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Full-day tour of Symi with Panormitis Monastery visit

4.2/5
2659 reviews

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, ā€˜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, ā€˜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.

Main features

Free cancellation
Place: Rhodes
Duration: more than 8 hours
Language:German, Danish, English, Finnish, French, Dutch, Polish, Swedish
Mobile voucher accepted

Additional features

Guided Tour
Instant confirmation
e-Voucher
Hotel pick up

Why choose TUI Collection

We've carefully designed our experiences to help you get the most out of every trip.

Exceptional experiences

Led by friendly expert guides, these authentic experiences are highly rated by customers.

Created with care

Every experience you buy donates to the TUI Care Foundation, which runs environmental and social initiatives worldwide.

Best value guaranteed

If you find the same value experience for a lower price, we'll happily refund the difference.

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

Important to know

  • Dress appropriately – no shoulders or knees showing – when visiting religious buildings
  • Food and drinks not included

Cancellation policy

Receive a 100% refund if you cancel up to 1 day before the experience begins.


What’s included

  • Transport
  • Ferry
  • Monastery
  • Guide
  • Personal headsets

This experience meets the Global Sustainable Tourism Council criteria. By choosing this experience you can protect the places you love, care for the environment and support local communities.

Booking fee

Good news! No extra fees are applied to this booking.


Pickup points

To see which pickup points are available, check under availability & prices.

Provider

TUI Hellas Travel, Tourism and Airlines SA


What people say about this experience

4.2/5

All reviews are verified

Based on 2659 reviews


Review categories

Value for money

5/5

Service

5/5

Safety

5/5

Staff

3.4/5


45%
39%
13%
2%
1%

Sort by:

  • B

    Bobbykins

    Traveled as a couple


    April 11, 2026
    2.6

    United Kingdom

    The visit to the Panomitis Monastery was cancelled 24hrs before the trip, due to the boat to the monastry being unavailable The guide that took us around Symi town was excellent as was the restaurant the she recommended. We were disappointed not to be able to visit the monastery and a 10 euro refund was a derisory compensation.

  • K

    Karin

    Traveled with a group of friends


    April 14, 2026
    4.2

    Germany

    Die Reiseleiterin hat es sich sehr eibnfach gemacht, auf die Fähre , verschwunden, danach kurze Führung, verschwunden. Alleine wieder zur Fähre zurück, danach in den Bus und Tschüss, das sind wir von TUI anders gewöhnt. Aufgrund der vielen Buchungen waren es 2 Bussse. Wir sassen in dem ohne Reiseleitung.

  • K

    Katja und Marcel

    Traveled with family


    April 12, 2026
    3

    Germany

    Wir sind gar nicht zum Kloster gegangen und hatten viel zu viel Freizeit. Man hatte keine Anhaltspunkte, was man 3 h lang außer essen und trinken noch mehr machen kann oder sehen sollte. Dass wir nicht zum Kloster gehen, kann nebenbei heraus.

  • P

    PM

    Traveled as a couple


    April 11, 2026
    2.2

    Germany

    Es fing mit der Buchung an. Keine Auskunft darüber das man 5 Stunden lang unterwegs ist! Bus und FƤhre für Hin und zurück. Dann war es eine reine Verkaufsfahrt, nach der Ankunft ein bisschen Info zur Insel šŸ‘, dann wurde gesagt wo man essen sollte , weil man da sicher keine Bauchschmerzen bekommt 😳. Dann zum SchwammgeschƤft. Die Tour Dame wurde auch hier mit Küsschen begrüßt! 35 min erzƤhlte sie dann was über SchwƤmme und die Preise. 🫣. Das war dann der Zeitpunkt alleine los zu gehen. šŸ‘ŽšŸ‘ŽšŸ‘ŽšŸ‘Ž

  • A

    Andea

    Traveled with family


    April 11, 2026
    3.4

    Germany

    Panormitis-Kloster haben wir nicht angefahren. Da uns dieses sehr interessiert hat, waren wir sehr enttäuscht. Das Kloster hätten wir sehr gerne gesehen. Da es keinen Ersatz dafür gab, hatten wir einen längeren Aufenthalt in der Stadt Symi. Da die Stadt sehr schön, aber auch klein ist, war der Aufenthalt dort sehr lang. Als Ersatz für den Ausfall des Besuches des Klosters gab es nur eine Erstattung von 10 Euro. Meiner Meinung nach ein zu geringer Ausgleich! Reisekeitung nur ca. 1 Stunde!

  • C

    Carina

    Traveled with family


    April 11, 2026
    1.8

    Germany

    Das Kloster wurde nicht angefahren und auch die Bucht nicht. Die Fähre fuhr nur nach Symi Stadt, wo eine kurze geführte Besichtigung stattfand. Die restlichen Stunden waren zur freien Verfügung in der Stadt. Für diesen Umfang war der Ausflug viel zu teuer und es wurde vorab auch nicht informiert, dass Ausflugsinhalte nicht stattfinden. Sehr enttäuschend!

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Phone number: +1 208-744-6464