Sifnos Island, Greece

--- More photos --- Sifnos - Kamares Platys Yalos Sifnos - Vathi

SIFNOS

If somewhere this island reminds you Mykonos, it will be definitely “Apollonias”, where at evenings the adrenaline goes up from the bar’s beats. From the other hand Siphnos is cool and smooth. The first beauty you will see in the harbour, in the afternoon, when ochre and white at “Kamares” lies up in apron of “Prophet Elea” and are reflected on the beach of “Saint Marina”.
Next special effect you will see on your way to “Apollonia”, smooth turns doubly in the gorge and in front of you appears a wild landscape. In 6th century b c the island had a lot of gold and silver goods, at that time it was considered the most richest island in Greece. But it was not always this way. Today that all hotels and pensions are fully booked in the season, older people can remember very well the recent years of poverty, when on the island people didn’t have anything to eat, and didn’t have shoes.
But they had however fairs where they could change the mules, musical instruments on food, clothes or money. There is a Mycenaean citadel in the Saint Andrea, with “friktories” (towers - observatories), its old ovens that were burning all the night for “revithada” and “mastelo”, with traditional food, and the potters adding lops to the kilns. Now the scant craftsmen that have remained is a tourist attraction for rich people and comely young couples that are coming at summer, with their inflatable ships and yachts and tie up in “Kamares” or in the “Vathi”, the fishing villages that has acquired luxury borders: from one side the “Elies Resort” of family Eugenidis, and from the other the – the monastery “Taxiarchs”.
In the centre of the island there are such villages as “Apollonia”, “Petalli”, “Santa Lucas”, “Katevati” where all the houses are built in a Cycladic style, and cottages in neoclassic style you can find at “Artemona”. “Artemona” is the village of riches, it is the most beautiful village, and it has the path that connects it with “Ano Petalli” and “Apollonia”. Also you can go up and climb the slipper steps of “Castro” (Castle) – Venetian fortress which was built by “Da Coronias” in 1635. The Castro’s provincial sidewalk is the most beautiful from all the Cyclades.

WORTH TO SEE
“Castro”- a beautiful medieval settlement that was a capital of the island in the ancient times, in medieval period up to 1836. By walking through the vaulted galleries, you will see ancient columns that became a part of small state. On the alley, you will find also the archaeological museum of Sifnos (it is open from 8.00-15.00). At the bottom of “Castro” there is “Seralia”, a small harbour.
“Artemonas” – here you will be charmed by the most beautiful mansions on the island made from pines, tabernacles on the beach, such as the “Virgin Mary of Sand” and restored windmills. You should visit without fail the astonishing confectionery of Theodore of traditional sweets, such as “amigdalota, pasteli, mpoureki and ipovrichio”.
“Friktories” – here were discovered 55 towers - observatories, however only two are in a good condition. The “White Tower” situated on the street Chrisopigi, and the “Tower Kade” in a valley. The oldest, were built in the 6th century b c, the last one - at 3rd century. “Tsoukalades” – is famous by its potteries, which are the following: Apostolidis in “Plati Gialo”, Atsonios in the “Vathi”, Dapetsas at “Hersonissos”, Lamresis at “Artemona” and Podotas at “Kamares”. 56 potteries existed earlier on the entire island.
“Steno”- where you can go at nights, it is the heart of the island, the narrow street “Apollonias” is full of bars, restaurants, taverns, cafe-shops, shops with jewels and accessories, and old houses, tabernacles - all together with an interminable parade that keeps you up till the morning.
When you wake up at the morning you should make a walk to folklore museum (it is open 10.00-14.00 and 19.30-23.30).
Paths:
“Kamares-Apollonia” - a short and very beautiful road, on which you will be able to get acquainted with the island.
“Apollonia-Vathi” - an exceptional wild with amazing view on “Vathi” from the hill. Being on this road you should go up to the Mycenaean citadel in saint Andreas that was founded the 16th century b c and take a look on the left, where you will see the tower “Kade”.
”Apollonia-Plati Gialos” – a friendly and beautiful road with smooth turns. It is worth to visit the old monastery of Virgin Mary, and go bypass from the monastery to the “Santa Bounou” (where is the best view to “Plati Gialo” and to the magic courtyard in the pines) and visit also the small harbours, such as “Faros” and “Fasolou”. Before the “Plati” seashore turn to the left for ”Chrisopigi” . The abbey above is situated in a ripped rock, and it was built in 1650. “Apollonia-Castro” – a short way, where you will enjoy a beautiful view of Castro.
“Apollonia-Hersonissos” - is the northern road of the island that leads to the picturesque fishing village of peninsula, passing small settlements.
Natura - the western part of the island that has been named Natura and through this place there are a lot of ways for going to the prophet Elea from “Firogia”. From “Firogia” to “Mauro Nero” and from there to “Vathi”. Through the centre of “Artemona” you can go to Saint Sostis (Aghios Sostis), where was an old mine, to “Poulati” or “Castro” from old paths and from “Artemona” to Saint Simeon.

