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Wintering in Greece: Syros – A Hidden Paradise for Digital Nomads

Anni and Thommy — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 13:20:51 +0000

What makes Syros so special?

We never would have thought Syros would captivate us like this. But here we are on the ferry, watching the pastel-colored houses of Ermoupoli fade into the distance, and, man, we’ve got a pretty big lump in our throat.

As digital nomads, we’ve traveled to a lot of places, but this dreamy island has sneaked its way deep into our hearts and will always hold a special place in our memories.

But what makes Syros so special? Honestly? It’s hard to put it into words. If we had to describe it, we’d say Syros is more than just a typical Greek beauty. Syros is a feeling – a place where you instantly feel comfortable and at home. Maybe it’s the people we met there or just the peaceful island life in the off-season. Syros has surprised us in so many ways and fundamentally changed our thinking about certain things. One thing’s for sure: Syros – we’ll meet again someday!

Why Syros is a True Gem for Digital Nomads

The small island of Syros, in the heart of the Aegean, might have been unknown to many. We hadn’t heard of it either until we were invited by Work from Greece.

Luckily, we got to know this special place last winter – an opportunity we’re incredibly grateful for. But why is Syros, despite its extraordinary charm, almost undiscovered by tourists?

We asked ourselves the same question and came up with five reasons why digital nomads should visit this hidden Mediterranean gem.

Work and Play in Balance

A trip to Syros isn’t just a great chance for digital nomads to work without distractions, but also to enjoy the island’s perks. Whether you start your day with a walk through the narrow streets of Ano Syros or energize yourself with a yoga session on the city beach – you couldn’t ask for a more balanced way to start a workday. Then, it’s off to a cozy café to be productive alone or with other nomads in mild Mediterranean temperatures.

Our everyday life on Syros was a balanced mix of a regular work routine and family time. In the mornings, Anni used the quiet hours to work with focus, while Thommy and the kids explored the playgrounds near the co-working hub. We used every spare minute to wander the small streets of Ermoupoli and take trips into the surrounding nature. And one thing we can say for sure: our work-life balance has never worked better.

Pleasant Climate Even in Winter

When you think of Greece, don’t you instantly think of bright sunshine and summery temperatures?

On Syros, the third-largest island of the Cyclades, this expectation is certainly not disappointed. Sitting with an open laptop on a sunny terrace while the kids play happily in the background? Sounds like a dream, but it’s reality when you choose a nomadic life on Syros.

Even in winter, the temperature here is a pleasant 15 degrees Celsius – perfect for working outdoors or relaxing at the beach after a day’s work. In summer, temperatures rise to an average of 28 degrees Celsius, ideal for ending the day with a cool drink and a breathtaking sunset.

Authentic Greece Without Mass Tourism

In contrast to many other Greek dream islands, tourism has not played a significant role in Syros so far.

Everything here is still authentic and untouched by the tourism boom. Although there are fast ferries and a national airport connected to the international airport in Athens, Syros is mainly visited by long-term travelers or locals. Only a few day tourists find their way to Syros, which makes the island unique.

For years, the island has thrived on shipbuilding, agriculture, and the production of delicious sweets, famous throughout the Mediterranean. Consequently, Syros is lively all year round and fortunately doesn’t fall into a winter sleep like Sleeping Beauty and other neighboring islands during the off-season. Another plus: Due to the low number of visitors, Syros is much more unspoiled than other islands in the Aegean and therefore also offers lower accommodation prices.

Small but Mighty

If you’re a digital nomad looking for an inspiring workplace, you should definitely consider Syros as a destination. Yes, it’s true. The island isn’t particularly big, but that’s what makes it so interesting. In just 20 minutes, you can cross the island by car and quickly get to secluded beaches, fishing villages, and green bays. And where better to enjoy your well-deserved evening off.

Another advantage of this beautiful Cycladic island: Thanks to its small size, many things are easily accessible on foot or by bike: There are numerous cafes with free Wi-Fi, co-working spaces, and even specially equipped accommodations for long-term vacationers. Whether on a deserted beach or in a cozy restaurant on the beautiful harbor promenade of Ermoupoli – here, you can fully enjoy the flexibility of digital nomadism.

