Symi, Greek island in Dodecanese archipelago, Greece.
Symi is a Greek island in the Dodecanese with a deep natural harbor surrounded by colorful houses. The buildings rise sharply from the water in neat rows, their pastel walls and bright shutters creating a dense pattern against the rocky hillside.
The island reached its peak as a trading hub in the 1800s, when ships and sponges from here reached markets across the Mediterranean. This era shaped the architecture and brought wealth that remains visible in the preserved buildings today.
The Monastery of Archangel Michael Panormitis on the southwest coast holds religious ceremonies and receives numerous visitors throughout the year.
The island is reached by ferry from Rhodes, with the crossing taking between an hour and an hour and a half depending on the vessel. Most visitors explore the houses on foot, which means comfortable shoes are important since there are many stairs and steep paths.
The harbor of Symi has no separate capital or downtown district like other islands, but is itself the entire settlement winding around the water. This makes wandering through the lanes a singular experience where water and buildings are constantly part of the view.
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