Sandy beaches:

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Vathy beach: It’s a very lovely bay. There are umbrellas you can rent towards the end of the beach.

Platis Gialos: Nice long beach. There are plenty of places to eat or drink (See below).

Kamares: Although it is the beach at the port, it is a very decent one! We would recommend going towards the far end of the beach.

 

There are some smaller and possibly prettier beaches:

Chrysopigi: The church of Chrysopigi is a famous highlight of the island. There are 4 places to swim there (quite a lot for the size of the place!) There is a pretty beach on the left hand side when you drive down (Apokofto) with two tavernas. Both tavernas are quite nice and worth having lunch there after a swim. The one called Chrisopigi is slightly better in our view. If you like jumping off rocks (not high), you can swim either side of the church, depending on the wind direction. Obvious problem is that there is no shade there so one could go there for a quick dive and then head to the taverna for a cold beer! There is also a pebble beach on the right-hand of the church side called Saoures.

Fasolou: This is a nice quiet beach close to Faros. Well worth a visit. You can see Chrisopigi church from afar while you swim!

Glyfo: Very pretty beach but sometimes it gets crowded. Glyfo is at the village of Faros but you need to walk for 2-3 minutes from the car park to get to it (as the beach at Faros is not particularly nice) so don’t confuse the two places. There is also a nice stone path that connects Glyfo with Chrisopigi. It takes about 10 minutes for the walk and has nice views. In this way you can swim in both places on the same day!

Vroulidia: Very pretty pebble beach at the north of the island. The road is newly with tarmac. Just be wary that just before you reach the beach there is a very steep part so better have a car with decent engine to climb up afterwards! Otherwise, you can always park just before the steep decline (don’t park too far up as it can be a long walk). There are two tavernas there. We recommend the one called Vroulidia. The one far end as you arrive.

 

Rock swimming:

There are two fantastic places to swim off rocks but you need to go on a day when it’s not windy as otherwise it’s difficult or impossible to swim there. So be careful please!

One is at the village of Kastro under the church of Epta Martyres. There are plenty of steps to get down there and up again but the water is amazing, so well worth it!

Poulati: A beautiful rocky location. It involves a little walk from the car park. There is also a very pretty church there.

Chrysopigi church: Worth a visit and also walk on the big rock formations at the tip of the peninsula for some nice views and pictures.

 

Artemonas: Very picturesque village with grand old houses. Go there before the sun sets but not during the day as it will be too hot. You can walk up to the windmills to catch some nice views. Nice to sit at Kitrino Podilato (yellow bicycle) for some nice desserts! Don’t forget to buy some loukoumia, pastelia and chalvadopites (traditional Sifnos sweets) at the local sweet shop of Theodorou. It’s worth going inside as they make them there by hand for generations!

 

Kastro village: Great highlight of Sifnos. Spectacular village that used to be fortified to be protected against pirates. Go there before sunset and just stroll around the little alleys. Don’t forget to walk down to the church of Epta Martyres. Don’t look at the map while you are there. Just enjoy getting lost!

 

Agios Symeon church: It’s one of the churches on the mountain overlooking Kamares. You can drive there so no need to hike up! Great views and photos of the Kamares bay. You can also see the nearby islands in the distance, like Serifos and Polyaigos.

 

Apollonia: The nightlife and shopping (clothes, jewellery etc.) capital of Sifnos (and actual capital!) Definitely worth a visit in the evening (after 8pm probably). The little road with all the bars and no cars is great. Make sure you park at the car park or otherwise you risk a parking ticket!

 

Otherwise, Sifnos has a great network of hiking trails if this is something you like. They are well signposted and there are different lengths and difficulty levels.

More info here: https://sifnostrails.com/en/

You can also hike up the tallest mountain of Sifnos. Profitis Ilias o psilos. Great views across the island and beyond! (do that very early in the morning before it gets too hot and make sure you have plenty of water with you!)

Sifnos has been famous through the decades for its culinary offerings and the last few years this has developed even further with some high-end options!

 

It’s difficult to name all the nice places to eat, so we will name a few that we really like!

 

Cantina: Fantasic gourmet food based on sustainable ingredients and cooking techniques. Usually works basis a tasting menu that can be shared across the table. They offer two sittings every night. Excellent atmospheric location under Kastro. We totally recommend it. Try to go for the earlier sitting to enjoy the scenery before the sun goes down (needs booking!)

Omega 3: The restaurant which elevated the Sifnos food scene, starting more than 10 years ago. Very nice seafood experience (tartare, ceviche etc) at Platis Gialos. You can combine with swimming and sitting at Palmira Café next door for a beer or a coffee and then head for late lunch or early dinner. (needs booking)

Pelicanos: Same executive chef as Cantina. Relatively new place with nice offerings in seafood and pasta. Lovely location with tables on the sandy beach of Faros. (better to book in advance)

 

Otherwise there are many delicious tavernas around the island. Here are a few:

The two tavernas at Chrisopigi are nice while swimming there with all the local Sifnos delicacies and more.

Limanaki at Faros has excellent seafood. You get a choice of fresh fish (you can actually choose it by going into the kitchen!) or lobster spaghetti if they have caught any lobsters on the day (they have their own fishing boat)

Mamma Mia is an Italian family run institution since the 80’s. They have two locations. One in Apollonia and one in Platis Yialos.

Drakakis is a great local taverna at Apollonia where you can enjoy nice Sifnos fare, tsipouro and people watching in the evening! (they don’t take bookings, but they have plenty of tables so you may need to wait for a few minutes for a free table)

Nus is a very cool modern taverna at Platis Yialos where they have combined Sifnos traditional cooking with a number of modern twists and the results are divine.... plus the produce is from the owners very own farm.

Yialos restaurant at Platis Yialos. Very nice modern seafood offerings (may need to book).

Sunset in Troulaki is an original rustic meat taverna at the north of the island on the way to Cheronisos village. Make sure you get there for the sunset. You can combine if you go swimming at Vroulidia.

 

Last but not least, the far end taverna at Vroulidia beach (as mentioned above) has a very decent selection of local produce (seafood and meat).

 

Local specialities, which you must try while in Sifnos!

Revithokeftedes (chickpea balls) like falafel, but better!

Greek salad with the local soft cheese Mizithra

Manoura (Very) Strong hard cheese that goes well with some wine or tsipouro.

Chickpea soup (they used to eat it only on Sundays but now you can find it every day). Don’t knock it before you try it! Our favourite is at Nus and Chrisopigi taverna!

Capersalad is an acquired taste but worth a try. 

Mastelo Local lamb in clay pot. Delicious!

Plenty of choices for booze on the island! Here are our favourites!

 

Loggia is an uber cool wine place at Kastro. A must! You definitely need to book there as it features on every magazine from Vogue to Conde.

Otherwise there is a large selection of bars at Apolonia.

Our favourites are Botzi (it also has a nice rooftop veranda) and Doloma. Make sure you don’t party too much there! We need you fresh for the wedding day!

 

There are plenty more places to discover and that’s part of the fun!

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Enjoy our island guys!