Fantastic Things to Do in Sifnos, Greece

General Things to Know about Sifnos

Part of the Cyclades island group, Sifnos is a beautiful Greek island home to a variety of impressive beaches, some quite famous for their pristine waters and golden sand.

The island has an elegant inland capital, Apollonia, and one of the prettiest ports in the Aegean, Kamares.

One of the most famous things about Sifnos is its pottery, especially its unique ceramic pots, known as gastra, a word that originated the term gastronomy.

In fact, food on Sifnos is quite important. The island was the birthplace of one of Greece’s most influential chefs, and some unique Greek dishes originated in Sifnos.

What’s the Weather Like in Sifnos?

As with many other islands in the Aegean, the climate is mild all year round. It boasts long, dry summers and pleasant temperatures from the end of May until the end of September.

The highest temperatures are during July and August, the months with most tourists. Winters are short and not as cold as on the mainland, although they can be rainy and sometimes windy.

Frequently Asked Questions about Sifnos

Map of Sifnos, Greece

Top Things to Do in Sifnos

Let’s look at some things you can do in Sifnos if you stay there for three to five days.

Explore the Capital, Apollonia

The gorgeous Apollonia is the island’s capital, a whitewashed Cycladic settlement built on the slope of three relatively low hills.

Not only is Apollonia a very picturesque settlement to visit, but it is also the right place to visit at night for food, drinks, and even music.

This is also one of the places to get those typical souvenirs we all love buying in Greece!

Staying in Apollonia is a good idea if you don’t want direct access to the beach every morning but are keen on exploring the island and walking some of its fantastic hiking trails.

When exploring Apollonia, don’t miss a stop at the Folklore and Pop Art Museum in the village’s main square.

This is a great place to start learning about Sifnos’ pottery and other crafts and jobs typical of life on the Cyclades.

The museum also exhibits interesting objects of domestic use, agricultural tools, and elements used for embroidery and textile works.

Walk from Apollonia to the village of Artemonas

A well-marked road will take you from Apollonia to Artemonas; it is a pleasant walk of about half an hour (1.6 kilometers), although you can also do it by bike or car (there is a public parking spot in the village, not far from the church of Agios Konstantinos and Agia Eleni.

Artemonas is another picturesque settlement named after the Greek goddess Artemis (yes, just the same as Apollonia gets its name from God Apollo).

This is the second most important village on the island, and it includes some other small villages such as Herronissos (also spelled Cherronissos), Agia Marina, and Troulaki.

From Artemonas, you can have an outstanding view of some windmills on the island.

Although some of them have been turned into fancy accommodations, they are silent witnesses of the agricultural character Sifnos used to have.

Artemonas is an excellent place for an afternoon walk after a day at the beach (for instance, the nearby Herronissos). 

Don’t miss a relaxed stroll along the narrow alleys, where you can discover gorgeous mansions with blossomed gardens that tell us about this island’s thriving economic past.

Eat at the Port of Kamares

As your ferry approaches the island’s coast, Kamares will be the first place you see of Sifnos.

Home to the main port on Sifnos, Kamares is a picturesque village with a broad golden sand bay lined up with great fish taverns and other souvenir shops.

Do not miss the quintessentially Greek experience of having a delicious fish platter right by the sea when you visit Kamares.

Here, you can visit some of the last remaining pottery artisans and purchase some interesting souvenirs to take home.

Discover Local Crafts

The trademark of Sifnos, pottery has always been one of the island’s most essential products, as its soil has always been rich in high-quality clay. 

Pottery has been produced in Sifnos for centuries and is known worldwide for its refined qualities. 

The best places to learn, purchase, and even learn to work with clay are Apollonia, the village of Vathi, and the area of Kamares, yet there are producers all over the island.

And if you’d like to buy a traditional piece of pottery from Sifnos, make space in your luggage* for a gastra, a typical clay pot that locals use to prepare their chickpea stews. The ones used for roast meat are known as tsikalia.

Once all the ingredients are inside the gastra, they are often sealed with bread dough and put to cook overnight in a wood oven on a Saturday night and then shared with the family for Sunday lunch.

However, you can buy other ceramic objects, including cups, plates, and stamnes (water pitchers). And not everything is about ceramics. Purchasing handmade textiles, embroideries, straw hats, or bags is also possible.

*You don’t really need to make space in your bag, though. Many local artisans ship their products abroad for an affordable fee.

Check out the Churches and their Panoramic Locations

One of the main reasons why many people visit Sifnos is the beautiful collection of churches and monasteries scattered around the island, many in breathtaking locations, perfect for laconic pictures… in fact, photographers love Sifnos!

