Our website uses affiliate links. If you click through any of these affiliate links in this article to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. As Amazon Associates, we earn from qualifying purchases. Read our Disclosure for more. Thanks for your support!
The Cyclades Islands are world-renowned for their whitewashed streets and gorgeous beaches and we’re here to show you what to do in Sifnos, a Greek island renowned for its remarkable food scene.
Sifnos is an utterly picturesque island where it’s next to impossible to find something that doesn’t scream beauty, even if you try to.
But Sifnos is far from just another gorgeous island. It’s also a culinary heaven and we’re sure that, once you know what to do in Sifnos, you’ll start planning your first trip there.
If you’re considering a trip to our home country soon, we’re here to answer all your questions.
Click here to book a 60-minute video call with us or purchase a travel planning bundle that consists of a video call and a Greece itinerary, customised to your travel needs and desires.
Learn more about our travel planning services.
Is Sifnos Worth Visiting?
You may wonder why choose Sifnos over any other Greek island for your summer vacation.
Although all Greek Islands are great summer destinations, Sifnos is the perfect island to enjoy a quintessentially Greek summer vacation like no other.
This small gem of an island remains off the radar of mass tourism, which means it retains all its authentic charms, protects its natural wonders, and offers high-quality services to those who choose to spend their summer vacation there.
So, yes, Sifnos is worth visiting, as it’s an island of great and natural beauty, abundant in pristine sandy beaches and also famous for its fantastic local food.
Why Food Is So Special in Sifnos?
Sifnos is the birthplace of Nikolaos Tselementes, a Greek chef who changed Greek cooking forever. In 1932, Tselementes published a Greek cookbook for the first time, introducing new recipes.
Inspired primarily by French cuisine, he infused Western touches into the predominantly Eastern cuisine of Greece.
To a great extent, the Greek cuisine as we know it now, this mouthwatering blend of Eastern and Western tastes and aromas, owes its existence to Nikolaos Tselementes.
This is why every household in Greece, especially until the 1990s or so, had a copy of Tselementes’ cookbook.
The latter is such an important element of Greek pop culture that tselementes is a synonym for a cookbook in Modern Greek.
Sifnos Island and its people honour their prodigy in more ways than one. First of all, the quality of food served throughout the island is superb.
Secondly, food in Sifnos is traditional and authentic, but always comes with a little twist.
Perhaps as a way for locals to pay homage to their favourite child, the person who civilised the Greek palate, as the Press of his time put it.
But the utmost celebration of Tselementes and his work takes place in Sifnos every September when the island holds the annual Festival of Cycladic Gastronomy.
During this festival, locals and visitors alike have the chance to taste unique dishes from every Cycladic island, drink local wine and dance to traditional music.
This sounds like a valid reason to visit Sifnos in September if you ask us.
Where Is Sifnos?
Sifnos is a small island in the Western Cyclades group, a sub-cluster of the Cyclades Islands which comprises some of the most laid-back islands in Greece, such as Kea, Kythnos, Serifos, Milos and Kimolos.
Best Time To Visit Sifnos
Sifnos is among the popular summer destinations for Greeks. The small island is packed during the peak season. While planning your trip to Greece, we recommend avoiding late July and August.
The best time to visit Sifnos is June, early July and early September.
How Many Days in Sifnos
On a small Greek Island like Sifnos, it’s not a matter of how many days you need to see everything. It’s a matter of how many days you want to relax and take in the beauty without rushing things.
After all, Sifnos is a great place to enjoy a relaxing summer holiday.
Therefore, although you won’t need more than three days to check out all the major attractions in Sifnos, you’ll probably want to plan a longer holiday there to recharge your batteries and forget about your daily life pains for a while.
If you need help deciding how many days to spend on the Greek islands, book a call with us or fill in this form to get a customised itinerary for Greece tailored to your needs.
How To Get To Sifnos
There is no airport in Sifnos. The only way to get to the island is by ferry.
The high-speed ferry from Piraeus port takes two and a half hours, whereas the regular ferry takes around four hours.
Kamares Port in Sifnos is a ten-minute drive from Apollonia, the island’s main town.
Sifnos is well-connected to several Cycladic islands, such as the nearby Serifos and Milos.
Our guide to the best Greek Islands to visit will help you plan the perfect Greek-island hopping itinerary.
The best way to check out ferry routes and timetables, as well as to book your ferry ticekts is through Ferryhopper.
