iCyclades - Cyclades Discovery Guide

These recommendations are selected according to our experience or to verified opinions of other travelers. You can trust them!

You can also share your own good addresses!

To the right of the Apollo Theater, a marble-paved street climbs towards Aghios Nikolaos Church and the neoclassical Vaporia district, which was once the district of the rich ship captains.

We arrive on a street open to car traffic that we are going to leave in a few dozen meters to go into a pedestrian alley.

Andreas "Miaoulis" Vokos (1769-1835), born in a family of shipowners, was an admiral and politician who commanded Greek naval forces during the Greek War of Independence. His nickname comes from "Miaoul", the name of the merchant ship he bought after selling the family ship.

Thanks to Petros Vacondios, head of the Culture and Tourism Department of Ermoupoli, for allowing us to make these shots. Thanks also to Elena Papagouna for her invaluable assistance!

Official website: apollontheater.gr

The tiny Archaeological Museum of Syros has only four small rooms but it is worth a visit. It is very interesting despite the small number of exhibits.

We arrive at Stamatiou Proiou Street, a long shopping street paved with marble running parallel to the waterfront. Continuing straight, we arrive at the seafront. Turning right, we go towards the church Kimisis tis Theotokou.

Chios Street is the picturesque market street, where stalls of fruits and vegetables, fish and meat line up. You will also find here all the traditional products of Syros.

It is here, at the corner of Karamanlis Avenue (which borders the south of Miaoulis Square), that you find the open-air cinema of Ermoupoli. Continuing straight, we cross the market and we arrive at the seafront.

Chios Street borders Miaoulis Square to the west and joins the waterfront. Our stroll will now go to this direction before turning to the streets leading to Kimisis tis Theotokou Church.

Going up Chios Street, you can go to the Metamorfosi church and then climb the hill of Anastasi, crowned by the Church of the Resurrection, facing Ano Syros.

Turn left and go straight on along Pokiti Street to reach Metamorfosi Church.

Going up from the waterfront to Miaoulis Square, the avenue passes a long side street that is the main commercial avenue of Ermoupoli, paved with marble too.

Just before arriving at Miaoulis Square, an alley opens on our right. It does not seem very inviting but it leads to an area where are grouped many nice bars, cafes and restaurants.

We arrive at the impressive Miaoulis Square, where stands the Town Hall. It is one of the most lively and photographed places in Ermoupoli, lined with cafes and restaurants that invite you to relax.

Going into the lane at the bottom of Melina Mercouri Street, you immediately turned left and arrived here, looking south. Continue straight on to Kiparissou Street and its large terraces.

South of the square there is a series of shaded terraces and a taxi rank. We are looking to east. Continuing straight, we arrive at Melina Mercouri Street. The alley that opens to the right joins Kotsovili Street, which leads to the restaurants on Kiparissou Street.

We are in the heart of an area where you will be spoiled for choice for a drink or a meal. One of our favorite restaurants, To Petrino, is just a stone's throw away, keep going straight.

Here we are on the terrace of one of our favorite restaurants, To Petrino. Your dinner will be tasty and, if you have the chance to be here when there is live music, you will dive into the authentic Greek soul!

We are looking east towards Kiparissou Street and its restaurants. On our left, an alley goes to Miaoulis Square. Behind us, the street goes to Eleftherios Venizelos Avenue.

At the corner of George Gennimata Street (which borders the south of Miaoulis Square) and Melina Mercouri Street (which climbs to the Apollo Theater), you will find alleys lined with bars, cafes and restaurants.

East of Miaoulis Square, Melina Merkouri Street goes up towards Apollon Theater. Dark pavement and marble sidewalks contribute to an atmosphere of old-fashioned charm. Going down the street, you'll find alleys lined with nice bars, cafés and restaurants.

Built in 1824 by refugees from Psara and Chios, the Church of the Transfiguration is the diocese of Syros. It is a three-aisled basilica with a dome and two bell towers that resembles the Panagia Evangelistria of Tinos.

Unfortunately, the esplanade and the church were closed when we passed through in early October 2020, probably due to the restrictions imposed by the pandemic. We will shoot panoramas there on our next trip!

Paved with marble, Miaoulis Square is one of the most convivial places of Ermoupoli. Designed in the mid-19th century and named "Othonos Square", it took its current name in 1889, at the inauguration of the statue of Andreas Miaoulis. The impressive Town Hall, work of the famous architect Ernst Ziller, dates back to 1876.

To the west of the Town Hall, an uninviting lane goes up towards the small Archaeological Museum of Syros, which is hosted in the north-west corner of the building.

To the right of the Town Hall, a second equally elegant and sumptuous building houses the municipal library.

A last look at Miaoulis Square and we will now take the street of Chios which borders it to the west, to go south towards the waterfront.

The entrance of the Archaeological Museum is here, at the top of the alley. The museum occupies four small rooms at the north-west corner of the Town Hall.

Turning right on Omirou Street, we will go along one of the Metamorfosi buildings in the direction of Anastasi.

Here too, the entrance gate to the Metamorfosi esplanade is closed... Never mind, we'll try our luck again on another trip!

We now pass in front of the entrance to an annex of Metamorfosi, probably the building housing the diocese.

Omirou Street is of course not the only street that leads up to Anastasi, but it is one of the most direct. Only one direction: higher and higher!

To go to Metamorfosi Church, just follow this street straight ahead in the direction of the stairs you can see in the distance.

We see Metamorfosi Church standing at the top of the stairs.

Climb these uninviting stairs to visit the small archaeological museum, which is located on the corner of the town hall.

The great contrasts of Greece: on the right, the grandiose building of the City Hall, very well maintained. On the left, complete decrepitude...

We pass here in front of the southern entrance of the Metamorfosi esplanade, unfortunately closed during our shooting in October 2020.

One last flight of stairs and we will arrive at Omirou Street. The ascent to Anastasi will now begin!

Apollon Theater is one of the most remarkable buildings of Ermoupoli. Its outside appearance is quite austere but you must definitely enter, it's a real jewel!