From Rhodes: Symi Island and Panormitis Monastery Day Trip
From Rhodes: Symi Island and Panormitis Monastery Day Trip
Overview
Begin your day with a scenic boat ride to the picturesque Symi Island, offering breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea. As you approach the island, you’ll be greeted by the colorful neoclassical houses that line the harbor, creating a postcard-perfect scene. This charming island is known for its unspoiled beauty and tranquil atmosphere, making it an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of Rhodes.
Upon arrival, enjoy free time to wander through the quaint streets of Symi Town. Admire the traditional architecture, browse through boutique shops selling handcrafted souvenirs, and taste fresh local seafood at seaside taverns. Don’t miss the chance to visit the famous sponge shops, where you can learn about the island's historical connection to sponge diving.
The highlight of the tour is a visit to the historic Panormitis Monastery, located on the southern coast of Symi. Dedicated to Archangel Michael, the monastery is a site of great religious importance and features stunning frescoes, an intricately designed bell tower, and a peaceful courtyard. Take your time to explore the monastery’s museum and learn about its rich history and cultural significance.
After your visit to the monastery, enjoy more time soaking in the island’s beauty. Swim in the crystal-clear waters of the Aegean or relax on the sun-soaked shores. The unspoiled nature and serene ambiance of Symi make it a perfect place to unwind.
End your day with a relaxing return trip to Rhodes. Reflect on the enchanting experiences of Symi and the Panormitis Monastery as you sail back to the island, carrying memories of a truly magical day.
Select date, participants and language
Excursion Itinerary
Choose one of the convenient pickup locations: Faliraki, Ialyssos, Kremasti, Rhodes Town Hall, or Rhodes Port. Begin your day with a stress-free transfer to the ferry.
Enjoy a scenic ferry ride across the Aegean Sea toward Symi Island. Take in the breathtaking views and refreshing sea breeze during the journey.
Duration: 1 Hour
Explore this historic monastery, a spiritual and cultural landmark of the island. Admire its Baroque architecture and soak in the serene atmosphere.
Continue your ferry journey from Panormitis to Symi Island. Enjoy stunning views of the island's coastline along the way.
Duration: 3.5 Hours
Discover the charm of Symi Island with its pastel-colored houses and vibrant harbor. Enjoy fresh seafood at local taverns or shop for souvenirs in the quaint streets.
Relax on your return ferry trip to Rhodes while reminiscing about the highlights of your day.
End your trip with a convenient drop-off at your selected location: Faliraki, Rhodes Port, Ialyssos, Kremasti, or Rhodes Town Hall.
For reference only. Itineraries are subject to change.
Highlights
- ● Enjoy a scenic boat ride with stunning views of the Aegean Sea.
- ● Explore the charming streets and colorful architecture of Symi Town.
- ● Visit the historic Panormitis Monastery and its fascinating museum.
- ● Swim in crystal-clear waters or relax on Symi’s serene shores.
- ● Discover local traditions, such as sponge diving and handmade crafts.
What's Included and What's Not?
Included
- Hotel pick up & drop off
- Boat ticket
- Free time at Panormitis Monastery
- Free time at the City of Symi
- Extra swimming stop to Nymporio bay (mid-June until the end of September) on Saturdays
- Map of Symi with useful information.
Not Included
- Food and drinks
Not Suitable For This Activities
- ●People with mobility impairments
- ●Wheelchair users
Not Allowed This Activities
- ●Photography inside
Important Information
What to Bring
Information Before Booking
- ●The boat ride can be up to 1.5 hours each way; suitable for those comfortable with sea travel.
- ●The tour involves moderate walking; not recommended for those with mobility issues.
- ●Weather conditions may impact the schedule or itinerary.
- ●Ensure you bring euros in cash, as some shops and eateries on Symi do not accept credit cards.
- ●Early booking is advised during peak tourist season.
Know Before You Go
- ●Entrance fees to additional attractions, such as the museum in Panormitis Monastery, are not included and must be paid on-site.
- ●Food and drinks are not included in the tour price but are available for purchase on the boat and at Symi.
- ●The tour operates in most weather conditions but may be rescheduled in case of severe weather.
- ●Exact pickup and drop-off times will be confirmed after booking, depending on your location.
- ●Life jackets are available on the boat for safety.
Highlighted reviews from other travelers
Daniel Hoffmann - Germany
17 June
You were excellent. We are very satisfied with your service.
