The Greek island of Simi lies at the entrance to the Gulf of Doris and has been likened to a giant Rorschach ink blob in appearance. Seen from the sea on your Simi Town Greece yacht charter, the appearance of the island is barren and precipitous, but inland there are patches of pine forest. Along the coastline there are numerous anchorages. The island was once famous for ship-building and sponge-diving, but little of these activities remain visible today.

The houses of Simi Town have been built up the steep slopes of an inlet like a child’s building blocks, seemingly one on top of another, in muted shades of blue, amber, cream and pink. On the south side of the harbor, a staircase leads up the hill to the houses at the top – it’s a climb not for the faint-hearted, but those who make it to the top will be rewarded along the way with a glimpse of some wonderful neo-classical mansions and with outstanding views from the top.

There are stalls selling spices, sponges and other souvenirs along the north quay, but a short distance away it’s much more village-like – with livestock and chickens roaming free.  There’s an excellent museum highlighting Byzantine and medieval Simi housed in a fine mansion and some wonderful carved wooden chests in a nearby annexe. A Knight’s Castle occupies the site of Simi’s ancient acropolis. Simi Town is quite fashionable, and there are a good few bars and restaurants to choose from and you’ll find a few nightclubs around the port which stay open into the early hours.