Community spirit

Syros is not just a place to work, but also to dream and evolve. So it’s no wonder that there’s a community called Boundless Life here, addressing the challenges of digital nomads and supporting families who have decided to live and work location-independently.

During our stay, we were part of it for three weeks and immediately formed close and meaningful friendships with other nomad families. Unlike being on your own, Boundless Life not only takes care of the usual barriers that can arise when traveling abroad with family but but also offers a forward-thinking education programm for children, an organized and fully equipped co-working hub, a sense of community and overall a comfortable place away from home.

Syros – A Hidden Treasure Often Overlooked

Syros is full of surprises. Whether you’re a culture enthusiast, a beach lover, or a connoisseur, there’s something for everyone on Syros. The grace and beauty of the architecture in the Cyclades’ capital, however, can be largely attributed to its rich history. For a long time, Ermoupoli was the most important port in Greece, even surpassing Piraeus. Thanks to enormous shipyards, the city could finance its impressive streets and buildings.

Majestic Ermoupoli

The historical legacy of past rulers is omnipresent and tells exciting stories of times long gone. Everywhere in the city, one encounters the traces of significant personalities whose stories still seem alive. The marble-paved squares at the harbor give the cityscape an elegant charm and invite leisurely strolls. Walking through the alleys of Ermoupoli, one is immersed in a different time – a time full of culture and stories.

A Fusion of Contrasts

Syros has many faces. Even the main town, built on two hills, has a dual identity. Ermoupoli is imposing and grand, crowned by an orthodox church. On one hand, you’ll find traditional Greek culture: narrow alleys with pastel-colored houses and shutters exude Mediterranean flair. On the other hand, the island impresses with modern comfort and trendy restaurants. The interplay of tradition and modernity makes Syros a unique travel destination that will enchant every visitor in its own way.

A Treasure Chest Waiting to be Discovered

And then there’s the breathtaking nature of Syros: picturesque bays, crystal clear water, and impressive landscapes offer a beautiful contrast to historic Ermoupoli. Along the coast, you’ll find idyllic beaches for relaxation. But Syros has even more to offer: the island is a true paradise for hiking enthusiasts. Impressive hiking trails lead through lush vegetation and offer breathtaking views of the sea. Whether along the coast or inland, there are countless opportunities to explore the beauty of nature.

Sustainable and authentic cuisine

The Greek delicacies are a reason to visit this country. The cuisine from Syros, with its local dishes, is even better. In a cooking class at Villa Maria, we got to know the culinary tradition of Greece from a completely different perspective. Elisa Mavropoulou showed us a variety of Greek dishes that are rarely found in restaurants. The kitchen at Villa Maria mainly uses a variety of vegetables, legumes, and herbs that grow on the island and adapts to the seasons. Cooking with what the land offers is an essential part of Greek culture, making each dish unique and authentic.

Syros wine makes you happy

Besides the famous drink Ouzo, Syros also has amazing wines from unique and rare grape varieties of the Cyclades that you just have to try. During our visit to a wine tasting in the hilly south of Chrousa, we got to know the small family winery OuSyra better.

The winemaker, Edward Maitland-Makgill-Crichton, originally from Scotland, has been living on the island for over 30 years, where he also met his Greek wife Eileen. Together, they founded a winery that specializes in tradition, environmental protection, and innovations. OuSyra, which means “happy”, perfectly shows their love for Syros.

How to Get to Syros?

There are various options for reaching this beautiful island. From Athens, you can either take a short flight or opt for the slightly longer, but scenic, ferry journey. Our adventure started in Frankfurt, where we flew to Athens with Aegean Airlines, Greece’s largest airline and a proud member of the Star Alliance. From there, we chose to continue our journey with Blue Star Ferries. The trip from Athens’ largest port takes about 4 hours, and there are two connections daily. If you’re already on another Greek island, you can of course also catch a ferry to Syros from there.

Syros – A Hidden Paradise for Digital Nomads

After three weeks on Syros, we can confidently say that Syros was more to us than just a regular holiday destination – it became a home, a workplace, and a playground for our children.

We learned to take life slower, appreciate the small things, and have made new friendships with other nomads. Our time on Syros reignited our passion for traveling and working as a digital nomad family. It showed us that it’s possible to lead a balanced life that combines work, adventure, and family time.

The post Wintering in Greece: Syros – A Hidden Paradise for Digital Nomads appeared first on Digital Nomads.

