3 Days in Symi, Greece: The Perfect 3-Day Island Itinerary
This article may contain affiliate links which means if you purchase something I’ve recommended through a link, I’ll earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my Disclosure Policy for more information.
If there is one Greek island that completely stole my heart, it has to be Symi.
With its pastel-coloured neoclassical houses, crystal-clear turquoise water, charming harbour and slower pace of life, Symi feels like stepping into a postcard. Just a short ferry journey from Rhodes, it’s the perfect island to add to a Greek island-hopping itinerary, whether you’re visiting for a few days or planning a longer stay.
We spent three days exploring Symi, from relaxing on beautiful beaches and discovering hidden bays by boat to enjoying traditional Greek food and watching the sunset over the island.
If you’re planning a visit, here’s exactly how we spent our three days in Symi, Greece, including where we stayed, the beaches we visited, restaurants we loved and the boat trip I’d recommend adding to your itinerary.
Table of Contents
Where to stay in Symi, Greece
We stayed at Twelve 12 Island Apartments, tucked away in the upper town (Chorio) of Symi.
Rather than staying directly on the harbour, our apartment was slightly further uphill, surrounded by the beautiful traditional streets and colourful houses that make Symi so special.
One of the lovely things about staying here was being able to experience a different side of the island, away from the busier waterfront. The area has a much more traditional feel, with narrow lanes, pretty doorways and beautiful views as you wander through the town.
It’s worth knowing that getting around Symi involves quite a few steps and hills, particularly if you’re staying in the upper town. The walk down towards the harbour takes you along Kali Strata, the historic stepped street connecting the upper town with Gialos.
For us, it was a lovely location and a great base for exploring the island, particularly if you enjoy staying somewhere with a little more character rather than right in the middle of the harbour
Day 1: Arriving in Symi, Agia Marina Beach & dinner at Kali Strata
8am ferry from Rhodes to Symi
Our first day started early with an 8am ferry from Rhodes Old Town to Symi. The journey times depend on the ferry operator and service, so it’s worth checking the timetable when planning your trip. We booked these in advance on ferry hopper which is really easy to use and all in one app.
Travel tip: If you’re travelling from Rhodes, I’d recommend booking your ferry in advance, particularly during the summer months.
Afternoon at Agia Marina Beach
After checking into our apartment and dropping off our bags, we headed straight to the beach.
We caught a taxi boat to Agia Marina, one of Symi’s beautiful little coastal spots, known for its incredibly clear water and picturesque setting.
The beach is particularly recognisable for the little white chapel sitting on a rocky islet just offshore. You can swim across to it, making it a lovely spot for a dip and a few photographs.
We rented two sunbeds for just €20, which gave us the perfect excuse to spend the afternoon swimming, sunbathing and doing very little.
After an early start travelling from Rhodes, this was exactly how we wanted to spend our first afternoon.
Dinner at Kali Strata
For our first evening, we headed to Kali Strata for dinner which is a charming restaurant near our apartment serving fresh Greek Food.
After dinner, we wandered back through the town, taking in the harbour and its beautiful pastel-coloured buildings illuminated in the evening.
And, of course, no day in Symi would be complete without an ice cream.
We made a little tradition of stopping at Gelato di Mariz every single day. It quickly became one of our favourite little holiday rituals.
Day 2: Boat trip around Symi with Poseidon & sunset at the castle
Our second day was spent exploring more of Symi by boat, which was such a lovely way to see a different side of the island.
Beyond the pretty harbour, Symi has so many beautiful little bays and swimming spots dotted along its coastline, many of which are only accessible by boat.
We started the morning with breakfast at Nook Cafe.
A slow breakfast and a coffee before a day out on the water felt like the perfect start.
A day exploring Symi with Poseidon
We had booked a full-day boat trip with Poseidon and it was easily one of the highlights of our three days in Symi.
The traditional boat takes you around the island, stopping at beautiful bays and swimming spots that you wouldn’t necessarily discover on your own.
There is something so special about seeing Symi from the sea. The coastline is incredibly dramatic, with rocky landscapes, little chapels and the most beautiful shades of blue.
We spent the day swimming, relaxing on the boat and enjoying the scenery.
One of the things I particularly loved was getting to visit places that aren’t as easily accessible from the main town.
The Poseidon boat trip also includes a barbecue lunch at Seskli Island, which was amazing. The area was really remote, the food was excellent and there were some goats there that were really cute.
Sunset at Symi Castle
After returning from our boat trip, we decided we didn’t really fancy going out for dinner that evening.
Instead, we walked up towards the castle to watch the sunset.
Symi has some beautiful viewpoints, and heading uphill gives you a completely different perspective of the island, looking down over the harbour, colourful rooftops and surrounding hills.
The walk is worth it for the views alone, particularly as the light starts to change in the evening.
Day 3: Marathounda Bay, goats & a traditional Greek dinner
We started our final morning exactly as we had the previous day, with breakfast at Nook Café.
When you find somewhere you love on holiday, why change it?
After breakfast, we headed off to explore another of Symi’s beautiful beaches: Marathounda Bay.
Visiting Marathounda Bay (Goat Beach)
Marathounda Bay, often nicknamed Goat Beach, was another highlight of our trip.
We’d heard about the goats that wander freely around the beach, and naturally, we had to see them for ourselves!
The setting is beautiful, with a peaceful little bay surrounded by rocky hills and incredibly clear water.
Unlike some of the beaches closer to Symi Town, Marathounda feels much more secluded, making it a lovely place to spend a few hours.