Arguably, the most famous picture of Sifnos, which you have probably already seen hundreds of times, is the Church of Seven Martyrs, a famous chapel and trendy place among photographers in the village of Kastro.

Situated on top of a rocky islet with the sea as its background, this is another traditionally Cycladic building with a typical blue dome, which you’ve already seen on many other islands of the Aegean.

The most curious trait of this church is that the islet on which it has been built is linked to the main island by stairs.

Another religious building not to miss is the Monastery of Panagia Chrisopigi. This gorgeous Cycladic church stands atop a rock, offering incredible views over the sea and a perfect spot to witness the sunset.

Finally, at 690 meters above the sea, the highest peak on the island is home to the whitewashed Monastery of Prophet Elias, a beautiful complex with protective walls and remarkable underground cells and corridors.

This church is quite old, dating back to the sixteenth century, and it’s a popular place in Sifnos as it is considered a miraculous temple.

If you are interested in religious art, head to the village of Exambella, where you can also visit the small Ecclesiastical Museum in the Monastery of Panagia Vrysiani.

Explore the Village of Vathy

One of the most beautiful settlements on the island, Vathy (or Vathi), is the perfect place to spend a whole day. It is a quiet village by the sea with a gorgeous and quiet beach perfect for families.

Right by the small harbor of Vathy and along its wide beach, you will find delicious taverns and some good rooms and studios for those who want a relaxing stay. 

Also, there are several small ceramic studios and a few souvenir shops.

If you don’t have a car to drive from Apollonia (a pleasant 15-minute ride), you can board a boat from Kamares. 

Remember that driving in the village is impossible, so you must park your car, head to the beach, and move around on foot.

Visit the Fishing Village of Herronissos

Another great place for a day out is Herronissos, a tiny seaside settlement and fishing village you don’t want to miss.

The village’s most important feature is, in fact, the beach, considered one of the most beautiful shores on the island.

The attractive sand beach has trees for natural shade and crystal clear water, perfect for diving and small kids.

Check out Kastro, the Former Capital

The island’s former capital, Kastro, gets its name from the word castle.

In fact, this is where the island’s main settlement was built back in the fifteenth century. 

Today, the village develops along the narrow alleys of the former Frankish fortification, featuring gorgeous little houses, small patios, and incredible ancient churches and aristocratic mansions, some of which are now rental homes and villas.

Also, in Kastro, you can see the Archaeological Museum of Sifnos, located inside a beautiful medieval building. Here, you can check out findings from archaeological sites around the island.

The Archaeological Site of Agios Andreas stands at the top of a hill between Vathi and Apollonia.

Archaeologists unearthed an ancient Mycenaean settlement here. The old citadel on the top of the hill can still be admired, and it is considered one of the best examples of Mycenaean fortifications in Greece.

Discover the Old Settlement of Faros

About 7 kilometers from Apollonia, Faros is another gorgeous place you can check out on the island.

You can combine a few hours on the beach and spend some time exploring the traditional whitewashed homes along the small alleys of the village.

Other than the main beach of Faros, you can also check out Fasolou Beach and Glyfos Beach (both described here). Faros gets its name from the lighthouse located on the small harbor.

Visit the Ancient Towers

One of the main reasons people venture along the island’s trails is to discover the Ancient Towers.

This old network of watchtowers is believed to have been an ancient communication system used by the former settlers to be alert and defend the island in case of sieges and pirate attacks.

These round towers had been strategically built in several locations on the island, and the roof would be ignited in case of attack, alerting the next tower, which would also light a fire (a bit like you’ve seen in the Lord of the Rings, right?).

Today, there are remains of more than fifty ancient towers in different areas on the island, built around the fifth century BC, although some might be older. Aspros Pyrgos, or White Tower, is the best-known tower among the best-preserved ones.

Top 5 Beaches in Sifnos

No visit to Greece can lack a few days lazily spent at the beach, even less so if you visit the Greek Islands. There are some beautiful, pristine beaches you can visit. These are the top five beaches you must see in Sifnos.

Platis Gialos Beach

Platis Gialos or Platys Gialos is a favorite beach among Greek holidaymakers who love the long line of tavernas by the beach.

This area in Sifnos is also known for an ancient open-air theater nearby. It’s possible to take different hiking trails from this beach to Vathy Beach and other picturesque settlements on the island.

The sand is golden under the sun’s rays and crystal clear waters. In the area, you can also practice different water sports. Although this might not be the best beach on the island, it is certainly popular among all visitors.

Fasolou Beach

Fasolou is located towards the east of the more popular Faros Beach.

It’s a tiny settlement with a picturesque beach well-protected from winds and waves.

At the beach’s end, an imposing peninsula hosts the picturesque white monastery of Timios Stavros. A hiking trail in the area leads directly to Kastro, the former capital of Sifnos.

