Greece's stunning island that's 26C in June and has crystal-clear waters
The Greek island of Symi is filled with pretty houses, epic beaches, and crystal-clear waters, but it has not seen the same visitor numbers as the likes of Crete, Santorini, Mykonos and Corfu
Greece is home to dozens of beautiful islands that attract millions of tourists annually. Among the most frequented are Santorini, Crete, Naxos, Mykonos and Corfu. However, while some enjoy immense popularity, there are others that despite their own charm, haven't seen the same vast numbers of visitors.
Symi, located off the west coast of Greece and east of Tilos, is one of the most picturesque in the region. Part of the Dodecanese island group, it's best known for its charming houses, stunning beaches and close proximity to the popular and significantly larger Greek island of Rhodes located to its south east.
According to Visit Greece, the main town shares its name with the island it resides on. Interestingly, the town of Symi is reportedly divided into two parts, Gialos and Chorio.
Gialos is the section of the town nearest to the harbour and Chorio, meaning village, sprawls across the closest hillside, reports the Express.
Despite its small size, there's a wealth of activities and attractions for visitors to engage with. These include visiting the local clock tower known as the Roloi, the statue of fisher boy Michalaki, the town hall, and the Naval Museum. Moreover, thousands of visitors make the journey to the Agios Ioannis, which serves as the main church of the town.
Access to Symi is only possible by boats and ferries after landing in mainland Greece. Travel website Greeka stated that it's possible to reach the island via Athens and its Piraeus port.
Symi, like many other Greek islands, can get scorching hot during the summer months, with temperatures averaging around 26C in June and 28C in July and August.
These sweltering temperatures make it ideal weather for lounging on the beach, soaking up the sun's rays and cooling off in the sea. As a result, spots like Saint George Bay and Nanou Beach have garnered rave reviews on TripAdvisor.
On Saint George Bay, Stavros L raved: "A must if you visit Symi. Amazing blue water and the surrounding cliffs create a unique atmosphere, quite crowded during July/August but worth it."
Fellow user Hills A was equally impressed with Nanou Beach, saying: "Arrived at Nanou beach via our hired boat from Symi Coral Rent a Boat in Pedi Beach...our favourite bay in Symi.
"Crystal clear water, turquoise blue, perfect for snorkelling! The taverna there has delicious and fresh cuisine, plus friendly goats! Definitely going back soon!"
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
12 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
Your rights if a hotel refuses to serve English food on a foreign holiday
A consumer rights champion has explained the rules after one woman had to eat Greek food every day on her Greek holiday A consumer rights expert has explained what you can do if your hotel on a foreign holiday refuses to serve you a full English breakfast, after a woman got £100 from TUI because she couldn't get British food on her Greek break. Susan Edwards took a seven-night getaway to the Greek island of Corfu but was horrified to find there was no English food available - although she did get chips one night. Susan, from Westerhope, described the holiday as "horrendous from the minute [they] got there." Susan said: "It was all-inclusive, £750 each we paid and there was no food we could eat and we couldn't have anything to drink." Susan, who has ulcerative colitis, said: "On a morning you could have toast, a hard boiled egg, or something in sauce. There was no bacon. For breakfast there was mozzarella and sliced tomatoes. There was no hot bacon or sausage. "We got chips one day. One day out of the whole lot. There was fish, sardines and rice - I was sick to death of looking at rice. There was pasta and salads, none of this was marked (labelled). One night there was a Greek night and they had kebabs, I couldn't eat that. It's the worst holiday I've ever been on." Susan was offered £100 in holiday vouchers from TUI but has turned down the offer. Consumer rights expert Helen Dewdney, known as The Complaining Cow, said your package holiday rights are protected under the Package Holiday and Linked Travel Arrangements 2018. She said: "A package holiday consists or two or more components, such as accommodation and flight or transfers, and must last longer than 24 hours or at the very least have an overnight element. The organiser (i.e. the travel company with which you booked) is liable for the failures of hoteliers, suppliers and services within the contract." Helen said: "The organiser must not provide misleading information. If the holiday does not match the description, you will be entitled to redress. The organiser must clearly state the details of the booking in a Standard Information Form, before you make any payment. The Form must include specifics of any arrangements: dates, times, costs, meals, excursions included/excluded, activities, transportation, cancellation fees, contact details for the package organiser, information on compulsory/voluntary insurance regarding repatriation in the event of illness/death/accident, and/or the cost of termination of the contract by the traveller." She added: "You are entitled to redress for the disappointment and distress caused by things going wrong. The amount will be dependent on what and for how much of the holiday." Helen said: 'Make sure you take out travel insurance at the same time you book your holiday. You never know what might happen between now and then!' She added: "Is it reasonable to claim for a lack of 'English food' on a continental holiday? Probably not. However, at least one TUI customer has succeeded in claiming limited compensation for this alleged breach, although she has got to buy another holiday to use it!" A spokesperson for TUI UK and Ireland said: "Our priority is to ensure customers have the best possible holiday experience, so we are sorry to hear that Mrs Edwards felt dissatisfied with her holiday. We have been in touch directly with Mrs Edwards to come to a resolution."
