Nanou is one of the largest beaches on the east coast of Symi, set at the mouth of a green valley of pine and tamarisk. Grey pebbles line the long shore, and the water drops away fast into deep, clear blue. Most visitors arrive by taxi-boat from Gialos, the main harbour, on a ride of twenty to thirty minutes. A rough dirt road also reaches the bay, though the track runs long and slow. A single taverna sits back under the trees, with sunbeds and umbrellas along the pebbles in season. The valley behind throws natural shade across the beach through the afternoon. This guide covers the setting, the water, the boat routes and the day-trip links to the neighbouring east-coast bays of the island.
Nanou faces east, so the bay stays sheltered from the meltemi wind that scours the exposed coasts of Symi through the summer. The deep, calm water and the rocky edges make the beach a draw for swimmers and snorkellers. Day-boat excursions from Gialos pair Nanou with other east-coast bays such as Marathounta and Agios Georgios Dysalona, turning a single trip into a tour of the coast. The pine and tamarisk valley gives shade that open beaches rarely match, and the taverna keeps lunch within reach of the pebbles. This overview sits within the wider Symi vertical, pointing to guides on the town, the ferry routes and the neighbouring beaches that frame a stay on the island.
What and where is Nanou beach on Symi?
Nanou is one of the largest beaches on the east coast of Symi, set at the mouth of a green valley of pine and tamarisk. Grey pebbles line the long shore, and deep, clear water drops away close in.
Nanou stretches along the east coast of Symi, one of the Dodecanese islands close to the Turkish shore. The beach fills the mouth of a green valley, backed by pine and tamarisk trees. Grey pebbles cover the long shore, which ranks among the widest on the island. Rocky headlands frame each end of the bay, and the ground behind rises into wooded slopes. The water turns deep within a few metres of the pebbles, a clear blue over a stony floor. A single taverna sits back under the trees, out of the sun. This mix of length, greenery and depth sets Nanou apart from the smaller coves that dot the coast of the island.
The valley behind the beach carries a thick cover of pine and tamarisk, rare on the dry Dodecanese. Trees run right down to the back of the pebbles, so shade sits within steps of the water. The green belt marks Nanou out from the bare, rocky bays that ring most of Symi. Streambeds cut through the valley and feed the growth after the winter rains. Cicadas fill the pines through the heat of the day, and the scent of resin hangs in the air. The wooded ground climbs from the shore toward the ridge that divides the coast. This band of green gives the beach its cool, sheltered feel, a contrast to the open glare of the harbour front.
Grey pebbles form the whole shore at Nanou, worn smooth by the sea over the ages. The stones run from pea-size at the waterline to fist-size higher up the beach. Water shoes help on the pebbles, which grow hot under the midday sun. The lack of fine sand keeps the sea clear, since no grit clouds the water when swimmers wade in. The pebble bank shelves down into deep water within a stride or two of the edge. Snorkellers find rocky patches at either end, where fish gather over the stone. This clean, stony shore and the sharp drop to depth make Nanou a swimming beach rather than a place for toddlers to paddle on Symi.
Nanou ranks among the largest beaches on Symi, a long arc set apart from the built-up coast. The bay lies on the east side of the island, away from Gialos and the ferry crowds. No road-side village backs the shore, so the beach keeps a wild, quiet feel. A taverna, sunbeds and umbrellas mark the only services on the pebbles. The green valley, the deep water and the pine shade define the character of the place. Boats anchor offshore through the day, and swimmers share the bay with the odd yacht. This scale and seclusion draw visitors who want a full beach day beyond the reach of the town on Symi.
What is the setting of Nanou beach on Symi like?
Nanou sits at the mouth of a green valley of pine and tamarisk on the east coast of Symi. The wooded slopes behind throw natural shade across the pebbles through the afternoon, a rare cover on the dry island.
The valley behind Nanou funnels down to the beach between two wooded ridges. Pine and tamarisk crowd the lower ground, and the trees lean over the back of the pebbles. Afternoon light drops behind the western ridge, so shade spreads across the shore from early afternoon. This natural cover marks a clear break from the open bays that bake all day on Symi. The green slopes hold the cool air of the valley and funnel a light breeze toward the water. Birds and cicadas fill the pines, and the ground smells of resin and dry herbs. This shaded, sheltered setting lets visitors stay through the hottest hours without the glare of an exposed beach on the island.
