Looking for a complete Travel Guide for Sifnos, Greece? I’ve visited twice and am sharing all of my top tips, favorite restaurants, where to stay, and the best beach and things to do in Sifnos!
I don’t want to tell you about Sifnos. I want to keep it all to myself. My personal secret paradise. The thing is the secret is already getting out. Sifnos, Greece is known as the foodie island, but is much more than that. It is a special place with fabulous chefs, lovely beaches, breathtaking vistas and kindhearted residents.
When we first arrived in Sifnos via the ferry, we stepped off with only eight other passengers. The rest on their way to probably Mykonos and Santorini – islands they’ve heard of. We easily met our taxi driver and so began my love affair with this island.
The drive to our hotel was the most stunning drive that I didn’t want to end. We arrived as the sun set and displayed hazy, pale blues and pinks along the horizon in every direction. We sped past goat pastures, blue domed churches and whitewashed houses. It is hard for me to accurately describe the magical feeling of this island.
In this Sifnos travel guide, I’m sharing everything you need to plan the perfect trip to my favorite Greek Island. I’ve been twice now and already know we’ll return here many more times. Read on for tips on visiting Sifnos and planning your itinerary!
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How to Get to Sifnos
The only way to get to Sifnos, Greece is by taking a ferry, private charter, or helicopter. A two hour high speed ferry from Piraeus port in Athens will drop you off in paradise in no time.
One of my favorite things about this cycladic island is the lack of an airport so you must come via ferry from Athens or another island.
The residents welcome visitors, but want to maintain the beauty of their island in the sun. Therefore, limited transportation methods help preserve the pristine nature here by limiting tourism.
We arrived via ferry from Athens (2 hours) and the next time got a little creative to avoid a stopover in Athens. The second time, we flew direct to Mykonos, spent two nights there and then took the 1 hour ferry to Sifnos. We liked having less time on the ferry because the ride can be rough especially if you get motion sick.
To depart Sifnos, we’ve always taken the two hour ferry back to Athens/Piraeus. You can book with Direct Ferries easily to compare rates, times and find the best deals!
How to Get Around Sifnos
ATV
I do recommend having a vehicle to get around in Sifnos so you can easily beach hop and explore the villages. I suggest renting an ATV if it’s a couples trip to drive while at Sifnos Island. It’s super easy to maneuver around the winding roads, park at the beaches, and is nice to have the wind in your hair!
With an ATV, the hotel can arrange to have one waiting for you on arrival and picked up when you leave. They’ll also setup a taxi to/from the resort so you don’t have to worry about a thing!
Rental Car on Sifnos
If you prefer a car, you can rent a car on Sifnos which we have also done. Especially if traveling with kids, you’ll need a car. However, these are limited so I recommend booking as soon as possible to reserve your vehicle and ensure you get an automatic if needed.
🚗 >>Compare options and rates on Discover Cars here!
How Many Days in Sifnos
I recommend spending at least 5 nights in Sifnos. This will allow enough time to enjoy everything it has to offer including beach hopping, dining, touring churches, boating, pottery workshops, visiting the spa, cooking classes, and shopping.
The first time we stayed only 4 nights and would have really liked one more day. So, when we returned to Sifnos with our daughter, we booked 5 nights on the island and it was perfect!
You could definitely add it into an island hopping itinerary for a shorter stay of 1-2 nights. There are many nearby islands like Milos, Paros, Serifos and Mykonos.
However, I always recommend to pick two islands and spend your time enjoying them fully. You don’t want to constantly be packing, unpacking and wasting time on ferries when you could be on a beach! It can be exhausting.
The first time we visited the Greek Islands we spent 1 night in Athens, 4 nights in Sifnos and 3 in Milos and it was the perfect 10 day trip to Greece.
Where to Stay in Sifnos
There are several places to stay in Sifnos all around the island whether your prefer a hotel or vacation home. These are my four recommended areas to base yourself and my favorite hotels in Sifnos.