Why the Peloponnese Could Be the Next Digital Nomad Hotspot

Dominik and Josefine — Wed, 17 Jan 2024 11:54:04 +0000

Embracing Remote Work in the Heart of Greek Culture and Natural Beauty

The rise of digital nomads and remote workers is something that’s been talked about for years now – especially since 2020. Living this lifestyle for 5+ years now, we’ve seen a drastic increase in people looking to work and live remotely and we think this is so exciting!

Because of the increase in people like us working remotely more and more destinations are popping up as ideal digital nomad destinations and we see this as a win/win situation for digital nomads and remote workers alike as well as the destinations that get put on the “nomad map”.

We like to believe that there is a big difference between the standard holiday visitor and a digital nomad who is coming to a new location.

From our experience, a holiday visitor is in a destination for a short period of time to enjoy all the highlights and have a great time. In Greece, we believe this often means visiting nice hotels, enjoying the sunshine, swimming in the pool and the sea, eating lots of good food, and doing their own thing while enjoying the destination.

A digital nomad, on the other hand, is often staying for an extended amount of time (1-3 months or longer) and wants to immerse themselves in the local culture and people and leave a positive impact on the destination while also connecting with other digital nomads in the area.

We’re not saying there’s anything wrong with either type of travelling, we’re simply just saying there’s a difference.

This is where the Peloponnese community can work together with digital nomads and remote workers to create an up-and-coming location for people who want to work remotely and experience the Greek culture in one of the most beautiful and underrated parts of the country.

Why the Peloponnese is perfect for Digital Nomads

The allure of the Peloponnese

As the community of digital nomads expands, the destinations for us (digital nomads) to visit and live in are also going to grow as well. We recently visited Peloponnesus for a month and explored different parts of the peninsula to see what this place has to offer and whether or not it could be a good hot spot for nomads – and we were very impressed with what we found! This part of Greece has so much to offer and we can’t wait to see it as a stable on the digital nomad map.

Scenic beauty

From the sea to the lush countryside, home to the Kalamata Olive, you can’t help but stop and appreciate how beautiful this part of the country is. There are so many hidden gems like the Polylimnio Waterfalls, a stunning coastline with crystal clear water, history that goes back thousands of years in history, incredibly delicious food, and the warmest and most welcoming people we’ve experienced in a long time.

Cultural richness

One thing we absolutely loved about Peloponnesus is the culture and the people. Whether we were walking the streets of Kalamata or exploring one of the coastal towns in the area we saw Greek culture come to life.

At times it feels like you’re taken back in time in this beautiful country that is filled with cultural richness at a time when other countries are starting to let go of their cultures a bit, or at least change the culture as we’ve known it up until now.

It’s admirable to be in a country that has a rich history and culture that is proud to share it.

Historic sites and landmarks

You could spend years in the Peloponnese and probably only see a fraction of the historic sites and landmarks that are found here.

One of our favourite day trips was a visit to the Old Navarino Fortress where we hiked up to the Fortress and got one of the best views of Voidokilia Beach. An incredible mix of history and natural beauty!

This is just an example of the places you can visit because you can honestly go anywhere in the area and be blown away by a historic site or landmark.

Culinary experiences

This one is pretty self-explanatory, right? I mean we all love Greek food, don’t we? Anywhere we went, we had incredible food! From the small town of Marathopoli to Kalamata, we didn’t have a single bad meal. For real!

We also had the chance to go on a food tour with Mama’s Flavors, a local food tour company in Kalamata and the experience was incredible.

It might be because most of the food is locally sourced, made with love, or just straight-up Greek magic but the food just seems to taste better in Greece.

Whatever it is, we’re all for it because every chance we get to try and taste local delicious food, we’ll take it. It’s just another reason to spend more time here in Greece.

Digital-Nomad friendly infrastructure

Co-working spaces

The nomad infrastructure is something that is slowly growing in Kalamata and the Peloponnese as the community sees an influx of digital nomads.

Right now, House by Phaos (a coworking space in Kalamata) is the hub for new digital nomads coming to Kalamata. Nelly has done a great job at providing a space for newcomers and she has already expanded to a second location called Officium.

Both House of Phaos and Officium are Nomad 365 certified. We’re hopeful that this place will start to take off soon as digital nomads start to learn about Kalamata and Peloponnese.

