The 13 things to do in Sifnos

Passing to Greece, visit Sifnos and discover what are the must-sees of this Greek island unknown to the general public!

Sifnos is a Greek island located southwest of the archipelago Cyclades in the Aegean, not far from Serifos , Milos and Antiparos , a few hours of boat from the continent. Particularly green and quiet, this island still resists the affluence of Greek and foreign tourists. Paisible, Sifnos will also seduce you by the animation of its typical villages, by its poetic landscapes between sea and mountain, and by its countless churches. Everything in contrast, Sifnos is an authentic island that will not leave you indifferent. So what are you waiting for to visit Sifnos?

What to do in Sifnos? You don't know what to start? No panic, we have concocted this mini-guide to make your life easier. Follow the guide!

1. Kastro

To visit Sifnos, nothing better than starting with one of the island’s historic jewels. Former capital of Sifnos, Kastro is a Venetian citadel of the 14th century. This village is probably one of the most beautiful in Sifnos.

Lose yourself in its alleys and do not miss the remains of the ancient acropolis and the small archaeological museum of the city.

2. The monastery of Agios Georgios

The small monastery of Agios Georgios is an ideal site to enjoy the beauty of a égéen sunset. It is enough for you to walk about ten minutes from the port of Cheronisos to the monastery. Then follow a small path that leads to the tip of the island.

Visiting Sifnos is discovering beautiful and unsuspected places. A pure wonder!

3. Hiking

The nature of this island jewel deserves to take the time to contemplate it. What to do in Sifnos? What better than resenting? The walks are not missing on this island where it is good to live. Sifnos has one of the richest network of hiking trails, with some 100 km of marked paths. It's for all tastes and ages! It would therefore be a shame not to take advantage of it.

The lovers of history and culture will be able to combine sport and visit by choosing paths that cross charming small villages or lead to adorable churches. Visiting Sifnos is walking and growing at the same time, what better?

4. The churches

Visit Sifnos without seeing the citadel of Agios Andreas and enjoying a unique panoramic view would be a mistake!

Discover the monastery of the Golden Source of the Virgin Mary of Panagia Chryssopigi. Walk from Kastro to the monastery Poulati. Visit Panagia Vouno, the Virgin of the Mountain, which opens its doors only in the morning. Sifnos has more than two hundred churches. You shouldn't be bored!

5. Walk to the Agio Simeon or Profiti Elias

Visiting Sifnos is not just about its architecture and its churches. Among the most popular walks of the island, there is undoubtedly the one that leads to the top of the Agio Simeon and that of Profiti Elias.

• The first offers a superb view of the port of Kamares.
• The second leads to the summit of Profiti Elias, which toise the surrounding islands from the top of its 620 m.

6. Apollonia and the former Artemonas district

Apollonia is now the capital of Sifnos. It consists of five hamlets, which have gathered as years have come.

You will find all the codes of cycladic architecture: meanders of alleys, flowery courtyards, square houses whitewashed with lime, white churches with blue dome, etc. The ancient part of Apollonia is named Artemonas .

7. Acropolis of Agios Andreas

What to do in Sifnos? Jump in time! For the small sum of 2€, the visit of the acropolis of Agios Andreas will allow you to combine in one nature and culture activity.

Walk your imagination and try to visualize the citadel that existed on this mountain in the Mycean era. If you don’t, the archaeological museum will help you!

After this jump in history, don’t forget to enjoy the view!

8. The beaches

Whether you prefer sandy beaches or deep water jumps from a cliff, you will find your happiness on this island of the Cyclades.

Clean, preserved and quiet, the beaches of Sifnos will delight you. Here are the main ones:

• The beach of the bay of Vathy
• Plathy Ghialos
• That of Faros
• The beach of Kastro
• The beach of Cheronisos

What to do in Sifnos? Relax!

9. A boat ride

You’ve been on the most beautiful beaches of Sifnos, and are you looking for a new adventure? No worries, there is another must in Sifnos: the boat ride! You can then enjoy the calm and serenity that emerges from this sublime Greek coastline.

