Symi Island Boat Trip: Panormitis & Yalos Highlights

Pastel harbor, monastery museum, 400 stone steps, and a fortress view

A full-day boat trip from Rhodes to Symi Island with hotel pickup and professional guide in English, French or German. The boat sails first to Panormitis Monastery for a 45-minute visit, then continues to Symi's port at Yalos, where you walk the narrow village streets, browse local sponge and spice shops, and climb the Kali Strata to the remains of St. John fortress overlooking the harbor and sea.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full-day boat trip to Symi Island

• Depart Rhodes port
• Sail to Panormitis Monastery
• Visit monastery and museum
• Sail to Symi Island port
• Guided tour of Yalos village
• Visit sponge and spice shops
• Climb Kali Strata steps
• View St. John fortress remains
• Return to Rhodes port
• Coach transfer to accommodation

The experience

The boat leaves Rhodes in the morning and reaches Symi Island after roughly two hours at sea. Yalos, the main port village, greets you with pastel-colored houses and fishing boats painted in bright colors. Your guide leads you through the narrow streets on foot, pointing out the local shops where sponges and spices are sold, then takes you to the base of the Kali Strata: a stone stairway of 400 steps that climbs steeply upward. The effort pays off: from the top, where the remains of St. John fortress stand, you see the entire harbor and the sea spreading out below.

Before reaching Yalos, the boat stops at Panormitis Monastery, where you have about 45 minutes to explore the monastery itself and its museum. This break comes early in the day, so you arrive at Symi with the afternoon ahead of you. The return journey leaves Symi at 18:15, bringing you back to Rhodes port by evening, where a coach transfer takes you to your hotel.

What’s included

• Professional guide in your choice of English, French or German.
• boat transport to and from Rhodes.
• entry to Panormitis Monastery and its museum.
• hotel pickup and drop-off at selected hotels.
• local taxes.

Options for this experience

3 options

English and French Symi tourAvailable from 19 Apr 2027Pickup is included

German tour from North RhodesAvailable from 6 May 2027Symi tour from North Rhodes: Rhodes, Faliraki, Afandou, Ialysos, Ixia, Stegna and Kalithea, pickup is included

German tour from South RhodesAvailable from 5 May 2027Symi tour from South Rhodes: Lindos, Vlicha, Archangellos, Pefkos and Kalathos, includes pickup

You'll see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates and prices

Before you book

Lasts 9h, from € 62 per person, with a live guide in English, French and German and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesNext departure: 19 Apr 2027

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Under 3: can't be booked

GroupUp to 50

Live guideEnglish, French and German

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 3 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Cretan Holidays

Is this one for you?The full nine-hour day suits travelers who want to see both the monastery and the village without rushing either stop, and the guided walk through Yalos means you don't navigate the narrow streets alone or miss the local shops and landmarks a solo visitor might pass by.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English, French and German.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years). Children under 3 can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How long does the boat ride from Rhodes to Symi take?

The boat takes approximately two hours to reach Symi Island from Rhodes.

What is the Kali Strata and why climb it?

The Kali Strata is a 400-step stone stairway in Yalos that leads to the remains of St. John fortress, rewarding the climb with views of the harbor and sea.

What can you see and do at Panormitis Monastery?

Panormitis Monastery has a museum on-site, and you have about 45 minutes to visit both the monastery and the museum during the stop.

Does the tour include meals or drinks?

Food and drinks are not included in the tour. You can purchase them in Yalos or bring your own.

What time does the boat return to Rhodes?

The boat departs Symi at 18:15 and arrives back at Rhodes port in the evening, where a coach transfer returns you to your hotel.