The infrastructure is ready – now we just need the nomads to come! We’re sure this will continue to grow and improve as more nomads arrive and the demand for Coworking spaces increases.

Potential for new spaces

There are also lots of opportunities here in Kalamata for more coworking spaces as well as Coliving spaces to pop up. The same goes for Coliving and Coworking spaces in other parts of the Peloponnese – and that’s exactly why we’re hosting the first-ever Pop Up Coliving in Marathopoli in October 2024! The point of the event is to bring digital nomads together while enjoying this beautiful part of Greece! During the month, over 30 digital nomads will colive and cowork together at the Pop Up Coliving in Marathopoli (there may still be room for you to join!). We’ve already tested the place out ourselves to make sure it’s nomad-proof and we know it’s going to be an amazing experience!

Nomad 365

Speaking of being nomad-proof… Nomad 365 is a great example of the infrastructure and how digital nomad-friendly places are growing in the Peloponnese.

Nomad 365 is basically a platform that issues certifications to places of accommodation that are nomad-friendly. They help make sure places (Airbnb, hotels, and other types of accommodations) are suitable for digital nomads. In order to get approved, the places have to live up to certain criteria such as good, stable wifi, a designated work area, etc,

We stayed at Tiny Apartment in Kalamata and it had everything we needed from a an ergonomic work chair, good wifi, to ring lights to anything else you could imagine you would need while working from your “home”.

Nomad 365 also certifies coworking spaces and cafés so keep your eyes peeled for this as you wander around Kalamata and the Peloponnese so it’s easy for you to find good work spots outside of your apartment

Checking for the Nomad 365 certification is a great way to make sure you always have good internet, comfort, and everything else you need to enjoy working remotely from a new destination.

Cost of living and quality of life

Living expenses

When deciding on a place to base yourself as a digital nomad, the cost of living (as well as safety and good wifi) are usually always at the top of the list. Of course, you want to live somewhere beautiful with good nature, community, and lots of things to do but the living expenses is usually one of the deciding factors.

When you look outside of the typical tourist spots in Greece, the Peloponnese and Kalamata it is quite affordable – especially compared to Western Europe!

From renting an apartment to groceries your money goes a long way when you compare it to a lot of other digital nomad hot spots in Europe. Also, the quality here is really good (both in terms of accommodation and produce!). So you pay less but you also get better quality.

Work-life balance

Work-life balance is an interesting topic because, at the end of the day, it’s up to the individual to create this. But a location can definitely help with a good work-life balance.

For example, in Kalamata if you stay near the coworking space it’s a short walk to work. If you want to go enjoy a nice lunch meal there are plenty of great options nearby. From the city, you have plenty of great day and weekend trips you can do and you can easily walk to the beach before or after work as it is only 20 minutes away.

In general, it does seem like Greek people do work a lot but they also take time to enjoy time with family and friends when they are off.

With good weather, food, and culture you will find yourself wanting to be outside more and spending more time with other people so you can really manage to have a good work-life balance here in the Peloponnese.

Challenges and Solutions

Cultural adaptations

I think one of the easiest ways to feel connected to the locals and the country is to adapt to the culture.

It doesn’t have to be big things but there are little things you can do to adapt to the Greek way to make the most of your time in Greece!

It can be as simple as learning how to say “hello” and “thank you” in Greek. Going for dinner a bit later in the day. Chatting up your local barista while you order a Freddo Cappuccino. Visiting the local market in Kalamata.

One thing we loved about this part of Greece was how easy it was to make local connections. Anywhere we’d go locals would ask us where we were from, what we did for a living, and how we liked their country and food (especially the olive oil!).

If you want to meet and connect with locals, you definitely can!

There are all seemingly small things but they go a long way. The more time you spend in the Peloponnese and Kalamata, the more you’ll get to know the culture and people there!

Language barriers

Like any country, we do believe there can be language barriers at times but from public transport to restaurants and everything in between we were never really in a position where we couldn’t work through a problem.

Most of the younger generation speaks English and so does anyone working in the tourism sector or customer service. And with smartphones, it’s a lot easier to translate when needed.

But we do think there are things we can do as digital nomads to help with the language barrier. If it’s talking slower or sometimes simplifying sentences. Even learning a few basic Greek words goes a long way.

