The island of moderation and harmony, diffused by the Aegean aura, is famous for the originality of Cycladic beauty, its architecture and its famous dishes with Celemente flavor
The island has a long tradition in pottery and cooking, as it is the birthplace of Nikos Celemente, the leading Greek chef of the 20th century.
It is crossed by four parallel mountain ranges with main peaks, that of Profitis Ilias (682 m.), in the center, and Agios Symeon (463 m.) in the north.
To the northwest of the island there is the cape of Agios Filippos, to the east the cape Napos and to the south Konto.
South of Sifnos is the small island of Kitriani.
The soil of Sifnos consists of granite rocks, clay sandstone or slate, limestone, etc.
It has rich mineral wealth, such as iron, copper, lead, manganese, galena, magnesium, etc.
In antiquity, it also had gold and silver mines as well as “Sifnai Stone” quarries, from which the famous tableware such as “Sifnia glasses” etc. were made.
Calmness, moderation, harmony
Sifnos is an island for quality holidays, as the calm, moderation and harmony that govern them, complement its Cycladic beauty.
She is “the daughter of a good family”, known for her aesthetics and Cycladic chic style, which maintains a low profile, without eccentricities and exaggerations that calms the visitor.
It combines picturesqueness, gastronomy, folk art and tradition.
Sifnos is suitable for hiking, to get to know the beautiful alleys of Artemon with its neoclassical buildings.
The paths of Sifnos, some taken care of and others forgotten and grassed, are a network of dirt or cobbled paths of about 200 km, which connect the traditional settlements.
Its villages are real ornaments, with the houses and the whitewashed courtyards, the bougainvilleas and the intricate ceramic flares that adorn the chimneys.
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The capital, since 1836, of the island is Apollonia, named after the god Apollo.
It is worth a visit to the other villages of Sifnos, Ano Petali, Exabela, Kato Petali, Katavati and Artemona, the largest village named after the goddess Artemi.
In Sifnos, you will taste the traditional flavors and recipes of Sphinx, such as the chickpea in clay, the mastelo and the caper salad, while in the beautiful ancient port of Seralia you will taste the famous fish appetizers.
In fact, if you visit the island in September, you will also succeed in the Cycladic Gastronomy Festival, “Nikolaos Tselementes”.
On the island there are 76 scattered circular towers, which served as observatories or outposts or simply as storage areas. Mostly, however, they served as frying pans, ie a system of communication in ancient Greece with the use of torches and smoke signals.
Απολλωνία
Apollonia is buzzing with entertainment options.
Whatever you do, you will pass through the famous Strait of Apollonia. Bars, restaurants, cafes, shops, churches, island houses with courtyards will give your vacation a different air and you will enjoy your drink in a unique setting.
There you will find shops for all tastes, rock, alternatives, lounge and afte, but also taverns and crab shops.
Don’t forget to try the donuts and ice cream machine from the 3 Blonde Angels.
The village will captivate you with its tradition, with the festivals, the tables and the music. There you will get to know the custom of “fairs”.
In the central square of the village is the museum of Folk Art of Sifnos, with exhibits from the daily life of the inhabitants of the island of another era.
Castro
Anyone visiting Sifnos should not miss the sunsets from the medieval settlement of Kastro with the Venetian loggias.
The Venetian village of Kastro is located on a conical hill and was the ancient capital of the island. Next to the settlement is the picturesque church of the Seven Martyrs on top of a rock.
The visit to the Castle, with the wonderful view, will spark your imagination with the vaulted galleries and the mystery they emit, the tight-fitting houses that form an inaccessible defensive building and the picturesque churches.
The Castle is worth a walk just before sunset and get lost in its alleys with stone arches. The story will pass in front of you, with the elderly locals telling it better than a historian.
There is an archeological museum in the Castle.
The Saints Seven Children
“The synaxarion is beautifully expressed: while the king does not converse” with the saints “and the bishops and many other lords,” the saints were a little upset “and their souls surrendered to the god …”
Excerpt from Cavafy’s poem about the Holy Seven Children. Their picturesque church in Sifnos, is located at the eastern end of the Castle, built on top of a rock and seems to emerge from the foam of the sea.
At the same time, a sect that taught against the resurrection of the dead appeared in Ephesus. At that time, one of the children in the market of Ephesus bought bread with the coin of the time of Decius, which is an inexplicable fact. They interrogated the child, who was Iamblichus, and led them to the cave where they found the other children alive. It was a miracle of God proving the truth of the Resurrection of the dead.
The most important attraction of Sifnos, together with the Castle, is Chrysopigi.
The monastery of Chrysopigi was built, in 1650, on the torn rock and the sunrise behind its bell tower paints everything pink and orange.
The Acropolis of St. Andrew
At the archeological site of Agios Andreas, where you will see the homonymous church and the ruins of the fortified citadel from the Mycenaean era.
