When visitors arrive in Syros, they often don’t expect hiking to be one of the best things to do in Syros, with its rather dry landscape without a lot of trees. However, once you start exploring the island, you will be surprised by its natural beauty, hidden valleys, and stunning views over the Aegean Sea and other Cycladic islands.
We have hiked all over the island, and the walk from Papouri village down to the western beaches is probably one of our favorite hikes in Syros. It takes you through a green valley (especially in winter and spring) and to some of the best beaches in Syros (two of them only reachable by foot or by boat).
In this article, we will start the hike at Papouri village and end in Kini village. You can also walk in the opposite direction, but we found walking downhill and facing the Aegean Sea more enjoyable. Also, contrary to the very quiet Papouri village, when you end at Kini Beach, you can reward yourself with a delicious meal or drink in one of the Greek tavernas.
Things you need to know before you leave
The walk is approximately 7-8 kilometers (5 miles) and takes around 3-4 hours, depending on your pace and how long you stop to enjoy the beaches. But you can easily spend the entire day if you want.
Along the way, follow the red dots or other signs that mark the trail. However, they are not always clear, so we strongly advise you to also download the Maps.me (which we use) or Alltrails app. These apps work offline and provide detailed maps and hikes of the area.
Make sure to bring plenty of water, sunscreen, a hat, and comfortable walking shoes. Also don’t forget a towel and swimwear for a refreshing dip in summer or extra layers in winter. The bushes surrounding the paths can be pretty sharp, so it can’t hurt to wear long pants.
The best time to hike in Syros is in the low season (from mid-October to April) because you can avoid the heat. Spring is especially beautiful when nature is greener and there are many flowers. If you do want to hike in the high season, start early in the morning to avoid the midday heat and enjoy the beaches at their quietest.
Read more: Best time to visit Syros
TIP: There are no amenities on the first two beaches (Aetos and Varvaroussa). Bring everything you need for a relaxing time by the beach. During summer, Delfini has a beach bar and Kini has plenty of tavernas. However, during winter, the beach bar at Delfini is closed and there is only one taverna open in Kini (in town).
Starting point: Papouri village
There is no public transport to get to Papouri village, so you’ll have to take a taxi from anywhere on the island. From Ermoupoli it is about €15-20 one way.
If you have rented a car to explore Syros, you can also drive to Papouri, but this walk isn’t a loop. If you have to get back to your car, you can choose to do the first part of this hike (to Armeos Beach and Varvaroussa Beach) and then walk back up to Papouri.
Ask the taxi driver to drop you off at the trailhead of the walk to Varvaroussa Beach. Sometimes they don’t want to drive all the way down and they will drop you on top of the road. You can also park your car here, or drive down if you feel comfortable doing that.
Look for the white gate to find the start of the trail and take the path to the left, towards the sea.
Hike from Papouri to Aetos Beach
From the start of the trail, you walk down towards the Aegean Sea, through a valley that was rather green when we hiked there in early spring. It is fairly easy to follow the path. Along the way, you pass an abandoned house and an old olive tree orchard with stunning views.
At a certain point, you can choose to go right towards Aetos Beach. If you are up for it, we can highly recommend you to go there, as it is one of our favorite northern beaches. You will have to come back up along the same path. If not, you can continue left towards Varvaroussa Beach.
Aetos Beach itself is a small, tranquil spot surrounded by rocks and crystal-clear waters, only reachable by foot or boat. It’s the perfect place to take a short break, have a swim, and enjoy the serene surroundings. There are no amenities here.
Hike from Aetos Beach – Varvaroussa Beach
Walk back up from Aetos Beach to the trail, and take a right towards Varvaroussa Beach. From here, continue along the coastline, where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views of the Aegean Sea.
Along the way, you will see a couple of signs that mark the trail. After around 1.5 kilometers (1 mile), you will arrive at Varvaroussa Beach (also written as Barbarossa).
This beach is also only reachable by foot from Papouri or Delfini Beach, or by boat. It is an idyllic stretch of golden sand and turquoise waters. This beach is named after the famous pirate brothers Barbarossa, who, according to legend, once used this area as a hideout. It’s a great spot for a swim or to soak up the sun. Again, there are no amenities here.
Hike from Varvaroussa Beach – Delfini Beach
From Barbarossa, a path leaves towards Delfini Beach. This is the steepest part of the hike and the path is also a bit harder to find here. Check maps.me or Alltrails, or look for the red painted dots on the rocks pointing you the way.
The path gives you beautiful views over Varvaroussa Beach if you look back. Once you get over the hill, you’ll see Delfini Beach in the distance.
After 1.5 km (1 mile), you will arrive at Delfini Beach, another picturesque beach on Syros. With its turquoise waters and peaceful vibe, Delfini is a favorite among both locals and visitors. You can get here by car or taxi, but a lot of people walk here from Kini or arrive by boat.
In the high season, there is a beach bar on Delfini Beach. In low season, however, there are no amenities on the beach. Take some time here to relax, swim, or enjoy the natural beauty.
Hike from Delfini Beach – Kini Beach
The final part of your hike is the walk from Delfini Beach to Kini Beach, which is also the most crowded part (in the high season). The pretty easy path, marked with red dots again, takes you along the coast, offering beautiful views over the Aegean Sea and Kini.
Kini is a lively and popular village in high season, with a beautiful beach and a charming harbor. There are many restaurants by the beach where you can have a drink or something to eat. During winter, there is only one tavern open in town (not by the beach) and a small supermarket.
TIP: Kini is famous for its sunsets, so if your timing is right, you can enjoy a breathtaking view as the sun dips below the horizon.
After a day of walking, swimming, and soaking in the stunning scenery, you can easily take a taxi back to Ermoupoli from Kini. Or you can take the public bus. There are several buses a day in the high season and one in the afternoon in the low season.
That was it! We hope you will have a fantastic hike! Please let us know in the comments what you think of this hike and what your experience was!