Travel

Travel Note

About Symi

Symi is a Greek island, part of the Dodecanese island group. It’s known for its beaches, an annual music festival and for the harbor at Symi Town, surrounded by colorful neoclassical houses. On the southwest coast, the 18th-century Monastery of Archangel Michael Panormitis is a major Greek Orthodox pilgrimage site with a Byzantine museum. Symi has 4 main areas: -Chora (Symi) has 2 settlements: Yialos(port) where the ferry arrives & Ano Symi (or Horio). Both soooo incredibly picturesque. -Emboreios is a small fishing port, quiet with 1-2 beach bars & restaurants . -Pedi seaside village is located only a couple of kilometers away from Chora. It has a few smaller beaches! -Panormitis village where the monastery of Panormitis is located, dedicated to the Archangel Michael. We are so excited to host you all in this beautiful place in September 2025 for the time of your lives. When we considered what we wanted for our wedding we agreed we wanted somewhere beautiful and relaxed where all our family and friends could get away and get to know each other in a serene setting. Symi reflected all of that and more. From the harbour with lively crowds, quaint tavernas and a variety of charming local shops to the unforgettable rooftop views and secluded beach coves and bays from symi to Nimporio, Agia Marina and Toli. This is our perfect destination for a classy but rowdy family vacation. Come and join us for relaxation at the beach, boat trips and hiking adventures to indulging in copious amounts of fresh seafood, delicious Greek cuisine and late night ouzo drinking! Opa!

Travel Note

Navigating to and around Symi

Actually Getting There: • Fly to Rhodes: We hope you already booked your flights but just in case.. Symi has zero airports, so don’t try. Book a flight to Rhodes (RHO)—you’re halfway there. • Take a Ferry to Symi It’s not a cruise, it’s a vibe. • Ferry takes 1–1.5 hours depending on sea sassiness. • If you get seasick, pack those motion tablets (or pretend you’re Kate Winslet and dramatically lean into it). • Book with Dodekanisos Seaways, Sea Dreams, or Sebecco, unless you're building your own boat. • Book through the website or app Ferryhopper which is easy to use and gives you an option of all ferries and times of departure. • Ferries depart from Mandraki Port or Kolona Port in Rhodes Town. Ferry Tip: Be on time. Greek ferries do not wait for anyone. Not even brides. Getting Around Without Crying: • Symi has no uber. Symi has taxis, but not many. Think “Greek island Uber: vintage edition.” • Taxi numbers you’ll want in your phone: George: +30 694 461 1050 Michalis: +30 697 254 943 (Yes, they all know each other. No, you can’t get a discount for saying you know the bride.) Taxi ranks: Yialos Harbor and Pedi Local bus exists. It's cute. It runs up and down the mountain like a Greek rollercoaster. It runs between Yialos, Chorio (village), and Pedi beach. Water taxis exist too—for when you want to channel your inner Mamma Mia character on the way to a beach. These run to beaches like Agios Nikolaos, Nanou, and Marathounda. Book in the harbor front kiosks daily from 9am. Theres also a cute fun train where you can sit with all the other tourist and strange locals and zip on the coastal road at about 30mph to an unknown stop and back again for fun. Takes about 20 min, book and pay ahead. Can't lie, it's fun. Get it in the town centre. Pro tip: Just follow someone who looks like they know what they’re doing.

Travel Note

Cash or Card?

• Symi loves cash the way we love pizza. • ATMs exist, but they’re like unicorns: rare and often empty. • Bring Euros or get some out in Rhodes. • Bigger places accept cards, but beach tavernas might just accept good vibes and paper money.

Flight

Diagoras International Airport (RHO)

Rhodes International Airport "Diagoras", or Diagoras International Airport (RHO), is located on the West side of the island of Rhodes in Greece. Rhodes is a beautiful island with many resorts and hotels.

