The pure beauty of Sifnos

Sifnos the beauty: this is how we like defining this island that has enchanted us with its churches and monasteries overlooking the sea. A small pearl that has nothing to envy of the most famous Greek islands. To discover and visit during the day, because its best is not simply in the beaches with fine sand and crystal clear water.

An island with a rich culinary tradition and unmissable specialties, such as mastelo, a dish based on lamb, revythada, a delicious soup based on chickpeas and kaparosalata, a tasty cream based on capers and onions, to spread on bread. For this reason, at the end of the article we have selected several taverns and restaurants for you to enjoy while visiting the island.

Points of interest

Sifnos is an island that deserves to be visited, day and night. In first place undoubtedly stands out its particular Kastro, where the first settlement on the island stood.  We were there at two different times of the day, the first time just after admiring the sunrise on the path to the small church of the Seven Martyrs (Epta Martyres).

We then returned to visit it more calmly in the late afternoon, as during the first visit, we appreciated the peaceful and quiet atmosphere of this beautiful village, which offers beautiful views at every corner.

A short walk away, you reach the panoramic path that leads to the scenic church of the Seven Martyrs, located on a small promontory in the middle of the sea.

A postcard beauty, which we appreciated at different moments of the day: at dawn, where the background is colored an intense red and in the evening, when the Kastro and the path to reach the small church make you think of being in a real and a nativity scene.

You will be amazed by how many beautiful churches and monasteries are found in Sifnos, each different from the other, wonderfully placed near the sea or on the top of a mountain. The island is said to have over 360 of them, almost one for every day of the year!

Among the most picturesque that are worth a visit, there is certainly Agio Poutali, with its characteristic staircase also accessible on foot (respectfully barefoot) and the beautiful painted interior.  If you wonder how they always stay so white and shiny, it's because of the care with which they are painted, as they were during our visit!

We recommend you also visit the white monastery of Crysopigi, located on a small island surrounded by turquoise waters, connected to the mainland by a small bridge.

If you want to reach a panoramic point, take the road that leads from Agia Marina to the small port of Heronissos. About halfway, you will find signs for Agios Simeon, a beautiful monastery with spectacular views of Kamares Bay.

Heronissos is a small village in the north of the island, it seems to emerge in the middle of nowhere, a few houses, a small port and a bay with calm waters.

If you are looking for a place to take an evening walk, after the unmissable Kastro, for something livelier don't miss Apollonia, walk along the narrow Via Steno, full of small shops and super crowded bars.

Alternatively, you can opt for Artemonas, with its small square and colonial-style houses or Kamares. Finally, for a quiet dinner there is the small port (limanaki precisely) of Faros.

Beaches

Sifnos offers several beaches along its coasts, mainly located in the southern area of ​​the island. A constant element is the fine, golden sand, characterized by silvery specks that look like glitter. Of all the beaches we saw, Vathy turned out to be our favourite, with its long, partially equipped bay, the small restaurants overlooking the sea and the final part (on the left) which is wide and free.

We also went to Faros and nearby Fasoulo, certainly more beautiful and surrounded by tamarisk trees. Kamares beach, towards Agia Marina, despite being the port beach, is still very beautiful both for the view and the transparent water. For a snack, we recommend the gyros pita from Ablemonas (a few steps from the port), they are really excellent!

Finally, Platis Gialos, very similar to Vathy, is worth a stop for the delicious and characteristic bakery where you can buy your lunch.

Before your trip

• How to reach? It can be reached by ferry from various islands, we got there from Serifos in about 30 minutes
  
  
• How many days? We dedicated five days to it: you won't have the chance to get bored because the island has really a lot to offer
  
  
• How to move? The best means of transport is certainly the car. The roads are all asphalted, but the distances are not very short if you want to discover the beauty that the island has to offer in freedom. We rented from El Mar, managed by Luca and his wife Eleni. He was really helpful in supporting us to find a rental solution, also in finding a car for Kimolos. On the first day, since we had no rental car, we used the buses (one-way tickets €1.80-2.30) which were quite efficient. Outside each town there are large free parking spaces which fill up fast in the evening
  
  
• Where to stay? We chose Hotel Afroditi, in Agia Marina, nella baia di Kamares. Family-run, it offers very spacious, clean and functional rooms. Ours on the second floor had a large balcony overlooking the beach. The breakfast, served every morning on the veranda, is rich and tasty. We highly recommend it also for the availability of Maria who is always present for every need!

  

  

  

  
  
• Where to eat? Sifnos has a lot to offer from a culinary point of view:
  • Agianemi Restaurant in Kamares, we found it by chance and enjoyed a dinner above expectations, with very tasty traditional dishes, such as mastelo, revythada and a balcony overlooking the marina

    

    

    

  • close to the center of Apollonia Kafeneio-Ouzeri Tselementes, in a small garden, it offers simple but well-cooked dishes. Arm yourself with patience, the service is a bit slow

    

    

  • a few steps from the beach of Seralia Captain Sifakis it is a family-run tavern to enjoy good fish in an informal environment, spending the right amount. Make an agreement with the owner before sitting down

    

    

    

  • directly on the beautiful beach of Vathy Okeanida, family kitchen that exceeded our expectations, not to mention the incomparable view just a stone's throw from the sea

    

    

    

  • If you are looking for something more refined within a short distance, you can have lunch with your feet in the sand, in the shade of the tamarisk trees at Manolis Taverna, good food and pleasant atmosphere

    

    

    

  • Cyclades on the beach of Platys Gialos, the best dishes are cooked in a wood oven. Focus on traditional choices like the moussaka and the mastelo

    

  • in Faros we ate at the fish tavern To Limanaki the location is certainly very beautiful, the fish good, but it didn't convince us in terms of value for money

    

    

    

  
  
• What to buy? Sifnos has a long tradition in the production of ceramics. Not only splendid colored plates and various crockery, but also particular lanterns that can be an original souvenir to take home