The aristocratic Syros, the capital of the Cyclades and the birthplace of Markos Vamvakaris (a Greek well known composer), is a special place with unique architectural character and unique aura.

The first image the visitor sees reaching the port is impressive: two adjacent hills, crowned with the temples of the Resurrection of the Orthodox and the St George the Catholic, seem to symbolize the harmonious coexistence of the Orthodox and the Catholic communities!

The island's capital, as well as that of the Cyclades, is Hermoupolis. In this prestigious city, you will not find the classic whitewashed Cycladic houses with the blue shutters, but instead buildings of special neoclassical architecture, painted with pastel colours, that give the place incomparable nobility! Magnificent public buildings designed by famous architects, imposing neoclassical mansions and beautiful private homes compose a scene the like of which does not exist!

The ride starts from Hermoupolis’ Port; the largest port of the Cyclades; which unfolds under Syros’ "twin" hills. Along the harbor, you will find numerous café/bars, nightclubs and taverns overlooking the deep blue Aegean Sea, as well as shops where you can buy traditional Syros’ products and souvenirs. At the edge of the harbor, the Nisaki (Small Island), as it is called, is dominated by the imposing buildings of the Customs Office and the Warehouse Transit. In the heart of the city, there is Miaoulis square, with the statue of the fighter, adorned with high palm trees. Visitors’ eye is captured by the beautiful Town Hall building; a masterpiece of classic architecture, designed by Ernst Ziller. An important attraction of the square is the Cultural Center. Behind the Town Hall there is the historic first High School of modern Greece which nowadays houses a branch of the University of the Aegean. Do not forget to visit the Apollo Municipal Theatre, which was built in the Italian architecture standards and has been characterized by many as a "miniature of La Scala". Hermoupolis also hosts some major museums, including the Archaeological Museum and the Industrial Museum. Scattered through the island's capital, are many stylish café/bars, taverns and restaurants with excellent cuisine. Syros, after all, is famous for its good food!

One of the most beautiful and most romantic "corners" of the island is the classy Vaporia village, known as the "Venice of Syros." Magnificent mansions buildings, formerly housing the bourgeois of the 19th century, embracing the seawater, create a dreamy image which takes the breath away and seems to have sprung from a painting! In Vaporia the magnificent church of St. Nicholas, with the characteristic blue dome stands out. Outside the temple, you will see the stone lion; a monument in honor of the country’s unburied fighters. It is also worth visiting the Cathedral of the Resurrection of Christ, who stands at the top of the Dili hill, offering magnificent views!

In the facing hill of Saint George, the picturesque Ano Syros village lies; a fine example of a medieval settlement. Homes painted white or at the colour of ocher, with colorful doors and shutters, countless stairs, narrow, cobbled streets and "stegadia" (roofed passages) compose the picture of this attractive district. At the top of the hill, stands the majestic church of Saint George, which is the Catholic Cathedral. From here, the view is stunning! This point is ideal to admire the neighboring Cycladic islands and enjoy the sunset. During your walk in Ano Syros, try to find the Catholic Jesuit monastery, with the church of Panagia tou Karmilou (Our Lady of Carmel) and the Catholic Capuchin monastery, with the old church of St. John. In Ano Syros, you will also find two Orthodox churches; the Church of St. Nicholas the Poor and the Agia Triada (the Holy Trinity). Major attractions are the Markos Vamvakaris Museum, the Exhibition of Traditional Professions and the Historical Archive. Look also for the bust of the philosopher Pherecydes and the Markos Varvakaris Square, with the bust of the composer. In Ano Syros, you will find stylishly cafés, ouzo tavernas and Greek restaurants with breathtaking views as well as some of the finest hotels on the island, ideal for those who prefer the tranquility and the relaxed rhythms of Ano Syros.

Unforgettable experience is visiting in Syros at Easter, as the island is, if not the only one certainly, one of the few places in the world where Catholics and Orthodox celebrate together. The aristocratic beauty of the city of Hermes (Hermoupolis) and the unpretentious charm of the medieval Ano Syros compose a place totally lovable, which rightly has earned the title of the "Sovereign of the Cyclades"!