SifnosCyclades · Greece

All About Sifnos

Sifnos is a fairy-tale island that exudes the magical essence of the Cyclades, from its stunning landscapes to its picturesque villages and traditional cuisine. Sifnos lies between Serifos and Milos in the south-western Cyclades and is a medium-sized island with a population of about 2,500 permanent residents and a stunning 70-kilometer coastline. Here, you will find quintessential whitewashed villages, over 300 iconic churches, charming hand-crafted pottery workshops, exceptional local gastronomy, and over 200 kilometers of scenic walking trails. Taking a ferry to Sifnos is easy, just use Ferryscanner to compare ferry companies and book ferry tickets.

The island once enjoyed great prosperity as far back as the 3rd millennium BCE due to its gold and silver mines. The rich clay veins, the abundance of sunshine, and the mild climate have today made Sifnos the pottery capital of the Aegean. A network of walking trails will lead you to the sites of an ancient acropolis, temple, and fort, as well as allowing you to take in the wonderful seascapes that spread out before you. You really couldn’t ask for more if you are seeking an authentic island experience and will leave Sifnos with tons of amazing memories.
 

Routes and Ferries to Sifnos

You can book your ferry tickets to Sifnos with Ferryscanner and sail from the port of Piraeus in Athens in 5 hours and 30 minutes with Zante Ferries throughout the year. There are also ferry connections with other islands in the Cyclades and you can book your ferry tickets to Sifnos in high season with lines like Seajets and Hellenic Seaways and sail from Amorgos (4.25 hrs), Andros (6.35 hrs.), Folegandros (3.55 hrs), Ios (5.20 hrs), Kimolos (2.30 hrs), Koufonisia (4.10 hrs), Kythnos (2.15 hrs), Milos (1.20 hrs), Mykonos (2.25 hrs), and Naxos, in just 1 hour and 35 minutes.

If you are arriving at Athens International airport and book your ferry tickets for Sifnos from Piraeus, you can travel to the port by taking the X96 express bus, which departs every 30-40 minutes. Taxis are available on arrival at the airport to take you to Piraeus and you can also catch a train to the port if you are already in the city center.

Sifnos doesn’t have an airport but you can fly to Milos, which is the nearest airport, and book your ferry tickets from there for Sifnos with Ferryscanner and enjoy a one-hour trip.
 

Port of Sifnos

Kamares is the port of Sifnos and lies about 5 km away from the capital village of Apollonia. It serves all of the shipping lines bringing visitors to the island and is a pretty coastal settlement that gets very busy in high season. Use Ferryscanner to compare prices, routes, ferry companies and book ferry tickets to Sifnos.

You will find plenty of hotels, restaurants, shops, bakeries, and pottery workshops on the waterfront, as well as some of the island’s oldest churches and a lovely sandy beach lined by lush reed banks and small lagoons. Several hiking routes begin at Kamares that will take you to landmarks such as the Black Cave, and hidden inland villages.
 

Capital & Villages

Apollonia

The capital of Sifnos is Apollonia, its name deriving from the god Apollo himself, and is also known as Stavri due to the main crossroads in the area that lead to nearby villages. This traditional settlement has retained all of the charms you would expect and is beautifully set amongst three hills.

Wander around its narrow paved streets past little sun-bleached houses adorned by colorful flower pots until you come across one of its quaint churches. A visit to the Folklore Museum will reveal more about the island’s customs, history, and crafts. Stop off at one of the bakeries is a must if you wish to savor some traditional pastries and almond cookies.

Kastro

Once the island’s capital, Kastro is perhaps still the most picturesque village, situated high on the hilltop overlooking the surrounding areas. It is an important archaeological site and an ancient theatre was discovered here, as well as an acropolis dating back to the 6th century BCE.

You will see why it is called Kastro, or Castle, on approach, with its fortress-like structure in the Venetian style and some of its boundary walls remains visible to this day. The winding little streets or ‘lozies’ reveal grand two-story mansions that still boast coats of arms, while the beautifully adorned churches date from the 16th and 17th centuries.

Artemonas

This delightful village owes its name to the worship of the goddess Artemis and the pretty settlement is bedecked by verdant courtyards and elegant mansion houses harking back to the Venetian period.

It has the largest village on the island and has a collection of remarkable old churches well worth seeing, as well as many traditional pottery workshops and an arts & crafts center. Walk to the area known as Kalithea with its old windmills to admire spectacular vistas out to sea and across to neighboring islands.

