Symi Town Walk

This Symi Town Walk links the two great stone staircases of Chorio and visits Symi’s two museums and several churches.

This Symi Town Walk Takes You to Symi's Castle for Views Like This!

From Skala Square on the harbour, climb the broad steps of the Kali Strata. Follow prominent signs (blue arrows) to the town’s two museums, through a series of alleyways. You’ll eventually find your way to the Archaeological Museum and the Symi Folklore Museum, which are side by side.

The museum contains an excellent collection of Byzantine and medieval artefacts. Right by the Archaeological Museum is the handsome restored 18th-century Chatziagapitos Mansion. Check whether it’s open for visitors to look round, as it has been closed for repair work.

Walk straight ahead from the Archaeological Museum doorway past a telegraph pole. Go beneath an arch, then climb steps by a sign for ‘Castle’. Follow a narrow alley.

The Church of Ágios Athanosios

At a junction keep right, go down two steps to an open square in front of the handsome Church of Ágios Athanosios. Like all of Symi’s churches, St Athanosios is brightly painted and immaculate.

Go down curved steps on the far side of the square, then turn left. Keep straight ahead at the telegraph pole, then at a T-junction go left. At the next junction go right to reach another immaculate church.

Our Pick of Greek Islands Guides

Symi’s Castle

Go up the steps to the left of the church, then turn right, then left. Keep ahead to where a sharp turn right leads up some steps. Go up left to reach the castle (Kastro).

The site of the old castle is dominated by the Church of Megali Panagia, a replacement of a previous church destroyed during World War II. One of the church bells is the nose-cone of a bomb.

Retrace your steps from the church, then go down left to reach another church with a tall bell tower. Turn right down more steps, then go left. Follow a road round the hillside to reach another church, from where steps lead down to the top of the Katarraktis, Chorió’s second great stone stairway that leads back down to Gialos.

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