Is Syros Worth Visiting? The Most Underrated Greek Island
Santorini, Mykonos, Paros – these popular or up-and-coming cycladic islands are likely ones you’ve heard a lot about as you plan your trip to Greece. But is Syros worth visiting as well?
On my own month-long hop around the country I was surprised to find that the island I enjoyed most was one I’d heard very little about.
If you’re currently wondering whether or not Syros deserves a spot on your Greece itinerary, this post is designed to give you an overview of key considerations.
Because while it’s a favorite of mine, it may not be for everyone. So, is Syros worth visiting for you and your travel group? Read on and let’s see!
Is Syros worth visiting? Top reasons to consider it:
Here are some of the pros, or reasons you might like to visit Syros.
Less touristy than other islands
Depending on your preferred travel vibe, this could be a pro or a con. But in my book, exploring lesser touristed destinations is a huge plus. Having visited Syros, I’m actually quite surprised this island doesn’t see more tourists.
It’s charming, the people are kind and there are lots of food and activity options. There’s plenty to discover and do in Syros so I doubt you’ll find it boring.
Great for shoulder season
Because Syros is not tourist-dependent, like some other popular islands, there’s far less of a shut down during ‘off-peak’ tourism season.
Plus, did you know Syros is actually the capital of the Cycladic island group? This means it’s more of a business hub with many locals living on the island, which again translates to less seasonal shutdowns.
I visited Greece in October and that’s one reason I made sure to visit Syros – I knew I could still expect a lively scene.
Well-connected and easy to get to
Few islands have both a ferry port and a domestic airport. Syros has both. Sure, the airport is quite small, but it exists and is fully functional. I know because I flew out of there to get to Crete.
You can also take some day trips by ferry to other nearby islands, like Tinos, pretty easily.
Beyond that, it’s also easy to get all around Syros. Depending on where you stay in Syros it could be quite walkable. As needed, it’s fairly easy and affordable to take a taxi or the public buses instead.
Stunning and varied architecture
If you appreciate architecture you’re sure to enjoy admiring the different buildings and layouts on Syros. You’ll view neoclassical, medieval and Venetian characteristics as you explore.
Great food and coffee scene
I found Syros to have a great variety of brunch cafes, restaurants and even some cocktail bars.
Especially following my much quieter visit to Sifnos, Syros offered a livelier atmosphere with no shortage of great eateries and places to get really excellent coffee. If you’re anything like me, then this is a huge selling point.
Who should skip Syros?
Syros may not be for everyone. If you have limited time in Greece and it’s your very first visit, I can understand you might want to prioritize better known islands like Santorini. After all, many consider Santorini a bucket-list destination.
But if you’re open to getting off the beaten path, being the one in your friend group to discover new destinations rather than visiting the tired and true (no typo), then consider Syros. Who knows, you could become the destination trendsetter in your group by branching out a bit!
Another reason you might want to skip Syros is if you’re looking for a rowdier nightlife scene. If you have your heart set on partying at clubs in Greece, consider Mykonos or Santorini.
If you’re more inclined toward getting a drink at a casual bar or having dinner with traditional live music then you’ll enjoy Syros.
Ultimately, it comes down to what kind of vacation vibe you’re looking for. On Syros, depending on where you stay you can either experience city, beach resort or medieval village vibes.
Be sure to explore where to stay in Syros to pick the right environment for your visit.
How to get to Syros
I traveled to Syros from Sifnos by ferry, and had a connection on the island of Naxos. For my entire Greek island hopping itinerary
I used Ferryhopper to book tickets. The website and app duo was recommended to me by a friend who visits Greece annually, and I found it super easy to navigate the website to book all my ferry tickets.
Be aware, it’s important to book your ferry tickets in advance as you map out your overall itinerary.
I strongly recommend booking your ferries before booking your accommodations. That way, you can have a clearer picture of your exact travel dates (ferry availability could impact this) before committing to hotels.
You’ll also want to download the Ferryhopper app. It makes it easier to pull your tickets up as needed (but always screenshot in case of network issues) as well as to track whether your ferry is on schedule at any given moment.
As I shared above, Syros also has a domestic airport. If you’d rather take a more efficient path, and smaller planes don’t stress you out, then you could opt for a flight in or out of Syros instead.
Common questions about visiting Syros Island
What do you think so far, is Syros for you? As you decide, here are additional points to consider:
Is Syros expensive?
Syros is quite affordable. For approximately $75 USD I received a 2.5 hour deep cleansing facial. A solid brunch cost me about $14 USD, and a gyros sandwich for dinner cost me about $4 USD. These are a few examples to give you a sense of what to expect.
Overall, Syros was one of the least expensive islands I visited on this trip. But of course, it depends on what types of restaurants you seek out. There are likely options that are more expensive on the island as well.
How many days should I stay in Syros?
I stayed in Syros for 5 days, and could’ve happily stayed longer. Not to tourist, but just to live and wander through. If you want to see the sights, I would say 3-4 days in Syros would be sufficient depending on your pace.
What is there to do on Syros?
From museums and beach resorts to aimless wandering and foodie experiences there’s plenty of fun things to do in Syros. I go into detail over here.
Which is better, Syros or Sifnos?
I’ve visited both Syros and Sifnos, and they are pretty distinct from one another. So, deciding between the two shouldn’t be too difficult.
If you want a quieter Greek island experience that seems like it’s a bit stuck in time, with gorgeous views and great eats, go with the foodie island of Sifnos. If you want a livelier island with modern-day local buzz, choose Syros.
And, if you’ve got the time, visit both!
Final verdict: Is Syros worth visiting?
My completely biased answer is yes. Syros was my favorite stop during a month-long adventure around Greece. But, I’ve tried to give you objective considerations and facts in this post to help you decide whether it’s right for you.
So, you tell me – what’s your verdict?
If you’re all in on Syros then check out my ‘best things to do in Syros’ article next.