Exambela

Exabela is a quiet settlement of well-maintained houses and pretty pavements with several windmills and a beguiling charm. Be sure to check out the 6th century BCE tower and signal post (‘fryktoria’) of Agios Dimitri, also known as the Black Tower, and the Vrisis Tower near the Monastery of Panagia Vrisis.

The monastery is the largest on the island and quite impressive; it also houses the Byzantine Art Museum with an important collection of ecclesiastical artifacts. Exabela is the birthplace of two prominent Greek personalities: the poet Aristomenis Provelegios (1850-1936) and the well-known chef Nikolaos Tselementes (1878-1956).

Pano and Kato Petali

Pani Petali is built on a craggy hilltop and has amazing views to the east of the island all the way across to Kastro, making it well worth a visit. You can follow the walking trail from Artemonas and reach the village, where narrow streets adorned by bougainvillea will lead you to the lovely church of Agios Antypas (1636), which once served as a school.

Kato Petali is situated further down on a small hill and the settlement spreads around a central paved square, with the ornate church of Zoodohos Pigi at its center and the historic monastery of Agios Ioannis Chrissostomos nearby.

Faros

Faros is a quaint fishing hamlet 7 km from Apollonia built in the traditional Cycladic style of little cubic whitewashed houses and narrow streets. The village takes its name from a lighthouse that proudly stands at the harbor. Once the island’s main port until 1883, it is now a pleasant location to enjoy both the sea and the lively cafes and restaurants that are all part of island life.

You can walk to the rocky headland where the 16th-century Monastery of Chrysopigi stands and behold the breathtaking views before exploring the beach where ancient mines are still visible.
 

Best Beaches

Due to its unique geomorphology, the coastline of Sifnos offers an abundance of beaches, some of which are long and sandy, while others are rocky or pebbled and secluded. Most are accessible by car and some can be better approached via the network of footpaths or by boat.

Kamares Beach

Kamares is the beach at the main harbor and is a long, sandy stretch with very shallow waters in a picturesque setting. There are several taverns and bars nearby and water sports facilities, as well as sunbeds and umbrellas. You can also reach the Mavri Spilia (Black Cave) from Kamares or hike up to the inland villages after a refreshing swim.

Platy Gialos Beach

This is the most popular family beach on Sifnos due to its expanse of long, golden sand lined by shady trees, and it also has sunbeds and umbrellas, as well as bars and restaurants. On the hillside, you will see the church of Panagia tou Vounou, which offers panoramic views out to sea while to the south sits the Aspros Pyrgos (White Tower), one of the 77 ancient towers on the island. Opposite the beach, you will spot the uninhabited islet of Kitriani, with its solitary little 10th-century church being the oldest on the island.

Vathi Beach

A lovely beach situated in a pretty bay, Vathi is a sandy kilometer of crystalline shallow waters surrounded by high cliffs. Mainly inhabited by potters until fairly recently, archaeological digs near the village have also unearthed prehistoric settlements and tombs. Look out for the rare species of sand lilies when you are there and from Vathi, you can take one of the NATURA 2000 hiking trails through protected areas of sheer natural beauty.

Chrysopigi Beach

A much-loved beach just 10 kilometers from Apollonia and before Platy Gialos, this is the most famous spot on the island because of its picturesque Monastery of Panagia of Chrysopigi (Virgin Mary of Chrysopigi).

The sandy beach has crystal clear water of mesmerizing turquoise hues and a popular pastime is to jump into it from the rocky headland. With few tourist amenities, this is a wonderful place to enjoy the sublime simplicity of Greek island life.

Fykiada Beach

This is a small sandy beach sitting between Platy Gialos and Vathy and can only be reached via footpath or from the sea, making it ideal if you want to find a quiet spot for total relaxation.

A small chapel dedicated to Agios Georgios sits near the beach and behind that, you will discover one of the oldest olive trees on the island, as well as traces of an old cart road. It is a well-known fishing spot where you can find a variety of fish and is also perfect for snorkelling enthusiasts.
 

Transportation Around Sifnos

Sifnos is not a large island, but you will still need transportation to get around. The local bus service runs frequently to all of the main villages and taxis are available, although there is only a handful so you may have to wait a while.

Car and motorbike rental is a good option if you desire the freedom to explore the island at your own pace. There are also daily boat excursions to enjoy the view of the island and get to some of the more inaccessible beaches. On Ferryscanner you can easily compare prices or ferry companies and book cheap ferry tickets to Sifnos.