Platis Gialos
Platis Gialos is one of the most popular beaches in Sifnos known for its quiet lagoon and great restaurants. We spent ample time in this area at the beach and dining at some of the best restaurants in Sifnos like Omega-3 and Maiolica! It’s the most cosmopolitan beach on the island and the best spot for foodies!
I also like this area for families because you have such easy access to beach stores, dining and the beach. It makes it easier because you don’t need to drive all over the island if you don’t want to!
Best Hotel in Platos Gialos is Verina Terra! We stayed at their sister property Verina Astra which I will share below. Verina Terra is a small boutique hotel that feels more like a villa. The complex is comprised of 7 building with 4 apartments, 4 double rooms, 2 separate suites and one family apartment making it ideal for many travelers. There is an amazing pool and pool bar for guests and your just steps from the beach!
The Verina hotels fill up fast so definitely snag one early if it’s available – you can always cancel if plans change. We booked a year out last time! Check availability here on Trip Advisor!
Kamares
Kamares is the main port area when you enter the island. It’s conveniently located and has a great beach that’s wide with a lagoon that is usually free from any waves. Kamares is a nice spot to stay with a family. It’s definitely a more touristy area and I don’t feel like it’s quite as authentic as some of the other areas!
Best Hotels in Kamares:
- Apsila Pool Suites – amazing views and plunge pools!
- Voya Sifnos – charming boutique hotel
Apollonia
Apollonia is the main town in Sifnos situated at the top of the mountainous island offering great views. There’s a big pedestrian street with lots of shops and restaurants so you will likely find yourself here at some point. It’s pretty central so it makes a great home base.
Our friends stayed in an AirBNB here last time and really enjoyed it! They had a toddler in tow and liked the central location plus convenience to to shops and dining.
Best Hotels in Apollonia:
- Nival Boutique Hotel – beautiful boutique hotel with great views over the top of Sifnos!
Artemonas
Artemonas is a super charming town with a labrinth of streets to explore. It’s one of my favorite areas to wander around because it’s so peaceful and beautiful!
There are beautiful churches, popular pastry shops, and pottery workshops. My favorite shop here is Sifnos Stoneware – we bought their plates and bowls that we use at home daily!
We always stay in Artemonas at a hotel right outside of the main town. It has the absolute best views on the island – read more below!
The Best Hotels in Sifnos: Where We Stayed
All about where we stayed in Sifnos on both visits!
Verina Astra Sifnos
I still dream about staying at the Verina Astra Hotel. The truly incredible staff (that I still think about often) made this place so special for us. Prior to arrival they were great at coordinating transportation from the ferry port and arranging an ATV. When we arrived, they grabbed our luggage and escorted us right to our villa – no check in process necessary. It felt like we were welcomed to a friend’s house.
Accommodations
The villas are all named after constellations which I adore. We stayed in Delphinus the first time, which means dolphin and is named for a small constellation in the Northern Hemisphere. And don’t forget to look up at night, the stars here are incredibly stunning against the dark sea.
We entered our spacious villa through the private patio lined with plush lounge seating and a rustic wood dining table. We spent a lot of time drinking wine, reading, and eating breakfast here.
One side of the villa is a living and sitting area with a full bathroom and the other a king sized bedroom with a larger bathroom and additional entry onto the patio. The style is what you would expect in Greece: minimalistic, tranquil decor with beautiful stonework and natural palettes.
The second time, we stayed in one of the pool suites called Norma. It was incredible!! We loved the spacious room with private bedroom plus living area. The patio was expansive with outdoor shower, dining area and our own plunge pool overlooking the Aegean Sea – it does not get better than Verina Astra!
Leisurely tip: Once you drop your bags, pop the bottle of wine in your fridge and enjoy the views over the vast Aegean Sea.
Amenities
The hotel rooms and views are breathtaking, but the restaurant and infinity pool help complete the package. The pool was steps from our suite and often empty. We spent time here during the day, but also loved lounging here at night to view the stars along with a little (okay, a lot of) crisp white wine.