Faros Beach

Faros, which was Sifnos” main port until 1887, is a gorgeous sheltered port with stunningly beautiful blue waters and a spacious sand beach.

The beach is considered one of the best corners in Sifnos. It has calm and pristine waters, soft fine sand, tamarisk trees offering nature shelter, and a few tavernas on the waterfront.

Kamares

Kamares is the main port on the island. It is a pristine sandy bay that is long and quite wide and has spectacular turquoise waters.The area known as Agia Marina is probably the most popular place to stay in Sifnos and enjoy this beach.

There is plenty of accommodation, restaurants, bars, and some night entertainment here. All these reasons make the place quite crowded during most of the summer.

Vathy

This is one of the most relaxing places to stay on the island… why? Since cars do not have access to the area and are not allowed in the village, the beach is a quiet place to spend the day by the sea.

The beach of Vathi is located on a sheltered harbor, making it an excellent shore for families with children looking for calm waters and soft sand.

What to Eat in Sifnos

More than where to eat, you should be focusing on what to eat in Sifnos! Home to delicious cuisine, the island is heaven for foodies! Sifnos has a long culinary tradition that’s famous all over Greece. 

Nikolaos Tselementes, a renowned Greek chef who published the first Greek cookbook in 1932, was born on the island. He is considered the father of Greek Cuisine, which is a fascinating mixture of Western and Eastern flavors. 

Today, the island continues the great chef’s legacy by maintaining the highest food standards, experimenting with new tastes while maintaining the core of local gastronomy, an essential key to preserving the island’s century-old recipes. 

The island’s signature dish is revithada, or chickpea stew. It is slow-cooked to perfection in a clay pot for an entire night in a wood oven. Long hours under slow fire ensure that the chickpeas are incredibly tender and flavorful.

Revithokeftedes, or fried chickpea balls, are also famous on Sifnos. They are usually served as a meze dish or starter, but they can definitely be enjoyed as a main alongside some salad.

Also popular among locals is mastelo, the island’s typical meat-based dish made of lamb or goat’s meat, washed in red wine, and doused in dill. It’s then slow-cooked inside a clay pot called mastelo or tsikalia. 

The three main types of cheese produced in Sifnos are chloromanoura, gilomeni manoura, and xinomizithra. Depending on the producer, local cheese can be spread-like or firm.

Where to Go in Sifnos for These Dishes

• Iliovasilema Sto Troullaki: Located in Troulaki (in Artemonas), they serve typical dishes and offer incredible sea views. Go when the sun is about to set. More info on their website.

• Okyalos: Located in Apollonia, this is another must-visit stop to try the local dishes. More info on their website.

Sifnos at Night

The island is not known for its nightlife but rather because of its elegant and quiet atmosphere. For more options and venues to discover, head to Apollonia, the island’s capital. A few clubs are open until very early in the morning.

However, you can also enjoy a drink at the beach of Platis Gialos or in Kamares. Kastro’s open-air lounges have a unique vibe and atmosphere, and Artemonas offers a few surprises for night owls.

How to Get to Sifnos?

If you book a ticket on a high-speed boat, the trip can be pretty short (a bit more than two hours). The traveling time on regular ferries is about five hours.

How to Move Around in Sifnos?

Once you’ve reached Kamares, you can take the public bus to Apollonia and Artemonas; there are hourly buses with an increased frequency during the hot season. 

You still need to take the same bus to reach other destinations, but you must change the bus once you arrive at the island’s capital.

Other places you can reach by bus include Faros, Platys Gialos, Kastro, and Vathy. 

Essentials You Should Pack for Sifnos

Beach & Excursions: Other than the essential swimming suits, pack your snorkeling gear and a high SPF lotion.

Hikers will undoubtedly walk better when wearing breathable walking shoes and add a good quality hat to your outfit. If you want more details about how to prepare your beach bag, check out this article!

Clothing and accessories: Pack clothes that you can easily mix and match. Choose breathable material or garments that dry fast for you to wash and wear the day after. Three T-shirts, two pairs of shorts, and a couple of summer dresses will be more than satisfactory.

For men, a nice shirt for dinner, three to five T-shirts, plus two pairs of shorts or bermudas are more than enough for a week on the islands.

When it comes to shoes, if you’re a woman, avoid heels and prefer flat sandals or wedges. For men, the best shoes are summer loafers or soft leather sandals.

Don’t leave your flip-flops at home; don’t forget your toiletries, electronics, photo camera, extra memory cards, and a good guide to the Greek islands.

Are you visiting Sifnos this summer? Let me know in the comments below!

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Guide to the Best Things to Do in Sifnos, Greece