Sweet Frangosyriani

The route has a total length of 75 kilometers and takes approximately 3 hours by car or motorcycle, without stops and without a guide. It is available all year round and is aimed at visitors interested in local cuisine, culture, nature, music, arts, seafaring, local history and tradition, as well as activities such as hiking, cycling, geotourism, water sports, fishing, and tasting experiences.

Syros, the island of elegance and melody, stands proudly at the heart of the Aegean - a bridge of memory and culture. Rugged and imposing yet gentle, with sheltered coves and harbors, it keeps alive the echo of the 19th century, when Ermoupoli reigned as a great commercial and shipbuilding center of the Eastern Mediterranean. Here, the sounds of the shipwrights’ hammers, the chants of the Catholics, and the Byzantine hymns still blend today on an island that captivates and enchants at first sight.

Its natural terrain shapes a wealth of bays and beaches that together form a truly unique landscape. From Kini, with its twin sandy shores and fishing boats sailing toward the remote beaches of Grias Spilia, Varvarousa, and Grammata, to Delfini, the island’s largest beach, every coast has its own charm. The tamarisks at Galissas offer shade and coolness for a refreshing swim - and don’t forget to visit the chapel of Agios Stefanos. On the bustling beach of Agathopes, every summer beautiful sea lilies bloom under the sun, alongside the grand mansions of the nearby settlement of Poseidonia, the celebrated «Della Grazia» of Vamvakaris’ songs. And if you prefer to stay close to Ermoupoli, the beaches of Azolimnos and Santorinioi are perfect for a refreshing dip in crystal-clear waters. Yet the most iconic swimming spot lies in the cosmopolitan Vaporia district of Ermoupoli, where at «Asteria,» the neoclassical mansions along the quay reflect in the deep blue of the Aegean, creating a rare and stunning scene.

At the heart of Syros lies Ermoupoli - a vibrant, open-air museum of neoclassical buildings and squares that evoke another era. At its center stands the historic Miaouli Square, dominated by the grand Town Hall (a work of Ernst Ziller). Throughout the city, you’ll find historic landmarks, Orthodox and Catholic churches, museums, and art and cultural venues that reveal the city’s rich and rare character. Among them are the Apollo Theater - the so-called «Little Scala of Milan» - the Industrial Museum, and the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary, which houses an icon of the same name painted by the great Greek artist Domenikos Theotokopoulos (El Greco). Along the port, the shipyards of Neorio, the boatyards, and the tarsanades (dockyards) still keep the art of shipbuilding alive, confirming that Syros has long been the heart of Greek shipcraft - and an island of creativity, art, and culture.

A little higher up lies Ano Syros, with its whitewashed alleys, picturesque houses, and the Catholic Church of Saint George (San Tzortzis) crowning the hill - a view straight out of the past. In its narrow streets, one might still hear the bouzouki tunes of Vamvakaris and the soulful echoes of rebetiko songs.

Leaving Ermoupoli behind, you’ll find unique landscapes, settlements, and trails. Pagos remains the gateway to the island’s authentic inland. In the Ano Meria region, Syros retains its rural and pastoral character - stone farmhouses, flocks of animals, herbs, and fig trees scent the air and beautify the scenery. In Chroussa, Orthodox and Catholic churches coexist beside elegant mansions and charming chapels, while in Piskopio - the first seat of the Metropolis - noble villas dominate the hill. Finikas preserves its maritime identity, with sailing races and leisure boats mooring at its port. Whichever village of Syros you visit, you’ll easily find lovely accommodations and tavernas serving unique local dishes and flavors.

The gastronomy of Syros is inseparable from its culture - a mosaic of flavors where local elements meet diverse culinary influences. From the countryside to the seaside, the island exudes the aromas of fennel, thyme, capers, honey, and sea salt. Local vegetables take center stage, along with distinctive cheeses such as San Michali, armeos, grothotyraki, kopanisti, and graviera. These pair beautifully with the island’s renowned cured meats - louza, fennel sausages, and garlic sausages. Not to be missed are the maïntanosalata (a parsley dip between skordalia and pesto), kaparosalata (caper salad), tyrititim (a local omelet with a unique name and flavor), and of course, the island’s fresh fish and seafood.

All of Syros’ dishes pair harmoniously with its wide range of local drinks and spirits - tsipouro, ouzo, mastiha liqueur, and herbal distillates. The local wines are exceptional, produced from rare white and red grape varieties. Be sure to visit a local shop to take some home.

And saving the sweetest for last - the world-famous loukoumia (sweet delights) and halvadopites (almond nougat pies) of Syros, along with frangotyropita (sweet cheese pie) made with goat’s ricotta, sugar, eggs, orange, cinnamon or mastiha, almond, and thyme honey; mastichaki with white almond, sesame, mastiha, and egg white; syrupy sfogliatsa with a tart crust, almond sponge filling, and crispy phyllo topping; rodini almond pastry with whipped cream and pistachio from Aegina; and the exotic kouvaneza, wrapped in sponge cake with chocolate pastry cream, candied cherry, and dark chocolate glaze.