Sifnos is a small island in the western Cyclades. In antiquity its gold and silver mines made it so rich that it built a treasury at Delphi. Today it is famous for its food, considered the best in the Cyclades, its pottery tradition and a network of trails linking villages, monasteries and beaches. It was the birthplace of Nikolaos Tselementes, the chef who reshaped 20th-century Greek cooking.
What to see
| Place | Why |
|---|---|
| Apollonia and Artemonas | The inland villages, with white houses, churches and windmills |
| Kastro | The fortified medieval village by the sea, the old capital, with Venetian houses |
| Chrysopigi | The white monastery on a rock reached by a little bridge, the island's symbol |
| Ancient towers | Dozens of classical watchtowers scattered across the island |
| Monastery of Prophet Elias | On the highest peak, with views over all the Cyclades |
| Pottery workshops | At Kamares, Platis Gialos and Vathi |
Beaches and food
The main beaches are Kamares, at the port, long sandy Platis Gialos, Vathi, in an enclosed bay, Faros and Chrysopigi. Don't miss revithada, chickpea soup slow-cooked overnight in clay pots, mastelo, lamb or kid in red wine, melopita with honey and mizithra, and manoura cheese.
Getting there
Sifnos has no airport. Ferries from Piraeus take 2.5-5 hours; there are connections with Serifos, Milos and other Cyclades. Buses and taxis link Kamares with the villages.
See also Serifos, Milos and Greek cuisine.