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Daily Mirror
13-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
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 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!"
Daily Mirror
11-05-2025
- Daily Mirror
Tiny Greek island ignored by tourists named most underrated place to visit in EU
Dodge the sky-high hotel prices and insufferable crowds of holidaymakers by visiting this idyllic island that has somehow managed to avoid the blinding tourist spotlight Avoid the coach loads of bustling tourists with this 'sacred island' that has been criminally overlooked for decades. Last year, Greece saw a record-breaking number of tourists, with more than 40 million travellers flocking to its mainland and Instagram-worthy cluster of islands. Enticed by cobalt waters, ubiquitous history, and a penchant for cheap gyros, the influx of visitors sparked heavy backlash from fed-up locals - resulting in a slew of protests erupting across the country last year. Slogans demanding tourists 'go home' were spray painted in hotspots, prompting the country to ramp up its tourist tax (up to €15 per night for five-star hotel stays in the peak season). Even tourists have been deterred by the insufferable crowds, especially in hotspots like Santorini - a tiny island with just 15,000 residents - where millions of tourists fill up narrow streets in search of the perfect sunset snap every year. It's a similar situation over in Mykonos, where you've got more chances of winning the lottery than finding a free sun lounger. However, peacefully tucked away in the Aegean Sea lies the picturesque island of Patmos - which has somehow managed to avoid the blinding tourist limelight. Declared as a 'sacred' island in 1981, this history-rich hotspot is a perfect alternative to Greece's insanely crowded destinations. "Much of this place's allure is owed to its villages: their winding alleys, stone-paved squares, and traditional houses will make a lasting impression on you, as will the good food you'll taste," hailed Visit Greece. "The island's beaches with the amazing waters are also a great asset that will steal your heart away!" Patmos, which is acclaimed for its religious legacy, is believed to be the place where John the Evangelist (aka John the Theologian) wrote the Book of Revelation. Head over to the Monastery of St. John to learn more about the island's history - and make sure to check out the nearby Cave of Apocalypse, which won TripAdvisor's Travellers' Choice Award in 2024. Most tourists make a visit to the medieval town of Chora, known for its tiny whitewashed villages and quaint coffee shops. "Look especially for the traditional bakeries where you can buy cheese pies, local dairy products and a special confection, called poughi [pouch] made with honey and nuts wrapped in a pouch-like dough," Visit Greece added. After a day of exploring, head down to one of Patmos' pristine beaches to watch the sun melt into the horizon. Unlike Santorini, you'll be able to get the perfect Instagram picture without having to crop out the heads of selfie-stick-waving tourists. There are no direct flights to Patmos from the UK, which may explain its lack of tourism. However, getting there isn't too difficult, and is well worth the effort. First, you'll have to fly to Kos, which takes an average of four hours and 10 minutes. You can get direct flights here from a slew of UK airports, including Manchester, Bristol, Glasgow and London Stansted. If you're flexible with dates, you can grab return fares for as little as £88 in July. After touching down in Kos, you'll have to get a ferry over to Patmos, which takes just over two hours. For a return economy ticket in the summer, this will cost around €130.98 (around £111.07). Accommodation on the island hugely varies depending on your budget. For example, a week's stay (Monday, July 7-14) at the luxury Patmos Eye Boutique Hotel & Villas - which includes your own private pool - costs a staggering £2,387, based on two adults sharing. However, staying in a more basic twin room at Hotel Athina costs just £574 on the exact same dates.
