Ioannis Roussos

Ioannis Roussos is a local pharmacy on Akti Papagoi, the harbour-front road in Ermoupoli, the capital and port city of Syros. The address — Akti Papagoi 42 — places it along the quayside, making it one of the more accessible pharmacies for visitors arriving by ferry or staying in central Ermoupoli.

Operating as Φαρμακείο Ιωάννης Ρούσσος & Σια Ο.Ε, the pharmacy serves both local residents and tourists. It carries prescription medications, over-the-counter remedies, and a standard range of health and personal care products typical of Greek island pharmacies.

What to Expect

Like most pharmacies in Greece, Ioannis Roussos operates as a registered dispensary where a qualified pharmacist is present during opening hours. You can bring an EU prescription (or a prescription from a Greek doctor) and have it filled here. For travellers, that means common needs — sunburn treatments, insect repellent, antidiarrheals, antihistamines, pain relief, electrolyte sachets, or wound dressings — are likely all available off the shelf.

Greek pharmacies function differently from large chain chemists in northern Europe or the US. The pharmacist plays a more consultative role and can advise on minor ailments without a doctor's appointment. If you have a non-urgent health question during your stay on Syros, this is a reasonable first stop before seeking a clinic.

The shop is located on the waterfront strip of Ermoupoli rather than up in the hillside neighbourhoods, so it is easy to reach on foot from the main square (Plateia Miaouli is a short walk inland) and from the ferry terminal.

How to Get There

Akti Papagoi runs parallel to the port of Ermoupoli. From the central ferry dock, walk along the waterfront in the direction of the town centre; number 42 is within easy walking distance. From Plateia Miaouli, the main neoclassical square at the centre of Ermoupoli, head downhill toward the harbour and turn onto the quayside road.

There is usually on-street parking along the waterfront, though spaces fill quickly in summer. If you are driving from another part of Syros, the harbour road is clearly signposted from the main road entering Ermoupoli.

No ferry or bus is needed to reach this pharmacy from within Ermoupoli — it is a walkable location for anyone staying in the town centre or port area.

Best Time to Visit

Greek pharmacies are typically open during standard business hours on weekdays, with a midday closure common in smaller establishments. Saturday hours are often reduced. On Sundays and public holidays, a rotating duty pharmacy (εφημερεύον φαρμακείο) system operates across Syros, so not every pharmacy will be open every day. The duty schedule is usually posted on the door of any closed pharmacy and is available from the local health authority.

In summer, Ermoupoli is busier and pharmacies tend to see higher footfall from tourists. Arriving earlier in the morning generally means a shorter wait. If you have a specific prescription medication, it is worth calling ahead — the phone number is +30 2281 082220 — to confirm both availability and current opening hours before making a special trip.

Tips for Visiting

• Call ahead for specific medications. Not every drug available in your home country has a direct Greek equivalent. Calling +30 2281 082220 before your visit saves a wasted journey, especially for branded prescriptions.
• Bring your prescription in legible form. Greek pharmacists can dispense against EU prescriptions, but having the generic (INN) drug name written clearly alongside any brand name reduces confusion.
• Ask the pharmacist directly for minor ailment advice. In Greece, pharmacists are trained to handle straightforward health questions and can recommend appropriate over-the-counter products without requiring a doctor's visit.
• Check the duty pharmacy notice if the shop is closed. A laminated sign on the door will list the currently open duty pharmacy in Ermoupoli, along with its address and hours.
• Sun and heat products are well-stocked in season. High-SPF sunscreen, after-sun lotion, and oral rehydration salts are reliably available at Greek pharmacies during the summer months.
• Payment by card is common but not universal. Carry a small amount of cash as a backup, particularly for minor over-the-counter purchases.
• The Facebook page may carry updates. The pharmacy's Facebook page (facebook.com/farmakeio.ioannisroussos) occasionally posts practical information and may be useful for checking holiday closures.

Practical Information

Address: Akti Papagoi 42, Ermoupoli, 841 00, Syros

Phone: +30 2281 082220

Facebook: facebook.com/farmakeio.ioannisroussos

Location: Waterfront road, Ermoupoli harbour, short walk from Plateia Miaouli and the ferry terminal.

Opening hours are not confirmed in available sources — contact the pharmacy directly or check the door notice on arrival. For after-hours emergencies on Syros, the duty pharmacy rota and the island's health centre (Κέντρο Υγείας Σύρου) are the primary resources.