How To Get Around Sifnos
In the summer months, public transport in Sifnos is frequent and reliable. From Kamares, the island’s main port, you can reach the capital of the island, Apollonia or the village of Artemonas by bus.
Check out bus routes and timetables here.
From there, you can continue to other locations such as Kastro, Platis Gialos, Faros, Cheronissos and Vathi.
However, if you want to enjoy absolute freedom to explore all the treasures this little island hides, the best option is renting a car.
Where To Stay in Sifnos
Finding a good place to stay in Sifnos is easy, as there are many amazing Sifnos hotels. That said, there is one hotel that stands out.
The best boutique hotel in Sifnos, Verina Astra, is in Poulati, near Artemonas village.
Set on a hill overlooking the Aegean Sea, the complex is built so that all its suites enjoy gorgeous views of the vast, deep blue sea beyond.
All the suites are smartly decorated, impeccably clean and utterly comfortable, with private terraces.
The hotel also features a superb infinity pool with stunning views of the Aegean Sea, the island’s gorgeous castle and Panagia Poulati Church.
Breakfast at Verina Astra is a feast of homemade delicacies, all prepared with care and the best local ingredients.
Read more details in our honest Verina Astra review.
Where To Eat in Sifnos
Sifnos is a foodie island. You can’t go wrong with any Sifnos restaurants. Below you’ll find a small selection of the places where we tried some of the best food in Sifnos.
- Simos Restaurant in Kamares for mouthwatering chickpea stew and other traditional dishes.
- Mosaico in Artemonas for fantastic small plate dishes.
- Kitrino Podilato in Artemonas for dessert.
- Drakakis in Apollonia for small plate dishes.
- Gerontopoulos Pastry Shop in Apollonia for pies and cookies.
- Tratamento in Apollonia for crepes and sandwiches.
Watch Our YouTube Video About The Best Things To Do in Sifnos
Travel Resources To Help You Plan Your Trip To Sifnos
What To Do in Sifnos – 17 Fantastic Things To Do
1. Swim, Swim And, Then, Swim Some More
If you’re wondering what to do in Sifnos, once you get on the island, go straight to one of the surprisingly large number of beautiful beaches.
Wherever you decide to go swimming in Sifnos, the crystal clear waters and pristine bays await you.
The Sifnos beaches that stole our hearts were Glifo, Cheronissos, Kamares, Platys Gialos and Apokofto Beach.
2. Eat All The Local Food
Sifnos’ excellent food is one of the top reasons to visit the island. Blessed with exquisite fresh produce, Sifnos is also a vegetarian and vegan heaven. Let’s have a look at some of the local delicacies you must try there.
Revithada, one of the best meat-free dishes in Greece, is very popular in Sifnos. Splashed with Greek olive oil, revithada is a chickpea stew slow-cooked to perfection for an entire night.
For this reason, your best shot to try revithada is Sunday at lunch because most traditional restaurants in Sifnos prepare revithada on Saturday night. There are no words to describe how exquisite this vegan dish is.
Another chickpea-based recipe you should try is fried chickpea balls or revithokeftedes. These may or may not include cheese, so dear vegans, watch out.
Speaking of cheese, the different types of local cheese in Sifnos, such as gilomeni manoura, xinomizithra and chloromanoura, are not to be missed.
Don’t worry, you don’t have to learn – or pronounce – these difficult names. Just ask for local cheese or ntopio tyri (ντόπιο τυρί) at any local restaurant. No matter which type they have available, you’ll love it.
For dessert, you have to try melopita. This is a cheesecake-like treat made of local cheese and honey.
Last but not least, Sifnos is renowned for its wide selection of freshly baked cookies, which come in many shapes and flavours, with a certain fondness for almonds.
3. Visit Chrissopigi Monastery
The absolute highlight of Sifnos is the picture-perfect Chrissopigi Monastery, the ultimate symbol of the island.
Built in 1640, the Monastery of Panagia Chrissopigi is among the most important places of worship in the Cyclades. Legend has it that it’s connected to many miracles attributed to the Virgin Mary.
A visit to the Monastery of Chrissopigi is one of the best things to do in Sifnos for the wonder of its architecture and natural surroundings alike.
Chrissopigi Monastery is also a very popular church for couples who want to get married in a site of absolute serenity and beauty.
4. Admire The Gorgeous Churches
Apart from Chrissopigi Monastery, the beautiful Greek island of Sifnos is home to many other beautiful churches worth checking out.
There are as many as 235 churches in Sifnos. Everywhere you look, you will see a quaint church or two whitewashed to perfection.
