Simi Island, which is said to have taken its name from a mythological fairy, is serene, calm and beautiful like a fairy girl. Thanks to its proximity to Rhodes and Kos, it has become one of the Greek Islands, which have been heavily visited by the Turks in recent years. The island where the Argonauts lived, who were very advanced in maritime, sponge diving and shipbuilding, has always been a wealthy island thanks to both its strategic location in the Aegean Sea and what they earned from shipbuilding.
Turkish sovereignty, which started in 1522 on Symi Island, ended in 1945 with the ceding of the Dodecanese Islands to the Greeks. Playing one of its important roles in history here, Simi is also the place where the protocol of connecting the Dodecanese Islands to Greece was signed. Although the building where the signature was signed is watching the Aegean Sea calmly on the coast, it is a building that hosted an important historical development for us. During the Turkish rule, the name of the island was used as Sömbeki, and we called the Simians, who built the ships called Sümbek, Söbeki.
During the First World War, first the Italians and then the British captured Symi. Throughout history, the fate of the islands, especially those in the Mediterranean and Aegean, has been to be constantly occupied because; The island means getting rich through maritime trade and maritime, and keeping strategic sea routes. Both the Aegean Islands and the Mediterranean islands (such as Cyprus, Malta) have changed hands, occupied and exposed to pirate attacks throughout history.
What to do in Simi?
When you approach Symi Island by sea, the first thing you notice will be two-storey houses in pastel colors scattered on steep terraced slopes. Symi is an island under protection, and when you want to build any building here, the color is decided by the protection grove so that your house does not spoil the texture here. The old houses were restored in accordance with the original, and the newly built buildings were built in accordance with the texture of this place. You can go to Simi just to see these houses.
When you come to Symi Island by ferry, the name of the settlement you reach is Yalos. When you take a walk on the beach in Yalos, you can quickly see the Clock Tower, the small fisherman statue named Mihalaki and the bell tower at the end of the harbor. Cafes, restaurants and souvenir shops are lined up side by side along the beach. One of the important features of Simi is sponge making. The velvet-like sponges found here are known as the best sponges in the archipelago. Along the coast in Yalos, sponge divers show off their best sponges. You can get a sponge here.
After visiting the coast and maybe taking a lunch break, it was time to climb the hills. When you look at the hills on both the right and left of the port, you will see churches. When you go up the hill to Horyo side, you can't get enough of the view of the harbor from the blue church that awaits you. Since the ascent is quite steep, it is good to be careful when going out during very sunny hours, and take water and a hat with you. When you reach the People's Square on your way up the hill, cafes and taverns await you. You can take a break here to relieve fatigue.
If we want to climb the other church, you have to climb a 375-step ladder. Depending on the light at the time you go, you can enjoy seeing Yalos from the left or right hill.
After seeing Yalos and Horyo, you can continue to Pedi Bay by car. The flattest settlement of the island is located here, you can see churches and swimming here. You can also reach here by bus.
It is quite difficult to reach the beaches by land in Simi. The closest beaches to the center of Symi Island are; Nos and Agios Nikolas beaches. Toli beach is another beach that you can reach by car. If you come to the island by boat, then there are many coves and small islets that you can see and swim in. It is also possible to reach the beach you want with the ferries that go to the beaches from the port of Symi.
What to Eat in Simi?
On an island, of course, seafood is eaten. In addition to the deliciously cooked seafood in Greek Islands such as octopus and squid, I recommend you to taste the small red shrimp unique to Simi. A type of wine called Resin Wine, drunk with soda, is one of the drinks unique to this region. This wine, which is made by keeping white wine in oak barrels, goes well with a light lunch. Of course, frape (cold coffee) is one of the must-haves when you go to Greece.
There are two very popular restaurants in Symi: Manos and Pantelis. However, their popularity is also reflected in their prices, so we preferred the Meraklis restaurant on the back row of the beach with the suggestion of the people there and we were very satisfied.
How to get to Simi?
Symi is actually very close to the mainland of Turkey. Just opposite is the Datça Peninsula. However, for transportation from our side, you should use the ferries departing from Bodrum port.
It is possible to reach Symi Island by ferry from Rhodes and Kos Islands, and by plane from Rhodes Island. Both fast ferries and regular ferries come from Rhodes. The slow ferry also makes a stop at the Panagiya Mirtariotissa Church on its way back.
While a Schengen visa is required to go to Greece, you can go to Simi Island with a door visa, as is the case with many Greek Islands, so you can also take a few-day trips from Bodrum or Marmaris, including islands such as Rhodes-Simi-Kos.
This article was published in the August 2018 issue of Skyroad Magazine.
If you like this article, you may be interested in my other Greek Islands articles:
- Mytilene Places to Visit and Mytilene Travel Plan
- 10 beautiful Greek island suggestions
- Symi, the favorite island of the Turks
- island of knights Rhodes
- honeymoon island Santorini
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