A complete guide to Ano Syros, the medieval Cycladic hilltop town of Syros
Ano Syros is a captivating medieval town that transports visitors back in time. It lies high above Ermoupoli, the capital of the Greek island of Syros in the Cyclades. With its narrow, winding alleys, whitewashed houses, and stunning sea views, Ano Syros is one of the must-visit highlights on Syros.
Unlike the neoclassical grandeur of Ermoupoli, Ano Syros boasts a distinctly Cycladic charm, complete with Venetian influences and a deep-rooted Catholic heritage. Whether you’re interested in history, a foodie, or simply in search of breathtaking views, you will love Ano Syros.
Wandering through the labyrinth streets is one of our favorite things to do in Ano Syros. Or even spending the night here, as Ano Syros is one of the best places in Syros to stay. In this article, however, we’ll also highlight many other fun things you can’t miss, including the best bars in Ano Syros, the best time to visit, and the best places to stay in Ano Syros.
A brief history of Ano Syros
Founded by the Venetians in the 13th century, Ano Syros was built as a fortified settlement to protect its inhabitants from pirate attacks. The town was strategically constructed on a hill to provide a natural defense, with its labyrinthine streets designed to confuse invaders. You can also see the thick outside walls, to provide extra protection.
For centuries, Ano Syros remained the cultural and religious center of the island, home to the Catholic community and the seat of the Catholic Diocese of Syros. On top of the hill, the Saint George Cathedral represents this strong Catholic history, surrounded by the Greek-Orthodox churches of Ermoupoli.
Today, Ano Syros offers visitors a glimpse of this rich history, while you walk through its small streets and past the many churches.
Best time to visit Ano Syros
The best time to visit Ano Syros is late spring (May to June) and early autumn (September to October). During these months, the weather is pleasantly warm, the crowds are thinner than the peak summer season, and everything is open in Ano Syros.
July and August can be quite busy and hot, making it more exploring the town’s steep alleys more challenging. Summer evenings are fantastic though, with many cocktail bars and restaurants staying open late.
During the shoulder seasons, Ano Syros is usually deserted, meaning no shops or restaurants are open. That doesn’t mean however it’s not nice to visit. You have this beautiful town all to yourself and can explore everything at a more relaxed pace while still discovering its lovely streets and great views.
Read more: Best time to visit the Greek island of Syros in the Cyclades
How to reach Ano Syros
Ano Syros lies high above Ermoupoli (Ano in Greek means above). You can easily walk from Ermoupoli to Ano Syros following the scenic uphill path from the town center, which is what we recommend as you truly get a sense of the whole city like this. Be aware though, that you will have to do a lot of steps.
Another way to reach Ano Syros is by renting a car (there is parking available by the main entrance) or taxi. You can grab a taxi from Ermoupoli (by the square or the port) and a short ride will take you to one of the gates of Ano Syros. Lastly, you can also take the free mini shuttle bus up to Ano Syros from Ermoupoli town.
If you want to avoid all the stairs, a lot of people take the bus or taxi up and walk back down to Ermoupoli afterward.
Read more: How to get from Athens to Syros
TIP: once you are inside the old town, you can’t use any transport anymore. You will have to do stairs to reach the different highlights.
13x What to do in Ano Syros
Even though Ano Syros is a small town, it has a lot to offer any visitor. Normally, it only takes a couple of hours to explore most of Ano Syros.
However, if you want, you can easily spend more time here, enjoying one of the many terraces (during high season), hiking from Ano Syros to, for example, Agios Athanasios, taking in the views from the top, etc. Let’s dive into the best things to do in Ano Syros.
TIP: Check out our complete Syros travel guide + Syros map to plan your perfect Syros trip.
1. Wander through the charming alleys
One of our favorite and the best ways to experience Ano Syros is to get lost in its maze-like, narrow, medieval streets. Be amazed by its whitewashed walls, vibrant bougainvillea, and colorful doors, creating a postcard-perfect setting.
As you stroll through the town, you’ll discover hidden courtyards, small chapels and churches, typical Cycladic houses, and scenic viewpoints around every corner.
Read more: Free walking tour through Ano Syros.
2. Visit the Cathedral of Saint George (Agios Georgios)
At the highest point of Ano Syros stands the majestic Church of Saint George, the main Catholic cathedral of the island. Originally built in the 13th century and later reconstructed a couple of times, either because of invasions or lightning strikes, the church is an interesting place to explore.
The interior is impressive, featuring beautiful religious artwork and a sense of tranquility. On the outside, you can enjoy the stunning panoramic views of Syros and the Aegean Sea.
3. Explore the Markos Vamvakaris Museum
Ano Syros is closely linked to the famous Greek musician Markos Vamvakaris, a pioneer of rebetiko music and Greek folk songs. Rebetiko is a popular music style in Greece, played on a guitar or a bouzouki (local instrument).
Markos Vamvakaris was born in Ano Syros and the museum is dedicated to his life and work. It showcases personal belongings, manuscripts, and memorabilia from his career. Music lovers will appreciate this tribute to one of Greece’s most influential musicians.
4. Enjoy traditional Greek cuisine at a local tavern (with a view)
No visit to Ano Syros is complete without indulging in some delicious local food. The town is home to traditional tavernas where you can savor authentic Cycladic dishes. Try specialties such as “loukoumi” (a local sweet), Syros-style “froutalia” (omelet with sausages and potatoes), and “marathopita” (fennel pie).
