Favored by the locals for its spectacular sunsets, Galissas is situated on the western coast of the Greek island of Syros, in the sparkling Aegean Sea. The island itself covers an area of 86 square kilometers and is the largest of the Cycladic islands. The capital of Syros is Ernoupoli, and it is 8km from here that the pretty village of Galissas can be found, set in a small bay with an attractive harbor and long stretches of sandy beach, speckled with pine trees. Formerly an agricultural village, recent years have seen it develop into the most popular resort on the island where visitors can expect to find a wealth of hotels, bars and tavernas. The golden beach, which shelves gently into the sea, makes for safe swimming, and so this is an ideal resort for families with children. A range of water sports is also available, and the area is particularly popular for windsurfers. EasyToBook.com offers accommodation at budget hotels in the village, only minutes from the beach, from where visitors can stroll up to the remains of a Venetian castle, the clifftop church of Agia Pakou or the unusual church of Agios Stephanos, set in a cave.
No vacation on Syros would be complete without a trip to Ernoupolis, the ‘Queen of the Cyclades’, and known for its gorgeous pastel buildings and palm trees. The many hotels of the town provide easy access to the 13th century Venetian quarter, the imposing town hall (which houses the island’s largest museum) on Miaouli Square, and the pretty harbor. The Apollo Theatre on Vardaki Square, built in the 1800s, is a miniature of Milan’s La Scala and is also well worth a visit, ideally followed by a spot of relaxation at one of the town’s many seafront tavernas and restaurants.