Shade at Nanou comes from the trees rather than from hired umbrellas alone. Tamarisk branches spread low over the pebbles at the back of the beach, giving natural cover. Pines climb the slope behind and block the sun as it drops toward the ridge in the afternoon. Visitors who arrive by the midday boat find open sun on the water and cool shade at the tree line. The umbrellas from the taverna add cover on the front row of pebbles in season. This blend of natural and hired shade suits long days on the beach. The tree line also gives a place to leave bags and towels out of the sun while swimmers cross to the deep water off Nanou.
Rocky headlands close off each end of the bay at Nanou, framing the pebbles between them. The cliffs drop straight into deep water, and the stone glows warm in the low sun. Goats pick across the slopes above, and old paths trace the ridge line behind the valley. The bay opens due east, so sunrise lights the whole beach while the port lies in shadow. Evening brings a soft glow to the headlands as the sun sets behind the island. The enclosed shape shelters the pebbles from wind off the open sea. This bowl of rock and green gives Nanou a contained, private feel, cut off from the road and the villages of Symi.
The green valley sets Nanou apart from the pale, treeless bays that ring the Dodecanese. Water from the winter rains feeds the pines and tamarisk long into the dry season. Reeds and oleander line the streambed that runs down the valley floor to the shore. The cover holds the heat of the day at bay and keeps the back of the beach cool. Walkers who reach Nanou over the hills descend through pine woods to the pebbles below. This wooded approach and the shaded shore reward the long trip by road. The contrast of deep blue water, grey stone and green pine gives the beach a look that stands out along the whole east coast of Symi.
How is the water for swimming and snorkelling at Nanou on Symi?
Nanou holds deep, clear water that drops away fast from the grey pebbles. The stony floor and rocky headlands make the bay a strong spot for snorkelling, where fish gather over the rock at each end of the beach.
The water at Nanou turns deep within a stride of the pebble edge. The shore shelves down steeply, so swimmers reach out-of-depth blue almost at once. The sea runs clear over a floor of grey stone, with no sand to cloud it. Visibility stays high, and swimmers pick out rocks and fish three or four metres down. The depth suits confident swimmers rather than small children who paddle at the edge. Cooler water wells up off the deep bay, a relief through the heat of the summer. A rope and buoy line marks the swim zone off the taverna front in season. This quick drop to clear, deep water marks Nanou apart from the shallow, sandy bays elsewhere on Symi.
Snorkelling ranks among the main draws of Nanou, thanks to the rocky ends of the bay. Reefs and boulders line each headland, where fish shelter in the clear water. Snorkellers follow the rock from the pebbles out toward the deeper blue. Bream, wrasse and the odd octopus move over the stone at three or four metres down. The clear water and the stony floor keep visibility high through the day. Masks and fins help, though the rock lies within easy reach of a strong swimmer. Morning brings the calmest water and the best light for the reef. This rocky, clear-water setting makes Nanou one of the finer snorkelling beaches on the east coast of Symi.
East-facing shelter keeps the water at Nanou calm when the meltemi stirs the open sea. The wind that batters the north and west coasts of Symi passes the bay by. Flat water through the day makes for easy swimming and clear snorkelling. Swells rarely reach the pebbles, so the sea holds its glassy calm from dawn. The deep bay warms slower than a shallow cove, so the water stays fresh in high summer. Boats anchor in the lee of the headland, out of the wind and the swell. This steady calm, born of the east-facing angle, gives Nanou reliable swimming while other beaches close out in the meltemi season on the island.
Deep water at Nanou rewards strong swimmers who head out from the pebble edge. The bay drops off fast, so a short swim reaches open blue beyond the anchored boats. Divers and freedivers use the clear water and the rocky walls at each end. The sea holds its clarity even after a busy day on the beach, since no sand clouds it. Swimmers keep clear of the boat lane that runs to the taverna jetty. Cooler currents move through the deep centre of the bay in the afternoon. This depth and clarity make Nanou a swimmer’s beach, a place for the water itself rather than for building castles in the sand on Symi.
How do you get to Nanou beach on Symi?
Nanou lies on the east coast of Symi, reached mainly by taxi-boat from Gialos on a ride of twenty to thirty minutes. A rough dirt road also runs to the bay, though the track is long and slow.
