WHERE WE ARE LOCATED
Syros is located in the Cyclades, in the Greek Aegean ocean. Its famous neighbors include Mykonos and Delos, but is rapidly becoming popular with tourists who appreciate its true Greek nature and diverse geography. Syros can be rocky and dry, similar to nearby Mykonos, which makes the sparkling blue aegean pop even more. Depending on the season, the hillsides can also be green with herbs, purple with flowering wild thyme, or yellow with flowering helichrysum. It is a favorite with wildcrafters and bees!
Syros is a favorite with families who enjoy the beaches and playgrounds. Some areas offer the all night partying similar to nearby greek islands, but there are plenty of quiet areas to get away from it all.
Syros offers many activities, from wine, cheese, and confectionary tasting, boating, fishing, unique architecture, churches, visits to textile artisans, and miles of beaches: there is fun here for everyone!
Villa Abela is a spacious, light, and airy home, with stunning views down over Abela Beach. The villa features four bedrooms, marble floors, air conditioning, and marble terraces and gardens at every turn. This home is meticulously furnished with a blend of antiques and modern decor.
Abela is small town on the sought after southern end of the island. It features a charming safe beach with a delightful taverna.
HOW TO GET HERE
Via Passenger Ferry
There are departures from Piraeus several times a day. You need to buy a ticket before you get on the ferry from a travel agent or ferry office (this ensures ferries are not overcrowded). We recommend arriving at least an hour before the sailing to get a good seat as most sailings do not have reserved seating. There are older ferries and fast catamarans. The older ferries takes about four hours and offer the advantage of open upper decks so you can get wonderful views during your trip. They are also cheaper than the fast ferries.
The high speed or fast ferries are more comfortable, newer, and take only two hours. Note that they do not have outer decks, so you cannot enjoy the views quite as well.
Ferries for Syros leave from Piraeus, the port of Athens. You can reach Piraeus by s new train (set up for the 2004 Olympics). You can also catch a cab, but make sure the cab is on the meter and the meter is on fare 1 not 2 (which is for night from midnight to 5am)
Via Airport
From Athens International Airport, you can be at Syros Island in 30 minutes by air. Flights schedules change frequently so check often. You can find flights on many of the main online travel sites, including sidestep.com, the airport code for syros is JSY.
It is very convenient if you can arrange your international flight to arrive approximately two hours or more before the Syros flight, you then have plenty of time to clear customs and check in for your Syros flight, and will easily and quickly arrive on the island. Note that checking in can seem a little different - there are really no lines- don panic - just wait for your island to be called then politely work your way to the front of the group. You may need to loudly indicate your island to get to the counter.
Car Ferry
Driving in Athens is chaotic so we recommend that you rent a car on Syros instead of in town. Rates are comparable and you save the price of the car on the ferry. Guests at Villa Abela may be eligible for a discounted rate for car rental. Just let us know what you need.
Car Rentals
A rental car is an ideal way to explore Syros. There is also a round island bus, which stops approximately ten minutes walk from the villa. As a guest at Villa Abela, a discounted car rental rate may be available to you. Please contact the Greek manager for details.
