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Symi Wedding
Gallery
FAQ
Free Consultation
Symi Wedding
Gallery
FAQ
Free Consultation
Gallery
FAQ
Free Consultation
A scenic view of a lakeside town on a hillside with houses and buildings, next to a deep blue lake under a clear sky.
A small boat moored beside a rocky shoreline with a hillside containing white and stone buildings and sparse trees under a clear blue sky.

Ferries

Use ferryscanner.com to book your ferry.

Select Rhodes Town (main Port) and destination Symi (All Ports)

There are two ports in Rhodes, used by different ferry companies—so make sure to double-check which one you’re leaving from and give yourself plenty of time. Ferries wait for no one!

The journey to Symi takes around 1 hour and 20 minutes, give or take. It can be a little choppy, so consider this your cue to channel those sea legs.

If you're on a Sebecco boat, there’s a lovely outdoor upper deck—first come, first served, so get in early if you fancy the breeze and the views.

Most ferries have a small café or shop onboard if you need a snack or a caffeine fix en route.

Travel

Symi, Greece, is a stunning island waiting to be explored. There are many ways to get around Symi, including buses, boat tours, car and scooter rentals, hiking, and more. Please see the most popular options:

  • Taking a taxi is one option for getting around Symi. Depending on the season, it’s a good idea to arrange your ride in advance.

    You'll find the main taxi stand near the port, close to the bus terminal.

    Be sure to ask for a fare estimate before confirming your trip.

  • While Symi is famous for its charming town, it also boasts a number of stunning beaches. Many are reachable by road, but the most beautiful and secluded ones can only be accessed by sea.

    From Symi port, small boats head out to remote spots like St. George Disalonas and Nanou Beach—both known for their breathtaking natural beauty and crystal-clear waters.

    In addition to organized boat tours, you'll find several water taxis operating from the port, often converted fishing boats. These can be hired at the port to take you to a specific beach and return at a time you arrange in advance.

  • Buses are an affordable and convenient way to get around the small island of Symi. There are two main routes, both starting from the bus terminal located next to the main port.

    One route travels to the impressive Monastery of Archangel Michael Panormitis, the island’s patron saint. The other heads through Chorio and ends in Pedi, a charming seaside village.

    Symi’s buses are quite small—more like large minivans. Schedules can change depending on the season, so be sure to check the notice board next to the terminal for the latest timetable.

  • The best way to truly experience Symi town is by walking. Known in Greek as Gialos (or Yialos), this picturesque harbor town is a visual delight, with its stunning neoclassical architecture sure to capture your heart.

    The seafront is mostly flat, making it easy for most visitors to stroll around comfortably. It takes about 10–15 minutes to walk from the ferry port to the iconic clock tower at the far end of the bay, and just a few minutes more to reach Nos Beach.

    As you wander, you’ll find plenty of local tavernas serving fresh seafood, cozy cafes, and shops selling Greek souvenirs. A standout gift from Symi is the natural sea sponge, a unique product of the island.

    In summer, Gialos gets lively during the mornings and afternoons when day-trippers arrive from Rhodes. If you're staying overnight, take advantage of the quieter evenings to enjoy delicious local cuisine and sip cocktails by the sea.

  • Exploring Symi by boat is an amazing way to see the island from a different perspective. These are usually full-day trips, setting off around 10am and getting back around 5pm—most include a BBQ lunch, which is always a win.

    Some popular options include:

    • Aegean Star

    • Poseidon

    • Maria

    • Diagoras

    Each charter offers different routes and price points, but honestly—they're all so worth it if you’ve got the time. Sun, sea, swimming spots, and lunch on board? Yes, please.

  • If you’re in the mood to explore a bit more of the island, you can hire a car, moped, or bike—whatever suits your vibe. Just a heads-up: the roads on Symi are narrow and can get busy, so take your time, stay calm, and be courteous. This isn’t Milan—no need for dramatic horn-honking to get the tourists moving. 😉

    Here are a few rental options:

    • Lakis Travel – Car and moto rentals

    • Glaros – Car & bike rentals

    • Jimmy’s – Great choice for mopeds

    • Revel Rentals – Electric cars and motos

    Drive safe and don’t forget to stop for the views—they’re unreal.

The Local Cuisine

If you love good food (and who doesn’t?), Symi is a dream. It’s all about fresh, simple ingredients—especially seafood—served in beautiful settings right by the sea or in charming little backstreets.

What to eat

Assorted dishes on a table, including rice with chicken in sauce, sautéed green beans, pickled vegetables, French fries, and a glass of dark beverage.

  • Tiny, crispy, and totally addictive. They’re a local specialty and you eat them whole—yes, even the shell!

  • Grilled octopus, calamari, red mullet, sea bream... you name it. If it swims, it’s probably on the menu and super fresh.

  • Think fava (a kind of split pea dip), dolmades (stuffed vine leaves), fried cheese (saganaki), and lots of tasty meze to share.

  • More common in the villages, you might find slow-cooked goat stew or roast—super hearty and flavorful.

