Greek island of Symi stuns with scenery and unique flavors
by Anthony Grant
Here’s the thing about most famous islands around the world: they aren’t getting any bigger. That means that if you’re thinking about taking a vacation in a place like Capri or Martha’s Vineyard, you’re not the only one — and planning ahead can pay big dividends. This is also true for many Greek islands, which sometimes can be so popular that leaving your plans to the last minute can mean you're left with very few good hotel options, or perhaps even none.
One such island is Symi. It is not as famous as Santorini or Mykonos, but it has a quiet glamor and grace that is uniquely its own. This is despite its proximity to the much larger island of Rhodes, a magnet for cruise ships and package tourists from Europe. Because of that, Symi attracts bigger crowds than many other islands in the Dodecanese chain in the eastern Aegean Sea. They are drawn to the island’s dramatic harbor, with its neoclassical mansions stacked up amphitheatrically above the still water — which look even better in person than they do on the by now passé Instagram or tedious TikTok — small but pretty beaches and colorful history.
According to one myth, Prometheus journeyed to Symi where he moulded man from clay and then taught the locals longevity, until then the prerogative of the gods — so Zeus turned him into a monkey. In the last century, Symi was renowned as a center of sponge fishing. That era has passed, but the beauty remains. According to the Regional Authority of the South Aegean, Symi today is “a very beautiful land with houses that gaze on the sea with optimism as well as nostalgia.Its nobility is evident from the very first moment the boat comes to rest at the harbor. Neoclassical houses climb up from here in a sensitive, almost sensual manner, with their elaborate facades, red tiled roofs and playful coloring, until they meet upper Symi and the Castle of the Knights.”
If that sounds romantic, and the kind of place where you’d like to linger, well, enter The Old Markets which according to the hotel’s website is “an exquisite, centuries-old national monument with enthralling views over Symi’s historic harbor” where “a painstaking restoration has delivered a quietly opulent boutique hotel offering the most luxurious lodgings to be had in Symi. The current 19th century structure of the Agora building has been carefully respected, restored and repaired, while the shop units have been converted to provide large, comfortable rooms preserving the original features. The adjoining Captain's Mansion, a traditional Symi mansion house, was fully renovated in 2016, and offers elegant rooms, some with painted ceilings and balconies to enjoy views of the charming harbour.”
The Old Markets is also home to the AGORA fine dining restaurant, where there are gourmet tasting menus ranging from three to 12 courses. Expect delicious surprises on your culinary journey, such as the delicious local red Symi wine I tried. After a memorable dinner, including an original gnocchi dish and more, I tumbled into my room, the Alexandrian (all the rooms are named) and dreamt of the glories of Symi — past, present and, why not, future. With just ten luxurious rooms and suites, better make those 2026 reservations now — visit theoldmarkets.com.
