Town Simi: Town village in the island of Simi, Greece, Dodecanese

In addition, its interior is often decorated with wood carvings, a use that dates from ancient times. The port of Gialos also counts on shops, bars and cafes. In addition, there are usually yachts and ferries coming to the island, since Simi is often included in cruises and tours around the Dodecanese chain. This area also concentrates the liveliest nightlife on Simi, and enjoys a great atmosphere in the evening.

Although Simi is not a wild island when it comes to this subject, the fact of being small and not having massive tourism allows people to socialise and know each other more easily. In fact, there are some usual groups of visitors that come back year after year, because they fell in love with this island and its people. The lower part of Gialos has nice neoclassical buildings belonging to the 19th century, and is ideal for strolls, since they concentrate much of the traditional charm of Simi. In fact, since the 1970s this is an architecturally protected area, due to the importance of its buildings. This part of the island also counts on the nautical museum, and a clock-tower dating from 1890, which is very impressive.

On the other hand, Gialos is connected to Chorio via Kali Strata, a great path made of marble stairs. Chorio can be found at the top of these approximately 350 steps and has smaller buildings than Gialos, although it still has a good variety of interesting places as well. For example, it hosts the Hatziagapitos mansion-fortress belonging to the 19th century, and a pharmacy dating from the same century. It counts on wooden drawers used for exotic herbal remedies and apothecary jars.

Another good place is the Knights of Agios Ioannis at the highest point of the settlement. This has been restored in the 15th century as an annexe to the Archaeological museum, but originally dates to two thousand years ago. Unfortunately, this appreciated building has been damaged during the 2nd World War, when Germans retreated. Chorio has also two-storey stone houses remaining from the times when the island had reached its financial peak. The location of Chorio also assures it a great view that worthies the effort of climbing it up.

Regarding the Archaeological Museum, it displays many articles belonging to the Byzantine and Medieval periods on Simi, as well as many frescoes belonging to isolated and locked churches.However, the atmosphere at Chorio is very different from Gialos. While Gialos tends to be more cosmopolitan, Chorio has a more traditional vibe. For example, there are chickens roaming freely on some squares, while others are plenty of traditional –sometimes ruined- mansions.

In addition, it usually does not count on many day-trippers. Anyway, those visiting Simi should take Chorio into account, since its beauty worths the visit. Apart from counting on the mentioned buildings, Chorio has also some taverns, as well as many churches and a row of windmills. The town of Simi is made of two picturesque settlements, Gialos and Chorio; each one of them with its own particular charm. Both of them deserve a detailed visit, and keeping in mind this information allows taking the most advantage of them.