Sifnos , A wonderful island that has it all

A ferry ride of just 3 hours from Athens will take you to the beautiful Cycladic island of Sifnos. Here you will find idyllic beaches, a rich history and perhaps the best food in Greece. The scent of fresh herbs wafts from whitewashed houses, while olive groves offer shade after a day in the sun. 

The island's buses will help you see fascinating museums, archaeological sites and blue-domed churches, but it's also worth renting a car to enjoy all the things there are to see and do.

Ferry to Sifnos

The island does not have an airport, so the best way to get there is by sea. Several ferries run daily, especially in summer, covering the Athens-Sifnos route from the port of Piraeus.

The island is also well connected to other Cycladic islands, such as nearby Serifos, Santorini, Folegandros, Kea, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Mykonos and Syros. These connections make it an ideal place for those interested in island-hopping.

These journeys can take from 2.5 to 6 hours, depending on the ferry's point of departure.

Getting around Sifnos

Sifnos is well connected by bus, with hourly buses from Kamares to both Apollonia and Artemonas. The frequency of buses increases during the high season.

Once in Apollonia, you can take a bus to Faros, Platis Gialos, Kastro and Vathy. 

Car, motorbike and bicycle rentals offer a more flexible schedule if you wish, and the roads are relatively easy to navigate.

Top things to do in Sifnos

Although it is a tiny island, there are many villages to visit, incredible beaches to explore and unique religious monuments that have made it a very popular destination.

Let's discover the best things to do on the island of Sifnos below.

# Visit Apollonia

Unlike many other Greek islands, the capital of Sifnos, Apollonia, is not on the coast but up in the mountains. It is one of the most picturesque places to visit on the island.

The town is about 5 km from the port of Sifnos, a relatively large settlement. It originally consisted of 5 different hilltop villages, which, over time, blended together, giving birth to the island's current capital.

# Apollonia Folklore & Folk Art Museum

Here you can discover the island's folk traditions, ancient costumes, furniture, kitchen utensils and tools that have been used for centuries.

Other interesting items on display include embroidered textiles and many ceramics and pottery. Sifnos is one of the islands where this was one of the most important and representative arts. 

The most popular ceramic item made in Sifnos, the 'gastrá' (a cooking pot), was used for cooking in Sifnos's wood-fired ovens. This small, forgotten item gave the world the term “gastronomy”. 

# Visit Artemonas

To the north of the settlement, Artemonas is a small town with beautiful whitewashed houses, many steps to climb and churches with simple bell towers. The colourful area is a real gem to discover and a beautiful retreat for a quiet walk in Sifnos. Enjoy the view of the ancient windmills, wander through the alleyways to discover mansions and lovely gardens, and take a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

You can reach the village by walking, cycling or driving along a well-marked road from Apollonia for 1.6 km. The walk will take about 30 minutes.

# Explore the 'Steno'

The 'Steno' is located in Apollonia and is a pedestrian street where you will find some of the most traditional (and delicious) restaurants in Sifnos. Walking along this street, you will also find the main square of Sifnos and a road that connects the villages of Apollonia and Artemonas.

# Kamares

The main port of the island, Kamares, is a popular place to visit in Sifnos. There are dozens of incredible seaside restaurants where you can try some of the best fresh fish on the island. And if you don't like fish, don't worry! One of the most famous dishes in Sifnos is 'revithada' (chickpea stew), a speciality of many Sifnian restaurants.

# Discover the local ceramics

The ceramics produced in Sifnos are world-renowned. The island's soil is rich in the quality white clay used to make them. You can visit potters all over the island, but we recommend Apollonia, the village of Vathy and the Kamares area to find many artisans. You can watch the potters at work and buy anything from small cups to large flowerpots.

# Visit the village of Vathy

Spend a day on the beach along the quiet seashore in Vathy. Browse the local pottery shops, grab a bite at one of the tavernas along the harbour and enjoy the walk, as cars are forbidden in the village.

# Spend a day in Faros

Head to Faros for a completely different side of Sifnos. Faros is a humble village with small beaches and pristine sea waters. Besides the main beach of Faros, you can also visit Fasolou beach and Glyfos beach. Here you will not only spend a very relaxing day by the sea, but you can also try incredible seafood while your feet rest on the warm sand!

# Relax in the fishing village of Cheronissos

Another seaside village to spend the day in is Cheronissos. This village is home to one of the most beautiful sandy beaches on the island. The waters are crystal clear, making it ideal for families with children and for those who love snorkelling and diving.

# See the ancient towers 

An old network of watchtowers, believed to have once protected the island from pirates, can be found along the island's trails. It is believed that when danger was spotted, the roof of one tower would be set alight, alerting the next closest tower, which would in turn also be lit, eventually sending the message of danger across the island.

# Spend the afternoon at Agios Andreas

This hilltop acropolis – dating back to around the 13th century BC during the Mycenaean period – is located in the heart of the island, just south of Apollonia. For history lovers, the archaeological site is an important landmark in the island's heritage; you can reach the hilltop by car or walk the old path in about 20 minutes. Spend the afternoon enjoying the stunning views, the ancient ruins and the whitewashed Christian church from the 1700s built among them.