Do not forget to visit the Prophet Elias the High, Agios Symeon, overlooking the Arches and the Monastery of the patron saint of Sifnos, Panagia Chrysopigi which is perched on the rock.
The churches of Sifnos
Sifnos has a total of 235 monasteries and churches, some of which, in fact, have been designated historical monuments.
They are perched on inaccessible slopes and hilltops, with strange names, such as “Panagia to Toso Nero”, or “Panagia ta Skalakia”, or “Agios Ioannis o Sideros”, each with its own story.
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Beaches
In Sifnos you will find beaches for all tastes. Organized with umbrellas and sunbeds, golden sandy beaches, small picturesque coves, pebble beaches and steep shores for the more isolated.
Most beaches can be reached by car while in some others you can go following a path or by boat.
Cams
The beach of Kamares is the first you will encounter getting out of the boat. Although it is opposite the port it is spotless. Backgroun, with shallow waters, is ideal for families and young people, as it is organized with sunbeds and beach bar.
Spilia
A small cove with pebbles almost next to Kamares. This is a secluded beach where you will rarely find a lot of people.
< ـΒρουλίδια
A beautiful place with wonderful emerald waters and pebbles. At the entrance of the sea there are rocks, but also sandy “corridors” that lead you to a sandy bottom, with the depth of the waters gradually increasing. It is organized and there is road access although the last part is a bit difficult.
<<Φάρος
It is the main beach of the homonymous settlement. Small, with shade from tamarisk trees and shallow waters that make it suitable for families with small children. It is protected from the winds, while there are taverns and shops. The beach offers unobstructed views of the rock of Chrysopigi which is directly opposite.
Φασσολού
Essentially, this is one of the three beaches of Faros. Nudism used to be practiced here, but now it has been banned. On the west side of the bay dominates the monastery Stavros tou Faros, while in front of the bay you can see the rock of Chrysopigi. The beach has sand and a few pebbles, with rich clusters of tamarisk trees. The seabed has enough algae but there are shaped corridors to avoid them. The sea is gradually deepening.
Glyph
Next to the lighthouse is Glyfo beach, which is considered one of the top of the island. It is covered with fine golden sand, with a rich shade of tamarisk. It is not organized and is quieter than the lighthouse. From Glyfo you can see the rocks of Chrysopigi.
Cut
It is the area that has one of the most famous places of Sifnos, the rocks of Chrysopigi. The beach is sandy, with crystal clear waters and shade from tamarisk trees. You should pay attention to the slippery stones that exist in the sea. At the right end of the beach is the small rocky cape with the monastery of Panagia Chrysopigi.
Platis Gialos
It is the largest and most secular of Sifnos. Huge sandy beach, crystal clear shallow water and water games. It is organized and behind the beach there are shops, cafes and restaurants.
Lazarou
Small bay with pebbles and turquoise waters on the south side of Sifnos. After the end of the beach of Platys Gialos continue on the road for 350m. and turn left At 100m. you reach the shore.
Βαθύ
Sandy shore and clear waters. It is organized with umbrellas and sunbeds and several shops. Contrary to the name of the beach, the sea is shallow. A characteristic image from Vathi is the church of Taxiarches.
Τσώπος
Small cove with golden sand and clear blue waters, on the left side of the bay of Vathi. Here operates one of the oldest pottery on the island. Fine golden sand covers the whole beach. At the bottom there are small clusters of algae.
Seralia
This is the beach of Kastro, on the east side of Sifnos, opposite Paros and Antiparos. Here was the port of the capital in ancient Sifnos. The beach is small but is suitable for those who want to be away from the noisy beaches of the island. At first the seabed has pebbles but then there is golden sand. The depth increases gradually. You can also dive from the small mole on the other side of the bay.
Seller
Rocky beach located near the Castle. The waters are crystal clear while the depth is enough from the beginning and the seabed is also rocky. You will need to walk a little to get there and of course have the essentials with you.
Fygiada
Fykiada is a small sandy beach of exceptional beauty at the southern tip of Sifnos. You can only reach by road after hiking starting from Platys Gialos. Nature lovers both the route and the beach will compensate them.
Saures
Small cove with a unique view to Chrysopigi and beautiful crystal clear waters. In Saoures ends a small dirt path 150 m. That starts from Chrysopigi. ends here. It has pebbles with golden sand and is preferred by those who want to enjoy the sea in isolation.
Herronisos
It is the small picturesque fishing village at the northern end of Sifnos that you should not leave if you do not see it. It is a bay, separated in the middle by the mountain, with a wild beauty that will captivate you.
The beach has a golden sand and is windless, with crystal clear and cool waters. On the other hand, the open sea challenges you for photos from afar! At the top of the hill there is a small church for those who want photos with a view from above.
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