The Europe CruiseFor the American voyager

Syros

Gateway to Ermoupoli, Miaouli Square, Apollo Theatre, Ano Syros

Photo: Leeturtle, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The short answer

Syros is docked right in Ermoupoli, a grand 19th-century town that is easy on foot. See Miaouli Square, the marble town hall and the little Apollo Theatre, a copy of Milan's La Scala. Ano Syros, the medieval Catholic village on the hill, is a taxi ride up.

Getting ashoreShip docks
Distance to townYou step off in town. Miaouli Square and the town hall are a short walk (exact distance unverified).
Gateway forErmoupoli, Miaouli Square, Apollo Theatre, Ano Syros
Walk to Miaouli Square, Apollo TheatreShort walk · Free
On the chart

Where Syros lies

Antique-style chart of Greek Isles & Eastern Med with ports markedSyrosIstanbulAthensArgostoliBodrumChaniaCorfuHeraklionIteaIzmirKatakolonKosKuşadasıLimassolMilosMykonosNafplioPatmosRhodesSantoriniSarandëThessalonikiVolosZakynthos

Where your ship docks

Ships dock in the centre of Ermoupoli, the island capital (What's In Port).

Shuttle. Not needed.

From the gangway

Getting to the sights

The wayTimeCost
Walk to Miaouli Square, Apollo TheatreShort walkFree
Taxi (up), walk (down) to Ano SyrosUnverifiedUnverified

Walk to Miaouli Square, Apollo Theatre

Time Short walkCost Free
  1. Walk off the ship along the waterfront.
  2. Turn inland to Miaouli Square.

Mostly flat near the harbour.

Taxi (up), walk (down) to Ano Syros

Time UnverifiedCost Unverified
  1. Taxi up to Ano Syros.
  2. Walk down through lanes and steps.

Hundreds of steps; downhill only.

Worth the trip

What to see

Miaouli Square and Town Hall

Marble square and grand town hall, the heart of Ermoupoli.

How
Walk.
Time
30 minutes
Tickets
Free

Apollo Theatre

Small opera house modelled on La Scala, Milan.

How
Walk from the square.
Time
30 minutes
Tickets
Unverified

Ano Syros

Medieval Catholic village around the Cathedral of San Giorgio (Visit Greece).

How
Taxi up.
Time
1.5 hours
Tickets
Free

Vaporia and Agios Nikolaos

Sea captains' mansions and a big blue-domed church.

How
Walk from the centre.
Time
1 hour
Tickets
Free
A day ashore

Your day, hour by hour

Planned for a typical call. Check your ship's all-aboard time and be back an hour early. The ship will not wait.

  1. Walk off the ship to Miaouli Square.
  2. Visit the Apollo Theatre (check hours).
  3. Taxi to Ano Syros; walk down for lunch in town.
  4. Stroll Vaporia and Agios Nikolaos.
  5. Back on board 45 minutes before all-aboard.
Wise counsel

What goes wrong, and how to avoid it

Beware

  • Steep steps to Ano Syros.
  • Shops may close in the afternoon (What's In Port lists 1:30–5 pm closures).

Do this

  • Try loukoumi (Turkish delight), a Syros speciality.
Practical matters

Fees, money and access

Rules & fees

  • Greek cruise passenger fee (per person, per port call, since 21 July 2025): this port pays the standard rate of €5 (1 Jun–30 Sep), €3 (Apr–May and Oct), €1 (Nov–Mar). Only Santorini and Mykonos pay the higher €20/€12/€4. Your cruise line usually adds it to your bill (Keep Talking Greece, 21 Jul 2025).

Accessibility

Harbour and Miaouli Square are fairly flat. Ano Syros is very steep with many steps.

Money

Euro. Cards are widely taken in town; carry some cash for taxis, small cafés and church donations. Use bank ATMs and choose to be charged in euros.

Onward

More of the Greek Isles & Eastern Med

SantoriniGreece Tender boat ashoreMykonosGreece Dock or tenderRhodesGreece Ship docksCorfuGreece Ship docksKatakolonGreece Ship docksHeraklionGreece Ship docksChaniaGreece Ship docksArgostoliGreece Dock or tender
Sources & what we could not confirm · 3 sources · checked 2026-11
Still being confirmed
  • Walking distance to Miaouli Square
  • Apollo Theatre visiting hours and fee
  • Taxi fare to Ano Syros