News from Symi
News from Symi are regularly-updated news reports of what is currently going on in Symi (e.g. local news, tourist information, travel, weather, etc.). If you would like to contribute a news item or have come across any Symi-related news, please email us.
SymiGreece.com retains overal editorial control of each news report that is published.
SymiGreece.com retains overal editorial control of each news report that is published.
Symi Protests: Municipality closes 19 June 2007 NEW
At 1pm this afternoon, the Municipality of Symi closed for business until further notice as a way of protest over the lack of a direct ferry connection with Pireus. A committe will now go to the Ministry of Mercantile Marine and hand the Municipality keys to the Minister, Mr Manolis Kefalogiannis... Read More
Symi day-trips: Extra service & time 17 June 2007 NEW
ANES have announced today that from Friday 22 June 2007, a second boat, the "Symi II", will start day-trips from Rhodes via Panormitis on a daily basis at the same times the "Symi" is currently running... Read More
Inter-island service: "Proteus" is back 31 May 2007
It has been confirmed today that the \"Proteus\" will be back in its (subsidised) inter-island service (Rhodes-Symi-Tilos-Nisiros-Kos) as of tomorrow (1 June)... Read More
Water Supply: Desalination Plant on Symi 22 May 2007
A desalination plant, which will operate using a pioneering new method, is at the final stages of being commissioned. In accordance with Greek Law, the Prefecture of the Dodecanese issued a statement asking that anyone who has any comments or objections to the proposed study... Read More
"Pride" replaces "Proteus": Extension until 31 May 18 May 2007
As announced today by the Ministry of the Aegean and Island Policy, the catamaran "Dodekanisos Pride" will continue running the Rhodes-Symi-Tilos-Nisiros-Kos-Kalimnos subsidised inter-island service for an additional 10 days... Read More
Inter-island service: "Proteus" returning? 12 May 2007
SymiGreece has learned that the sale of the "Proteus" to SAOS Ferries may have fallen through. It is now likely that the "Proteus" may return to the Dodecanese after the 21st of May to continue the subsidised inter-island service... Read More
Pireus to Symi: Mayor of Symi writes to the Prime Minister 12 May 2007
The discussions about the ferry connection between Symi and Pireus seem to have stalled and it now seems increasingly likely that there will be no direct link with the biggest Greek port during this year's tourist season. The Mayor of Symi, has written to the Prime Minister... Read More
"Pride" replaces "Proteus" 10 May 2007
It was officially confirmed today by Dodekanisos Seaways, that the catamaran "Dodekanisos Pride" will receive public subsidy by the Ministry for the Aegean and Island Policy to replace the "Proteus" in running the Rhodes-Symi-Tilos-Nisiros-Kos-Kalimnos subsidised inter-island service... Read More
8th May Celebrations: 10 Videos & 72 Photos 8 May 2007
Commemorating the handover of the Dodecanese to the Allies: Video & Photo Gallery
Koukoumas 2007: Video & Photo Gallery 6 May 2007
Celebration of Koukoumas from the Agios Athanasios church in Horio... Video & Photo Gallery
EU Ministers on Symi: Photo Gallery 20 April 2007
EU Ministers visited Symi today at the end of the two-day session of the EU Ministers Assembly for Foreign Affairs on "The new policy of the European Union for the sea. Quality of life and security in Europe's coastal areas" which took place in Rhodes... Read More
Ferries to Symi: Latest News 17 April 2007
Final discussions are underway regarding the new floating jetty that is being planned at the Pitini side of the harbour (in front of the petrol station). The Municipality of Symi have asked for a technical specification and quote for the work involved... Read More
Easter in Symi 2007: Video & Photo Galleries 9 April 2007
92 Photos and 22 Videos from the Easter festivities... Easter Monday, Easter Sunday, Easter Saturday, Good Friday
Independence Day 2007: Video & Photo Galleries 25 March 2007
Watch today's Independence Day celebrations by visiting the Video Gallery at SymiGreece.com. There is also a Photo Gallery of this morning's events in Yialos... Video & Photo Galleries
Inter-island service: SAOS II tipped to win 18 March 2007
The bids for the re-tendered inter-island service in the South of the Dodecanese were opened on Friday 16 March at the Ministry of the Aegean and Island Policy in the north Aegean island of Lesvos. According to SymiGreece sources, ANES decided not to take part... Read More
"Agios Nektarios": A new boat for Symi? 11 March 2007