Reaching Nanou starts with the wider question of how to get to Symi, since the island has no airport. Ferries and day-boats from Rhodes land at Gialos, the main harbour on the west side. From the port, taxi-boats run east around the coast to Nanou through the warm season. The ride lasts twenty to thirty minutes over open water past a string of bays. Boats leave the quay in the morning and set a return time in the afternoon. Passengers pay a fare on board and step straight onto the pebbles at Nanou. This boat link forms the main way in, since the road option runs long and rough across the island of Symi.
The taxi-boat gives the fastest and most scenic route to Nanou from Gialos. Small local craft leave the harbour on a fixed morning schedule through the summer. The boats round the southern headland and track the east coast past bay after bay. Riders watch the cliffs and the empty coves slide by on the twenty-to-thirty-minute crossing. The captain sets a pick-up time, so day trippers plan lunch and swimming around it. Rough seas in a strong meltemi can delay or cancel the run, though the east coast stays calm most days. Fares stay modest and are paid in cash on board. This water route lands visitors on the pebbles without the long, dusty drive over the hills of Symi.
A dirt road also reaches Nanou across the interior of Symi, though the track tests both car and driver. The route climbs from the ring road, then drops through the hills on a rough, stony surface. Loose gravel, ruts and tight bends slow the drive to a crawl in places. A high-clearance vehicle handles the track better than a low hire car or a scooter. The long, dusty descent ends at the back of the valley, a short walk from the pebbles. Drivers weigh the time and wear on the car against the ease of the boat. This rough road keeps most visitors on the taxi-boat, leaving the track to the drivers who want their own wheels on the island.
Walkers reach Nanou on old paths over the ridge that divides the coast of Symi. The trail climbs from the interior and drops through pine woods to the valley floor. The route runs long and steep, so hikers carry water and start early to dodge the heat. The reward comes as the green valley and the blue bay open below the pines. Most swimmers skip the walk and the drive and take the taxi-boat from Gialos instead. Private yachts anchor off the pebbles, a further way in for those touring the coast by sea. This range of options, from boat to track to trail, all point back to the water route as the simple way to Nanou on Symi.
What facilities does Nanou beach on Symi have?
Nanou has a single taverna set back under the trees, along with sunbeds and umbrellas on the front pebbles in season. No shops, hotels or road-side village back the bay, so visitors bring what the day needs.
A single taverna serves Nanou, set back under the pine and tamarisk at the edge of the beach. The kitchen plates fresh fish, grilled meat, salads and Greek mezes through the season. Tables sit in the shade of the trees, steps from the pebbles and the water. Cold drinks, coffee and lunch keep beach-goers on the shore through the day. The taverna runs the sunbeds and umbrellas that line the front row of pebbles. Boats tie up at a small jetty that serves the kitchen and the day trippers. This one taverna forms the hub of the beach, the only source of food and hired shade on this stretch of the coast of Symi.
Sunbeds and umbrellas line the front pebbles at Nanou through the warm season. The taverna sets out the loungers each morning and hires them by the day. Two beds and a shade share a fixed rate, often waived with a lunch order. The rows sit on the flat pebbles close to the water, in front of the tree line. Natural shade from the tamarisk backs up the umbrellas at the rear of the beach. Visitors who skip the hire spread towels on the open pebbles or under the trees. This mix of hired and natural shade covers a full beach day at Nanou, from the morning boat to the afternoon return to Symi.
Services at Nanou stop at the taverna, the sunbeds and the umbrellas on the pebbles. No shop, kiosk or mini-market backs the bay, and no road-side village lies within reach. Visitors carry water, sun cream and anything a beach day needs from Gialos. The taverna supplies drinks and food, so hunger and thirst pose no problem on the shore. No lifeguard patrols the deep water, so swimmers judge the drop-off for themselves. A basic toilet serves the taverna, though no other buildings stand on the beach. Shade from the trees stands in for the missing beach bar and kiosk. This bare setup keeps Nanou wild and quiet, a trade-off for the green valley and the deep, clear water of the bay on Symi.
Nanou keeps a light footprint, with the taverna as the only building on the shore. Power and water reach the kitchen, yet the beach holds no resort, bar strip or car park. Boats bring most of the trade, so the pebbles clear once the afternoon craft leave. The quiet returns by evening, with the valley and the bay left to the anchored yachts. Rubbish goes back out with visitors, since no service runs across the hills to the bay. The simple layout protects the wooded valley and the clean water that draw people here. Anchored yachts light up the dark bay once the beach empties. This restraint marks Nanou out from the developed beaches near the harbours of the island of Symi.