Metro
14 hours ago
- Metro
Europe's ‘nowhere place' is a quiet Italian gem with flights from £17
The town sits on the tip of the Adriatic (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Aperitifs at sundown, quaint streets, and Italian sunshine. No, we're not talking about Florence or Tuscany. Hop across the Adriatic from Venice and you'll find Trieste, a unique border town that you've probably never heard of — but one you're going to want to add to your city break list. While Trieste was once forgotten, hidden away in northern Italy and even described as a 'nowhere place', times have changed. Almost entirely surrounded by Slovenia, Trieste is a melting pot of cultures. The local dialect, according to Lonely Planet is a 'strange melange of Italian, Austrian-German, Croatian and Greek.' Ever since Slovenia's star began to rise, tourism in Trieste has also picked up. There's a thriving food and arts scene, and trendy hotel chain, 25hours, is set to open in the city this year. Sign up to The Getaway newsletter Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. As our favourite review on TripAdvisor says, it's a 'beautiful place both during the day and at night, but it never feels crowded or overrun'. Recently, the FT heaped praise on the city, describing it as 'the comeback kid'. So, if you want to get ahead of the curve, here's everything you need to know about Italy's next big holiday spot. Trieste is influenced by its culturally rich neighbours (Picture: Metro) How to get to Trieste Easily accessible from the UK, Trieste has an airport about 40 minutes outside the city centre. Direct flights run from London Stansted, with one-way Ryanair fares starting from £17 in July (that's based on taking the 7:35am flight on Tuesday, July 8). Best of all, the journey time is two hours. The only downside is that at the moment, direct routes are only operated out of Stansted. You can also fly from Gatwick, but that generally involves stopping in Rome or Krakow. What's the weather like in Trieste? As you'd expect from an Italian city, Trieste has a Mediterranean climate, with warm summers and colder winters. The best time to visit is during the summer, from June to September. The mercury reaches highs of 30°C in July. Trieste deserves some attention (Picture: Getty Images/Westend61) It's worth keeping in mind that the area often feels the effects of the Bora, a wind that blows from the mountains into the Gulf of Trieste, which on occasion, can get pretty gusty. It's said that locals like the wind because of the intense emotion it sparks; when it's a calm day, they long for it to return. Italians, eh. Where to stay in Trieste Travelling in the shoulder season, in May or October, is a good idea if you want to nab a bargain hotel stay and run into fewer tourists. prices for a 3* hotel, rated 'very good' or above, from £73 per night in September. Things to do in Trieste Any trip to Trieste should start with a wander through the historic centre, which has interesting shops and quaint cafes. This area is also home to the city's top cultural attractions, including the cathedral and the waterfront Piazza Unità d'Italia, which is said to be modelled on Venice's St Mark's. In a way, it might be even more beautiful, and is the largest square overlooking the sea in Europe. Stazione Rogers is an abandoned petrol station that swapped unleaded for aperitifs, and is now a thriving cultural centre. As well as being the perfect place for sundowners overlooking the water (with DJs and live music until 2am) there's also a space for art exhibitions and gigs. The Piazza Unità d'Italia at dusk (Picture: Getty Images) Trieste is proud of its literary heritage; he legendary Irish author James Joyce lived here while writing Ulysses, and you'll spot the plaques signaling his various homes (he was often evicted for refusing to pay rent) across the city. There's a Joyce museum, and the Literature Trieste Museum is also set to open this year. Or, head to a book shop and while away a few hours reading with a coffee. San Marco is a popular spot. For views that stretch across the sea, visit the Faro della Vittoria, a lighthouse which is open to the public (for free). Every October, the Barcolana regatta sees the waters fill up with sailing boats. Tourists should also take a trip to the must-visit fairytale castle, Miramare Castle, which sits atop a rocky cliff. From panoramic views to subterranean marvels, the Grotta Gigante is a vast underground cave about 20 minutes outside of Trieste. One of the chambers, the Grande Caverna, is 98.5m high, and 76.3 m wide. Visitors can take tours all year round. If you have enough time, you can also take a day trip over to Slovenia, and visit Lake Bled, which is less than an hour's drive away. Food and drink in Trieste Don't book a flight to Trieste expecting only to eat pizza and pasta. We know, this is Italy (and of course, you can order it here) but the influences of its surrounding nations have had a big impact on how the Trestines eat. Buffets are a big thing here, a tradition which harks back to when the city was under Austrian rule. Think cured meats, smoked sausages and cheese. It's said you haven't really been to Trieste unless you've indulged at a buffet. Jota is