Forming part of the Cyclades, Sifnos is an enchanting island between Milos and Paros. In ancient times, it was renowned for its gold and silver mines, with legend stating they were destroyed in an earthquake caused by Apollo due to the islanders’ greed. Today, Siphos attracts visitors with its whitewashed villages, blissful beaches and scattering of archaeological sites.
Things to do in Sifnos
Spend a day relaxing on the golden sands of Chrysopigi, which stretches along the south-east coast of Sifnos. A 17th-century monastery dedicated to the island’s patron saint, Our Lady of the Golden Spring, watches over the beach and famously hosted the Greek poet Aristomenis Provelegios. Adjacent to the beach are several traditional tavernas serving fresh seafood and regional dishes.
In the whitewashed village of Kastro you’ll find a labyrinth of alleyways lined with tiny chapels and atmospheric stone cottages. It’s home to the Archaeological Museum of Sifnos, where treasures uncovered on the island are exhibited, as well as laid-back cafes and restaurants. Dominating the coastline is the Chapel of the Seven Martyrs, which overlooks one of Sifnos’s best snorkelling spots.
On the south-west coast of Sifnos is the seaside village of Vathi, which is perched on the edge of a sheltered, horseshoe-shaped bay. You can kick back beneath a beach umbrella on Vathi’s long stretch of sand or browse the pottery workshops that cluster in its enchanting streets. At one end of the beach is the whitewashed Church of Taxiarches, which is built in a classic Cycladic style.
Getting around Sifnos
Daily ferries connect from the Athenian port of Piraeus to Kamares on the west coast of Sifnos, from where buses travel to towns and villages across the island. Renting a car is a convenient way of exploring Sifnos or taxis are readily available for getting around.