By taking advantage of the boat rental in Sifnos , you also give yourself the opportunity to discover remote and unknown bathing corners of tourists, or to go to the collision of small typical villages that are present all around the island.

10. Small typical villages

What would the Cyclades be like without their charming villages? Sifnos is no exception to the rule. If you want to discover the Greek architectural and cultural heritage, sit in one of these small, disappointing and inspiring villages, such as Faros, Chersonissos, Exabela and Kato Peteli.

Sit at one of the coffee tables where time seems to have stopped. Whether you choose peaceful or more lively hamlets, fishing villages or mountain villages, you will hardly leave this unique atmosphere. Visiting Sifnos is also taking the time to pause and admire the landscape by taking advantage of the present moment.

11. The party

Visiting Sifnos is going through the discovery of the lives of its residents and especially their festive life. You appreciate the calm, but are not refractory to the idea of enjoying the night animation?

Rest assured, Sifnos is also a dynamic island. You will not spend the same evenings as at Mikonos but you will not be disappointed! Bars, restaurants and discotheques are open during the high season.

You may also have the opportunity to attend a religious celebration that is always an opportunity for the people to gather and celebrate! When we know that there are more than 230 parishes in Sifnos, we quickly understand that it is rare to get bored on this Aegean island.

Good meals to share, music, singing, dance: all the ingredients of evenings and festive days are gathered.

12. Local gastronomy

You don't know what to do in Sifnos? You still have food! The gastronomic reputation of the archipelago in general, and of Sifnos in particular, is no longer to be done. Between modern and traditional tavernas, between fresh seafood dishes and simple pizzerias, you should find the dishes and style that match you.

• Hold a fish tavern in Faros, try a fish tavern revithada Kastro.
• And the _mastélo_Do you know? If you’re lovers of cooked wine lamb, this dish should delight your taste buds!
• Sifnos cheeses also have excellent reputation.

13. The ceramics of Sifnos

What would be the holiday without shopping?

Like any Greek island that respects itself, Sifnos is the ideal place to offer a ceramic. Specialities of the island, you should not trouble finding it in Apollonia or in Kamarès. If you are more textile, opportunities will not fail to satisfy your wishes for memories!

How to get to Sifnos?

From Paris to Athens

To visit Sifnos and enjoy these must-have activities, you will first have to go by plane to Athens from the France . There are many direct flights from Paris . In order to benefit from the best prices, you can compare ticket prices on flight comparisons like Ulysses .

From Athens airport to the port of Piraeus

Once in Athens, three options are available to you to reach the port of Piraeus:

• taxi: quick and convenient. Count around 60 €;
• the bus: cheaper, but longer. Count about an hour for a price of 5 €;
• the metro: the longer, but perhaps more comfortable than the bus. Count 10 € and approximately 1 h 30.

From Pirée to Sifnos by ferry

The links between Sifnos and the continent are quite numerous:

• Ferry-boat from Le Pirée5h), but also from Milos, Serifos or Kythnos Daily connections.
• Hydrospeed2h) from Le Pirée, Kythnos, Serifos and Milos: daily connections.

How to move to Sifnos?

To visit Sifnos, it is complicated to rely only on the strength of its gambettes! If the bus network is particularly well developed, it is sometimes more convenient, but more expensive, of rent a car or a scooter.

To access certain beaches, however, the use of the boat is required.

Where to stay in Sifnos?

Although Sifnos is a peaceful and preserved island of tourism, it is still possible to find what to stay for.

There are many Bed & Breakfast . When you arrive from the ferry, some managers come to welcome you to offer their services. If you come to Sifnos in high season, it is nevertheless best to book.

• You can find accommodation in Kamari, Agia Marina, Apollonia, for those looking for animation.
• If you are rather looking for calm, Vathi or Faros are more isolated, with the advantages, but also the disadvantages, that it entails.

Whatever your destination choice, you can search for the best value for money on a Compare hotels . In addition, many Airbnb Typical and charming abound on the island.

You now know how to visit Sifnos!