Sifnos

Sifnos, has a lot of things to offer, even in the most demanding visitor. It offers excellent beaches, green valleys and faultless Cycladic architecture. Sifnos island is located in the western side of Cyclades and can be combined with island hopping to Serifos and Milos. Sifnos is well known for its food as well, and many world famous chefs have come from this small island. Tourism hasn't touched this island in the way it has Santorini and Mykonos.

Monastère de Chryssopighi

The settlement owes its name (meaning “chambers” or “arches” in Greek) to the numerous caves, natural or carved in the rocks of the southern coast of the cove. These caves, used in the past for various purposes, house today stores, cafés, or bars. Kamares village has the only harbour of the island, lies in the western side of Sifnos, on the slopes of a hill. It is a quite recent village which began to develop at the end of the 19th century.
Kamares seafront is full of fine taverns, cafes and bars for relaxing afternoons and exciting nights. Many shops selling and exposing traditional local pottery and ceramics. The beach of Kamares is a nice sandy beach that offers all kinds of water sports. 

Apollonia is in the center of the island and with the excellent bus service, all the beaches and other villages are easily accessable. There is a Cycladic museum in the tree shaded main square. The visitor shall admire its beautiful traditional architecture. The simple decoration offers a total of unique aesthetic value. Apollonia satisfies even the most particular visitor since it provides all the comforts for a pleasant stay. One walk along the central pedestrianized street helps the visitor discover how many churches there are which are totally connected and perfectly integrated into the residential complex.

In a distance of only 5 km from Kamares port and 1 km from Apollonia, you can reach the most picturesque and traditional village of the island, Artemonas village. The traditional hilltop village of Apollonia is quieter than Kamares but is at the heart of Sifnian life. This mantle of cubed, Cycladic houses stretches across the terraced hills, criss-crossed by an intricate crochet of telephone poles and wires silhouetted against the deep blue sky.

Perched on a steep hill on the east coast of the island, is where the ancient capital of Sifnos used to be, the city of the ancient writers. It still has traces of facilities that date back as far as the Prehistoric times. The houses of Kastro are divided in two categories, the narrow single-houses and the mansions. In this fortified location Da Coruna built his castle when he occupied the island in 1302. The castle has all the typical features of a Venetian fortress and is preserved as one of the most important settlements built according to the medieval system.

Chrysopigi is just south of Faros and is the most picturess place of Sifnos. She is famous and got her name by the "Monastery of Chrysopigi" .There you find the miracle making icon of Maria mother of Jesus. Begining of June here is the most important festival of Sifnos and worth to be here."All are invited, all must eat, drink, and enjoy themselfs till morning.
Apokofto is the main beach of Chrisopigi bay, has two restaurants, and some hotels and rooms to let. There is also another beach called "saoures" on the other site of the monastery.. The rock of monastery is very popular with swimmers but sometimes sea is to rught.

The best beaches are at Faros, but Kastro and Platys Gialos are also to be recommended. In Kamares there is a beach as well, but the sand is not as fine. Chersonissos is a lovely bay and Vathy is nice and quiet.

There local buses are very good, and take you to many beaches and the most important villages. There is also a boat that can take you from Kamares to some of the beaches. Cars and bikes can be rented.

There's no airport here so the only way to reach the island is by ferry or hydrofoil from the mainland or one of the neighbouring islands. There are daily ferries to and from Piraeus (five hours), Serifos and Kythnos. Regular services also connect the island with Kimolos, Folegandros, Sikinos and Santorini. Cut your journey in half and pay double for a Flying Dolphin trip from Piraeus, Kythnos, Serifos or Milos.