Latest Reviews for Yialos

Like everywhere esle these days it is very expensive. We took 500 euros for a week and ended up having to take out another 100 euros. We did no trips, it was purely on eating out. Neither of us were excessive drinkers. It is a beautiful island and well worth the visit, especially some of the walks. Would I go back again - no - but I would go back to Kefalonia.

We have just returned from the Maravelias studios (Kosmar) and you certainly pay for what you get! The rooms are tired, nowhere to put your clothes, the bins are emptied once a week!! The location is good, but if you want to be awoken at 7.30 most mornings by the cathedral bell then good for you! You never see the lady who owns it. The crossing to Symi is 2 hours. There were ants in the bathroom. We were lucky to get a balcony but you have to get on well with your neighbours, which luckily we did. You are charged 7 euros a day for the air conditioning. No kettle, bottle opener and the electric burners are placed on the sink! The shower you have to hold, nowhere to put it. I would not recommend this place at all. The Kosmar rep, Sue, appears to have no customer care skills - she could do with going on a course. She appears to be abrupt and rude. Rhodes airport is a nightmare with it being over 1 hour to check in. Air Malta is like flying with RyanAir or Jet 2. You pay over the odds for food and drink. We had a bargain but still it appears expensive for what you get. Symi was a beautiful island but Kosmar's tours were very expensive. Don't get me wrong we had a wonderful time but would not go back there again.

Symi is a beautiful island.

Most of the accommodation is in the main town - Yialos is the harbour area and the village of Choria is up 350 steps! There are lots of lovely restaurants, tavernas and bars all round the harbour and great, typically Greek tavernas up in the village - well worth the climb. Our accommodation was good, very clean and convenient for the town, but with only a tiny balcony (not big enough to sit on) which was a little disappointing.

There is a town beach just around the corner but most people get a boat out to one of the beaches around the island - most have tavernas and sunbeds and it costs 7 euros return on the boat to go to nearby beaches and about 9 for those further away(but they often have free sunbeds). We liked Emboria and Agios Nikolaos best but they were all nice - though not very sandy - it's a good idea to have beach shoes. Snorkelling is wonderful, the water is so clear and calm on most beaches. We went on an excursion where you walk across the island to Agios Vasilika and then pick up the round island tour boat to see the monastary, have a barbecue (best beach barbecue ever!) on an island and see all the beaches. We don't usually go on excursions but this was well worth the 35 euros it cost. I loved the island and would love to go at a cooler time of year to do more walking.

Spent our 1st week of a two-centre holiday with Kosmar on Symi. Yialos is the main port of the island a lovely sight to the eyes. You can smell all the herbs grown on the hills as you come in to dock on the ferry from Rhodes which is unbelievable. Not too busy although not at all quiet, there are plenty of beaches on the island to visit by boat and a small beach about a 10 mins walk away (Nos beach), all beaches are mainly shingle/pebble.

The Maravelias studios are in a good position with regards to the harbour front where ";everything"; happens, only a minute walk away but practically no noise. The studios themselves are very clean, our room was quite ";compact"; (no. 5) but some rooms I know were larger. Good roof-top terrace with great views of Yialos town. The only thing that bothered us was that air-con was an extra 6 euros per day, so make sure you add this to your budget.

The Kalistrata (400 steps to the old town of Chorio) has got to be walked, but steadily, especially when it's hot. We walked to Pedi beach up and over the top, which was very peaceful (approx> 30-40 mins) and bussed it back, buses run every hour to and from Yialos th Pedi.

Yialos has some great restaurant ans little tavernas, we definately recommend ";Daphne"; restaurant at the side of the town square and ";Aris Taverna"; which serves excellent traditional greek dishes.

We found Symi very laid back, a good place to go to relax and take it easy.