Βeaches

Varvaroussa is the first beach our boat approaches after departing from Kini. It is a sandy beach with clear blue water and one of the largest beaches of the NW part of the island. The islet at the entrance of the bay adds a special feature to the landscape and the view of the sunset is breathtaking.

Regarding the name of the area, according to legend, this beach was named after the famous pirate Barbarossa who would hide his ship behind the small islet at the entrance of the bay and attack passing ships, using the narrow passage between the islet and the coast. Another version goes for this beach being the place where the “barbarian” pirates would land to pillage the area.

You will surely be enchanted by this beach!

varvarousa beach

Approaching Aetos beach, the beach in the deep natural bay after Varvaroussa, the sea colour changes, from deep blue to a wonderful emerald green, unique on the island. On the beach with the golden sand, two small trees provide some shade for the visitors, while the formations of the surrounding rocks complete the beauty of the landscape.

Looking at the beach from high up (from the road leading to the settlement of San Michalis) we understand why the beach has been named Aetos (“Eagle”). The two hills on both sides look like the wings and the neck of an eagle and the small islet of Varvaroussa forms the beak.

A swim there will surely be unforgettable, although strong northerly winds can sometimes make access to the beach impossible.

Aetos beach

Lia is one of the most favourite beaches of visitors to Apano Meria. With sand and pebbles, it also has the advantage of a small thicket of trees providing natural shade. Lia has a particular geological interest, because of the rare rocks existing in the area, like blueschist, glaucophanes and eclogites.

Lia beach

It may be the smallest of the NW beaches but there is certainly no lack of beauty. It is mainly a pebbly beach with thick sand near the water, but you will be rewarded by the serenity of the landscape.

Megas Lakos

Marmari, named after a marble quarry in the area, is the beach with the shallowest turquoise water, forming an exotic landscape.

Marmari beach

Gria Spilia

It is the most famous of the NW beaches of Syros. With natural shade provided by pine tress and tamarisks and sandy bottom it is protected against strong northerly winds. It is known as the “American’s beach”. It acquired this nam

e when in 1965 an American economist called John Pierson bought an area of about 800 hectares in the surrounding hills, intending to create a forest of pine trees, tamarisks and other trees on the dry and rocky terrain of the area. He surrounded the whole area to protect the trees from the wild goats, he dug up a well and after a lot of hard work and care the experiment was met with success. Today it is one of the very few woody areas on the island and still is the property of “John the American’s” family, as the locals fondly remember him. John Pierson died in 2001. He loved this place so much that he asked for his ashes to be scattered around the first tree he planted.

Grammata

A very small sandy beach near the archaeological site of the inscriptions.

Grammata bay

At a short distance from Gria Spilia beach lies the archaeological site of Grammata. Following the path, we reach the place where names, dates, thanksgiving messages and prayers of sailors who found shelter in this bay can be seen. Since antiquity, this bay was known as the most protected place against strong winds blowing in the area. The inscriptions date back even to the ancient times but mostly to the hellenistc and roman periods and form one of the most important archaeological sites in Syros.