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| Map of Syros |
Syros is a
living, working island with only a fleeting history of tourism, rendering it
the most Greek of the Cyclades. It's the 11th
bigger island of Cyclades with 84km2 extension
and 21.500 population. It is located in the central part of the Cyclades and is 83 nautical miles from Pireas and 62 from
Rafina. There's a thriving, permanent community, the beaches are busy but not
overflowing and the villages don't sprawl widely with new developments. As well
as being home to a number of excellent restaurants, the island is known for its
numerous shops selling loukoumia (Turkish
delight), mandolata (nougat) and halvadopita(soft nougat between
disc-shaped wafers). In addition Syros still
honors its contribution to the development of rembetika songs.
The island's
sights -including the best beaches- are concentrated in the South and West. The
North part is unpopulated and barren offering little interest. Most people tent
to stay to Ermoupolis, the capital,
which offers better connections to a cariety of beaches none further than 15km
away.
Possessing
an elegant collection of grand townhouses that rise majestically from the
bustling, cafe-lined waterfront, Ermoupolis is once of the most striking towns
in Cyclades, and it certainly worth at least a
night's stay.
Medieval Syros was largely a catholic island, but the influx of
refugees from Psara and Hios during 19th century created two distinct
communities. The Orthodox, which accounts the 2/3 of the population, in the
Lower Ermoupolis and the Catholics in the Upper Town.