The restaurant at the hotel is quite impressive for breakfast and dinner. We dined here the first night and had one of the best meals followed by room service the next morning. I guess that is why Sifnos is called the foodie island – even the hotel restaurants are great.
Overall, I highly HIGHLY recommend Verina Astra as the best hotel in Sifnos. It is worth the trip to for the hotel alone. If interested, book EARLY! It fills up a year out usually!
Best Things to Do in Sifnos Greece
Kick back and relax as Sifnos is made for a slow-paced, Greek island lifestyle. Take in the scenery, chat with the locals, and enjoy consuming the freshest ingredients at every meal. Here are some of my favorite things to do in Sifnos.
Beach Hopping in Sifnos
Beach Hopping is a pretty popular theme in the Greek Isles. The island itself is so vast, stunning, and uninhabited in large portions. ATVing from beach to beach is the best way to take it all in with the wind in your hair. You’ll want to visit the following sandy spots while in Sifnos:
- Platis Gialos – most popular beach with fabulous restaurants along the sand and great for swimming.
- Vathi – another organized beach with hotel, restaurants, and shop.
- Cheronissos – an old fishing village on the far end of the island with a great lunch spot.
- Poulati – located way below the Astra Verina hotel is this rock quarry great for swimming on a calm day. The hotel staff told us about this secret spot and it did not disappoint. It was a beautiful stroll (and by stroll, I mean hike) down the pathways and past the Panagia Poulati Monastery. Get your cardio in on the walk back up.
- Faros Beach – my absolute favorite beach in Sifnos! It’s kind of a hidden gem and we didn’t discover it until our second trip. There’s a great restaurant, Pelicanos, which you must go to and spend the day!
Sunrise in Sifnos
Catch sunrise especially if staying at Verina Astra. I promise it is worth it to wake up for this sunrise since you can sleep again after it’s up. It rises on this side of the island that looks towards Paros. You won’t see sunset from here, but the sunrise is even better.
Explore Apollonia Sifnos
Stroll the pedestrian street in the main town, Apollonia. This little stone street is filled with shops, restaurants, and friendly locals. You can’t miss it!
Shop at Sifnos Stoneware in Artemonas
Make a drive to Sifnos Stoneware in Artemonas. They have a small shop on the pedestrian street in Apollonia, but it’s worth a drive to the main location. We came home with a few unique souvenirs of our time in Sifnos and a few years later, actually purchased from here instead of registering for traditional wedding china.
Kastro Church of the Seven Martyrs
Enjoy the walk down to Kastro Church of the Seven Martyrs. It is one of the best blue-domed churches on Sifnos sitting out on its own island!
Wear tennis shoes because it is quite a few steps up and down, but so worth the trip down.
There’s also an area where you can cliff jump and swim in the sea along the walk to the church! On your way down, you’ll see some steps and a trail on the right side. It’s a bit treacherous, but we went with our toddler and managed. Definitely be careful though.
Stroll through charming town of Kastro afterwards. It’s completely pedestrian only and no cars through the whole village.
Take in the Scenery of Sifnos, Greece
Admire the windmills and over 300 churches. Sifnos has more churches than any other island and they come in all shapes and sizes.
Plan a Boat Day
Getting on the water is a must! Charter a boat or sailboat for the day to take you all around the island. Enjoy the views, swim in the sea, and sip a little Greek wine! Find some secluded bays and coves or sail to a neighboring island like Paros or Poliegos.
There are plenty of option whether you want a full 7 hour day of exploring or a shorter 3 hour sunset cruise and dinner. You can also rent a boat to drive yourself if you don’t want to hire a captain.
Best Boat Tours in Sifnos
Take a Cooking Class
Sifnos wouldn’t be the foodie island without offering a cooking class. Learn all about the local way of life as you learn to prepare a gourmet meal with the local produce, fish, and cheeses of the Greek Isles. The food here is all SO fresh and couldn’t be more flavorful!