Some of our favorite spots include I Apano Chora (a local tavern known for its cozy atmosphere and traditional flavors) and Piatsa Loukoumades (to enjoy the Greek dessert Loukoumades). Another great taverna is Maison de Meze, where you can enjoy a mix of Greek and Mediterranean dishes.
Read more: Best restaurants in Ano Syros
5. Discover the best viewpoints in Ano Syros
As Ano Syros lies on top of a hill, the town offers some fantastic viewpoints. You can admire the stunning contrast between the medieval town, the blue Aegean sea, and the neoclassical beauty of Ermooupoli. Sunrise and sunset are an especially magical time to enjoy these views.
If you wander around town, you’ll easily find some squares with amazing panoramic views. One spot we can advise in particular, is Saint George Cathedral, where you have a view over the Aegean Sea but if you walk to the back, also over Alithini and the hills behind Ano Syros.
6. Experience Ano Syros’ cultural events
One of the things to do in Ano Syros is attend one of Ano Syros’ cultural festivals. Depending on the time of your visit, you can experience music performances, traditional dance events, and religious celebrations that bring the town to life.
We can recommend the carnival by the end of February, the Markos Vamvakaris Festival, and the International Organ Festival “ANO” in August.
7. Visit the Capuchin Monastery and Church of Saint John
Founded in the 17th century by French Capuchin monks, this monastery is another historical landmark worth exploring. There are no monks living in the monastery anymore, except for the abbot.
The adjacent Church of Saint John is also worth a visit and houses a beautiful painting of John the Baptist baptizing Christ.
8. Discover local art and handicrafts
During the high season, Ano Syros is home to small artisan shops where you can find unique souvenirs, making for wonderful gifts or keepsakes to remember your visit. Look for handmade jewelry, ceramics, and textiles that reflect the island’s artistic heritage.
Notable shops include Vaflaki (for local candies), Koukouli and Babesa (for stylish jewelry and accessories), and Blank! (for unique designer items and souvenirs).
Read more: Shopping in Syros
9. Take pictures of the many cats
Ano Syros is home to many, many cats. For photography lovers, one of the most fun things to do when you are strolling through the streets of this old town is trying to get some nice pictures of these beautiful cats while they are waiting on a step, relaxing in the sun, or walking down an alleyway.
10. Sip cocktails at a scenic bar
After a day of exploring, relax at one of Ano Syros’ cozy bars with a refreshing cocktail or other drink, overlooking the lights of Ermoupoli and the neighboring islands on the horizon.
There are many different ones to choose from, such as Syrionan Bar, Theosis Bar (one of our favorites), Ano the Upper Cocktail Bar, and To Tsangkaradiko Cocktail Bar.
Read more: Best cocktail bars in Ano Syros
11. Stay in a traditional Cycladic accommodation
Ano Syros is home to many unique accommodations, from more modern renovated houses to traditional homes in the typical Cycladic style. Staying in one of these will be one of the highlights of your stay. Here are a few of our favorites:
- Anemomylos Windmill: This is definitely one of the most unique stays in all of Syros! You get to stay in an original renovated windmill, with mountain and sea views.
- Traditional Medieval Stone House: A small, but beautifully equipped house, located in the center of Ano Syros, that takes you back in time.
- Wind Tales: A stunning guesthouse that offers different rooms with sea views, is conveniently located in Ano Syros, and has a fantastic pool overlooking Ermoupoli.
12. Hike to Agios Athanasios fro Ano Syros
If you have a bit more time to spend in Ano Syros, one of the best things to do is to take the small hike to Agios Athanasios. You can find it behind Ano Syros, and it’s about a 500-meter walk one way.
The church is located beautifully in a ravine, surrounded by greenery because of the source that you can find below the church. People still come here to gather drinkable water, and in the old days, they used to wash their clothes here.
Take your time to explore the surroundings, and pet one of the many cats that love to hang out here in the shade of the trees.
Read more: Best hikes in Syros
13. Hike from Ano Syros to Alithini, past Agia Paraskevi and back
If you have a bit more time, you could do the 3-4 kilometers (2-2.5 miles) loop, leaving from behind Ano Syros. You walk on the ancient path towards the village of Alithini, passing some churches, chapels, and a cave.
One of the highlights is undoubtedly the Agia Paraskevi Church and the incredible views over Ano Syros and Ermoupoli. If you want to know more about this hike, read our complete guide on the Ano Syros to Alithini hike.
Additional tips for visiting Ano Syros
If you are planning to visit Ano Syros during your trip to Syros, here are a few extra tips that can make the most of your visit:
- Wear comfortable shoes: the streets of Ano Syros are steep and cobbled, making sturdy footwear essential.
- Visit in the late afternoon: this is the perfect time to explore, avoiding the midday heat and enjoying a breathtaking sunset.
- Bring a camera: the town is incredibly photogenic, with picturesque streets and panoramic views at every turn.
- Respect the local community: Ano Syros is still a residential area, so be mindful of noise levels and local customs.
We hope this article about the best things to do in Ano Syros helped you plan your visit to this incredibly special place. If you have any questions or comments, let us know below this article.