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Between blue chapels perched on promontories, stepped villages, golden sand coves, and vibrant culinary traditions,
Sifnos embodies an authentic and refined Cycladic island . Quieter than its iconic neighbors, it combines coastal walks, swimming in a clear sea, pottery workshops, and tables where the famous Sunday revithada is still simmering. As usual, here’s a clear FAQ to help you plan your stay, followed by 8 experiences—only the must-dos—to savor the island at your own pace.
🗒️ Best time, hotels: what you need to know before visiting Sifnos
Before we dwell on things to do in Sifnos, here are some useful tips.
When is the best time to visit Sifnos?
From May to mid-October, Sifnos is alive with the great outdoors: beaches, trails, village festivals (panigiria). July and August are very hot and more crowded; in the height of summer, hike early in the morning and avoid the hottest hours. Spring (May-June) and the late season (September-early October) are ideal: pleasant sea, more accessible accommodation, flora still vibrant and superb light for walking. Winter is quiet, many places close, but the island remains inhabited.
How many days should I plan for?
Three full days offer a good overview: a “villages + coves” day in the southeast (Faros–Chryssopigi–Platis Gialos), a day spent at Kastro and Apollonia/Artemonas, a day spent sailing, Vathi or hiking. With 5–6 days, add pottery workshops, more secret beaches (Fikiada, Fassolou) and a summit (Profitis Ilias) if the weather permits.
How to get here and get around?
No airport: you arrive by ferry (Piraeus ↔ Sifnos) in 2.5 to 5 hours depending on the boat, with more rotations in summer. On site, a KTEL bus network connects the port of Kamares to Apollonia (network hub), Kastro, Faros, Platis Gialos and Vathi; it operates well in season. Renting a car or a scooter remains practical for the coves and flexible schedules. The island is also a paradise of marked trails: perfect for connecting beaches and chapels without a vehicle.
What budget should I plan for?
Sifnos is renowned for its gastronomy, with a wide range of options: affordable beach tavernas, meze canteens, and creative waterfront spots. Expect to pay €12–18 for a main course in a taverna, €3–4 for a coffee, €4–6 for a pastry, and €25–40 for a simple dinner for two, excluding drinks. Buses are economical; a car or scooter will add up the cost, but offer freedom.
Where to stay (3 popular and well-located hotels)?
Here are three tried-and-tested establishments. Elies Resorts (Vathi Bay): 5★ resort nestled among olive trees, large pool, direct access to the beach. Verina Terra (Platis Gialos): intimate complex surrounded by olive trees, a stone’s throw from the sand, ideal for exploring the south. Nival Boutique Hotel (Apollonia): newer establishment with minimal design, views of the hills and a beautiful small pool – perfect for evening walks in the “chora”.
Which restaurants should you try?
On the sands of Platis Gialos, Omega3 revisits fish as a marine meze. In Vathi, To Tsikali serves local recipes under the tamarisk trees, toes in the sand. In Apollonia, kafeneio Drakakis is an institution for an assortment of mezedes, a glass of ouzo or local wine. Add a cardamom pastry at Artemonas, and a honey yogurt after returning from the beach.
And if you don’t know whether to tip in Greece, read our article.
🔝 What are the must-do things to do in Sifnos?
Now let’s get to the heart of the matter and see what there are to do in Sifnos. Just the must-sees, of course.
Explore Kastro and the Church of the Seven Martyrs
An ancient capital perched sheer above the sea, Kastro encapsulates the medieval soul of Sifnos: arcaded alleys, tightly packed houses forming ramparts, ancient fragments embedded in the walls. It’s easy to get lost, wandering from one viewpoint to the next, all the way to the small archaeological museum. At the end of the promontory, the Church of the Seven Martyrs (Eptamartyres) stands on a rock beaten by the waves, connected by a theatrical white staircase: one of the most iconic photo spots in the Cyclades.
Come early (or at dusk) for the atmosphere, then go down for a dip in the cove below if the sea is calm. The return to Apollonia by road and the dry-stone walls offers beautiful views of the east coast; otherwise, connect Kastro to Faros and Chryssopigi via the trails, for a 100% coastal day.
Pay your respects at Panagia Chryssopigi and swim at Apokofto
Dedicated to the Virgin, Panagia Chryssopigi is the island’s patron saint. Her white silhouette juts out over a rocky spur separated from the shore by a narrow fault, crossed by a small bridge. When the water shimmers, it’s a picture-postcard setting; on clear days, you can see the reliefs all the way to Paros. After the visit, head to Apokofto beach, a few minutes’ walk away: golden sand, tavernas, clear water for a long swim.
