Greece’s largest island, Crete, boasts over 1,000 kilometres of attractive coastline dotted with innumerable lovely beaches. Crete is rectangular in its shape, with short east and west ends, spanned by steep mountains. Crete’s capital city, Heraklion, is situated in the centre of the island’s north coast. Heraklion to Syros ferry services leave from the island’s main port, Heraklion Port.
Heraklion’s passenger ferry port has a modern terminal that processes two million ferry passengers per year. The terminal has passenger waiting areas, cafés and information booths. The port is near Heraklion City Centre, various hotels and hostels, travel agents and restaurants. The port has long and short stay car parks.
Syros is located in the middle of the Aegean Sea’s Cyclades Islands, between Andros, Tinos and Mykonos. Direct ferry services from Heraklion to Syros are infrequent as there is normally at least one stopover. GA Ferries ply the route with a traditional ferry taking approximately 12 hours.
Ferries arriving in Syros dock at the port in the town of Ermoupolis, which is the capital of both Syros and also the Cyclades Islands. Syros is a hub for ferries to other Cyclades Islands and Piraeus. Ermoupolis ferry port is ringed by classical buildings and traditional white houses. Miaoulis Square, containing the City Hall, is surrounded by cafés and palm shaded seating areas.
Syros boasts several beaches, including Grammata Bay and Galissa, some of which can only be reached by boat. Other attractions on Syros are Ano Syros on San Giorgio hill, north-west of Hermoupolis, with its 13th century Basilica of San Giorgio, which dominates the town.
Passengers wishing to board Heraklion to Syros ferries are offered easy well signposted access to Heraklion Port from Crete’s two main national roads. One road runs east to west along Crete’s north coast; the other, the Heraklion Timbaki Highway, links Heraklion to Crete’s south coast.
Tags: Aegean Sea’s Cyclades Islands, Crete, Ermoupolis, Greece, Heraklion, Mykonos, Syros, Tinos
