Weekend in Sifnos

I always jump at any opportunity to visit the Cyclades. Especially during summertime. Last year I went to Syros for work. This year I spent a weekend in Sifnos for a christening. Between seeing old friends and having a good time I managed to visit the island’s most cute villages.

What to see in Sifnos

Platys Gialos is my favorite beach in Sifnos. It literally translates to the wide beach and this is exactly what you get. The beach is sandy, and you’ll come across a few beach cafes and restaurants where you can relax, have a drink or eat. During my stay, I dined at Votsalo pizzeria and lounged at Notos café.

Vathy is another one of Sifnos beaches. The road to getting there is winding but you will be rewarded. The ideal time to visit is the afternoon when the sun goes down. The cove is smaller than Platis Gialos, but it is more charming. As far as dining goes, I recommend Manolis tavern. We dined there after the christening and the food was delicious.

Apollonia is the island’s administrative center. Look out for “steno”, Apollonia’s main commercial road. I visited the village on a Sunday morning, so most people were on the beaches lounging rather than exploring the in-land. Which was perfect because I had the place all to myself (almost). Cue taking dozens of photos. If you’re looking for a café to relax then may I suggest Gerontopoulos café/patisserie? Also, do try their almond pastries (amygdalota). They are delicious.

Artemonas is a village next to Apollonia. It is more residential but still has charming corners. Like this yellow window on Kitrino Podilato patisserie. I didn’t get to try any dessert, but I heard that loukoumades (fried doughnuts) are delicious. There is also a path that takes you from Artemonas to Apollonia on foot passing from another settlement called Ano Petali.

Kastro is the island’s oldest settlement. Its name translates to Castle and it was inhabited since the pre-historic era. It used to be Sifnos capital throughout the centuries until 1836. The settlement has a medieval urban planning structure with narrow streets, small courtyards and lack of spaces for public use. It is a unique settlement in Sifnos and definitely worth a visit.

Where to stay in Sifnos

You will find a lot of hotels and B&Bs all around the island. I prefer staying at Platis Gialos. That is where I stayed 20 years ago and that’s where I stayed this year. If you want to open your window and see the beach then Pension Angeliki is ideal for you. I also suggest the Edem Hotel which is not on the beach but still close-by. My friends stayed there and I visited them for breakfast, which was delicious. Last but not least If you like a hotel with a view and a swimming pool, then Hotel Alexandros is ideal for you.

How to get to Sifnos

Sifnos doesn’t have an airport so you’ll get there by ferry. You can check out Open Seas to see the itineraries for Sifnos.  You can definitely visit other islands after or before visiting Sifnos. For example, Aegean Speed Lines connect Sifnos with Serifos and Milos. Definitely recommend visiting the latter one.

Related: The Essential Info Guide to getting around the Greek Islands

Have you visited Sifnos? What did you like the most on the island?