Dodecanese, Greece – A Day in Symi (September 2025)
Last updated on : December 7, 2025
In September 2025, during our trip through the Dodecanese in Greece, we spent a few days on the island of Rhodes. Since the archipelago is home to several beautiful small islands, I knew I wanted to explore at least one more during our stay. For quite some time, the island of Symi kept appearing in the travel blogs I had read – its colorful little harbor, neoclassical houses, and peaceful atmosphere immediately caught my attention.
At first, I had even considered spending a full night there, as we originally planned a longer trip. But since our itinerary was eventually reduced to ten days, we needed a realistic alternative that would still allow us to visit Symi without adding extra travel days. While looking at different options, I discovered that it was possible to visit the island on a day trip from Rhodes -an ideal solution that allowed us to experience this much-praised destination.
Here is the story of our day in Symi: a simple, accessible excursion, yet incredibly rich in color and charm.
Excursion : Symi Island
Along the port of Rhodes, several small kiosks offer daily boat excursions, including those to the island of Symi. Each company proposes slightly different itineraries, with varying departure times and stops that are more or less lengthy depending on the boat. It’s entirely possible to buy your ticket directly on-site and compare the options simply by walking along the waterfront.
As for us, I had first found the excursion online, and we ultimately booked – through Getyourguide – with Nikolaos-X, a well-organized local company.
First Step : Panormitis Monastery
After a crossing of about 1 hour and 15 minutes, we arrived at our first stop: Panormitis Monastery. I was truly happy to be able to visit this place, as it added a meaningful spiritual dimension to my trip.
The site is beautiful, and the frescoes inside the church are fascinating. However, when an entire boat arrives at once, it quickly becomes crowded, and the church at the heart of the monastery is unfortunately quite small. This made it a little harder for me to fully appreciate the space in a calm and peaceful way. Still, we took the time to visit the small monastery museum (€1.50 per person), where we could admire several ancient religious artifacts.
After visiting Panormitis Monastery, we set out again to sail along the southern coast of Symi. Even though our excursion didn’t include a swimming stop that day (some companies offer it depending on the schedule), the journey itself provided beautiful scenery.
Along the way, the boat slowed down near Saint George’s Bay – a spectacular cove accessible only by sea. Surrounded by steep cliffs and deep blue water, this secluded bay is a true natural gem. We didn’t anchor there, but the crew came close enough for passengers to admire the view and take a few photos. It was a peaceful, almost timeless moment before continuing toward our next destination.
Third Step : Arrival in Gialos, the Island’s Main Port
After about an hour of sailing, we finally reached Gialos, the island’s main port. And honestly… what an arrival! The view is absolutely magical.
Gialos is often described as one of the most beautiful ports in Greece, and I can easily see why: pastel-colored neoclassical houses spread out in an amphitheater around the bay, creating a scene straight out of a postcard. It’s incredibly photogenic – vibrant, bright, and truly one of the most beautiful places I saw during our trip through the Dodecanese.
Fourth Step : The Kali Strata Staircase & Lunch Break
As soon as we got off the boat, we decided to take on the nearly 400 steps of the Kali Strata staircase, one of Symi’s most iconic pathways. This historic staircase connects the port of Gialos to the hillside village of Chorio, the island’s upper town. The climb is steady – especially under the heat – but the colorful houses, flower-lined alleys, and scenic viewpoints that appear along the way make the effort genuinely enjoyable.
On the way up, we took a well-deserved lunch break to regain some energy. We had spotted Kali Strata Restaurant online as a recommended place to eat. And what an excellent choice it turned out to be! It was, without a doubt, our best meal of our four days in the Rhodes area.
I ordered chicken souvlaki skewers that were absolutely delicious – a generous plate that I practically devoured. The restaurant has a lovely outdoor terrace with a slightly elevated view over the port and the pastel-colored houses. The atmosphere was perfect: simple, authentic, and warm… exactly the kind of place we love discovering when we travel.
Fifth Step: The Village of Chorio & the Panoramic View
After our lunch break, we continued climbing the Kali Strata staircase toward the village of Chorio. The path is lined with narrow alleys, colorful houses with pastel shutters, small flowered gardens, and even a few stone remnants that hint at the area’s history. As we climbed, we passed several of the island’s typical church bell towers, adding an almost timeless feeling to the ascent.
Eventually, by following the small path that curves around the white and blue church perched at the top of the hill, we reached an absolutely spectacular panoramic terrace.
The view over the bay – its amphitheater of pastel houses and vibrant colors – was simply breathtaking. A grand, sweeping panorama that more than rewarded the effort of the climb.
We took our time to breathe, admire the scenery, take photos… and most of all, appreciate the peaceful atmosphere of this hilltop spot before beginning our descent back toward the port.
Sixth Step: Descent to the Port & Return to Rhodes
For the descent, we chose a different path in order to make the most of the few hours we had to explore this magical place. It turned out to be an excellent choice: the colorful houses, uneven stairways, sweeping views over the bay, and the many church bell towers made the way down just as beautiful as the climb up.
At one point, we even crossed paths with a small group of mountain bikers making their way downhill – a pretty impressive route considering the incline and terrain in some sections. It was an unexpected and amusing moment that added an extra layer of charm to our memory of Symi.
Once we reached the port again, we took advantage of our final moments on the island to stroll along the waterfront, admire the neoclassical facades, and soak in the last glimpses of our visit. The place is so photogenic that it’s hard not to stop every few steps.
Like all good things, our time there eventually came to an end. We needed to be back on the boat around 4:00 p.m. to sail back to Rhodes. About an hour and a half later, we returned to our starting point – with our minds full of stunning images and our hearts completely won over by Symi.
If I Had More Time
If I had had a little more time in Symi, I would have stayed at least one night – maybe even two – simply to experience the island differently. A single day already offers a beautiful glimpse, but everything goes by so quickly: you keep an eye on the clock, you calculate walking times, you make sure to be back at the port on schedule… and you never truly get the chance to let yourself fall into the island’s natural rhythm.
With an evening or a night on the island, I would have loved to:
- discover Symi without the excursion crowds, when calm returns and the colors shift with the evening light;
- wander deeper into Chorio, explore its small squares and less touristy corners;
- stop at a beach, even briefly, just to feel the softness of the water and slow down a little;
- take the time to observe – without stress – the pastel houses, the locals, the boats coming and going;
- simply wander, letting the moment guide me.
What I missed the most wasn’t a specific activity, but the luxury of time. In Symi, everything invites you to pause, breathe, and appreciate. With just a few more hours, I would have loved to experience the island at its own gentle pace rather than through the tight rhythm of a day trip.
In Conclusion
Symi was, without a doubt, one of my biggest favorites of our entire trip through the Dodecanese. It’s an island of exceptional beauty, where every alleyway, every pastel façade, and every panorama feels like a scene straight out of a movie.
I felt as though time moved differently there – softer, slower, almost suspended. Even with the stress of needing to return to the boat on time, something about Symi’s atmosphere encouraged us to slow down, savor the moment, and let ourselves get a little lost. It’s an island that you don’t just visit – you truly feel it.
If I ever have the chance to return, I would do so without hesitation, but this time for longer. To settle in, to wander, to let time flow gently and allow myself to be fully immersed in all that beauty. One day was enough to fall in love with Symi… but certainly not enough to experience everything it has to offer.
In Video
To complete the story, here’s a visual glimpse of our day in Symi. See for yourself why this island completely won us over. Let yourself be carried by its vibrant colors, charming alleyways, and breathtaking views.
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