Major city · Greece
SymiΣύμη
Symi is a day-trip from Rhodes or a 2-night stop: see the harbour, walk the old town and visit Panormitis Monastery. One night is enough for the essentials.
Symi is a small Dodecanese island with a neo-classical harbour, quiet beaches and a hillside old town. Most visitors come as a day-trip from Rhodes, but an overnight stay lets you walk the empty streets after the day-trippers leave and take a boat to Panormitis Monastery.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- EUR
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowded and hot)
- Airport
- RHO
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 10Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovin…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Balkans ↗Mine-suspected land still exists in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in pockets of Croatia's former front line: outside towns keep to tarmac and waymarked paths, and treat red triangle signs and taped-off fields as absolute.
- Balkans ↗Serbia refuses onward entry to travellers who reached Kosovo from a third country and then try to cross straight into Serbia; route Kosovo–Serbia legs through North Macedonia or Montenegro, or start the loop in Serbia.
- Balkans ↗Hire cars need written permission from the rental company and valid insurance for every country on the line; Kosovo sells its own border insurance and some contracts exclude Albania, Kosovo or Bosnia outright.
- Greece ↗Greece is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Greece ↗Taking stones, pottery or other objects from archaeological sites is illegal; so is exporting antiquities without a permit.
- Greece ↗Do not photograph military sites or border zones; signs mark them.
- Greece ↗Acropolis tickets are sold for one-hour entry slots on the official Hellenic Heritage site (hhticket.gr); in peak season slots sell out days ahead, and you cannot enter outside your hour.
- Greece ↗Businesses must give a receipt (apodeixi) for every sale; ask for one, and do not accept a handwritten note in place of it.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Symi100 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Symi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the euro (EUR).Greece-wide
- SIM or eSIMCosmote, Vodafone and Nova sell prepaid SIMs in their shops and at the airport; a passport is needed to register.Greece-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in Athens, Thessaloniki and most of the mainland.Greece-wide
- TippingTaverna or restaurant: 5–10% in cash on the table; not expected at gyros shops.Greece-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/F. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Greece-wide
- SafetySymi is very safe.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsUse cafés (buy something), museums and sites.Greece-wide
- Emergency numbers100 police · 112 fire and ambulance · 1571 tourist police (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysArchaeological sites run shorter winter hours (often 08:00–15:00 or 17:00) and longer summer hours; they close on 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday…Archaeological sites run shorter winter hours (often 8:00 AM–3:00 PM or 5:00 PM) and longer summer hours; they close on 1 January, 25 March, Easter Sunday…Greece-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportRHO Rhodes International Airport (Then a taxi or bus to Rhodes harbour (about 20 min) and a ferry to Symi (about 1 h).).
- Getting aroundA bus runs hourly from Yialos through Chorio to Pedi.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee€3–5 (≈ US$4–6)
- Sit-down mealDinner with wine€20–35 (≈ US$25–45)
- BeerBeer (bottle)€4–6 (≈ US$5–7)
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from harbour to Chorio€5–8 (≈ US$6–10)
- Metro or bus rideBus from Yialos to Pedi€2 (≈ US$3)
- Budget bedHostel bed or budget room, a night, per person€30 (≈ US$35)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a guesthouse, a night, per room€100 (≈ US$120)
- High-end bedDouble room in a guesthouse, a night, per room€180 (≈ US$250)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget €60 (≈ US$70) · Mid €100 (≈ US$120) · High €180 (≈ US$250)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- RHO Rhodes International Airport (Then a taxi or bus to Rhodes harbour (about 20 min) and a ferry to Symi (about 1 h).)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Feb
not flagged
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Apr
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
May
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Jun
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Jul
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Aug
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Sep
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Nov
not flagged
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Dec
not flagged
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (12 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Symi: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
12 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
10 rd
Mar
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
8 rd
Apr
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
May
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
3 rd
Jun
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Jul
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Aug
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
0 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Oct
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
5 rd
Nov
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
8 rd
Dec
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
12 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
A bus runs hourly from Yialos through Chorio to Pedi. Taxis and water taxis are available. Walking is the main way to explore the harbour and old town.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Rhodes
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Ferry from Symi harbour, about 1 h
Combine with a visit to Rhodes Old Town or Lindos.
Panormitis Monastery
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Boat from Yialos harbour, about 30 min
The monastery is the main sight on the south coast.
Kastellorizo
cautionDoor to door: About 4 h
Ferry via Rhodes, about 3 h total
A long day; consider an overnight.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Yialos (lower town)
Harbour-side rooms and hotels; easy access to ferries and restaurants.
Chorio (upper town)
Restored houses and villas; quieter but requires climbing many steps.
Pedi and Nimborio
Small beach villages with accommodation; quieter than the main town.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- €60–90 (≈ US$70–110) excl. bed
- Mid
- €90–150 (≈ US$110–180) excl. bed
- High
- €150 (≈ US$180)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a guesthouse1 × 2 nights × €100 | €200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × €100 | €400 |
| Ferry Rhodes–Symi return2 × €60 · check | €120 |
| Boat to Panormitis Monastery return2 × €20 · check | €40 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × €15 | €30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | €79 |
| Trip total≈ €217 per person per day, bed included | €869≈ US$1,100 |
2026 estimate in euros; flights and ferry from Rhodes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | €3–5 (≈ US$4–6) |
| Lunch (souvlaki or gyros) | €8–12 (≈ US$10–14) |
| Dinner with wine | €20–35 (≈ US$25–45) |
| Beer (bottle) | €4–6 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Taxi from harbour to Chorio | €5–8 (≈ US$6–10) |
| Bus from Yialos to Pedi | €2 (≈ US$3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The stairways between Yialos and Chorio are steep; pack light if staying in the upper town.
- Ferry schedules change seasonally; check the day before.
- Harbour restaurants are pricier than those in the old town.
- Book accommodation in advance in July and August.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
- Tourist police
- 1571
Pocket card
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SymiΣύμη
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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Σε αυτή τη διεύθυνση, παρακαλώTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police100
- Fire and ambulance112
- Tourist police1571
Embassy
The nearest embassy is in Athens. The UK and many other countries have consulates in Rhodes town.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Ferry Rhodes → Symi: about €20–40 (≈ US$25–50) one way, about 1 h (check)
- Taxi harbour → Chorio: €5–8 (≈ US$6–10)
- Boat to Panormitis Monastery: about €15–30 (≈ US$18–35) return (check)
Say or show
- Γειά σου / Αντίο — Hello / Goodbye (Yia sou / Adio)
- Ευχαριστώ — Thank you (Efharisto)
- Παρακαλώ — Please (Parakalo)
- Πόσο κάνει; — How much? (Poso kani?)
- Πού είναι το πλοίο; — Where is the ferry? (Pou ine to plio?)
- Το λογαριασμό, παρακαλώ — The bill, please (To logariasmo, parakalo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Symi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowded and hot) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Place pages for Panormitis Monastery, Yialos and Chorio with opening hours and ticket prices.
- Eat pages for harbour and old-town restaurants with last-order times.
- Ferry schedule fixture with seasonal variations.
Sources
Ask about Symi
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