THE BEACHES AND NATURIST BEACHES OF ISLAND OF SYMI IN THE DODECANESE IN GREECE

Agios Nikolaos Beach - The beach of Agios Nikolaos is situated in the northeast of the island and can be reached by taxi boat from the harbour of Symi or by foot over a path that leads from Pedi bay. This journey takes about 20 minutes. It is an organized beach with sunbeds and umbrellas, but there are also some trees if you like to lay down in the shade. The beach is shallow making it easy to get into the water and safe for small children. On the beach there is a taverna where you can buy cold drinks.

Nanou Beach - Nanou Beach is situated in a bay on the east side of the island of Symi. It can be reached by taxi boat in about 45 minutes or after a very long walk (of a couple of hours). The bay is surrounded by high cliffs and with its clear waters it is a good place for snorkeling. The beach is more quiet than the beach at Agios Nikolaos. Nanou beach is a an organized beach with sunbeds and umbrellas for rent and it is a pebble beach instead of a sandbeach. It is rather difficult to get into the water so it is adviced to wear plastic slippers or sandals. At the beach there is a very good taverna that sells drinks and food. The farthest end of the beach from where you get off the taxi boat from Symi harbour is discrete nudist beach.

Agios Georgios Beach - The beach of Agios Georgios is a small beach situated in a bay in the east side of the island of Symi. It is surrounded by high cliffs and it can only be reached by watertaxi from the harbour of Symi. On this beach there are no facilities (no sunbeds, umbrellas, taverna) so you must bring your own water and food. On the beach there are just a couple of trees if you want to sit in the shade. Because it is hard to reach this beach it is also a quiet beach. This beach is also used as a naturist beach.

Agia Marina Beach - The beach of Agia Marina is situated in the northern part of the island of Symi and can be reached on foot or by water-taxi from the harbour or Pedi Bay. It is a more touristic and organized beach where you can rent umbrellas and sunbeds, and there is also a taverna on the beach. The beach is shallow and the water is clear, good for snorkeling and safe for small children. At the beach of Agia Marina there is a little white chapel, a favorite for weddings.

Nos Beach - Nos Beach is probably the most popular beach on the island. This is because it is convieniantly situated at the edge of the harbour of Gialos. You can easily reach this beach on foot. The beach is also known as the town beach and is to be found by turning left at the clock tower in the harbour and following the road round. Nos Beach is an organized beach where you can rent umbrellas and sunbeds. There is also a busy taverna where you can get cold drinks or food. On some of the small beaches and coves that aren't too visible from the main road nudism is tolerated, maybe less in high season.

Pedi Bay - Pedi Bay is a popular destination on Symi and it is situated on the eastside of the island within walking distance of the harbour of Gialos. Pedi Bay has several small beaches and serves as a starting point by water-taxi and on foot to several other beaches. Pedi Bay is served by a bus and there are several tavernas in the village. There are sunbeds and umbrellas for rent. It is an easy walk from Chorio. In Pedi Bay there are also several hotels where you can rent a room.

Emborio Beach - Emborio Beach, sometimes also referred to as Nimborio is situated at the west side and within walking distance of the harbour of Gialos (about 2 kilometer). It is a large bay with a pebble beach. Emborio is an old fishing village and there are some summer houses as well as churches but there are no shops. At the beach there is a taverna and it is an organized beach so it is possible to rent sunbeds and umbrellas. At Emborio there is also accommodation for tourists.

Panormitis Bay - Panormitis Bay can best be reached with an excursion boat or by road. The bay is situated in the south of the island and is famous for its monastery, the monastery of the Archangel Michael, that stands at the head of the bay and attracts many visitors every summer. In the bay of Panormitis there is also a beach and there are a couple of tavernas and shops to serve all the tourists that come to take a look at the monastery (mainly daytrippers from Rhodes).

Marathounda Beach - Marathounda Beach is situated on the southeast coast of the island of Symi. This beach can be reached by taxi boat (it is the last stop) or by road. This was the last beach on the island to be developped. It is an organized beach with sunbeds and umbrellas for rent. There is a large, newly-built taverna which serves snacks and meals and where you can buy drinks. The water of the sea at Marathounda Beach is very clear and excellent for snorkeling.

Agios Vasilios Beach - This beach, the Agios Vasilios or Lapathos Beach, cannot be reached by water taxi (except as I understand for wednesdays in the high season). If you want to visit the beach the only way is by foot. The walk takes a couple of hours. It is a remote and quiet beach without any facilities, which means that you have to bring your own water supply and something to eat. Because it is so remote and quiet it is an ideal naturist beach. It is made out of pebbles and just a few bits of sand. At the beach there are a couple of trees where you can get some shade (so no umbrellas & sunbeds). The last part of the walk you is a rather steep and a bit slippery climb down, so it is adviced to wear good walking shoes.

Toli Bay Beach - Toli Bay is situated on the north coast of Symi, west of Emborio. You can go there by scooter or by car. Keep right when going up hill a few km after leaving Chorio. The road is in good condition - keep your eyes open for a footpath leading down to the left of the road. The walk downhill takes about half an hour. There are 4 beaches in the area. Toli Beach is divided into two beaches, and one of those beaches is a naturist beach. There are no facilities here like sunbeds and umbrellas but I was told that there is a taverna nowadays.

© Hans Huisman, https://www.angelfire.com/super2/greece/ 2014