Symi in 5 Days: A Greek Island That Lets You Slow Down
If you work a 9-5 and need a getaway that’s unhurried, Symi is the island for it. We got there with one simple plan: lay on beaches, swim in the ocean, eat seafood, and do very little else.
Five days later, we left rested not because there’s nothing to do, but because the island naturally slows everything down.
The unhurried Greek pace was exactly what we needed.
Why Symi Feels Different
Symi is small but far from empty. Gialos Harbour is the center of the island: colourful houses climbing the cliffs, cafés spilling onto the waterfront, and bakeries with bread baked that morning.
By day two, we knew which cafés had decent coffee, which bakeries had fresh bread, and which spots along the harbour were quiet enough to watch boats return from early morning trips.
Life moves at its own pace here, and that alone makes it easy to relax.
Who Symi Works For
Symi suits travellers who:
Swim in quiet spots and spend time on beaches
Enjoy fresh seafood
Want a slower pace without a packed schedule
It’s not ideal for:
Nightlife seekers
Shopaholics
People who need constant stimulation
Where Symi is situated:
Symi is part of the Dodecanese, about an hour by ferry from Rhodes. Ferries arrive at Gialos Harbour, surrounded by colourful houses, cafés, bakeries, and small shops. Most accommodation is nearby, making it a convenient base for exploring the island.
Quick Tips
Best time to visit: May–October
Ferry duration from Rhodes: ~1 hour
Accommodation base: Gialos Harbour for convenience, Nimborio for quieter local feel
Must-try seafood: grilled octopus, fresh fish, calamari
Photography spots: Kali Strata stairs, harbour front, Panormitis Monastery road
Getting There Without Stress
Fly into Rhodes International Airport
Take the ferry to Gialos Harbour, Symi
Tip: Leave space around travel days. We had lunch in Rhodes before taking the ferry in, and stayed overnight in Rhodes on the way home. This removes travel stress and makes the trip feel unhurried.
Practical Information
Currency: Euro (€).
ATMs and a couple of banks are on the island. Cash is commonly used, so bring some or withdraw on arrival.
Day Trips: Rhodes and Tilos are accessible by ferry.
We stayed overnight in Rhodes due to flight and ferry schedules on our way home.
Best Viewpoints & Photography Spots:
White stairs next to Mikes Sponges on the harbour front
Church at the top of Kali Strata
Scenic road to Panormitis Monastery (car recommended)
Aggelidi Road from the harbour to Nimborio Bay
Where We Stayed
We stayed at Ponente e Symi, a small B&B in Nimborio that suited the island’s slow pace perfectly. It’s quieter than the main harbour but still close enough to walk into Gialos when needed.
Our host, Efti, met us at the harbour and made everything easy from the start. The rooms were simple, clean, and comfortable, and the location made mornings and evenings feel calm and local.
If you want a relaxed base away from the crowds, this is a great choice.
👉 Book here: https://www.ponentesymi.com/
5 Days in Symi: A Slow Travel Itinerary
Day 1 — Arrival and Settling In
After checking in, we spent the day walking the harbour, checking cafés and bakeries, and getting familiar with the island.
Day 2 — Exploring With a Car
We walked into town, then hired a car from Panormitis Travel on Efti’s recommendation. A car lets you reach beaches like:
Marathounda
Saint Nikolas
Agia Marina
Toli
Being able to go when we wanted and leave when we wanted made the trip effortless.
Day 3 — Boat Trip
We booked a full-day trip with Poseidon Boat Tours.
We swam in secluded caves, stopped at hidden beaches, and ate freshly grilled meals at one of the spots for lunch.
The crew knew the waters and the island inside out, making everything smooth.
Day 4 — Panormitis Monastery and the Sea
We visited Panormitis Monastery, right on the water. Calm, historic, and active, it’s a quiet slice of Greek life.
The rest of the day was spent:
Swimming at Marathounda Beach
Reading and relaxing
Dinner was at Tholos, a seaside taverna. The fish tasted like it had been caught that morning.
Day 5 — Last Beach, Last Evening
We took a water taxi to Agia Marina Beach, a small, secluded spot with loungers and a taverna serving traditional Greek meals. We swam, relaxed, and ate grilled octopus.
The day ended with cocktails at Eva’s Cocktail Bar with our host.
Five days on Symi felt complete: relaxed, sun-soaked, and simple.
Beaches and Swimming
Recommended beaches: Marathounda, Saint Nikolas, St Georges Bay, Agia Marina, Toli
Most beaches are pebbly, not sandy
Some are accessible by boat; others are easiest by car
Quiet, clear water, minimal crowds
Bring:
Water shoes
A book
Cash for drinks and loungers
Beach Tips:
Loungers cost €5–7 per day on some beaches; most are free
Most beaches have cafés; cash is easiest for payment
St Georges Bay has no facilities and requires a water taxi — the most beautiful beach on the island. Poseidon tours stop here for a 40-minute swim.
Poseidon boat tour
We would highly recommend the Poseidon boat tour. This tour circumnavigates the entire Island, stopping at idyllic swimming & snorkelling spots and offers a phenomenal lunch included, along with drinks throughout the day. This costs €60 per person and is 100% the best €60 you’ll spend. Weather dependent, the tour leaves at 10:30 daily, from the main harbour and returns at 17:30.
We would recommend getting to the boat between 09:45 & 10:00 to ensure you get a good spot on the boat.
Getting Around the Island
The harbour is walkable, but a car or scooter is necessary for most beaches. Public transport is limited and taxis can be unpredictable.
Practical notes:
Roads are narrow and winding but manageable
Distances are short
Parking is informal
A vehicle lets you explore at your own pace — perfect for slow travel.
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Best Food
There are a number of local dishes you have got to try, namely; ‘Symi shrimp’, octopus, goat, tuna, seabass, calamari & lamb chops. These are a couple of dishes that we had and they were all absolutely outstanding.
Top restaurants (locally known as tavernas)
Tholos, Odyssia. Haritomeni, Daphnes (at Toli Beach) and Agia Marina beach restaurant (accessed by Taxi boat from Pedi bay)
Best coffee & Cocktails
Ο Φούρνος Του Πανορμίτη Πρατήριο Γιαλού bakery
Eva’s Cocktail Bar
Conclusion
Symi is small, quiet, and easy to get around. If you want a few days to swim, eat, and slow down, this is the island for that. After five days, we left rested, with the island’s pace still lingering long after we’d gone.
