Each one of the Dodecanese Islands offers a distinctly different experience – and Symi is one of the most culturally rich of them all. You'll discover its laidback charm and visit sites such as Panormitis Monastery and a sponge maker. Fotini, one of our local guides, says, ‘Symi is one of the smallest and most picturesque Greek islands. The sight of the colourful houses as soon as you enter the harbour never fails to impress.'

The fun starts with a glide across the Aegean to Symi. The first stop is in the southwest of the island, at the vast, Venetian-style Panormitis Monastery. It is famed for its Byzantine frescoes and icon of St Michael, but most of all for its location right on the water's edge in a remote and sheltered bay. You'll also have free time to explore the site.

Next, you'll sail for Symi town itself. The arrival into the harbour is a joy to behold – tiers of pastel-coloured houses cascade down the surrounding hillsides. There's a guided tour of Symi town, too. And during the sponge maker visit, you'll learn about the island's sponge-diving heritage and its importance to the eco system surrounding the Symi. Your visit also helps support this traditional industry, vital to the local community. You'll get a small gift to take home, too. It's Fotini's favourite part of the experience. She says, ‘The old tradition of sponge diving has strongly affected the history and the customs of the Dodecanese Islands.'

What is the itinerary for this experience?

The itinerary for this experience is...

- 7:30am to 8:30am – pick-up from your hotel

- 8:55am – departure from Mandraki Harbor

- 10:25am to 11:30am – arrive in Panormitis for a monastery visit and free time

- 11:30am – leave Panormitis

- 12:00pm – photo stop in St. George Bay

- 12:25pm to 4:00pm – arrive in Symi for a guided tour, visit to a sponge workshop, lunch (not included) and free time

- 4:00pm – leave Symi

- 5:35pm to 5:45pm – arrive back at Mandraki Harbor

Please note, the times and schedule may vary on the day and depending on boat operations, sometimes you may visit Panormitis before Symi.

Why you’ll love this…

You'll take a boat trip from Rhodes to two locations on the island of Symi
A visit to the Venetian-style Panormitis Monastery and the surrounding bay is included in the tour
You'll enjoy a walking tour of Symi Town, famed for its hills packed with pastel-coloured homes
The tour includes an in-depth look at sponge making, along with a gift from the sponge maker
An expert local guide will share their unrivalled knowledge of Symi and its people

What people say about this experience

4.2/5

All reviews are verified

Based on 3066 reviews

Review categories

Safety

4.2/5

Service

3.4/5

Staff

3.4/5

Value for money

3.4/5

All ratings (3066)

5 stars (1360)

44%

4 stars (1185)

39%

3 stars (407)

13%

2 stars (78)

1 star (36)

B
Bridget
Travelled with family
23 June 2026
3.4
United Kingdom
Symi is a lovely island. I felt we spent too much time travelling on the boat. There’s lots long journey to the monastery wasn’t worthwhile. The monastery was nice to see but the journey was long to spend so little time there. The guided tour around Symi wasn’t very informative. The guide was having to communicate in 2 languages so there was a lot of hanging about and little information.
S
Sue from UK
Travelled as a couple
23 June 2026
3.8
United Kingdom
Symi was lovely very picturesque, we felt we coukd have spent much more time there rather than another hour on the boat to the monastery, which we didnt feel was worthy of a visit.
N
not happy
Travelled as a couple
22 June 2026
2.6
United Kingdom
The only thing I enjoyed on the trip was the town of Symi. the entire trip was bad from the beginning we were picked up from our hotel at 7.05am, it took two hours to get to the port to pick up our boat [which we were not told about]. Then we were kept waiting at the port for ages because the tour guide didn't have the headsets, when they finally arrived we boarded the ship, it took another 2 hours on that to gt to Symi. The place is lovely and the owner of the sponge shop was very good
G
Greek visitors
Travelled as a couple
21 June 2026
4.2
United Kingdom
I overall experience on the trip to the island of Symi was very enjoyable. The ferry trip is very picturesque and the onboard services are very welcome on a hot day. The port town Gialos is chocolate box stunner with lots to visit, my disappointment was the lack of time to explore due to the length of the guided talk at the sponge shop and and about the town it’s self the same can be said about the visit to the Panormitis.
P
Phina
Travelled as a couple
21 June 2026
5
United Kingdom
Every aspect was very good.
M
Margaret C
Travelled as a couple
19 June 2026
4.2
United Kingdom
It seemed like a very long journey on the ferry 2 hours. Didn't seem to be much to see at the monastery visit and not much time there didn't find it very interesting