Page 231 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Greek Islands

Boats moored in the
shallow, clear waters at
Althea beach near Vári

3 4
Galissás Posidonía Did You Know?
⌂ 7 km (4 miles) W of ⌂ 12 km (7 miles) SW
Ermoúpoli @ of Ermoúpoli @ The inhabitants of
Sýros converted to
Lively Galissás has the most Posidonía, or Dellagrázia, Catholicism under the
sheltered beach on the island, south of the capital, is one of French Capuchins in
fringed by tamarisk trees. It is the largest tourist sites on the the Middle Ages.
particularly popular with island, with cosmopolitan
families. Across the headland, hotels and restaurants. It was
a short walk to the west, named for Poseidon, the sea
Armeós beach is a haven for god. The island’s first main 5
nudists. Galissás has both the road was built in 1855 from
island’s campsites, making it Ermoú poli through Posidonía Vári
popular with backpackers. In to Fínikas. The affluent village ⌂ 8 km (5 miles) S of
high season it can be a noisy contains some Italianate man­
place to stay, and is often full sions, which are the country Ermoúpoli @
of motorbikers. To the south retreats of wealthy islanders. Quaint, sheltered Vári has
of the bay looms the Catholic Only a short walk to the become a major resort, but it
chapel of Agía Pákou, occu­ south west, quieter Agathopés still has traditional houses
pying the site of the Classical is one of the island’s best lining its hills and a small
city of Galissás. beaches, with safe, shallow castle. The town’s main beach
Fínikas, 3 km (2 miles) waters for swimming, created is a curved bay with turquoise
further south on the coast, by the protective islet water that doesn’t get too
was originally settled by the opposite. It has amenities crowded. It has some good
Phoenicians. The town is now including sun­loungers and amenities. The Hontrá
a popular resort, home to cafés. Mégas Gialós, 3 km peninsula, east of Vári, is the
more than 1,000 people, with (2 miles) further down the site of the island’s oldest pre­
a pier and moorings for yachts south coast, is a pretty beach historic settlement, dating
and fishing boats. shaded by tamarisk trees. from 4000–3000 BC.
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