SYMI F.A.Q - Frequently Asked Questions

What's the weather like?

The table below shows the average daytime temperature, the average night-time temperature and the average hours of sunshine per day.

Click for 15 Day Forecast
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How do I get to Symi?

There is no airport on Symi. Fly to Rhodes, take a bus or taxi to Mandraki Harbour in Rhodes town (about 40 mins) and then catch a ferry or hydrofoil (1½ hrs/50 minutes) to the island. Check our Ferry Timetables for latest details.

How can I get/change money?

There are two banks in Yialos (Symi Harbour), The Alpha and the National Bank of Greece. They are both open Monday-Friday from 08.00 to 14.00. The Alpha bank (which is situated near where the ferries and hydrofoils dock) has a 24 hour cash machine catering for all major credit cards. Some of the tourist agencies will change money for you if you miss banking hours. Look out for the rate boards outside. Credit cards are still not widely used on Symi, so check first in shops and restaurants. Greece is in the Eurozone; the currency is the Euro. 

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How can I get around?

 

Water taxis operate out of Pedi and Yialos to the various beaches. Excursion boats and trucks may also be booked in Yialos.  For the more adventurous, motor bikes and scooters can be hired.

The bus (see photo) leaves Yialos on the hour and Pedi on the half hour from 08:00 until 23:00. There is a gap in the service at 15:00 while the driver has his lunch break.The late afternoon service from Pedi can be quite crowded at the height of the season. The bus fare is a flat-rate €0.70 regardless of where you get on or off. There are 6 taxis; reckon on €3 Yialos-Chorio with luggage. Taxi mobile numbers: 1) Stamatis 6945 226348 2) Georgos 6974 623492 3) Costas  6945 252308 4) Constantinos  6944 105596 5) Thannasses 6946 568731 6) Theodoris   6945 273842

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Will  my mobile phone work on Symi?

'Pay as you go' mobiles will generally now work abroad, contract phones work fine on Symi. You should contact your phone company for details.
The telephone exchange (OTE) is at the back left of the town square, near the basketball court. You can make metered international calls there between 07:30-14:00 Monday to Friday. Calls can also be made from kiosks or call boxes. Telephone cards are sold at kiosks, tourist shops etc.

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I'm staying in self-catering accommodation-where can I buy food etc?

There are plenty of small supermarkets and shops, both in the harbour area and the in the old town. You can buy fresh fruit, vegetables, bread and meat and all the day-to-day necessities. Deliveries can be arranged.

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What about medical assistance?

Doctors: There are surgeries in Chorio (22460 71316)and Yialos (22460 71290). Open 08:00-13:00. There is usually someone there who speaks English. If you have an E111 form, please take it with you. In case of emergency and after hours, phone the police station on 22460 71111. There is also a special medically-equipped hydrofoil which comes in every Thursday and has facilities over and above those at the Yialos clinic.

Dentists: The dentist is situated at the side of St. John's church in Yialos, next to the florist. open every morning from 09:00 Monday-Friday. It is advisable to go early as he closes once the last patient has been treated.

Pharmacy: On the harbourside before the taxi-rank. Open from 09:00-13:00 and 17:00-21:30 Monday-Saturday. Open on Sundays in the morning. Prescription medicines not in stock can usually be ordered from Rhodes, but this may take a day or two so check before you run out.

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I've heard the water supply can be a problem on Symi, is this true?

There is little natural water on Symi and in the Summer it is brought in by ship from Rhodes. Please be as careful as you can with water; use the sea rather than a shower for cooling off purposes. Please make sure that all taps are properly turned off. The island has a small-bore sewage system with septic tanks; nothing, not even toilet paper, should be flushed down the toilets. Blockages occur instantly whereas finding a plumber takes longer :-)

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What are the restaurants like?

There is a wide range of restaurants to choose from on Symi; most are situated in Yialos with some traditional tavernas in the old town of Chorio. You can eat from traditional Greek taverna menus, Italian, modern Mediterranean and there is a good choice of fish restaurants. The more popular do get busy, so it advisable to book ahead.

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What is the night-life like?

Symi does come alive at night, if only in a limited way. There are a number of peaceful bars along the Kalistrata, where you can sit and take in the magical view of Symi harbour. In the old town of Chorio, there are several bars where you can sit and mingle with the locals late into the night.
There are two small clubs in the harbour. All outdoor music must by law be turned off at 12.00 midnight.

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Can I buy newspapers?

Daily papers are available the day after publication, normally after the day-trip boat from Rhodes arrives. If you want to keep up with news or sport, you can access the Internet at several bars in the harbour and in Chorio. For sports fans, there are a couple of bars with satellite TV showing English and Scottish Premier League football matches live (check the adverts in 'The Symi Visitor' newspaper for details).

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Is there anything in particular I should pack?

Apart from the usual items you would take abroad (plug adaptors etc), the following will come in handy on Symi:

A torch - if you are staying up in Chorio, there is no street lighting and finding your way back at night is a lot easier if you can light your way, especially after a few drinks!

A pair of walking shoes or trainers - Part of Symi's charm is its countless ancient steps and stone-paved lanes, but many of these are in poor repair, particularly in less populated areas. They are also useful if you are going on an organised walking trip or if you are following the path to the popular beach of Agios Nikolaos from Pedi Bay.

A pair of plastic or rubber swimming shoes or sandals - handy for the beach.

If you're wondering what to pack in the way of clothes, our advice would be to travel light. During the day you will need to dress comfortably and to bear in mind that in the summer the temperatures will be very high, so stick to light-coloured loose-fitting clothes. Bring and wear a hat and make sure you have a pair of good sunglasses. As for the evening, wear whatever you feel most comfortable in. Dress up if you feel like it or dress down in shorts and a t-shirt; the dress code is very relaxed. On Symi, people tend to eat late and to stay out late, so you should take a lightweight jumper or similar top in case it does get cooler later on in the evening. If you are travelling out of high-season, in April or October for example, be prepared for showers and for cooler evenings. Check the current temperature on the Home Page and the more general Rhodes area forecast for today on our ferry timetables page.

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Can I hire motorbikes? Can I hire boats?

You can hire scooters and motorbikes in Yialos. All sizes of boat, from small rowing boats to large pleasure boats can be hired for fishing, snorkelling and sight-seeing trips.

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