Where to Eat in Sifnos Greece
Sifnos is known as the foodie island and the reputation is 100 percent accurate. Some of the best meals I have ever had – local fish and fresh ingredients grown right on the island, prepared in a way that is simple yet sophisticated. It is amazing this island is so undiscovered.
Omega 3 Sifnos
Omega 3 is frequented by the likes of Tom Hanks and Scarlett Johansen. This is the perfect beach front spot featuring fresh catch plated on Sifnos Stoneware. We had the greek island tacos, marinated octopus, fresh sea bass, ceviche and lots of rosé! I may not look like much more than a tiny beach shack, but don’t be fooled.
Maiolica
Maiolica is my favorite restaurant in Sifnos hands down due to the amazing cuisine and being steps from the sandy beach. We enjoyed swimming on the beach and then strolling up to this beachside spot. The place is open air with a roof covered in grapevines. We had spring rolls, a large plate of homemade hummus with grilled vegetables (amazing), and sea bass with zucchini.
Bostani Restaurant at Verina Astra
told you our hotel had an impressive dining experience and I am not kidding. My favorite dish was the mussels – tossed in a light lime and ginger flavored sauce. We also had fresh baked bread with olive oil, lamb, and chocolate trunk cake. Oh, and CINNAMON ice cream. The cinnamon ice cream here changed the game for me since we always mix it in our ice cream at home now!
Cheronissos Fish Taverna
Cheronissos Fish Taverna is a remote fishing village so the catch could not get much fresher than this. It is located on the far end of the island so makes for a nice drive to see all of Sifnos.
Order some fish, a large plate of marinated cucumbers for an appetizer, and a couple Mythos beers.
Kafeneio Drakakis
Kafeneio Drakakis felt like a locals secret along the pedestrian street in Apollonia, which makes sense as it was recommended by the hotel staff. We shared several small plates and my favorites were the fried zucchini fritters and the mushroom saganaki – mushrooms layered with cheese.
Bola Vathi
Bola Vathi is the best option if you are visiting this beach for a day because it is your typical beach bar vibe with good drinks and food options. They serve anything from fresh catch to burgers which is great if you tire of Mediterranean cuisine.
>>>Check out my full guide to dining on Sifnos here!
What to Wear in Sifnos Greece – Packing List
Sifnos is warm during the summer like here in the US, with the warmest months being July, August and September topping out with average temperatures in the 80s. The coldest and rainiest months are winter – January, February, March.
We visited Greece in September and it was perfect weather in my opinion and also less crowded! Make sure you pack the following to wear in the Greek Islands during summer:
- Sundresses
- Shorts and Tops
- Sandals
- Swimsuits
- SPF
- Hats
- Coverups
- Long sleeve shirts with UV Protection
- Cute exercise set for hiking
- Lightweight pajamas
- Comfortable shoes for heading to Kastro and Poulati
Best Sifnos Greece Travel Tips
Lastly, I’m sharing a few travel tips that you must know before going to Sifnos.
- First, ask the hotel in advance to rent an ATV for you so that it will be waiting on your arrival and picked up when you depart. They charge per day and it’s the best way to explore the island. There are very few cars here!
- Secondly, the hotel will schedule a taxi for your arrival and departure making everything seamless. The driver will be super easy to find at the small port. You may want to grab some Euros in Athens to pay taxi drivers.
- Drink the wine in your fridge at Verina Astra because it is local to Greece and so delightfully refreshing.
- Stargaze from the hotel pool chairs at night. I’m a huge nerd and love to download a constellation app when I travel so that I can see what is up there.
- Finally, check the ferry schedule first if you’re island hopping since you’ll want to make sure the day/times work before confirming hotel reservations!
What do you think? Will you visit Sifnos on your next Greek Island Adventure? Let me know any questions in the comments below!
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