Hands down, the most picturesque of all Sifnos churches is Efta Martires (Seven Martyrs) Church in Kastro, another popular wedding venue.
The Church of the Seven Martyrs is built atop a rock with dramatic views of the endless blue sea and Kastro. You can walk to the church via a fairy-tale footpath that starts from Kastro.
5. Lose Yourself in Medieval Kastro
Kastro is one of the best places to visit in Sifnos. It’s the oldest settlement on the island and one of the finest examples of medieval urban planning in Greece. Kastro is the Greek word for castle.
The settlement retains all the characteristics of a once-fortified town: narrow streets, small courtyards and arched gates. Kastro is a truly enchanting place to wander around.
Life in Kastro seems to have remained the same as it was centuries ago. Walking around the whitewashed alleys and hearing nothing but the wind carrying around the casual chats of locals is mesmerising.
Make sure you walk the circular path inside Kastro and, if possible, look towards the Seven Martyrs Church at sunrise. Last but not least, Kastro has its own beach, the untamed Seralia Bay.
6. Find Cuba in Sifnos
We’re pretty sure you read this headline twice to make sure you got it right. But it’s true. There’s a tiny piece of land on Sifnos Island that will teleport you to the Caribbean.
This is Cavo Sunrise, a bar which has become something of a legend, one of the top things to see in Sifnos in its own right. Yet you’ll never hear anyone call this place by its name, as everyone calls it Kouvanos(The Cuban Guy).
It turns out that the Cuban guy is not Cuban at all. Kostas from Sifnos is the proud owner of the best Cuba-themed vintage bar in Greece.
The bar’s interior walls are covered with newspaper clippings about Che Guevara and Fidel Castro, while the floors are decorated with heaps of empty Havana Club bottles.
The go-to drinks at Cavo Sunrise are only two: Mojito and Cuba Libre. Both come in huge sizes at ridiculously low prices.
Nothing beats having a drink at one of the bar’s quaint tables as the sun sets over the Aegean Sea, giving way to the sweet darkness of the island.
If you add a casual chat with Kostas to the equation, you’re in for an epic experience.
7. Stroll Around Artemonas
Artemonas is one of the most enchanting places to visit in Sifnos. It’s an exceptional village with unique architecture in the heart of the island.
In Artemonas, instead of the typical small whitewashed buildings, you will mainly stumble upon impressive mansions surrounded by gorgeous gardens. Yet, the village has its fair share of blue-domed churches, too.
Artemonas breathes an air of old-fashioned splendour that’s hard to miss or resist. Last but not least, Artemonas hosts two very special annual events.
A huge street party that goes on till the early morning hours every August and the aforementioned Festival of Cycladic Gastronomy every September.
8. Explore The Lesser-Known Villages
While planning what to do in Sifnos, include some of the island’s lesser-known villages. Our favourite among them is Exambela, a breathtakingly beautiful small village and the actual birthplace of chef Nikolaos Tselementes.
Other picturesque villages that you should check out if time permits are Katavati, Ano Petali and Kato Petali.
9. Spend a Lazy Day in Cheronissos
One of the best villages in Sifnos is Cheronissos, a beyond-words picturesque fishing village that is unbelievably authentic and unspoilt.
The best way to enjoy Cheronissos is to spend a day doing nothing but swimming in the village’s incredibly crystal clear waters.
Read a good book in the shade and nibble on small plate dishes at one of the few restaurants on the beach.
As a bonus, the drive along the island’s main road to Cheronissos is an amazing one. This part of Sifnos boasts a breathtakingly beautiful natural landscape.
10. And a Lazier One in Faros
Yet another fishing village that stole our hearts is Faros. More bohemian than Cheronissos but equally laid-back, Faros offers the opportunity for an unforgettable day that has it all.
Swimming in the calm waters of either Glifos or Faros Beach (or both), an easy hike to Chrissopigi Monastery and a seafront meal.
11. Take in The Views From Agios Simeon Monastery
No guidebook will tell you that the perfect place for the best panoramic views of the entire island of Sifnos and beyond is Agios Simeon Monastery.
Nor that the drive from Agios Simeon Monastery to Kamares Port is probably the most scenic in Sifnos.
Built atop one of the highest points in Sifnos, Agios Simeon Monastery offers spectacular views, especially of Kamares Port. Probably the best time to visit is sunset to enjoy the golden hour from the ultimate vantage point.
Once up there, take a short walk to the spot where a beautiful map of all the surrounding islands is located. The map will help you spot the islands on a clear day.
