Symi is one of the most architecturally distinctive islands in the Dodecanese. The harbour of Gialos is lined with neoclassical mansions in shades of ochre, terracotta and cream, built by the sponge-diving families who made the island prosperous in the nineteenth century. Today the absence of mass tourism and the preservation of the old town make Symi one of the most visually rewarding stops on any Dodecanese motor yacht itinerary.
Symi sits 41 kilometres north of Rhodes, making it easily accessible from Rhodes Town airport for embarkation or disembarkation, and it serves naturally as a day trip destination from larger yachts based in Rhodes. Motor yachts charter here with easy access to the Turkish coast at Bozburun and Datca, the long beaches of Datca Peninsula, and the wider Dodecanese circuit through Kos, Kalymnos, Leros and the Cyclades beyond.
Motor yacht charter rates in the Dodecanese match the broader Greek market, ranging from around 50,000 euros per week for a well-specified 30-metre vessel to over 500,000 euros for the largest superyachts. The advance provisioning allowance adds approximately 30 percent, covering fuel, food, drinks and port fees. The season runs from May through October, with the Dodecanese benefiting from slightly calmer conditions than the northern Aegean in spring and autumn.
Symi town is one of the few Greek island stops where the architecture alone justifies a full day ashore, making it a natural base for a longer Dodecanese week.