HOTELS:
In “Apollonia–Artemonas” we advise you to stay at the following hotels: PATRIARCA Hotel: luxurious boutique hotel with unique atmosphere. It has 6 rooms where red is a dominating colour.
BELLA VISTA: it is a restored mill with stone rooms, with swimming pool and view on the Castro.
“Vathi”:
ELIES Hotel: it is considered the best hotel from the entire Greece. It is built in a traditional Cycladic style; it offers to its guests 33 amazingly designed rooms, suites and villas with swimming-pools, and one central pool, bigger than Olympic, it has also spa and gym. “Plati Gialos”
VERINA SUITES: Lady Isadora is the soul of exceptionally tasteful place which offers apartments designed in a Cycladic style, with very beautiful accessories. There are also accurate and very nice gardens, swimming-pool and chaise-lounges where in the afternoon you can lay down, listen good music and enjoy your drink.
NEREIDES: a very good hotel with amazing view to the golf of “Plati Gialos” from the hill. “Kamares”:
DOLPHIN APARTMENTS & RESTAURANT: it has an amazing location, fascinating view and fully equipped rooms.
HOTEL ALK: it offers rooms in a cycladic style with a very beautiful view to the port.

FOOD
In “Apollonia” we advise you to visit the following cafes/taverns/restaurants: ODOS ONIRON: was built in 1850. Here we advise you to try “mastelo” (veal or lamb cooked in the pot), rabbit in cycladic style.
OKIALOS: is located in narrow Steno. Here it is served sifnos cuisine, as well as European. MAMA MIA: Lilliputian inside, with beautiful courtyard outside. The Italian householder is improbable, as his delicious spaghettis, pizza and bread.
VOLTO: a haunt. Good music in a friendly bar with unique atmosphere.
BOTZI: the next from VOLTO, it is also a haunt. Behind it there is a stone courtyard. ARGO: a cocktail bar where music beats goes up after midnight, and dancing starts.
“Vathi”:
KATSOUNAS: with meat dishes prepared by themselves.
HYDROUSA AND TSOUKALI: try a casserole food from legume and fresh vegetables, chick-pea meat balls, and veal.
“Artemonas”:
LIOTRIVI: a well known tavern, with local cooker. Here you will eat chick-peas and “matselo”.
“Kamares”:
The POSEIDON, MARGARITA and SIMOS: here the main dishes are prepared from fish, delicious fava bean and delly.
The new ouzo bar called GIA MAS, the previously famous bar of Siphnos’s harbour was in Mexican style and it was called FOLIE FOLIE.
“Plati Gialos”:
TO KOUTOUKI TOU PSARA: fresh fish. Try fried beans with sauce.
“Seralia”:
THE FROGS: an ouzo bar.