Azolimnos is the closest seaside destination to Ermoupolis with tourist facilities along the beach, offering magnificent views of Tinos, Mykonos and the islet of Aspro.
While in the area of Azolimnos, it is worth visiting Cape Fokiotripa, which combines a wealth of marine life with seals, cormorants, seagulls and black seals. Ano Meria stretches across the mountainous landscape, where peace and tranquillity embrace the scattered farmhouses with their intoxicating aromas of fennel, thyme and wild olive. The view is enchanting; the images seem to jump out of postcards and the few little taverns that pop up here and there invite visitors to travel through local flavours to the lifestyle of another era.
The villages of Mytakas, Papouri, Halandriani, Platy Vouni and San Michalis, with their charming chapels, seem forgotten in time, while the inaccessible beaches will surely fascinate every visitor. The beautiful village of Vari is a favourite destination, offering plenty of tourist services. Visitors can enjoy swimming at the sunny beaches of Fabrika, Achladi and Santorinios and also admire the Goulandris tower.
Vissas is a thorp, whose inhabitants are mostly farmers and cattlemen. A significant number of greenhouses, as well as Syros’ one and only still operating olive press, are to be found here. Galissas is situated in a picturesque location around a golden-sanded natural harbour and is one of the most beloved tourist destinations, where one can visit the stone pier with the palm trees, the chapel of Agia Pako, the ruins of ancient Galissos, the chapel of Agios Stefanos and the nudist beach of Armeos. Built on the slopes of a pine-covered hill, Episkopio or Piskopeio is one of the most substantial areas of greenery on the island. In the past, it was the residence of the Catholic Bishop, hence the name of the settlement. Further, it was the first resort for wealthy Syrians, who built impressive and imposing mansions with lush gardens. Some of the main attractions of the thorp are temple of Panagia Piskopiani, the ruined two-storey mansion Kokkinosito and the predominant church of Prophet Elias, which inspired M. Karagatsis to write the novel “The Great Chimera”.
Ano and Kato Manna are the two parts of the same, yet, scattered village that, notably, enclose a small plain. Ano Manna stands out for its neoclassical villas and the chapel of Agios Aemilianos that stands today where an ancient temple of Apollo used to in the past. The charming fishing village of Kini is a seaside settlement where visitors can enjoy a variety of tourist facilities. Here, while standing on the golden beach, one can watch fishermen mooring their vessels. From here you can also take a boat to one of the small captivating beaches in the north of Syros, as well as the beautiful beaches Delfini and Loto, all approachable only by sea. Other places worth visiting in the area are the monastery of Agia Varvara, Virgin Mary the Mermaid monument on the beach and the Aquarium.
Megas Gialos, the scenic seaside village, attracts countless visitors longing to discover the numerous small beaches around and to take a dip in the homonymous beach, as well as in the peaceful Ampela. Pagos, a purely rural village with particularly fertile land, tree crops and vineyards, owes its name to the word “Baos” which means passage. In the village’s very centre stands the statue of the Dutch agronomist Paul Cooper, whose help was pivotal for the development of greenhouse farming in the island. Parakopi is a thorp that stands out for its country mansions and the charming building of the Club. Posidonia, formerly known as De la Gracia, named after the Catholic church of Madonna delle Grazie, is the most aristocratic resort of Syros. The settlement is dominated by country villas with turrets and gardens that transport visitors to the glamour of another era, while the Agathopes with its water lilies, the beaches of Fetouris, Voulgari and Komito attract a great many travellers every year.
Foinikas, named after the ancient Phoenician port which was established in the homonymous bay and still continues to host private vessels, sailing competitions and water sports activities. From here one can also visit the beach Kokkinas, which is located in the area. Chroussa is a beautiful thorp abounding with picturesque chapels, grand mansions, villas, Orthodox and Catholic Churches, paths and alleys that emerge through a magnificent pine forest more than worth exploring.