  • Keep an eye out for local treats like akoumia (doughnut-like sweets), baklava, or halva to finish things off.

Where to eat

Outdoor dining area with tables, chairs, and small lamps illuminated in yellow light against a stone wall during evening.

  • Loads of waterfront tavernas with lovely views. It’s a bit more touristy, but the setting makes it totally worth it—especially at sunset.

  • Quieter and more local. Some real hidden gems with homemade dishes and a super laid-back vibe.

  • Perfect for a lazy lunch after a swim. Pedi and Nanou Beach both have great spots for grilled fish and cold drinks.

  • Dinner

    • Agora

    • Dolphin Pizza

    • Tholos

    • Pantelis 

    • Trawler 

    • Kali Strata 

    • Secret Garden

    • Mediterraneo Café

    Lunch

    • Meet the Meat 

    • Leonidas Creperie

    We would recommend pre-booking when you can to avoid any disappointment!

BEACHES

There are so many beaches on Symi—it’s hard to list them all!

The local beach closest to town, called Nos, is walkable from the main harbour. Otherwise, the taxi boats from the port can take you to a variety of beaches—there’s plenty to choose from!

Most beaches on Symi are pebble beaches, with stones ranging in size. Getting in and out of the water can be a bit tricky at times, so we highly recommend bringing water shoes or jelly sandals.

The Nimborio area is a more relaxed and chilled spot. It has a lovely little beach shack at Giala Beach, and just a bit further around the bay is Nimborio Beach.

You can walk to Nimborio via the road in about 35–40 minutes, or hop on the Anna Taxi Boat, which runs regular shuttles from the main harbour throughout the day.

Pedi is another peaceful little area with a slower pace compared to the main harbour. It’s home to some great tavernas and beach bars, perfect for a laid-back afternoon.

FAQ’s

  • There’s a doctor right on the island for any basic medical needs, but if it’s something more serious, you’ll need to head to Rhodes.

    If you need to see a doctor while you’re here, just ask your hotel reception or the local pharmacist—they’ll help you get in touch.

    Emergency numbers:

    • General Emergency: 112

    • Ambulance: 166

    • Fire Department: 199

    • Police: 100

  • Payments
    Visa and Visa debit cards are widely accepted, but cash is still super common—and sometimes even preferred. Just double-check ahead of time if places take Amex or other cards.

    You’ll find a few banks and ATMs around the main harbour where you can grab cash, like Alpha Bank and National Bank.

    Also, it’s a good idea to check with your bank beforehand to see if they charge any fees for withdrawing euros abroad.

    Tipping
    Totally up to you—no pressure, just whatever feels right!

  • There are several pharmacies in Symi that can usually help with minor ailments using over-the-counter medicines.

  • Mosquitos / Cats / Lizards / Goats / Cockerels — in that order of “who’s gonna mess with you.”

    Mosquitos – Honestly, my worst nightmare as a bride! Slather on a strong repellent in the evenings or if you’re hanging out in the garden. Trust me, you don’t want to be their buffet.
    If you get bitten, no worries—antihistamines are easy to grab over the counter at the pharmacy.

    Cats – There are loads of them, mostly strays, and most are pretty friendly. My approach? Say hi, snap a pic, and move on. (Fair warning: you might catch that same cat rummaging through town bins later… just saying.)

    If you want to help out, there’s a local pet shop that cares for them and even gets vets to check on the population. They’d definitely appreciate any donations.

    Lizards – These little sunbathers are everywhere, chilling on rocks like it’s their spa day. Totally normal, so no need to freak out.

    Goats – Very popular around here, especially near Easter. You’ll mostly find them hanging out in the countryside or on the hills—best to admire from a safe distance.

    Cockerels – Yeah, just… cockerels. Enough said. ❤️

  • Symi is a very safe island. The locals are incredibly kind and genuinely care—don’t be surprised if someone goes out of their way to help you. It’s that kind of place.

    That said, a few common-sense reminders:

    • Make sure you remember where you're staying (a photo of the name or address helps!).

    • Keep a contact number on you, just in case.

    • Only carry what you actually need when you're out and about.

    There is a police station—it’s by the clock tower, though it’s rarely needed. That pretty much says it all!

  • Make the most of the sunshine—especially since we all know it's a rare treat back in the UK!

    It’s shaping up to be a hot week, slightly above average, with daytime highs around 32°C and cooler nights dipping between 19–20°C. So yes, it’s warm... and yes, you’ll feel it.

    That means: water, shade, and sunscreen—on repeat. Please don’t rock up to the wedding photos looking like a lobster 🦞 (we love seafood, but not in group shots).

    The sun here does not mess around—you can burn fast, even when it doesn’t feel that hot. So yes, I’m saying it again: sunscreen. Always. Everywhere. Cannot stress it enough.

  • Symi is famous for its steps—steeped in history (literally), beautiful to look at, great for photos... and everywhere.

    But fair warning: they can be steep, slippery, uneven, and there are a lot of them. So take it slow, wear sensible shoes, and pace yourselves—it's a scenic workout!