Posted by Galissas on the island of Syros is a quiet seaside resort with one of the most beautiful sandy beaches on the island, ideal for families and those seeking relaxation. The charming town offers a relaxed atmosphere, some good tavernas right by the sea and the picturesque Agia Pakou Chapel on a hill overlooking the bay.
Galissas is the only major holiday resort for foreign tourists on the island of Syros in the Cyclades. Galissas is still an insider tip. Plus points are a great beach, good accommodation and campsites, nice restaurants, very reasonable prices and the relaxed atmosphere. Galissas is also easy to reach: Syros has good ferry connections with Athens and other islands. Galissas is connected to the capital Ermoupolis Syros by buses every hour. The only thing the town lacks is the typical Cycladic atmosphere, the narrow streets and white houses. These can only be found on Syros, if at all, in the capital Ermoupolis.
Galissas Syros consists of only a few streets. About 50 meters behind the beach there is a short main street with a few restaurants, small supermarkets and the bus stop. One street further back there are also taverns and accommodation.
The fine sandy beach is the most popular and best on Syros. Since the water is very shallow in many places, the beach is also good for small children. In some places you can walk out into the sea for minutes. Next to the beach there is a concrete path along the sea. Here you can get into the water on ladders, like in a swimming pool.
The trendy meeting place in Galissas is the laid-back “Green Dollar Bar”. There are also a few discos in town, although the open-air disco at the Yianna campsite (a few minutes away) is often the busiest.
The restaurants are very cheap by Cyclades standards. They offer Greek food as well as pizzas and the like. Galissas has one of the best gyros pita stalls I know. The friendly owner calls his shop “Politiko Kebab”. The pita with chicken for only around €3 is particularly delicious. There is also western fast food like hamburgers.
There are two popular campsites in Galissas. “Two Hearts Camping” is my favorite of all the campsites in the Cyclades. The site is clean, lots of trees provide shade and there is always something going on. If you are not a fan of camping, you can also rent a cabin at the campsite for a reasonable price. It is about a 5-minute walk from the center. The site is easy to find from the bus stop and is signposted. “Camping Yianna” is also a good choice, as is the nice and inexpensive Pension Angelas on the access road to Galissas near the beach. You can always get a good and inexpensive room online at Manousos Rooms in town.
Buses to and from Galissas: In season, at least every hour to and from the capital Ermoupolis. The buses run on a circular route, alternating clockwise and anti-clockwise. The buses from Ermoupolis to Galissas take about 20 minutes anti-clockwise and 45 minutes clockwise. In low season, there is a bus every 90 minutes. In summer, buses also run from Galissas to Kini in the north of Syros.
Galissas Beaches (and surrounding area)
Galissas Syros has some beautiful beaches that are ideal for relaxing, swimming and enjoying nature. Here are the main beaches in and around Galissas:
Galissas Beach
Galissas’ main beach with fine sand and shallow water, ideal for families.
There are umbrellas, loungers, tavernas and small cafes right on the beach.
Very suitable for swimming and water sports such as stand-up paddling.
Armeos Beach
A secluded beach accessible via a short walking path.
Quiet and unspoilt, popular with naturists (nudists)
Surrounded by rocks, it offers a sense of privacy and crystal clear waters.
Kini Beach (near Galissas, about 15 minutes by car)
A picturesque beach of sand and pebbles, lined with tavernas and bars.
Ideal for a trip to enjoy the sunset.
Finikas Beach (about 10 minutes away)
A sheltered beach with calm waters, suitable for families and small children.
There are many restaurants and accommodation options nearby.
Agathopes Beach (about 15 minutes away)
A wide sandy beach with shallow waters, one of the best beaches on the island.
Known for the beautiful views of small offshore islands and occasional surfacing seals.
Poseidonia Beach
An elegant beach in a suburb with villas and a green setting. Perfect for a quiet afternoon.
Vienna trip: Climb the tower of St. Stephen’s Cathedral, the most famous church in Austria.
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