The Best Beaches on Symi: Find Your Favourite
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Symi may not have long stretches of golden sand, but that’s exactly what makes its beaches so special.
Instead of one main beach, the island is dotted with small coves, secluded bays and waterfront swimming spots, each with its own character. Some can be reached on foot, others by water taxi, and a few only by boat.
During my five days on Symi, I visited several of the island’s beaches and at least saw all the ones you can either walk to or reach by water taxi. While I certainly have my favourites, the truth is that there’s no “best” beach on Symi. It all depends on what you’re looking for.
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The Beaches of Symi
Most beaches offer comfortable sunbeds and family-run tavernas, but some have no facilities at all and are perfect if you simply want to enjoy the scenery in peace.
One thing worth knowing before you go is that Symi isn’t a sandy beach destination. Most beaches are covered in pebbles, while a few places have swimming platforms instead. Personally, I didn’t mind at all. The water is incredibly clear, and I certainly didn’t miss bringing half the beach home in my towel afterwards. Just make sure to get some bathing shoes.
Below is a list of all the beaches I went by during my 5 days in Symi.
Want to know more? Check out my guide to Symi here!
Kirtos Beach
Just a short walk from the main harbour, Kirtos is the perfect place to hang out on your arrival and departure days, or for a few hours if you’re visiting Symi on a day trip.
When walking down from the road, you first come to a small pebble beach without facilities. But follow the walk path for a few more metres and you find Kirtos Beach Café. It’s such a charming place with comfortable sunbeds and umbrellas and simple meals and drinks. Don’t miss out on their homemade lemonades!
Kirtos is a pocket of piece and quiet just outside the busy town.
I spent most of my arrival and departure days here and would 10/10 recommend you to do the same.
- How to get there: Walk past the Clock Tower and continue for about 1 kilometre from the main harbour.
- Location: Find Kirtos Beach Café here
- Facilities: Sunbeds for €10 each, a small café, a toilet, and a freshwater shower. Easy access to the sea.
Pedi Beach
I must admit, of all the beaches on this list, Pedi is the one that looked the least inviting to me. But I only walked past in the morning, and from what I’ve read, it seems like a lot of people really like it here.
Pedi is actually a small village on the opposite side of the hill from Chorio. There are a hotel and apartments for rent, as well as a couple of places to eat and two minimarkets.
You can rent sunbeds at two different places and swim at the small beach between the boats.
- How to get there: Get there from Gialos by walking via Chorio, the Upper Town, or take the hourly bus from the harbour.
- Location: Find Pedi Beach here
- Facilities: Sunbeds for €10 each with toilets inside the café and restaurant where you rent them. Easy access to the sea, but me mindful of boats coming and going.
Agios Nikolaos Beach
My favourite! There’s no road connection, so must either walk from Pedi or take a taxi boat to get there. And it’s exactly how peaceful as it sounds.
I walked all the way from my apartment in Gialos, and although climbing the stairs to Chorio was hot, I can highly recommend. The feeling when you finally round the corner and see the beach and the sparkling water below you is unmatched!
When you get down the steps, you are met by one of the guys who rent out sunbeds. They are on the pricier side, but very comfortable and worth is. Especially if you get one on the front row.
There’s a small kiosk and a cosy family-run taverna for refreshments and lunch. I tried both: toast from the kiosk for breakfast and a Greek salad at the taverna f or lunch (tell me you’re in Greece without saying you’re in Greece?).
The taxi boats come by once an hour until 17:00 and you need cash if you don’t have a return ticket. Just make sure to check that you board the boat going to Symi/Gialos, not Pedi. Except if you’re actually going to Pedi, of course.
- How to get there: Walk over the hill from Pedi or get a taxi boat from the main harbour. If you’re walking, I recommend wearing good walking shoes or sandals with straps.
- Location: Find Agios Nikolaus here
- Facilities: Sunbeds for €30 per pair. Kiosk and taverna with toilets. There are also some simpler sunbeds you can rent for €5, but note that the umbrellas for those doesn’t provide much shade.
Saint George’s Bay
Can it get more spectacular than a white stretch of beach nestled between a towering cliff and sparkling turquoise water?
Even though it’s only accessible by boat and without any facilities, St. George Bay is probably Symi’s most famous beach.
I didn’t stop here, just passed by a couple of times and it sure looks like an epic place to hang out for a few hours!
- How to get there: By boat, either a taxi boat or on a full day boat tour to various beaches. Some day trip tours from Rhodes also stop here for a swim break.
- Location: Find St. George Bay here
- Facilities: None, so make sure to use the toilet before you go and limit your stay to a few hours. On hot summer days bringing an umbrella for shade is a good idea. Remember to leave nothing behind (incl. toilet paper if you couldn’t hold it till the next beach).
Marathounda Beach
What’s not to like about a beach with free sunbeds and lots of cheeky goats?
Marathounda is the furthest beach you can get to by taxi boat and there’s just one departure in each direction per day. You also drive there if you rent a car or a scooter.
It’s a dream of a pebble beach with the clearest water you can imagine. And even better, all sunbeds are free. On one side of the beach, you have the taverna and the blue sunbeds. On the other, you find the white sunbeds (and beanbags) and a cosy café. I didn’t try the taverna there, but the café is an absolute must!
The only thing you must watch out for are the goats. They are as cheeky as goats can be and will steal anything that can resemble food.
