The remote island of Symi isn’t a mass tourism spot. Even in August, you won’t see big crowds on its most famous beaches. Most choose to come for 1-2 days when they’re visiting Rhodes, but Symi has a lot of things to see and do, and the colourful mansions of Gialos, the settlement at the port, is the first image you’ll see.
The narrow alleys of Ano Symi, the fresh fish and seafood, and the quietness at night will reward you for the long trip. Most beaches are accessible only by sea, but the boats and the caiques make several routes a day.
Agios Georgios Disalonas Beach
The steep vertical rocks are the only thing to offer some shade and only for a few hours a day. The landscape however is so impressive that you’ll enjoy each dip you take on this beach. Green-blue waters, pebbles and only a few people. This is a beach that is only accessible by water, and you can find many small boats at the port to take you there.
You’ll need to bring your own provisions and umbrella. In the afternoon there’s plenty of shade since the beach is on the east side of the island and the sun moves behind the 110-metre-high rock.
Marathountas
It’s one of the few beaches on the island that can be reached by car and thus it may get crowded, especially in August. The waters are crystal-clear and the small bay dreamy. The big pebbles might require sea shoes, while there are some umbrellas and sun beds available at the tavern located at the right side of the beach. The free-range goats in the area are also one of the attractions of the beach, as they often come down to the sea.
Agios Nikolaos beach
One of the beaches closest to the port, with crystal-clear waters and pebbles. You need to drive to the beach Pedi and from there take a boat that will take you to Agios Nikolaos beach in 5 minutes. Alternatively, there is an easy path with a nice view of the sea that will take you 15 minutes to cover from Pedi.
The beach is named after the small white church of Agios Nikolaos that is on its right side. There are some trees offering shade as well as some umbrellas and sunbeds at the café-restaurant there.
Toli
This is the ideal beach for those who love quietness and isolation. It’s 8 kilometres distance from the port on a relatively good road, at least up to the last part that gets narrow and turns into a dirt road. It’s pebbled with green-blue waters and there’s a tavern with umbrellas and sunbeds.
Nanou
One of the largest and most loved beaches in Symi. It has large pebbles so it’s best to have sea shoes with you. The waters are crystal-clear and green-blue and they get deep very fast. There’s a tavern on the beach with umbrellas and sunbeds. It’s accessible only by boat from the port.
Seskli
The island of Seskli is at the northwest of Symi and is heaven on Earth, with bright blue waters, a rich sea bottom and beautiful landscapes. The boat leaves at the port and reaches a beautiful beach with both sand and pebbles and quite a few tamarix trees. The waters are shallow and clean, and the beach is not serviced and there are no cafés or shops there. The island is an archaeological site, as is the whole of Symi and its surrounding islets due to the importance of the area and of the 159 sites and monuments that record the area’s history since the Prehistoric times.
