The beautiful Greek island that is home to Europe’s ‘friendliest coast’ | World | News

Summer may be drawing to a close, but for those looking to soak up the sunshine, this beautiful city in Europe may be the perfect place to visit. The Greek islands are frequented by British tourists year after year, renowned for their good weather and sandy beaches.

There are many islands to choose from when booking your holiday, but this is one of the islands that receives the most praise from tourists upon their return. According to a study by Booking.com, Ermoupoli, the capital of Syros, is one of the most welcoming islands in all of Europe.

The administrative capital of the Cyclades archipelago is not a major tourist destination, so its beaches are not crowded with tourists either, reports Mediterranean Traveller.

The city was founded in the 19th century, in honour of the Greek god Hermes, during the Greek Revolution. At that time, the city was said to be the industrial and commercial centre of Greece.

Although the title was soon assumed by Piraeus, it remained an important centre for the Cyclades islands and its economy is still booming.

According to the Syros Cyclades website, in the town tourists “witness neoclassical architecture and a cosmopolitan aura that dates back to Syros’s commercial and artistic flourishing in the 19th century, following the arrival of refugees from the surrounding Greek islands and Asia Minor after the Greek Revolution of 1821.”

The city has much to offer visitors: in the centre is Miaouli Square, next to the Town Hall, created by German architect Ernst Ziller.

There is also the Archaeological Museum of Syros, the Apollo Theatre and the Cultural Centre of Ermoupolis, for those interested in learning more about the rich cultural heritage.

TripAdvisor is flooded with glowing reviews of Ermoupolis, with one reviewer recommending the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. “Built between 1826 and 1829 by refugees from the island of Psara, it is the second oldest church in Ermoupolis after the large main church a little further up the road, the Metropolis Metamorfoseos Sotiros (which has no entry on Tripadvisor).

“It is dedicated to the ‘Kimisis Theotokou’, which translates as the ‘Dormition of the Mother of God’, a feast which in the West is known as the ‘Assumption of the Virgin Mary’ (which is not exactly the same thing, as chronologically the Assumption came after the Dormition). The church, restored in the 1950s after damage sustained during World War II, has a very richly decorated interior with lots of gold, with chandeliers and columns that are painted to look like striped green marble.

“It is quite impressive, but it does not differ too much from many other rich Greek churches. However, what makes this ecclesiastical building special is located in the narthex, on the right side of the inner entrance.”

Another user, Betty G, praised the people of Ermopouli, saying she received a “warm welcome and lots of explanations about the food” when she visited Miaoli Square for dinner. After all the anti-tourist protests that occurred across Europe, this warm reception was welcomed with open arms by many travellers, who may be feeling nervous about choosing their next holiday destination.