- How to get there: Get there by taxi boat once a day or by rental car / motorbike.
- Location: Find Marathounda Beach here
- Facilities: Free sunbeds, a café and a taverna with toilets.
Nimborio Beach
Nimborio is another beach within 30-45 minutes’ walk from the main harbour. You can even make a roundtrip by walking over the hill one way and along the coast the other. Both just as scenic!
If walking in the heath isn’t your thing, but you can also take a taxi boat.
Nimborio is mainly sunbeds on a deck with easy access to the water and a small family run taverna. Only a couple of minutes’ walk away, you also find Yiala beach. A small pebble beach with a café renting out sunbeds.
I only walked there for a morning swim before anything was open, but it looked like a place I could spend a day.
- How to get there: Walk or take a taxi boat.
- Location: Find Nimborio Beach here
- Facilities: Sunbeds, taverna and a café
Nanou Beach
Another gem that you can only get to by boat, with just as many cute and sneaky goats as Marathounda.
It’s a long stretch of white pebbles and there’s no need for a diving mask – all you need to do to admire the fish is standing in the water. That is how clear it is.
Remember not feeding the goats anything salty or sweet. Give them water instead.
Nanou has the same laidback vibe as Agios Nikolaos and Marathounda, the perfect place to kick back and relax for a day. As everyone comes by boat, it doesn’t get very crowded. It felt secure enough for me, as a solo traveller, to leave my things to go swimming without a worry.
The family-run taverna on Nanou beach is known for its excellent seafood and a must to try for lunch. I had the best meal of the trip here!
- How to get there: By taxi boat, departures every hour until approx. 17:00. It takes a few minutes to walk to the pier, so make sure to pack your things in time.
- Location: Find Nanou Beach here
- Facilities: Sunbeds for €7.50 each. Excellent taverna with toilets.
Agia Marina
I only saw this beach from the boat, but if you’re looking for a more upscale beach club atmosphere, Agia Marina seems to be the place to go.
Expect comfortable sunbeds, a nice restaurant and crystal-clear water. It’s possible to swim over to a small island.
- How to get there: Taxi boat or private boat organised by Agia Marina. It’s also possible to walk a trail from Pedi, but it’s a bit further than Agios Nikolaos and probably not worth it on the hottest days.
- Location: Find Agia Marina here
- Facilities: Sunbeds starting from €10. Front row is €30 and VIP €50. You can book sunbeds at Agia Marina online here. Restaurant and toilets on site.
Hotel Nireus
Not a beach, but a nice place to rent sunbeds and go for a swim from the harbour front. Nireus Hotel is located just after the Clock Tower when walking from the main harbour and perfect if you’re short on time.
Just don’t leave your sandals (or anything else) next to the ladder. A passing boat might wash them straight into the sea. Yes, I’m speaking from experience…
- How to get there: Walk past the Clock Tower and you will see it.
- Location: Find Hotel Nireus here
- Facilities: Sunbeds, restaurant and snack bar.
How does the Taxi Boats in Symi work?
The taxi boat system in Symi is super easy to navigate. There are two main operators, and both have a ticket booth on the main harbour (just next to the large, wooden sailboat in the picture above).
They have maps of the different beaches they serve, and you can pick up flyers with timetables. Prices differ according to which beach you are going to. Most beaches have several departures in each direction daily, but for some, like Marathounda, it’s only one per day.
To be honest, they are more like water buses than taxis.
You can pay by card at the ticket booths, and the return times for the beach of your choice are written on your ticket. Upon return, you hand the ticket over to the boatman. If you’ve walked to a beach and only need the boat back to town, you pay the captain in cash.
The boats stop on several beaches along the way, so in reality you get a small sightseeing trip included.
Full Day Boat Trip
Are you short on time but want to visit more than one beach in a day? Or do you want to see some of the even more remote beaches than what’s included on this list?
Book a full day boat trip! There are two operators with daily departures, the Poseidon and Maria Traditional Boat. You find them both next to the taxi boats on the harbour front.
Both offer daily departures with set routes varying after the day of the week, and lunch included.
In addition, there are providers who offer private tours. Great if you’re a larger group – or just have some extra cash to spend for a unique experience.
It’s also possible to rent a boat for a day if you’re accustomed to boats and the sea.
Are the Beaches in Symi Family-Friendly
To a certain extent. And what do I mean by that?
If you’re read this far, you’ve probably seen that the beaches are nice and clean with gorgeous clear water. So, there’s nothing that makes them unsuitable for children.
As long as the children likes to swim, bathe and play with pebbles – you’re all good. Just don’t except any facilities, sandy beaches or activities.
I visited the last week of June, and I hardly saw any children. There was maybe 1-2 on each beach. This may differ in July and August though.
Which Symi Beach was My Favourite?
Well, I guess I’ve already mentioned them. Agios Nikolaos and Nanou were my favourite beaches in Symi. Being quite remote and only accessible by boat makes them quite unique, and the cosy family-run tavernas were great options for lunch.
That said, I wouldn’t mind returning to any of them. Except perhaps Pedi, but maybe I should, just to see if my gut feeling from walking past was right.
I also want to give a shout-out to Kirtos beach. I hung out there twice during my stay and really liked the easy access and the vibe there.
Which would you visit first? Whichever it is, I’m sure you’ll love it. Symi is a paradise for those who like small, charming bays and quiet beaches.