It’s also a good way to immerse yourself in the culture of the country by learning some of the local language!

Future prospect of Digital Nomads in the Peloponnese

Vision for the Peloponnese as a Digital Nomad hotspot

With an airport right outside of Kalamata and a beautiful city, there is tons of potential for this part of Greece to become a new hotspot for digital nomads!

As Kalamata grows in popularity, we’re sure nomads will also find smaller communities along the coast in the other cities and towns in the Peloponnese.

We’ll also be hosting the first Pop Up Coliving in Marathopoli for a month in October 2024 (starting on October 5th)! This will be a good way for nomads to get together and get a taste of this part of Greece.

Potential for growth and sustainability

This is one thing the local government, the municipalities, and the tourism board will have to work together to do. Bringing digital nomads and remote workers to a destination is good if the location is ready for it. That means having the infrastructure set in place for it – both physically and digitally.

Having good public transportation, community managers for digital nomads, and an online platform with information for digital nomads is something that is super helpful and important for nomads in order to consider a destination for their next temporary home base.

Some of this is already set in place in Peloponnese but we do think some improvement can be made. In order for Kalamata to be a sustainable and responsible destination for both digital nomads and the locals, it’s important that initiatives are taken to “protect” the current culture and cost of living.

Especially the latter we think is very important in order for nomads and locals to co-exist and have a positive impact on one another. We’ve sadly seen in a lot of other places that over-tourism mixed with digital nomads (not just one or the other) can negatively impact the cost of living for locals who then no longer want nomads in their city or town.

This is very important because as nomads, we do not wish to have a negative impact on a destination. Quite the opposite.

Putting things in place like price ceilings on rent and setting up events where locals and nomads can mingle are examples of how everyone can benefit from turning a destination into a digital nomad hot spot.

So far this is working really well and we hope the authorities and the tourism board will help continue this so that Kalamata and Peloponnese can continue to be a sustainable destination for nomads.

Get ready to visit the Peloponnese

Resources for visiting the Peloponnese

When it comes to resources and starting out your nomad journey here in Greece and specifically the Peloponnese here are a few links that can really help you out:

Messenia Mobi App: You can check out the Mobi App here. It’s everything from restaurants, attractions, tours, coworking spaces, and a whole lot more. Everything you may need to find in this part of the Peloponnese is in the app!

Red White Adventures blog: You can find all sorts of info from hikes to tours and digital nomad life in the Peloponnese. Our blog posts about the Peloponnese are catered to digital nomads who are looking to get more information about the area, the digital nomad lifestyle there, and get inspiration for fun (and outdoorsy) things to do.

Work From Greece website: This is a website created by Greece catered to everything digital nomad-related in the country! This site is a good place to look for general information about working remotely in Greece as a digital nomad.

It’s not specific to the Peloponnese but many of the insights and information is applicable to the Peloponnese.

You can look at the Work From Greece website here to find more information about digital nomad life in Greece.

Work from Kalamata: Similar to the Work from Greece website, there’s also a site specifically to working from Kalamata. On this website, you can find a ton of information about what it’s like living in Kalamata from things to do there, the cost of living, the best food in town, and everything else that helps nomads get ready for their stay in Kalamata.

Check out Work From Kalamata’s website here.

Mythical Peloponnese website: The Mythical Peloponnese website is more specific to this part of the country. Similar to the Messenia Mobi App, you’ll be able to learn more about what this part of the country has to offer.

From gastronomy to history you can find everything here. It’s a great resource to look at once you’re already in the country and want more inspiration for things to do!

Recap of the Peloponnese and the positive impact of nomads

If you didn’t have the Peloponnese and Kalamata on your nomad radar before, we hope you do now! We really believe that Kalamata and this whole region has great potential to become a future digital nomad hotspot!

From a global perspective, we already know how beautiful this country is, how delicious the food is, and how historic the culture is. Now people just need to learn how cool of a spot it is for remote workers and digital nomads!

If you’re looking to have an awesome work-life balance and affordable cost of living in a sunny and safe place to live, Kalamata and the Peloponnese region is the place to go.

We hope to see you there!

The post Why the Peloponnese Could Be the Next Digital Nomad Hotspot appeared first on Digital Nomads.