The back story
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The back story
Sifnos: the gourmet island
White villages on green hills, potters, walking paths and some of the best cooking in Greece.
Island guide · Sifnos, the Cyclades
Sifnos island guide
Sifnos is the gourmet island of the Cyclades, birthplace of the famous cook Nikolaos Tselementes, and its clay-pot dishes, pottery and footpaths make it a favourite of Greek travellers.
Plan your trip:Ferry timetables Arriving in Athens The Athens Riviera
Towns & villages
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The Steno after dark
Apollonia
The capital spread over three hills, with the narrow Steno lane of shops and bars.
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A village on a rock above the sea
Kastro
A medieval settlement on a steep rock with the sea on three sides.
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Mansions and pastry shops
Artemonas
The most elegant village on Sifnos, with mansions, gardens and traditional pastry shops.
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Sights & museums
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The island’s patron
Panagia Chrysopigi
A monastery on a rocky islet joined to the shore by a footbridge.
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A walker’s island
Sifnos walking trails
Old stone paths between villages, chapels, dovecotes and beaches.
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Living craft
Pottery workshops
Workshops where potters make the island’s cooking pots and tableware.
Beaches & beach clubs
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Long and shallow
Platis Gialos Beach
The longest sandy beach on Sifnos, with shallow water and seafood restaurants.
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Calm on windy days
Vathi Beach
A swimming beach in a nearly enclosed bay, with tavernas on the sand.
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Restaurants & tavernas
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One of the Cyclades’ great tables
Cantina
A sought-after restaurant on the rocks below Kastro, built on the island’s fish and produce.
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Modern seafood plates
Omega3
A small, much-praised spot for modern seafood small plates and wine, steps from the sand.
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Revithada and mastelo
Manolis
A taverna by Vathi bay known for the island’s slow-cooked clay-pot dishes.
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Since 1973
Heronissos – O Fyssas
A family fish taverna at remote Heronissos, grilling the catch from its own boats since 1973.
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Dinner at Platis Gialos
Maiolica
A Mediterranean restaurant at Platis Gialos, the long sandy beach on the south coast.
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Sifnian home cooking
To Kelari
A small taverna in a quiet corner of Kato Petali with all the traditional dishes of Sifnos.
Bars & nightlife
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Sunset drinks in Vathi
Bola Beach Bar
A beach bar, café and restaurant at Vathi, with food, drinks and music.
Where to stay: luxury, boutique & value
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Admired boutique hideaway
Verina Astra
Suites down the hillside near Kastro, each with a terrace and sea view.
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Olive groves by the bay
Elies Resorts
A resort among olive groves on Vathi bay, with a pool and spa.
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A Cycladic retreat
NÓS Hotel & Villas
A hotel and villas near Faros on the south-east coast, designed as a calm Cycladic retreat.
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Pool and Aegean views at Faros
Elements Sifnos Boutique
A boutique hotel at Faros with Aegean views, a pool and a pool bar.
Shopping, markets & jewellers
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Clay pots and almond sweets
Sifnos pottery & local products
Clay cooking pots from the island’s potters, plus capers, honey, cheese and almond sweets.
Car & scooter hire, getting around
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Buses or a small car
Car & scooter hire on Sifnos
Buses link Kamares, Apollonia and the main beaches; local firms rent cars and scooters for the rest.
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Pick-up at the port
Sifnos Drive
A Sifnos car-rental company with modern and automatic cars and pick-up at Kamares port.
Getting there
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Ferry only
Port of Kamares
All visitors arrive by ferry at Kamares, from Piraeus, Milos and Serifos.
Share your Sifnos experience
Been to Sifnos? Share your tips with other travellers.
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