Symi

The island Symi is a small rocky island two hours by boat to the north west of Rhodes, so far unscathed b rampant tourism of its neighbor. The island has six beaches with some excellent cliff for climbing.

SYMI is the island by the mountains and small valleys, wonderful coves, strong sense of tradition, and the monastery of the Archangel Michael with its Byzantine frescos.
The island is rocky, except for its southern part which is covered with pines, mulberries and fruit-bearing trees.
The natural port of SYMI, is Aigialos, which is about 15 minutes walking distance from Ano SYMI, capital of the island. You can use a motor-boat to reach Nanou, Marathounta and Emporeio with its traditional little bays and long tradition. The people of SYMI mainly fish and collect sponges. Seskli and Nimos are barren nearby islands ideal for fishing. Fishing boats leave from Gialos at Panormitis to the islets of Agia Marina and Nimo and the beaches of Agios Georgios disalotos (this is the rock climbing area), Nanou, Marathounda, Agios Isidoros, Agios Aemilianos, Agios Vassilios.

How to get there
There are two weekly itineraries from Piraeus to SYMI. The distance is 242 nautical miles and the trip takes 19-20 hours. There is a weekly service from Sitia and Agios Nikolaos of Crete.
Also you could reach SYMI using the airport of Rodos. From there the trip takes 2 hours to Aigialos of SYMI.

Rocks and climbing
The most developed area is the saint George beach with some 300m wall of excellent quality limestone (a bit sharp and hard from the fingers). Climbing here began in 1992 with the efforts of Georgis Milias, who comes from the island. So far 11 routes have been put up, including the awesome "Vasilis Milias" 6b+(6c+) A1, A0, which goes directly up the unbroken wall. On of the most difficult long routes in Greece, this is still awaits a completely free ascent. The other routes vary between 5c to 7c and apart from "Vasilis Milias", are one or two pitches, bolted throughout. Except for Vasilis Milias you need, mostly, only quickdraws in order to repeat these bolted routes.

In the bottom of the routes has been written the name of each route. There is ample room for new routes. The routes of Saint Gorge Disalotos beach.

On the left of the church:
- 1.Kokimidis 1st 6b 2nd 6a 45m.
On the buck of the church:
- 2.«Vasilis Millias» " 6b+(6c+) A1, A0, 340m, First ascent: G. Millias, A. Theodoropoulos, and Th. Mihailidis 29.7.97, Useful gear: nuts & friends
On the right of the beach:
- 3.Argo, 6a+ 30m.
- 4. Roukouniotis, (project) 7c?, 20m.
- 5. Renos, 6a 35m.
- 6. Tou Tsironi, 5c 35m.
- 7. Aleka, 5c 25m.
- 8. Ipakoi. 5c 35m.
- 9. Xaritomeni, 6a 40m.
- 10. Spetsaria, (project) 6b+ 40m.
- 11. Dikaia, 1st 6a 2nd 6b+ 70m.
- 12. Panormitis, 1st 5c 2nd 6a 70m

Useful telephone numbers (0241)

Town Hall of SYMI: 71302, 71344, 71817, 71817

port police of SYMI: 71205

port police of Rhodos: 22220, 27695

Agents: Sikalos: 71307, Kalodoukas: 71077, Aegean Treasury 33151

Hotels: Aliki 71665, Nireas 72400, Albatross 71707, Pedi beach 71870, Garden Studios: 71732, 72291

Rooms: 71077

Aris Theodoropoulos (mountain Guide): 0944 - 505279

Millias home: 71547