Skip to content
- Area: 58 km², 65 km², together with the nearby small islands
- Distances: Turkey-5 nautical miles, Rhodes 23 nautical miles, Piraeus 235 nautical miles
- Length: 13 km Width: 8 km
- Highest mountain: Vigla 616 m.
- Population: 2590 inhabitants, Census 2011
- Larger settlements: Symi divided into Hora and Yialos, Pedi, Nimporios, Panormitis and Marathounda (inhabited only in summer).
- In Symi you can arrive over Rhodes, with the boats departing from the main port and Kolona harbor of the old town.
- Private boats can dock at Yialos, Nimporio, Pedi, Panormitis and Aghios Emilianos.
- The sea sponges that we see at the stalls selling souvenirs along the promenade are mostly from Kalymnos, as the inhabitants have now left sponge diving. However, you will find beautiful woodcarvings; a tradition still preserved today.
- There are also some “foreigners” living on the island, most of them British, but also Italians, Germans, French, and Austrians.
- You will not find large hotel complexes, but small hotels with rooms or entire houses for families and larger groups.
- Gastronomy: The small shrimps of Symi are famous, but look for the gaellopites, small fried pies stuffed with small fish. Famous and unique are the cheese pies of Symi and the local rusks, a hard, twice-baked, dehydrated bread).
- In addition to swimming and sailing, the nature of Symi is ideal for diving, fishing and hiking.
