How long is the ferry ride to Syros?

Travel times always depend on the vessel type, the number of stops and the weather conditions. Large conventional ferries are not affected by the weather too much.

Indicative travel times from Athens, Piraeus port to Syros:

  • The Blue Star Ferries vessels take about 3 hours and 45 minutes hours from Athens, Piraeus to Syros.
  • The Hellenic Seaways vessels take about 3 hours and 30 minutes from Athens, Piraeus to Syros.

Indicative travel times from Athens, Lavrio port to Syros:

  • The SeaJets “Aqua Spirit”  takes about 4 hours and 50 minutes hours from Athens, Lavrio to Syros.
  • The Hellenic Seaways “Artemis” take about 5 hours from Athens, Lavrio to Syros.

 

Which other Greek Islands is Syros connected to?

From Syros you can catch a ferry to the following islands (next to each island you will find a price indication):

  • Mykonos: 13.00 euro
  • Tinos: 4.40 euro
  • Naxos: 9.50 euro
  • Paros: 9.50 euro
  • Santorini: 19.50 euro
  • Milos: 13.50 euro
  • Serifos: 8.50 euro
  • Sifnos: 8.50 euro
  • Andros: 8.50 euro
  • Kea: 11.00 euro
  • Kythnos: 9.00 euro
  • Aegiali:25.00 euro
  • Katapola: 25.00 euro
  • Donoussa: 12.80 euro
  • Iraklia: 12.20 euro
  • Koufonissia: 13.30 euro
  • Kimolos: 13.50 euro
  • Folegandros: 13.60
  • Ios: 16.50 euro
  • Anafi: 19.50 euro
  • Astypalea: 27.00 euro
  • Chios: 49.00 euro
  • Fourni: 23.00 euro
  • Lesvos: 54.50 euro
  • Limnos: 60.00 euro
  • Ikaria: 23.00 euro
  • Samos: 43.50 euro
  • Kavala: 65.50 euro
  • Kos: 41.50 euro
  • Leros: 36.50 euro
  • Patmos: 34.00 euro
  • Rhodos: 49.00 euro

Athens ports with ferry departures to Syros

Ferries connecting Athens to Syros depart from the main port of Athens, Piraeus.

Information about Piraeus Port – Athens
How to reach the port of Piraeus:

Piraeus port is near Athens and can be reached by metro, train, bus and taxis both from the Athens city center and from Athens International Airport (AIA):

  • From Athens International Airport: Take the express bus X96. It takes you directly to the port, its frequent, cheap and quite fast. It usually takes about 60-90 minutes. The cost is 5 euros / adult. Check the timetables on screens inside the airport. The X96 bus stop is just outside the arrivals level at the airport (check the signs). At the port, the bus stop is near Gate E6 (also close to the metro station). If you choose to take a taxi, it will cost you 50-60 euros and it will take you around 60 minutes.
  • From the center of Athens: The best way to reach Piraeus port from the center of Athens is by metro / train. You can catch it from the Monastiraki or Omonia stations. It costs 1.40 euros and takes under 30 minutes. If you choose to take a taxi, it will cost you just under 30 euros and it will take you about 30 to 40 minutes. With heavy traffic it might take you up to an hour. If you prefer traveling by bus, there are two options:
    • From Syntagma Square to Piraeus: Bus 040, Piraeus bus stop: Korai Square (close to the Municipal Theater) and then a 10-minute walk to Gate E9.
    • From Omonia Square to Piraeus: Bus 049, Piraeus bus stop: Korai square (close to the Municipal Theater) and then a 10-minute walk to Gate E9.

We can arrange a private transfer for you from your hotel in Athens to Piraeus port or from the Athens International Airport to the port. You can also book online via danae.travel together with your ferry tickets.

Where or which gates do the ferries to Syros depart from at Piraeus port?

  • Blue Star Naxos, Blue Star Paros, Blue Star Patmos depart from the Gate E7
  • Blue Star 1, Blue Star 2 and Superfast XII depart from the Gate E1
  • Nissos Mykonos departs from the Gate E7
  • Nissos Rodos departs from the Gate E2

Note: There is a running port bus which connects departure gates.

Map of Piraeus port:

Piraeus port map

Athens, Piraeus Port map