As the ferry manoeuvres into the deep harbour, fringed with a long sandy beach, backed by steep hills and hilltop monasteries, Sifnos looks promising for walking from the outset:
Walking on Sifnos
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Two mountain ranges astride a green central valley
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A developing network of waymarked paths, many using the old stone roads (kalderimia)
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A cluster of five traditional villages on the central plateau.
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A range of beaches and coves from accessible and fully serviced, to remote and isolated
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An industrial heritage of mining and a pottery tradition dating back thousands of years
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Hilltop monasteries, a Classical acropolis, 76 Mycenaean signalling towers, 2-400 chapels
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Strong environmental credentials and Natura 2000 protection zones
Staying on Sifnos
There’s a full range of places to stay, from simple rooms in the port and in the towns on the central plateau to large sophisticated hotels in the resorts on the eastern coast, notably Platis Gialos and Vathi. There’s a popular and well-reviewed campsite (Makis) at Kamares.
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Getting around Sifnos
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A comprehensive summer bus service connects Apollonia and the central villages with the port of Kamares, Kastro, Faros, Platis Gialos, Vathi and Cheronissos.
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Taxis, car and motorbike hire are available too and the roads are well surfaced.
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The caique Aegeas offers a day boat service, round the island cruises etc.
www.roomsinsifnos.com/useful/bus-schedules
Getting to Sifnos
Sifnos is well connected: direct ferry connections from Piraeus, with its neighbours, Serifos, Paros, Milos and Folegandros and across the Cyclades to Mykonos.
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Seajets make the journey every day in just over two hours.
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Aegean Speed Lines operate three times a week, taking about three hours.
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The Dionissios Solomos (Zante Ferries) makes three trips a week from Piraeus (5 hours).
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The Artemis (Hellenic Seaways) operates weekly between Syros, Milos and Andros, taking in Sifnos en route.
Maps and other information
Topographic maps of Sifnos:
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Anavasi 10.26 ISBN: 978-960-8195-240 (1:25,000) published 2019, www.anavasi.gr, also available as a digital download
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Orama 318 ISBN 978-960-8385-801 (1:30,000) published 2009, www.oramaeditions.gr/index/mapsen.asp?id=1832
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Terrain Editions 304 ISBN 978-960684591-8 (1:20,000) published 2018, www.terrainmaps.gr/index.php?l=en#products
In addition to chapters in the usual guide books here’s a very detailed and appreciative magazine, in 2 or 3 languages (Greek, English, French), You Are Here – Sifnos, has been published annually since 2014 and is available online at www.youarehere.gr