Syros: The Island of Stairs

Our Azamara cruise stopped in Syros for our second port, and honestly, it was such a fun surprise. They call it the “Island of Stairs,” and now we know why...we climbed a lot!

We started in Miaouli Square, right in the middle of Ermoupolis, and made our way up to the Church of the Resurrection of Christ. The streets are shiny, polished stone, which looks amazing but can be a little slippery, so we took our time. The walk was no joke, but when we finally got to the top, the view was worth every step. The whole town and port stretched out below us, with the sea glistening in the background - it was breathtaking.

On the way back down, instead of going straight to the port, we wandered through the little side streets. That’s where Syros really came alive for us. Narrow alleys, colorful doorways, and quiet corners - it felt like we were exploring someone’s hometown, not just a tourist stop. Somewhere along the way, we found the Church of Saint Nicholas, a big Greek Orthodox church that was beautiful inside and out.

By then, we were craving something sweet (because how can you be in Greece and not have baklava?). We ended up at a place called Athymartes, and wow—it was amazing. The smell of honey and pastries hit us the second we walked in, and the selection was huge. Definitely the kind of spot you remember long after the trip.

Travel tip: Wear good shoes. Between the stairs, slanted streets, and polished stones, you’ll be glad you did. We walked a ton that day, but it was such a great way to really see this town and port.