also a popular local dish, essentially a Slovenian soup made with sauerkraut, potatoes, and beans – often with added pancetta. Seafood is also a favourite. You're likely to spot sardine dishes on the menu, but it's always worth asking about the catch of the day. And of course, you can wash your meal down with a grappa – the notorious liqueur which hails from the north of Italy. If alcohol isn't your thing, Trieste is Italy's biggest consumer of coffee (and gets the crown of Italy's 'capital of coffee') with the famous brand, Illy, hailing from the city. But, make sure you know what you're ordering. In Trieste, an espresso is a 'nero' and a cappuccino is a 'cafelatte'. And make sure you ask for it in a glass – locals say it tastes better that way. How expensive is Trieste? According to Budget My Trip, you can expect to spend about £88 per day in Trieste, covering food, drink and activities. Trattoria alla Sorgente, a seafood restaurant popular with locals, lists its price range as around £22 – £44 per person. For the all important buffet, Buffet Da Pepi has been serving hungry customers since 1897. For one person, a mixed charcuterie platter is just €8 (£6.85). Attractions are affordable too. Many are free, and entry to the Miramare Castle, for example, is €12 (£10.30). This article was first published on 22 April 2024 and has been updated. Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@ Arrow MORE: Major US fast food chain to open in London Heathrow airport – a European first Arrow MORE: TUI relaunches UK flights to forgotten year-round sunshine destination after 3 years Arrow MORE: I tried to do Cannes on £30 a day – a champagne town on a Fanta budget
Daily Mirror
15 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
UK's 'most beautiful seaside town' is unsung spot with 'overlooked' beach
Weymouth in Dorset has been named as an "unsung beach town" despite its stunning beach and range of activities on offer, making it a great place to visit this summer As the summer season approaches, many are eager to unwind on a beautiful beach, and the good news is that you don't have to venture far in the UK to find an incredible destination. Weymouth in Dorset, England has previously been hailed by the Guardian as an "unsung beach town" - a hidden gem that's often overshadowed by its more popular neighbouring resorts. The publication claimed: "While its wide, sheltered beach is consistently voted among the nation's favourites, the town itself is often overlooked in favour of its trendier seaside neighbours". Despite not being the trendiest of spots, Weymouth is a haven for beach enthusiasts, boasting crystal-clear waters, golden sands, and proximity to the breathtaking white cliffs of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage site. Visitors to Weymouth beach can enjoy an array of activities, from traditional Punch and Judy shows and donkey rides to adrenaline-pumping water sports like jet skiing and paddleboarding, reports the Express. The beach also features a historic promenade, offering stunning coastal views, as well as a range of shops, cafes, and restaurants, making it easy to indulge in a plate of fish and chips after a day soaking up the sun. Throughout August, a funfair will be setting up shop at Weymouth Beach, bringing with it an array of amusement rides, sideshows, and a dazzling firework display. Adjacent to the promenade, you'll find the stunning Greenhill Gardens, boasting spectacular coastal views, vibrant floral displays and a quaint cafe for those seeking a tranquil spot to soak up the sun. Weymouth beach offers something for everyone, but the town is also renowned for its historic harbour. Dating back to the 13th century, it's famed as the original entry point of the Black Death into Britain. The harbour isn't just a must-visit for history buffs; it's also visually striking, surrounded by colourful Victorian buildings and boats. It's an ideal spot for snapping photos or enjoying lunch while taking in the picturesque views. History enthusiasts and fans of stunning vistas should also consider a trip to Nothe Fort in Weymouth. This well-preserved 18th-century fort houses a museum, a nuclear shelter, and a network of underground tunnels. Offering breathtaking views of Weymouth Bay, the fort also hosts guided tours and special events throughout the year, including ghost hunts, making it a fantastic place to visit. Nature lovers will also be drawn to Weymouth's Radipole Lake Nature Reserve. Nestled in the heart of the town, this wildlife sanctuary features nature trails where visitors can spot a variety of bird species, otters, and more. Additionally, the serene Bennetts Water Gardens offers a Japanese-style garden boasting an impressive collection of water lilies scattered across numerous ponds, lakes and streams within the grounds. Visitors can embark on a guided boat tour through the gardens, explore the museum, and even indulge in afternoon tea at a cafe with picturesque views of the gardens for a truly scenic lunch. Regardless of your holiday preferences, Weymouth has something to offer everyone. Despite not being as well-known as other neighbouring towns, it boasts an incredibly beautiful beach, making it an ideal destination for a summer visit.