What day-boat trips link Nanou with other beaches on Symi?
Day-boat excursions from Gialos pair Nanou with other east-coast bays of Symi, such as Marathounta and Agios Georgios Dysalona. The boats cruise the coast, stopping at a run of beaches hard to reach by road in a single day out.
Day-boat excursions from Gialos knit Nanou into a tour of the east coast of Symi. The craft leave the harbour in the morning and cruise south, then east past the headlands. Marathounta beach forms a common stop on the route, a pebble bay with a taverna of its own. Boats drop anchor for a swim before moving on to the next cove along the shore. The trips reach beaches that the rough roads leave hard to visit by car. Passengers pay for the day and pick their swimming stops from the boat. This cruise format turns Nanou from a single beach into one link in a chain of east-coast bays on Symi.
Agios Georgios Dysalona ranks among the finest stops on the east-coast boat route past Nanou. The bay sits under a sheer cliff that towers above a strip of pale pebbles. Boats anchor offshore, since no road reaches the foot of the cliff at all. The deep, clear water and the sheer wall draw swimmers off the day craft. Excursions often pair Dysalona with Nanou and Marathounta on a single loop of the coast. The cliff throws the beach into shade by early afternoon, a cue for the boats to move on. This run of hidden bays, reached only from the sea, makes the day cruise the best way to see the east coast of Symi.
Nanou also sits within reach of the beaches closer to Gialos on the west of Symi. Nos beach lies a short walk from the harbour, an easy option on days when the boats stay in port. Swimmers who base themselves near the town split their days between the near shore and the far bays. The east-coast run to Nanou needs the morning boat, while Nos waits within a ten-minute stroll. Both share the clear Dodecanese water, though Nos trades the wild valley for a spot near the cafes. This pairing lets a stay on Symi mix the quick town swim with the boat trip out to the quiet pebbles of Nanou.
Boat operators at Gialos run set routes and private charters along the east coast past Nanou. Group day-trips follow a fixed loop, with swimming stops at the main bays. Private hires let a family or group pick their own beaches and times for the day. The craft range from open launches to small covered boats, all leaving the main quay. Trips run through the warm months, when the east coast stays calm in the lee of the island. Bookings go through the kiosks and agents along the harbour front at Gialos. This choice of group and private boats opens the whole east coast, with Nanou as the headline stop on the run around Symi.
Who does Nanou beach on Symi suit best?
Nanou suits swimmers, snorkellers and shade-seekers who want a full beach day away from the town. The deep water and grey pebbles fit strong swimmers rather than toddlers, while the pine valley draws those after natural cover.
Swimmers and snorkellers gain the most from a day at Nanou on the east coast of Symi. The deep, clear water off the pebbles rewards anyone at ease in the sea. Snorkellers work the rocky ends of the bay, where fish gather over the stone. The quick drop-off suits confident swimmers who want blue water within a stride of the shore. Freedivers and strong swimmers head out past the anchored boats into the open bay. The calm, east-facing water holds its clarity through the day for time in the sea. Masks and fins turn a swim into an hour over the reef at either headland. This focus on deep, clear water makes Nanou a beach for people who come to swim on Symi.
Shade-seekers favour Nanou for the pine and tamarisk that cover the back of the beach. Visitors who wilt in open sun find natural cover within steps of the water. The wooded valley holds cool air and blocks the afternoon glare from the western ridge. Families with older children who swim well use the shade for the hours between swims. Readers and nappers settle under the trees, away from the heat on the front pebbles. The green setting sets Nanou apart for anyone who dodges the bare, baking bays of Symi. Cool valley air drifts down to the pebbles through the afternoon. This natural shade, rare on the island, draws those who plan a long, slow day beside the deep water of the bay.
Nanou fits visitors after a quiet beach day well beyond the reach of the crowds. The boat ride and the rough road keep the numbers down through the day. Couples and calm-seekers trade the busy town front for the wild valley and the deep bay. The single taverna feeds the beach without the bustle of a resort strip. Once the afternoon boats leave, the pebbles clear and the bay falls quiet. Yacht crews and campers value the seclusion of the wooded east-coast bay. Sunset light glows on the headlands once the day boats clear the water. This peace and distance make Nanou a match for anyone who wants the sea and the pines without the noise of the harbour towns on Symi.
