Syros, Greece Voted Second Most Welcoming Destination in the World

The island of Syros in Greece has been voted the second most welcoming destination in the world, according to traveler reviews at Booking.com.

The Brazilian city of Arraial d’Ajuda, famed for its azure blue beaches, was voted as the top welcoming destination.

Following Syros is Viana do Castelo, Portugal (third); Daylesford, Australia (fourth); and Grindelwald, Switzerland (fifth). The highest-ranked American locale is Moab, Utah. The city – renowned for its cinematic, rocky natural beauty – comes sixth on the destination list.

Booking.com explained that it based its awards on more than 309 million verified customer reviews, which evaluate the hospitality, service and standards of travel accommodations, activities and transport purveyors.

Only customers that have stayed at an accommodation, rented a car or rode in a taxi can leave a review of their experience on Booking.com.

Booking.com said: “This year’s list of the Most Welcoming Places on Earth showcases a vast range of destinations from across the globe. From enchanting coastal towns to alpine retreats and even rustic desert gems, all these locations are sure to ignite a sense of wanderlust for the year ahead.”

Syros in Greece is a welcoming destination with long and rich history

Syros has a long history that began three millennia ago. This explains the differences in architecture and the many government buildings in the capital, Ermoupoli. It also explains the wealth of museums and cultural events that take place there in the summer.

Syros had French, Venetian, and Ottoman influences. The island came under Ottoman rule in 1522, but it was awarded substantial religious, economic, and cultural freedom.

Specifically, the island’s large Catholic population came under French and Roman protection after the Ottomans agreed to that effect with the French and the Holy See.

Ano Syros is a medieval hilltop town that stands above the capital of Ermoupoli. The original residents chose this hard-to-reach location to protect themselves from the regularly occurring pirate raids that threatened the island. There, one can find the historic Church of St. George, the sprawling Catholic edifice that sits at the town’s summit.

Just under that area is Ermoupoli, the capital of the Cyclades, which was once a key trading port in the Aegean. Ermoupoli has several museums and beautiful architecture all around.

The Archaeological Museum of Ermoupoli – housed in the iconic Neoclassical town hall building, is one of the oldest museums in Greece. There is also the Ermoupoli Industrial Museum, where among other exhibits one can learn about Syros’ contribution to the world’s first electric cars.

In Ermoupoli one can see many mansions which once belonged to the town’s merchants. A wealthy island due to its great location for trade, Syros lost much of its sheen during World War II and the years afterward.

Yet the rich homes of the merchants remain. And now that the island has been reborn once again, the mansions stand there, still proud and magnificent.

Related: Syros: The Lady of the Aegean Islands