SymiGreece has learned and is pleased to be the first to report that ANES, the shipping company of Symi, seems to be buying a new boat. Although there has not been an official announcement (implying that the deal is not a complete certainty yet) the boat is the car ferry "Agios Nektarios"... Read More
Dodecanese Unification Day 2007 7 March 2007
Visit the photo gallery from today's parade and celebrations to mark the 60th anniversary of the unification of the Dodecanese with the rest of Greece... Photo Gallery
Pireus to Symi: Latest news 3 March 2007
Representatives from Blue Star Ferries together with the MP, Mr Vasilis Hrisis, visited Symi yesterday and had talks with the Mayor, Mr Lefteris Papakalodoukas, in an attempt to find a way forward regarding the problem of re-establishing a direct ferry connection between Symi and Pireus... Read More
Pireus to Symi: A solution in sight? 1 March 2007
It seems that last month's protest by the Municipality of Symi over the exclusion of the island from a direct ferry connection with Pireus is starting to have an effect. SymiGreece has learned today that the Minister for the Aegean and Island Policy... Read More
Pireus to Symi: A modern Odessey! 25 February 2007
During the last session of the Symi Council it was decided unanimously to start court action against the Minister of Mercantile Marine, Mr Manolis Kefalogiannis because of his decision to award the contract for the subsidised route between Pireus and Rhodes to Blue Star Ferry "Diagoras"... Read More
Symi Carnival 2007 18 February 2007
Watch the carnival parade and celebrations at the central square in Yialos by visiting the Video & Photo Gallery at SymiGreece.com... Video & Photo Galleries
Tsiknopempti 2007 (Smokey Thursday) 8 February 2007
Watch today's celebrations inside the "Symi" by visiting the Video & Photo Gallery at SymiGreece.com... Video & Photo Galleries
Inter-island service: Subsidised route is re-tendered 8 February 2007
As initially reported by SymiGreece last month, The Ministry for the Aegean and Island Policy is repeating the tender for the subsidised Dodekanese routes. Specifically, the Ministry has today issued an invitation to tender for 13 routes across the Aegean... Read More
Symi Protests: Council ups pressure on Government 7 February 2007
The Municipality of Symi has sent an extra-judicial invitation to the Minister of Mercantile Marine, Mr Manolis Kefalogiannis, explaining the reasons why he should not sign the contract for the subsidised route (by 18,000 Euros a week) from Pireaus to Rhodes... Read More
Catamaran service: Spanos statement 5 February 2007
Following the recent announcement (first reported by SymiGreece with a full online timetable) that the catamaran "Dodekanisos Pride" is about to resume its inter-island service in the Dodekanese from the 14th of February 2007, Mr. Giorgos Spanos, the owner of Dodekanisos Seaways... Read More
"Pride" to start service on 14th February: Full Timetable 3 February 2007
SymiGreece has learned today that the catamaran "Dodekanisos Pride", owned by Dodekanisos Seaways will resume its inter-islands service in the Dodekanese on Wednesday 14 February... Read More
Symi protests: Mayor to close Municipality? 30 January 2007
The Mayor of Symi, Mr Lefteris Papakalodoukas, is "prepared to close the Municipality and hand the
keys to the Prime Minister"... Read More
Ferry service: Symi protests 28 January 2007
The news (exclusively reported by SymiGreece on the 20th of January) regarding the decision by Blue Star ferry "Diagoras" to not include Symi in its new subsidised route from Pireaus to the "hard-to-reach" Dodekanese Islands have today been confirmed... Read More
Hydroplane service to the Dodekanese start in April 27 January 2007
After the initial reports published by SymiGreece in July 2006, it seems that the hydroplane service to the Dodekanese is now a reality... Read More
"Proteus" to run in February 25 January 2007
The delay by the Ministry of the Aegean and Island Policy to award the contracts for the subsidised Dodekanese routes may result in the cancelation of the current tender... Read More
Ferries Update: ANES, SAOS, Blue Star & Dodekanisos Seaways 20 January 2007
The saga between ANES and SAOS Ferries for the subsidised Dodekanese routes carries on and it seems that the dispute will now be settled in court... Read More
London to Rhodes: Scheduled flights start in March 20 January 2007
GB Airways, a subsidiary of British Airways has announed that it will start direct scheduled flights from London Gatwick to Rhodes on Wednesday 28 March... Read More