Symi: Balancing Culture, Nature and Sustainability

With a population of around 2,600 residents, Symi invites visitors to discover it not just as a tourist destination, but as an example of sustainable island development. During the tourist season, daily visitor numbers can exceed 6,000, placing pressure on local infrastructure such as water supply, waste management, and sanitation.

Symi participates in the European program “Clean Energy for EU Islands” and has been implementing a technical support plan since 2021 to transition to renewable energy, documenting the challenges and opportunities of its local energy landscape. Meanwhile, the pressures of overtourism have led to the suggestion of a 3€ daily visitor fee to support local services and preserve biodiversity and infrastructure.

The island is an extensive archaeological zone, stretching from the harbor of Gialos, with its traditional neoclassical buildings, to Lower and Upper Symi and including Byzantine churches and museums such as the Naval Museum and the Archaeological-Folklore Museum. The “Kali Strata,” a staircase of 500 steps, connects Gialos square to Upper Symi, and the island’s architecture reflects a rich historical interaction with Constantinople, Italy, and Western Europe. Symi also offers a network of hiking trails that pass by coves, monasteries, castles, and beaches.

It is worth a visit to the Monastery of Archangel Michael of Panormitis, located at the southern tip of the island. Additionally, walking through the picturesque alleys of the Chorio (the main village), visitors can admire neoclassical and Aegean-style architecture and learn about the history of shipowners and sponge divers. Symi’s beaches, such as Nos, Marathounta, Agios Georgios Dysalonas and Nanou, offer crystal-clear waters, tranquility and natural beauty, with many accessible only by boat or on foot, preserving the island’s authenticity. Additionally, visitors can explore nearby islets, dive or swim in hidden caves and enjoy a unique connection with nature and the sea.