Nanou fits families with strong swimmers rather than parents of small, wading children. The pebbles turn to deep water within a stride, so the bay leaves no shallow zone for toddlers. Older children who snorkel and swim well thrive in the clear, rocky water. Parents weigh the deep drop-off and the lack of a lifeguard before the trip. Sandy, shallow bays elsewhere on the coast fit young families better than Nanou. The green shade and the taverna, though, ease a day with children who handle the sea. Water shoes and a mask make the deep, stony bay easier for older children. This split makes Nanou a fine choice for water-confident visitors and a poor one for paddlers on Symi.
When is the best time to visit Nanou beach on Symi?
Nanou works best from late spring through early autumn, when the taxi-boats run and the taverna opens. Morning brings the calmest water and open sun, while the valley throws shade over the pebbles by mid-afternoon.
Late spring through early autumn marks the prime run for a visit to Nanou on Symi. The taxi-boats from Gialos run through these warm months, the main way to the bay. The taverna opens for the season, and the sunbeds line the front pebbles. Sea temperatures climb into comfort by early summer and hold warm into the autumn. The east coast stays calm in the summer meltemi, so the boats run near daily. Spring brings the greenest valley, while autumn holds warm water and thinner crowds. Winter and early spring leave the taverna shut and the boats off the water. This warm-season window covers the boats, the taverna and the swimming that define a day at Nanou on the island.
Morning ranks as the best part of the day at Nanou for calm water and light. The sea lies glassy at dawn, and the east-facing bay catches the first sun over the water. Early boats drop swimmers onto empty pebbles before the day-trip craft arrive. The open sun warms the front of the beach while the reef shows clear for snorkelling. Heat builds through the middle of the day, when the umbrellas and trees earn their keep. This early start rewards visitors with the calmest sea and the quietest pebbles at Nanou. Cooler morning air makes the walk over the pebbles easier on bare feet. Boats returning in the afternoon leave time for a full morning swim in the bay on Symi.
Afternoon at Nanou brings natural shade as the sun drops behind the western ridge. The pine and tamarisk throw cover across the back pebbles from early afternoon. The front of the beach holds sun for swimmers who want the warm water and light. Day-trippers catch the return boat in the mid-to-late afternoon, so the pebbles thin out. The shaded hours suit lunch at the taverna and a slow rest under the trees. Cooler air settles in the valley as the light softens over the bay. Late-day swimmers find the water at its warmest before the last boat. This afternoon shade, rare on the open coast, extends a comfortable day past noon at Nanou on Symi.
High summer packs the most boats and visitors onto the pebbles at Nanou. July and August bring the warmest water, the fullest taverna and the busiest day-trip runs. Shoulder months trade a touch of that warmth for quieter pebbles and easier bookings. Winter closes the taverna and stops the taxi-boats, leaving the bay to walkers and yachts. Storms and the odd strong wind can still cancel a boat even in the warm season. Visitors check the boat schedule at Gialos the day before a trip out. Booking a room near Gialos keeps the morning boat within easy reach. This seasonal rhythm, from the busy summer to the empty winter, shapes any plan for a day at Nanou on Symi.
What practical tips help for a day at Nanou on Symi?
Nanou needs a little planning, since the bay holds one taverna and no shops. Book the morning taxi-boat at Gialos, carry water and sun cream, wear water shoes for the pebbles, and confirm the afternoon return time.
Booking the taxi-boat ranks as the first task for a day at Nanou. Kiosks and agents along the Gialos harbour front sell the morning runs to the east coast. Travellers confirm the departure and the return time before they board. The last boat back leaves in the afternoon, so lunch and swimming fit around it. Cash covers the fare, paid to the captain on the crossing. A missed boat means a long, rough road or a night on the pebbles. Groups reserve a private charter for a flexible pick-up along the coast. This early booking locks in the ride out and the ride home, the core of any plan for Nanou on Symi.
Water and supplies travel with the visitor, since Nanou holds one taverna and no shop. A litre or two of water per person covers the heat of a beach day. Sun cream, a hat and sunglasses guard against the strong midday light on the open pebbles. The taverna sells drinks and lunch, so hunger poses no real problem on the shore. A dry bag keeps phones and cash safe on the boat and the pebbles. Rubbish goes back out on the boat, since no service clears the bay. Water shoes ease the walk over the hot, stony beach. This light packing covers the gaps in a beach with almost no services on the east coast of Symi.
