Main town features a neoclassical harbour of pastel-coloured buildings. Beyond the town, you’ll find coastal hikes, coves ideal for swimming and historic sights, from the elegant Panormitis monastery to castle ruins.
The entrance of the horseshoe-shaped port is dominated by Roloi, a clock tower. Right in front of it there is the statue of the fisher boy, Michalaki (little Michael), which seems to be welcoming the visitors to the island. The Town Hall, the cathedral, the square and the Naval Museum of Symi are the main attractions on this side. The latter lends an insight to the naval tradition of the island and boasts, amongst other things, exhibits representing the evolution of sponge fishing through the years.
At the location Myloi, visit Pontikokastro (the castle of mice!); there is a prehistoric tomb as well as remnants of old mills, used in the past for crushing grains into flour, yet some of them are households today. Behind the highest mountain of the island (560m) lies a beautiful cypress and pine tree forest.
The forest at Kourkouniotis is home to 120 byzantine wine presses of which eleven have been restored. The island held a fine tradition in winemaking up to the 18th c.
The most significant event is Symi’s Festival that hosts a large number of cultural events such as classical and modern music concerts, dance, theater, cinema, and literature evenings from July to September every year.
The story goes that the god Apollo, seeking to punish the inhabitants of Symi for their arrogance, sent a plague to the island. The people, in their desperation, prayed to the goddess Athena for help. Athena, known for her wisdom and strategic prowess, came up with a plan to defeat the plague.
She instructed the Symians to build a large wooden horse and place it outside the city walls as an offering to Apollo. The people did as they were told, and the god, impressed by their humility and ingenuity, lifted the plague from the island.
But the story doesn't end there. As a token of his gratitude, Apollo bestowed upon Symi a magnificent treasure, a golden egg said to contain great power and wisdom. The egg was kept in a secret place on the island, protected by the goddess Athena herself.
For centuries, the people of Symi searched for the golden egg, but it remained elusive, hidden away in the shadows. Some say that it was finally discovered by a young fisherman, who stumbled upon it while diving in the crystal-clear waters of the island's port.
Today, visitors to Symi can still feel the magic of the island's legendary past. As they walk through the winding streets of the main town, they can almost hear the whispers of the gods and the echoes of battles long since fought. And who knows? Perhaps the golden egg still lies hidden somewhere, waiting to be discovered by a new generation of adventurers.