The goats are definitely part of the experience here, wandering around the beach and occasionally coming surprisingly close to visitors!
Just be mindful of any food you’re carrying, as the goats are naturally curious.
Lunch at the beachside restaurant
We decided to have lunch at the restaurant overlooking the bay, which was the perfect excuse to spend a little longer enjoying the setting.
After lunch, we spent some more time enjoying the water before heading back towards Symi Town.
If you’re visiting Marathounda, I’d recommend leaving yourself enough time to enjoy both the beach and the restaurant rather than treating it as a quick stop.
Dinner at Zoe's Taverna
For our final evening, we headed to Zoe’s Taverna.
After three days of exploring, swimming and eating our way around the island, it felt like the perfect place to enjoy one last traditional Greek dinner.
As soon as we arrived, we could smell the BBQ, with a man cooking chicken outside over the grill. It had that lovely, authentic Greek taverna feel, where everything is relaxed, welcoming and centred around good food.
We started with one of her grandmother’s recipes, which was such a lovely touch and made the meal feel even more personal. For mains, we went for the souvlaki and moussaka.
Symi has such a lovely food scene, with little tavernas tucked into the streets and around the harbour. I loved how relaxed everything felt, with no need to rush from one place to another.
Practical Tips for Visiting Symi, Greece
How do you get to Symi?
The easiest way to reach Symi for most visitors is by ferry from Rhodes.
We caught the 8am ferry from Rhodes Old Town, which meant we could arrive early and make the most of our first day.
Ferries operate between Rhodes and Symi, although schedules and journey times vary depending on the operator and season.
We used the ferryhopper app to book and manage our ferries.
How many days do you need in Symi?
I’d recommend spending at least three days in Symi if you want to experience the island beyond its beautiful harbour.
Three days gave us enough time to:
Explore Symi Town and its colourful architecture.
Visit Agia Marina Beach.
Enjoy a full-day boat trip around the island.
Discover Marathounda Bay.
Experience some of the island’s restaurants and cafés.
Watch the sunset from the castle.
You could easily spend longer if you want to explore more beaches or visit places such as Panormitis Monastery.
How do you get around Symi?
One of the lovely things about Symi is that you don’t necessarily need a car for a short visit.
We used taxi boats to reach the beaches and joined an organised boat excursion to explore more of the coastline.
There is also a bus that stops of the harbour, the upper town (Chorio) and the bay.
What is the best time to visit Symi?
We visited in early September when the weather is still warm but it’s a little bit quieter than the peak July and August months.
Is Symi worth visiting?
Absolutely. Symi was one of those places that made us wish we’d booked a few extra nights. We actually changed our ferry back to Rhodes so we could stay a few hours longer!
It’s beautiful without feeling like you need a packed itinerary, and that’s perhaps what I loved most about it.
We spent our days swimming in crystal-clear water, discovering little beaches, eating delicious Greek food and exploring the colourful streets of Symi Town.
The boat trip with Poseidon was a particular highlight, while Agia Marina and Marathounda were two completely different but equally beautiful beach experiences.
And although three days doesn’t give you time to see absolutely everything, it’s the perfect amount of time to experience some of the island’s highlights.
About Amelia
Hi! I’m Amelia, a travel content creator and blogger who loves exploring new destinations, experiencing new cultures, and ticking off as much of my bucket list as possible!
I love to find the best things to do, best places to eat, drink and explore so I have created this blog to share my experiences and recommendations so that I can hopefully help you plan your perfect next trip away.
Is Symi a walkable island?
Symi Town is lovely to explore on foot, with its colourful neoclassical buildings, traditional streets and little shops. However, it's worth knowing that the town is built into a hillside, so expect plenty of steps, particularly if you're walking between the harbour (Gialos) and the upper village (Chorio) via Kali Strata.
For exploring further afield, such as the beaches and more secluded bays, you'll want to consider water taxis, local buses or organised boat trips
Can you visit Symi from Rhodes?
Yes, Symi is accessible by ferry from Rhodes. We took an 8am ferry from Rhodes Old Town, which allowed us to arrive early and enjoy almost a full day on the island.
Do you need a car in Symi?
Not necessarily. Many visitors explore the island using water taxis, local buses and organised boat excursions. For a three-day visit based around Symi Town, these options can be sufficient.
What is Kali Strata in Symi?
Kali Strata is the historic stepped pathway connecting Symi's harbour, Gialos, with the upper village, Chorio. The route is lined with traditional houses and shops and is one of the island's most recognisable features.
There are around 500 stone steps, and walking the route is a lovely way to experience the island's traditional architecture and enjoy views across Symi.
What are the best beaches to visit in Symi?
Some of the most popular beaches in Symi include Agia Marina, Marathounda, Nanou, Nos and Agios Georgios Dysalonas.
Agia Marina is known for its beautiful clear water and little chapel, while Marathounda is particularly popular for its beachside tavernas and resident goats. Nanou is another beautiful bay, surrounded by greenery and steep hillsides.
Many of Symi's beaches are pebbly rather than sandy, so I'd recommend bringing swimming shoes.
Is Symi good for couples?
Symi is a lovely destination for couples looking for a slower-paced Greek island escape. Between its beautiful harbour, traditional tavernas, secluded swimming spots and sunset viewpoints, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a relaxed few days together.
Does Symi have an airport?
No, Symi does not have its own airport. The most convenient option for most international visitors is to fly into Rhodes and then catch a ferry across to Symi.
There are also ferry connections from other Dodecanese islands, making Symi a lovely addition to an island-hopping itinerary.