Ermoupoli: Europe’s Most Hospitable City Revealed by The Telegraph

Ermoupoli, the capital of Syros in the Cyclades, has recently been honoured as Europe’s most hospitable city by Forbes magazine, gaining international attention.

To investigate this glowing accolade, The Telegraph dispatched its correspondent, Heidi Fuller-Love, to uncover what makes this stately mansion settlement so welcoming to visitors. What she found was a blend of tradition, charm, and an authentic love for strangers that has set Ermoupoli apart.

A Serene Arrival
From the moment Fuller-Love disembarked from her ferry, the contrast with Syros’ neighbouring island, Mykonos, was evident. "Stepping off the almost empty ship into a spacious promenade with traditional tavernas and cosy cafes – not a McDonalds in sight – I was immediately struck by the calm atmosphere," she wrote. While Mykonos is known for its glitz, Ermoupoli maintains a peaceful, unpretentious charm.

Testing the famed Greek hospitality, Fuller-Love performed an experiment on her walk to the hotel. She approached a group of retirees engaged in a backgammon game and asked for directions to a non-existent hotel. Without hesitation, the locals put their game aside, checked Google Maps, and even called friends in an earnest attempt to help. “Greece is renowned for its hospitality and love of strangers,” Fuller-Love reflected, “but this was impressive.”

An Industrial Legacy
Ermoupoli is not just a picturesque town; it also boasts a rich industrial history, which Fuller-Love explored through a visit to the Industrial Museum. Achilleas Dimitropoulos, the curator, explained how Syros’ neutrality during the Greek War of Independence made it a refuge for merchants and shipbuilders who established thriving businesses. The museum even houses a prototype of the Enfield 8000, one of the world’s first mass-produced electric cars, built in Ermoupoli in 1973 – long before the rise of Elon Musk and Tesla. "Ermoupoli was the first industrial city in Greece," Dimitropoulos proudly noted, "we had the first hospital and the first electricity."

The Secret to Syros’ Hospitality
Fuller-Love then set out to answer a key question: why is Ermoupoli so hospitable? She turned to local expert Timotheos, founder of the non-profit association “Hermoupolis Heritage,” for insight. "Most of the people here are civil servants – we don’t depend on tourism to survive. We don’t have to pretend to be anything we’re not," he explained, attributing this authenticity to the town’s welcoming atmosphere.

Others pointed to the harmonious coexistence of the island’s Orthodox and Catholic populations, while Elena Papaguna from the Mayor’s office credited the town’s stunning neoclassical architecture and cultural heritage. "You can have fun here for less money," Papaguna added, "you can get a kebab or an ice cream and sit for hours watching the crowds."

Syros: A "Happy Place"
In the mountain village of Visassa, cheesemaker Yannis Perris expressed surprise that Ermoupoli didn’t take the top spot globally in Forbes’ hospitality rankings, coming second to the Brazilian town of Arraial d'Ajuda. "I bet no one has even heard of the other place," he quipped.

A Scotsman who now runs an organic winery on the island shared an intriguing tidbit with Fuller-Love. The island’s original Phoenician name, "Ousyra," translates to "happy place." Fuller-Love couldn’t help but wonder if the island’s friendliness is simply a case of "nominal determinism."

In the end, it is clear that Ermoupoli’s secret lies in its authentic warmth, historic grandeur, and a strong sense of community, making it a beacon of hospitality not only in Europe but around the world.