Water shoes rank among the best items to pack for the grey pebbles of Nanou. The stones grow hot by midday and run from pea-size to fist-size up the beach. Shoes ease the walk to the water and the scramble over the rock at each headland. A mask and snorkel open up the reef, one of the beach’s main draws. Swimmers judge the quick drop-off for themselves, since no lifeguard patrols the bay. Small children who wade need close watch on the steep pebble shelf. A towel and a book fill the shaded hours under the trees. This simple kit turns the deep water and the stony shore into the highlight of Nanou on Symi.
Timing and weather round out the plan for a trip to Nanou on Symi. The east coast stays calm in the summer meltemi, though a strong blow can cancel the boat. Visitors check the forecast and the boat schedule at Gialos the day before. Morning boats give the calmest water and the coolest pebbles for the swim. An afternoon return leaves the valley in shade and the bay quiet after the crowds. A backup beach near the town covers the rare day the boats stay in port. A hat and cold water blunt the midday heat on the open pebbles. This blend of timing, weather sense and a fallback plan makes for a smooth day at Nanou on Symi.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Nanou beach on Symi?
Nanou lies on the east coast of Symi, one of the Dodecanese islands. The long pebble beach fills the mouth of a green valley of pine and tamarisk, framed by rocky headlands. Grey pebbles line the shore, and the water drops away fast into deep, clear blue. No road-side village backs the bay, so the beach keeps a wild, quiet feel. Most visitors reach Nanou by taxi-boat from Gialos, the main harbour, on the west side of the island.
How do you get to Nanou beach?
Nanou is reached mainly by taxi-boat from Gialos, the main harbour of Symi, on a ride of twenty to thirty minutes along the east coast. Boats leave in the morning through the warm season and set an afternoon return time. A rough dirt road also runs to the bay across the interior, though the long, stony track suits high-clearance vehicles rather than hire cars or scooters. Walkers reach Nanou on old paths over the ridge. The taxi-boat forms the simple way in for most beach-goers.
Is Nanou beach sandy?
Nanou is a pebble beach, not a sandy one. Grey pebbles cover the whole shore, running from pea-size at the waterline to fist-size higher up. The stones keep the water clear, since no sand clouds the sea when swimmers wade in. Water shoes help on the hot pebbles and on the rock at each headland. The shore shelves down into deep water within a stride of the edge, so the bay suits swimmers rather than toddlers. The clean, stony floor also makes Nanou a strong spot for snorkelling on Symi.
Is Nanou good for snorkelling?
Nanou is one of the finer snorkelling beaches on the east coast of Symi. Rocky headlands close off each end of the bay, where fish gather over the stone in clear water. The sea runs deep and clean off the grey pebbles, so visibility stays high through the day. Snorkellers follow the rock from the shore out toward the deeper blue and find bream, wrasse and the odd octopus at three or four metres. Morning brings the calmest water and the best light for the reef.
Does Nanou beach have a taverna and sunbeds?
Nanou has a single taverna set back under the pine and tamarisk at the edge of the beach. The kitchen serves fresh fish, grilled meat, salads and Greek mezes through the season. The same taverna runs the sunbeds and umbrellas that line the front row of pebbles. No shop, kiosk or mini-market backs the bay, so visitors carry water and sun cream from Gialos. Natural shade from the trees backs up the hired umbrellas, covering a full beach day on the east coast of Symi.
Is Nanou beach sheltered from the wind?
Nanou faces east, so the bay stays sheltered from the meltemi wind that scours the north and west coasts of Symi through the summer. The wind passes the bay by, and the water holds a glassy calm from dawn. Flat water makes for easy swimming and clear snorkelling through the day. The rocky headlands and the deep bay give boats a calm anchorage in the lee of the island. This shelter lets Nanou stay open for swimming on days when exposed beaches close out in the meltemi.
What other beaches can you visit with Nanou?
Nanou pairs with other east-coast bays of Symi on a day-boat trip from Gialos. Excursions cruise the coast and stop at Marathounta, a pebble bay with a taverna, and Agios Georgios Dysalona, a strip of pebbles under a sheer cliff reached only from the sea. The boats anchor for a swim at each bay before moving on. Near the town, Nos beach offers an easy swim a short walk from the harbour on days when the boats stay in port. Together these bays cover a full tour of the coast.