Polyxeni Kokkali

Polyxeni Kokkali is a local pharmacy at Stamatiou Proiou 14 in Ermoupoli, the capital of Syros and the administrative capital of the Cyclades. It stocks prescription medicines, over-the-counter products, and general health supplies, making it a practical stop for visitors who need medication refilled or minor ailments addressed during their stay on the island.

Ermoupoli has a compact town centre, and this pharmacy sits on a residential street within walking distance of the main commercial hub around Miaouli Square. The pharmacy carries a 5-star rating on Google, drawn from six reviews — a small but unanimously positive sample. Staff at Greek island pharmacies commonly speak enough English to assist tourists with straightforward requests, though having the generic (INN) name of any prescription drug written down is always useful.

Greek pharmacies operate under a regulated duty-rota system (εφημερία), meaning that on days when a particular pharmacy is closed, a duty pharmacy elsewhere in the municipality will be open. If you arrive in Ermoupoli outside Polyxeni Kokkali's hours, the duty pharmacy schedule is posted on the door of any closed pharmacy and is also available from the local municipality.

What to Expect

This is a standard community pharmacy rather than a large-format health store. You can expect the essentials: branded and generic prescription medicines dispensed on presentation of a valid prescription, a range of over-the-counter analgesics, antihistamines, antidiarrheals, and antiseptics, plus basic sun care, wound-care supplies, and personal health products. Greek pharmacies are also a reliable source of quality European sunscreen brands and after-sun products at prices that are generally comparable to supermarkets.

Greek law requires that pharmacies display their duty-rota hours and any substituting pharmacy details on the door, so even if the shutters are down you will not be left without a reference point. Payment by card is common in Ermoupoli pharmacies, though carrying a small amount of cash is a sensible precaution on any Greek island.

The address — Stamatiou Proiou 14, Ermoupoli 841 00 — places the pharmacy within the town's grid of neoclassical streets. The building stock in this part of Ermoupoli dates largely from the 19th century, when the town was the busiest port in the Aegean, but the pharmacy itself is a modern health establishment.

How to Get There

Ermoupoli is the only significant urban area on Syros, and the ferry port is roughly a ten-minute walk from most central addresses. From Miaouli Square, the main plateia of Ermoupoli, head toward the quieter residential streets to the northeast; Stamatiou Proiou is a short walk from the town's commercial core. If you are arriving by ferry, the port exit leads directly toward the lower town — ask at your accommodation for precise walking directions, as Ermoupoli's street grid can be disorienting on first visit.

Local buses connect the ferry terminal and various parts of Ermoupoli. Taxis are available at the port and at the main square. Parking in central Ermoupoli can be limited during the summer months; arriving on foot or by bus is generally easier than driving to a street-level address.

Best Time to Visit

The pharmacy is open Monday through Friday. Morning hours (8:00 AM–2:00 PM or 2:30 PM depending on the day) are consistent across the week. Evening hours (5:30–8:30 PM) apply on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. Saturday and Sunday the pharmacy is closed, so if you anticipate needing medication over the weekend, plan to visit by Friday evening. This schedule reflects the standard Greek pharmacy working pattern, which follows a split-shift model aligned with the country's traditional midday break.

For non-urgent needs, mid-morning on a weekday is typically the quietest window. If you are on a tight island schedule — for example, arriving on a morning ferry and departing the same evening — visiting between 9:00 and 11:00 AM gives you a reliable window before the pre-lunch rush.

Syros is a year-round island with a resident population, so the pharmacy serves locals throughout the year and is not seasonally adjusted in the way that some tourist-facing businesses are.

Tips for Visiting

• Bring your prescription in generic (INN) format. Greek pharmacists can dispense based on the active ingredient name even when they don't stock your home-country brand. European Economic Area prescriptions are formally recognised in Greece.
• Photograph your regular medications before travel. A photo of the packaging with the active ingredient and dosage visible makes it far easier to communicate needs across a language barrier.
• Check the duty rota if the pharmacy is closed. A printed rota posted at the door lists which pharmacy in Ermoupoli is on duty that day. The phone number of the duty pharmacy is included.
• Saturday and Sunday closures are firm. Plan any non-emergency pharmaceutical needs for a weekday. The nearest 24-hour or weekend-duty options will be listed on the door rota.
• Card payment is generally accepted in Ermoupoli businesses, but confirming at the counter is a good habit for smaller independent shops and pharmacies.
• Sun care and basic first aid supplies are reliably stocked at Greek pharmacies and are often of higher quality than what is available in beach kiosks, at prices that are broadly similar.
• Call ahead if you have a complex prescription request. The phone number is +30 2281 086600. A brief call confirms availability and avoids a wasted journey, particularly for specialised or controlled medications.

Practical Information

Address: Stamatiou Proiou 14, Ermoupoli 841 00, Syros, Greece

Phone: +30 2281 086600

Opening hours:

• Monday: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
• Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:30 – 8:30 PM
• Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 2:30 PM
• Thursday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:30 – 8:30 PM
• Friday: 8:00 AM – 2:00 PM, 5:30 – 8:30 PM
• Saturday: Closed
• Sunday: Closed

Duty pharmacy rota: Posted on the pharmacy door and available from the Municipality of Syros-Ermoupoli.

Google rating: 5.0 (6 reviews)

Coordinates: 37.4438° N, 24.9425° E