Travel Note

Where to stay In Symi

We recommend visiting or staying in Rhodes Old Town (or Medieval City of Rhodes), one of the most extraordinary medieval towns in the world and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This remarkable town boasts a unique fusion of architectural styles, reflecting its rich history from Byzantine times to the Ottoman era. Stroll through the magnificent Gates and marvel at the impressive city walls, which have stood strong for centuries.There are many well priced hotels or guest houses there where you can stay overnight before getting the Ferry from Rhodes Main Port to Symi (see Ferry Information section). There are also many air bnb options available and if there are any questions, please do not hesitate to send us your accommodation options so we can better tell you if it's a good location etc. Once you've decided to join us, please look into booking your accommodation in Symi as soon as you can and if possible before the new year. Quality of accommodations can vary, and Symi has become more and more popular for tourists each year. There are a limited amount of hotels, however, the Greeks often run Guest Houses or apartments that can be booked via booking.com When looking for a place there are a few areas of the island. Dom and I are staying at the Old Markets in Symi Town near the main harbour. Everything is located approx 20 min walk from each other in the bay, however, please note there are a lot of stairs as the town is located on a hill. If you need more accessible accommodation please try to book closer to the harbour. There area few hotels near the water that have less stairs to access.

Hotel

The Old Markets Hotel

This is where Dom and I are staying and it's a beautiful hotel with unique rooms designed in what used to be Symi's old market stalls. It also has a beautiful terrace overlooking the bay and near the main harbour and a lot of restaurants, bars and shops.

Hotel

The 1900 Hotel

Hotel

The Anchor House Hotel

Hotel

Anastasia Hotel

Hotel

Iapetos Village Hotel

Travel Note

Ferry Information

To book tickets on the ferry to Symi from Rhodes we recommend that you visit ferryscanner.com or download the app ferry hopper on your phone. Please choose Rhodes Town (Main Port) going to Symi Town (Panormitis). Rhodes is a big island and has many ports. Symi is quite small and only has two ports. One is Panormitis and the other is called Gialos. To get to Symi Town where we are staying, please make sure you go to Panormitis.

Travel Note

Where to Stay in Rhodes

In Rhodes, we will be staying in Rhodes Old Town which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For those of you who are staying the night on the way to Symi. We recommend spending a few days visiting. There are many options for accommodation in Rhodes Old Town or in the New Town near Elli Beach. To travel in between you can take a taxi that's approx. 10 min or walk in 20 mins.

Hotel

Spirit of the Knights Boutique Hotel

Architecturally influenced by the Crusaders and the Ottomans, the Eco-Friendly Spirit of the Knights Boutique Hotel is set in Rhodes Old Town. It features uniquely designed and luxurious accommodation with free Wi-Fi throughout. Featuring high ceilings and decorated with natural materials and furnishings from many parts of the world, the units offer air conditioning, LCD TV and safe. Non-allergic beds, and bedding by Coco-Mat are featured. Mosaic tiling compliments the spacious bathrooms. Some are split-level suites or include a seating area.

Hotel

The Wine Hotel Rhodes

The Wine Hotel has a shared lounge, terrace, a restaurant and bar in Rhodes Town. The property is close to Clock Tower, Grand Master's Palace and Mandraki Port. The accommodation offers a 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, room service and free WiFi throughout the property.

Hotel

Arthur Suites

1.8 km from Akti Kanari Beach, Arthur Suites in Old Town is situated in Rhodes Town and features free WiFi, concierge services and express check-in and check-out. This property is set a short distance from attractions such as Mandraki Port, Deer Statues, and Synagogue Kahal Shalom. The property is 1.4 km from Elli Beach, and within 300 metres of the city centre. The hotel will provide guests with air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a coffee machine, a fridge, a minibar, a safety deposit box, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with a shower. Arthur Suites in Old Town offers some rooms that have a terrace, and rooms have a kettle. The rooms feature a wardrobe.

Hotel

Grande Albergo delle Rose

Just a 3-minute walk from Rhodes Town, the classic Grande Albergo Delle Rose, boasts a seasonal swimming pool. This beachfront hotel features a casino, while guests can pamper themselves at the spa and wellness center. The elegantly decorated rooms and suites at Grande Albergo Delle Rose offer air conditioning, flat-screen TV, a wardrobe and a desk. All units include a private bathroom with free Bvlgari toiletries, slippers and hair dryer. Some rooms at the hotel feature a balcony with sea views. Most suites are fitted with a spa bath.

Hotel

Island Boutique Hotel

Island Boutique Hotel is located just across Elli Beach in Rhodes Town, 700 metres from Mandraki Port. Fine Mediterranean and international cuisine can be enjoyed at the on-site restaurant. Refreshing cocktails are served at the property's bar. Modern and highly aesthetic, the rooms at Island Boutique Hotel open to a balcony with panoramic Aegean Sea and Rhodes views. Each is equipped with a flat-screen TV. Certain rooms feature a seating area to relax in after a busy day. Each room includes a private bathroom. Island Boutique Hotel features free WiFi.