Klara Tomczak - Poland
23 July
The transfer to and from our hotel went without any issues. Symi is a charming little town that’s definitely worth a visit. The only downside was that we did not receive the promised map of Symi containing helpful information. Overall, the price-quality balance was reasonable.
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Customer Reviews
All reviews are from verified customers who purchased the activity. Reviews can only be submitted after the activity takes place.
Overall Rating
4.5/5
Based on 17 Reviews
4.4/5
4.4/5
4.4/5
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17 June
You were excellent. We are very satisfied with your service.
Helpful? Yes
23 July
The transfer to and from our hotel went without any issues. Symi is a charming little town that’s definitely worth a visit. The only downside was that we did not receive the promised map of Symi containing helpful information. Overall, the price-quality balance was reasonable.
Helpful? Yes
11 April
The trip was fantastic; everything ran smoothly and everyone was courteous and helpful. On the return journey, the driver kindly dropped us off at our hotel. Visiting the Panormitis monastery was very rewarding, and the town of Symi was lovely. We climbed up to the fortress for spectacular views, enjoyed a great lunch by the harbor, and even had a quick swim behind the harbor at the end. Thank you!
Helpful? Yes
03 September
An amazing day out! The monastery was a hidden gem and Symi was a beautiful surprise.
Helpful? Yes
25 May
I wasn’t introduced to a guide and didn’t make use of one. I only spoke with the bus driver. The transportation service was fine.
Helpful? Yes
12 June
Symi island is truly vibrant and beautiful. Visiting the monastery was memorable. The boat trip is quite long, so I wouldn’t recommend it for those prone to seasickness.
Helpful? Yes
27 July
Everything was well organized, and we had sufficient time to explore Symi and the Panormitis monastery.
Helpful? Yes
14 June
The village, with its colorful houses reminiscent of Italy’s Cinque Terre, is truly beautiful. The temperature was higher than in Rhodes, reaching 32 degrees today. The boat ride was pleasant. Near the church, you can admire the traditional pebble mosaics and learn about how natural sponges are harvested, including how their characteristics vary depending on the depth they are collected from. Overall, it was a wonderful experience full of interesting discoveries.
Helpful? Yes
13 June
Overall, the experience was very good. However, I was a bit frustrated before the tour. After my payment was processed, I had to wait about 24 hours to receive the meeting details. I got a message asking me to confirm my name and details with the organizer, but after I replied, there was no further communication. I had to contact the reception to get in touch with someone. Eventually, I received the email with the meeting point and time. The boat departed on schedule. We stopped at the monastery and then proceeded to Symi. Everything went smoothly. The location is very picturesque. The return trip to Rhodes was relaxing. It turned out to be a really enjoyable day.
Helpful? Yes
23 June
The trip was fantastic. Gabriel shared a lot of useful information, and we learned many interesting facts. Many thanks to the Kariba Travel team for organizing the hotel pickup. We would definitely take this trip again and recommend it to others.
Helpful? Yes
19 September
Symi Island offers beautiful walks and is truly stunning! However, the boat was very slow, loud, and polluting, which was quite unpleasant when leaving Rhodes. Also, the swimming stop is only available from June onward and wasn’t replaced by any alternative, which felt like paying for something we didn’t get to experience. Because of this, I felt the value for money was just average.
Helpful? Yes
28 June
Had a fantastic day on the water, exploring Symi and visiting the monastery.
Helpful? Yes
21 July
Well organized. The island is beautiful and very picturesque.
Helpful? Yes
28 May
The journey is indeed quite long; despite the information given, the trip takes about 1 hour 45 minutes each way. The time spent on Symi (3 hours) plus 45 minutes at Panormitis is quite long considering the travel time. Nevertheless, Symi is a lovely town worth seeing, and the monastery was a highlight.
Helpful? Yes
24 May
The boat was comfortable and had a café serving coffee, snacks, and drinks. The journey lasted around 1.5 hours each way and was very pleasant. The island itself is a charming place to explore.
Helpful? Yes
04 April
There isn’t a lot to do on the island during a 3-4 hour visit unless you take a car tour or rent bicycles. Still, it’s a beautiful place to see.
Helpful? Yes
03 June
The trip was quite windy and cold, especially on the way back to Rhodes. It was uncomfortable when there weren’t enough indoor seats on the boat. Other than that, everything went well.
Helpful? Yes
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