# Visit the Monastery of Chrysopigi

The Monastery of Chrysopigi, built in 1650 and considered the protector of Sifnos, is perched on a rocky islet surrounded by the sea, which can only be reached via a tiny footbridge. After spending time at the nearby Chrysopigi beach, take a break from the sun in the monastery. Inside, admire a fascinating metal oil lamp in the shape of a boat and the carved wooden icon of the Virgin Mary, which was once found by fishermen floating in the sea.

# Discover the Church of Agios Symeon

The Church of Agios Symeon was built in 1667 on one of the highest points of Sifnos. From the port town of Kamares, you can see the small white building perched on the impressive cliff high above. Cycle or drive up the winding road to the church, where an incredible panoramic view of Kamares begins to unfold. 

# Head to Panagia Poulati

Few people visit Panagia Poulati – a remote church built in the 1870s – as it is only accessible via a  path from the village of Artemonas. 

# Take an iconic photo from the Chapel of the Seven Martyrs

The Chapel of the Seven Martyrs, built on the edge of a cliff at the sea end of Kastro, is one of the most photographed spots in Sifnos. A steep path descends to the traditional Cycladic church from the mainland; it is filled with wildflowers in the spring, while on windy days huge waves crash against the rocks around the church. 

Best beaches in Sifnos

A long paved road runs around the island, offering access to the most famous beaches of Sifnos. However, some of the island's most beautiful coasts are not easily accessible, and to visit them, you will need to rent a boat or get there by bike.

These are some of the must-visit beaches in Sifnos.

# Platis Gialos Beach

Considered the most popular beach on the island. It is located in a huge, open bay that has fine golden sand and stretches for a thousand metres. The beach is well organised and arguably the best place on the island for families with children, as it is safe, shallow and not exposed to  strong winds. Near the beach, you can admire the White Tower, one of the many ancient towers scattered throughout the island. This one, in particular, is one of the best-preserved ancient towers in Sifnos.

# Kamares Beach

Located next to the port of Sifnos, it is one of the most popular beaches for families with children as well as for tourists who do not explore the island much and prefer to spend their days in Kamares. As you can imagine, it is a very crowded beach, but it is also one of the most organised, with dozens of lovely bars and some of the best restaurants on the island.

# Apokoftos Beach

This beach owes its great popularity to its location near the Monastery of Chrysopigi. As a result, many people who visit the breathtaking church also decide to spend the day on this beach. Located in a picturesque bay that mixes sand and pebbles, Apokoftos is just 2 km from Apollonia. It has crystal-clear waters and is set in a quiet environment.

# Vathy Beach                              

Located in a fantastic little bay with impressive emerald waters and clean, fine sand. This golden beach is about a kilometre long and is quite shallow and safe for families. The area is well organised and has bars, restaurants and a long line of trees that offer plenty of natural shade.

# Faros Beach

This sheltered harbour features crystal-clear waters, a sandy shore and natural shade. The beach itself is large, with fine sand and tavernas nearby for refreshments.

# Fasolou Beach

East of Faros beach, this picturesque beach has very calm waters.

# Cheronissos Beach

This beach is difficult to access unless you have a car or a motorbike. Originally a small fishing port at the northern tip of the island, it is a beautiful place that many describe as the best beach in Sifnos. It has golden sand, blue waters and lush trees that offer natural shade and a few seaside tavernas.

Sifnos with children – Is it worth it?

A low-key island with incredible beaches might be just the place for your next family holiday. And Sifnos offers all that and more.

On the island, interesting hiking trails connect the ancient towers of Sifnos. These well-marked paths offer excellent opportunities for outdoor activities with the family and a good way to discover the island's landscapes.

In Sifnos you can also enjoy various activities such as horse riding, cycling in the green valleys and beautiful hills and of course all water sports and everything else related to the sea. 

Sifnos at night

Despite being a relatively quiet and relaxing spot in the Aegean, the island boasts a lively nightlife during the summer.

There are interesting places to spend the evening listening to music and having a drink in several villages, although Apollonia and Kamares remain the two best places for a night out. Whether you prefer to sip your cocktail by the sea or in a mountain village, you will undoubtedly find the right place to have fun after dinner.

For a wider choice of things to do at night, head to the island's capital, the mountain village of Apollonia, where several bars stay open until the early hours of the morning!

Gastronomy of Sifnos

Sifnos, the birthplace of Nikolaos Tselementes, is famous for its gastronomy and its amazing restaurants with traditional flavours. You can't leave the island without tasting the traditional 'revithada' (chickpea stew) slow-cooked in a clay pot in a wood-fired oven. Other traditional dishes you must try are fava bean dip, caper salad and chickpea fritters. For desserts, look for 'melopita' (honey pie) and 'halvadopita' (nougat wafer)!

This island will enchant you. Your days there will be filled with the saltiness of the sea and the enchanting beaches; you will be full with traditional, well-cooked dishes, while also having enjoyed moments of reverence on an island where religion is present everywhere. Here you will experience your holidays in the best possible way. Have a good trip.