If you enjoy walking, follow the very pleasant coastal path to Faros via the small coves of Glyfo and Fassolou; the route is simple and panoramic, with plenty of swimming breaks. In the late afternoon, go back up to greet the chapel when the golden sun caresses the stone: magic guaranteed.
Spend a lazy day in Platis Gialos
A large, sandy cove, south-facing and well-sheltered, Platis Gialos is the island’s most well-equipped beach: deckchairs, showers, license-free boat rentals, cafes, and gourmet spots right on the sand. In the morning, the water is a turquoise pool; at midday, you can stroll from taverna to taverna; at the end of the day, the lights skim the hills and you can dine on the beach. To get active, rent a paddleboard or a kayak, or climb on foot to the small lookout point towards the chapel of Agios Georgios to frame the entire bay.
Off-season, the beach regains a delightful calm; in the height of summer, arrive early to lay down your towel, and consider the bus if you’re staying in Apollonia to avoid the hassle of parking.
Discover Vathi Bay (and the Church of the Taxiarches)
Vathi is a horseshoe-shaped, almost enclosed cove of golden sand, perfect for long swims in warm, flat water. Boats and sailboats happily moor here, and the small church of Taxiarches adds a Cycladic touch to the end of the beach. Here, time stretches: morning coffee under the tamarisk trees, nap, swim, then dinner watching the lights reflect on the water. In very hot weather, the sea breeze makes the place very bearable; with children, swimming is gentle and without currents.
Feel like walking? Set off along the coastal path to Fikiada , a superb wild cove (be careful, there is little shade: bring water and a hat). In the late afternoon, walk along the beach to the end: the colors turn to honey, and it’s easy to understand why so many travelers swear loyalty to Vathi.
Hiking the Sifnos Trails network
Sifnos has meshed its mule tracks into a well-kept network of Sifnos Trails (markings, maps, and levels). The classics? The Faros → Chryssopigi coastline (beaches, chapels, and endless blue), the Poulati → Kastro loop (cliffs, view of Eptamartyres), or the climb to Profitis Ilias (the island’s highest point) for a 360° view. In spring and September, the temperatures are ideal and the hills are still green; in summer, set off early, with a cap on and water in your bag.
The beauty of the trails lies in the contrasts: olive tree terraces, dry-stone walls, the scent of sage and thyme, and the ever-present sea. Even without aiming for a summit, connecting two beaches via an old kalderimi transforms a day of swimming into a mini adventure. Practical advice: closed-toe shoes are recommended, and an offline map is required if you like to improvise.
Strolling in Apollonia and Artemonas
In the center of the island, Apollonia (the “chora”) unfolds a cobbled spine: cafes, small boutiques, a cocktail bar in white courtyards, a mezedopoleia for a bite to eat. People come here in the evening to take the pulse of Sifnos, wander from one terrace to another, snack, and chat. A few minutes away, Artemonas charms with its pastel neoclassical houses, gardens, and pastries. This is where you can buy sesame focaccia, a cardamom brioche, or almond amygdalota for the beach. Between the two villages, don’t hesitate to look up: chapel roofs, openwork bell towers, and, in the distance, the headlands that close off Kamares Bay. With teenagers, combine Apollonia by night with the beach at sunrise: the island is experienced differently depending on the time of day.
Learn about Sifnian pottery
Pottery is a thousand-year-old tradition on Sifnos and still punctuates the hamlets: family workshops, wood-fired kilns, display cases of tsikalia (terracotta utensils) and glazed jars. Visit an active workshop—in Vathi , Kamares or on the road to Apollonia—to understand the firing, the local clay, the glazes; some offer demonstrations or introductory classes. Beyond souvenirs, ceramics tell the story of the island: the cuisine (revithada pots , stew dishes), the architecture (jugs, jars), and even the rituals of festivals. Leave with a small oven dish, a bowl or a jug: a beautiful, useful object that reminds you of Sifnos long after your return. Bonus: the workshops are often near a beach—perfect for alternating between swimming and discovering crafts.
Enjoy the cuisine of Sifnos
People come here to eat simply and simply: chickpeas, wild herbs, capers, stewed meats, goat cheese. On Sundays, revithada (chickpeas) cooks overnight in an earthenware dish over low heat; at Easter, mastello (lamb or kid in wine and dill) melts in the mouth. As for cheeses, try manoura (including a version aged in wine lees, with a dark crust) and fresh myzithra. In a taverna, order mezedes to share: chickpea fritters, tomato and caper salads, grilled fish of the day, stuffed vegetables.
On the beach, a frappé coffee or yogurt with honey is enough to satisfy your hunger. The island also inspires more creative seafood cuisine, to be enjoyed at sunset, a glass of assyrtiko in hand.
We hope this list of things to do in Sifnos has helped you plan your trip. Be sure to visit our YouTube channel for more inspiration.