Symi and Patmos sit at opposite ends of the Dodecanese, and the crossing between them feels like it: this is a proper open-water passage rather than a short hop between neighbours. Symi's harbour at Yialos is one of the prettiest in the Aegean, its pastel-shaded mansions stacked in tiers around a horseshoe bay a few minutes' walk from the town centre. Patmos, at the northern end of the group, arrives quieter and starker -- the ferry docks at Skala, below the whitewashed hill-town of Chora and the fortified Monastery of St John. Whichever direction you're travelling, check the schedule box above for the latest confirmed sailing dates before you build a trip around this route.
Sailing frequency holds fairly steady through the season, with a single service most days rather than the stacked departures you'd find on routes that funnel through a major hub. Because this crossing links two smaller islands directly, boats can fill up in the height of summer -- book ahead if you have fixed dates, and see the panel above for the current frequency.
Useful Resources for Your Greek Island Trip
- Find accommodation in Greece – hotels, apartments and villas on Booking.com
- Book tours and activities in Greece via Viator
- Find guided experiences and day trips via GetYourGuide
- Compare car hire prices in Greece via DiscoverCars