Church
St Nicholas' Church
Known locally as St Nicholas of the Rich, referencing the shipowners from the surrounding Vaporia neighbourhood, this beautiful Orthodox church (built in 1848) is loaded with fine frescoes, icons, gilt and chandeliers.
Syros
Endearing little Syros merges traditional and modern Greece. One of the smallest islands of the Cyclades and relatively rural outside the capital, it nevertheless has the highest population since it’s the legal and administrative centre of the entire archipelago. It’s also the ferry hub of the northern islands and home to Ermoupoli, the grandest of all Cycladic towns, with an unusual history. As the Cyclades’ capital, it pays less heed to tourism, and its beaches never get as crowded as those of the neighbouring islands. It buzzes with life year-round, boasts great eateries and showcases the best of everyday Greek life.
Top attractions
These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Syros.
Church
St George's Cathedral
Proudly capping the medieval hilltop settlement of Ano Syros, this pretty cathedral is the mother church of the Cyclades' significant Roman Catholic minority. Call in to admire the pastel-hued interior and star-fretted barrel roof.
Church
Church of the Dormition
After being badly bombed during WWII, it's a wonder anything survived in this stately 1820s Orthodox church – which made the discovery, in 1983, of a signed icon painted by El Greco even more extraordinary. The work dates from the 1560s, before the artist left his native Crete to become a leading light of the Spanish Renaissance. It's now proudly displayed in the porch, to the right of the main door.
Square
Plateia Miaouli
This great square is perhaps the finest urban space in the Cyclades. Once situated immediately upon the seashore, today it sits well inland and is dominated by the dignified neoclassical town hall. Flanked by palm trees and lined along all sides with cafes and bars, the square and accompanying statue are named for Hydriot naval hero Andreas Miaoulis.
Museum
Ermoupoli Industrial Museum
This excellent chronicle of Syros’ industrial and shipbuilding traditions occupies a restored factory packed with more than 300 well-labelled items relating to sewing, printing, spinning, engines, ships and more. Ask if the neighbouring Aneroussis lead shot factory is open – it’s fascinating. The museum is opposite the hospital, on the southwestern edge of town.
Historic Building
Town Hall
Designed by German architect Franz Ziller, this grand 1889 building is one of the largest town halls in Greece. Visitors are free to explore the foyer, internal courtyards and corridors, decorated with perspective altering trompe l'oeil frescoes, and paintings and sculptures by local artists. It also houses the Syros Archaeological Museum and a carriage that once belonged to Empress Sissi of Austria-Hungary.
Museum
Syros Archaeological Museum
The town’s small archaeological museum is housed in the rear of the town hall (enter from the side). Founded in 1834 and one of the oldest in Greece, it houses a modest collection of ceramic and marble vases, grave stelae, a black-granite Egyptian statuette from 730 BC, and some very fine Cycladic figurines.
Theatre
Apollon Theater
Built in the 1860s, this venerable but intimate theatre was partly modelled on La Scala in Milan, with four layers of boxes and an elaborate ceiling fresco. Keep an eye out for regular theatre performances (in Greek), or pop in to take a look around. The top floor has displays of memorabilia from past productions.
Museum
Markos Vamvakaris Museum
This museum celebrates the locally born patriarch of rembetika, a popular style of urban Greek music usually played on bouzouki and guitars.