Cycladia | Island Practical Info

CLIMATE
The climate in Syros is Mediterranean, which means that the winters are mild and the summers are hot with plenty of sunshine. Syros has about 2,900 hours of sunshine per year and snow is very rare. The average temperature in winter is 12.2°C, while during summertime it is 25.6°C, during spring 16.5°C, and during fall a little above 20°C. The fall is much hotter than the spring and this is why many travelers choose this period in order to visit the island. During the summer, and especially in July and August, the strong northern winds (“meltemia”) make the heat less intense. Finally, there is almost never fog at Syros.

TELEPHONE
The national prefix for Greece is +30 if you are calling from abroad. All numbers in the capital Athens start with the prefix 210 and are followed by 8 digits (e.g. 210-3227400).

The Area Code for Syros is: +30 22810. If you wish to call abroad, you have to start by dialing the other country’s national prefix (i.e. 0049 for Germany, 0044 for England etc.) and continue with the area code and the number where you wish to call.

CURRENCY
Euro €
Euro Coins: 1 and 2 euro coins (gold and silver color), 10, 20 and 50 cents (gold color) 1, 2 and 5 cents (copper color)
1 euro = 100 cents / centimes.
Euro Bank Notes: Are available in 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500. It is not always easy to receive change for 200 and 500 Euro Notes.

BY AIR
Syros has an airport which is directly connected with the Athens International Airport on a daily basis during the summer. The flight lasts 25 minutes, but travelers need to book their flight early, because there is only one airline on this itinerary.

Syros Airport Tel.: +30 22810 81900, +30 22810 87025

BY BOAT
Syros is connected to Piraeus by boat and high-speed, and to Rafina by high-speed on a daily basis during the touristic period (May-October). The trip from Piraeus lasts about 4 hours by ship and 2.5 hours by high-speed, whereas from Rafina port the trip duration is 1.5 hour.

Moreover, the island is connected by boat or high-speed with all the Cycladic islands and also Crete, Dodecanese, Thessaloniki and Skiathos.

For information on ports and schedules, visit the following links:
Hellenic Seaways: www.hellenicseaways.gr
G.A. Ferries: www.gaferries.gr
Blue Star Ferries Tel: +30 210 8919800
NEL Lines Tel: +30 210 4115015

LOCAL BUSES
Local transportation is well organized and covers a large part of the island, specifically during the summer. The local bus connects Ermoupoli to Galissas, Foinikas, Poseidonia, Mega Gialos, Vari, Azolimnos, Kini, Ano Manna, Chroussa, Parakopi and Vissa. There are municipal buses that are free. Travelers may get more information from the Municipality of Syros.
Tel.: +30 22810 82575

TAXI SERVICE
Taxis are available on the island, and they usually wait in Ermoupoli in front of the Monument of National Resistance.
Taxi Services: Tel.: +30 22810 84222, +30 22810 86222

BOAT
Daily excursions are organized to secluded beaches, and also to top diving destinations, all around the island. These excursions are organized upon request and travelers should consult local travel agencies for information.
In addition, there are diving packages that also include accommodation and transportations services.

BANKS & ATMs
Many banks have branches and ATMs in Ermoupoli, so you will definitely find one to serve your needs. The Greek banks operate From Monday to Thursday from 8am to 2.30 pm while on Fridays they are open for the public from 8 am to 2pm.

MONEY EXCHANGE
Money can be exchanged in all bank branches.

POST OFFICE
The Greek post office is called ELTA and you can find the main post offices of the island in Hora where there is also a branch of the Hellenic Post Bank. Post Boxes in Greece are YELLOW for normal post, usually with 2 slots for INTERNAL POST (meaning inside Greece) and post for ABROAD. RED Post Boxes are rarer and they are used for URGENT mail. You shouldn’t expect to find such boxes on the island. REGISTERED mail is always handled and given a receipt for at the POST OFFICE.

The Post Office in Syros is located in Ermoupoli.
Syros Post Office Tel: +30 22810 82590, +30 22810 82596

POLICE STATION
Police Station Tel.: +30 22810 96100, +30 22810 96112, +30 22810 96127
Municipal Police Tel.: +30 22810 82525

MUNICIPALITY OF SYROS
Previously, Syros was divided in three municipalities: Ermoupoli, Poseidonia and Ano Syros. However, these three municipalities have been united into one central Municipality, called the Municipality of Syros, which is located in Miaouli Square.

Radio Taxi: +30 22810 84222, +30 22810 86222
Syros Port Authority: +30 22810 88888, +30 22810 82690
Hellenic National Meteorological service: +30 2109699101-3
Elpa (Car breakdown tourist information service): 174

EMERGENCY NUMBERS

Police: 100
Fire Department: 199
Ambulance: 166

HEALTH
Syros Hospital “Vardakeio & Proio”: Ermoupoli, Tel: +30 22810 96500, +30 22810 86666, +30 22810 96523

PHARMACY
There are more than 20 pharmacies in Syros, located in Ermoupoli, Poseidonia, Foinikas, Kato Manna and Talanda.