12. Visit a Pottery Workshop & Buy Ceramics
Sifnos Island has a long tradition in pottery dating back to ancient times. Local craftsmen continue to produce top-quality handmade ceramics, ranging from cooking utensils to decorative items.
When in Sifnos, don’t miss the chance to – literally – take a piece of this beautiful island back home with you.
One of the best things to buy in Greece is an earthenware pot or other ceramics from any local pottery workshop in Sifnos.
This way, not only do you support the local economy but also contribute to preserving this ancient craft.
There used to be many pottery workshops in Sifnos. Sadly, there are only about twenty of them scattered across the island now. The two oldest are located in Cheronissos and Tsopos Beach.
During our recent trip to Sifnos, we had the pleasure of visiting the latter for a closer look at the wonderful artefacts and the workshop itself.
Atsonios Ceramics is a family-run business in continuous operation since the late 1800s.
If you’re making the trip to Atsonios Ceramics in Tsopos Beach, make sure you have enough time to visit nearby Vathi as well.
Vathi is a seaside village, home to a long beach with fine golden sand, one of the best restaurants on the island (Tsikali) and the super quaint Taxiarchis Church.
13. Hike The Quaintest Paths
Sifnos boasts a network of old walking paths, all well signposted and well maintained.
Walking around Sifnos is a unique hiking experience for all nature lovers. There are many routes to follow, the easiest of which include hiking trails such as:
- Faros Village – Glifo Beach – Chrissopigi Monastery
- Artemonas – Panagia Poulati Church – Kastro
- Artemonas – Apollonia
14. Attend a Traditional Festival
Sifnos is renowned for its traditional festivals or panegiria, as we call them in Greek. These are related to major or lesser-known religious holidays.
During any traditional religious festival in Sifnos, locals and visitors are served red wine, revithada, and other local dishes, while live music and dancing can go on until the early morning hours.
There are many traditional festivals in Sifnos, especially during the summer months.
The grandest of all is the one held at Chrissopigi Monastery. It takes place every year on the day of the Assumption. The latter is a movable feast in the Greek calendar (May or June).
15. Discover The Ancient Watchtowers
Sifnos is home to 76 ancient watchtowers that dot the island’s gorgeous countryside. The circular constructions were all built between the 6th and 3rd centuries BC. Yet only a handful of them have survived to this day.
The three best-preserved towers in Sifnos are the White Tower near Platis Gialos Beach, the Black Tower in Exambela Village and the Tower of Katavati Village.
If you go hiking in Sifnos, you will most certainly stumble upon signs indicating the exact locations where the watchtowers once stood, but don’t expect any proper archaeological sites.
16. Fall in Love With The Kittens
Greece is famous for having the friendliest kittens on earth. Sifnos couldn’t be an exception.
Everywhere we went around the island, we seldom walked alone. Almost always, we’d have a furry companion lead the way, stopping now and then to claim our attention and hugs, both of which were never hard to get.
17. See & Be Seen in Apollonia
Probably all the other guides you’ve read about the island list Apollonia as the top place to visit in Sifnos.
Yet, to us, Apollonia felt rather at odds with the rest of the island as its authentic character is sometimes lost or, to put it more accurately, hidden behind trendy neon signs and pretentious facades.
This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t visit Apollonia, though.
The capital of Sifnos, Apollonia, is indeed a pretty island town where you can admire gorgeous traditional architecture once you manage to look past certain cacophonies.
Furthermore, Apollonia is the best place to enjoy the Sifnos nightlife. Some of the best and oldest bars are Doloma, Mantalou and Argo.
All three of them are located along Apollonia’s main street, colloquially known as To Steno – Greek for The Narrow Alley.
Now that you know what to do in Sifnos, it’s time to start planning your trip to the best Greek island for food lovers.
WORDS & EDITING: Maria
IMAGES: Katerina
could you explain a bit more how to get there. Which airport, Ferry to pick. Thanks
Hi Mariam, thanks for your comment! There’s no airport in Sifnos, you can get there by ferry from Piraeus Port near Athens. There are regular ferries and high-speed ferries to choose from, depending on your budget and time 🙂
We found your article invaluable whilst staying in Sifnos. We too stayed at the Verina Astra and loved it. It’s a very special place
Hi Ceri, thanks so much for your lovely comment! We’re very glad our article helped you enjoy Sifnos to the fullest. As for Verina, it’s indeed special and we can’t wait to go back!