Towns & Villages

Apollonia, also known as Stavri is built amphitheatrically on three (3) hills in the heart of the island. It is the capital of Sifnos since 1836 and its commercial and administrative center. Apollonia retains its traditional Cycladic architecture with narrow stone paved alleys, Cycladic style whitewashed houses decorated with beautiful flowers and blue-domed churches. It owes its name to the worship of the god Apollo on the island in the ancient times.

At the central square of Apollonia (the square of Heroes) is housed the Folklore Museum with exhibits from the everyday life and the inhabitant’s occupations in the past such as traditional costumes, textiles, sifnian ceramics and old publications. In the village is also located the Prokos Institution, where many exhibitions are organized during the summer and whose facilities also serve as a place for cultural and other events.

In the main picturesque alley of Apollonia that leads to Katavati (also known as "to steno") there are many interesting old churches such as the church of the Virgin Mary Uranofora or Geraniofora, the churches of Stavros and Agios Sozontas as well as the monastery of the Theologian of Mougos. In the narrow alley most of the nightlife of the whole island takes place. There you can find many shops selling local products, souvenirs, clothing, jewellery, tavernas, restaurants and bars. Do not forget to taste the local cuisine which is very famous. Wander in its maze of white alleyways and cobbled streets to discover unexpected places, admire its beautiful architecture and feel its friendly atmosphere. From Apollonia you can extend your walk to Artemonias, Ano Petali, Kato Petali and Katavati.

Apollonia is the most central point and from there pass all the buses connecting it with the rest of the villages but also with the beaches of the island. In and around the village there are lots of small family hotels and rooms to let.

Cherronisos is one of the most charming and unspoiled villages in Sifnos, a small seaside settlement that perfectly captures the island’s laid-back spirit. Located at the northern tip of Sifnos, about 15 km from Apollonia, the village sits in a sheltered bay with a sandy beach and crystal-clear waters.

Once a traditional pottery and ceramics hub, Cherronisos has evolved into a quiet fishing village and a safe haven for fishing and sailing boats. Thanks to its naturally protected location, it is considered one of the safest natural harbors in the Aegean Sea.

Along the waterfront, you’ll find picturesque fish tavernas set right by the sea, serving fresh, locally caught seafood in an authentic island atmosphere. On the left side of the beach stands the Church of Agios Polykarpos, where one of the largest and most vibrant festivals in Sifnos is celebrated every year.

Above the village, on the hill opposite the settlement, lies the small Church of Agios Georgios. The short walk to the top is well worth it—the sunset views from here are among the best on the island, offering sweeping panoramas over the bay and the Aegean.

Quiet, scenic, and deeply relaxing, Cherronisos is the most peaceful settlement in Sifnos, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking tranquility, authentic island life, and slow-paced seaside beauty.

Vathi is located in a sheltered bay in the southwest side of Sifnos, 10 km from Apollonia, the capital of the island. It is a picturesque, seaside village which in the old days was a village of potters in which some of the most traditional ceramics of Sifnos were made. In recent years it has experienced residential and tourist development and has become a popular tourist destination. Its beautiful beach with the golden sand and the crystal-clear waters attracts many tourists every summer. Many sailboats also find refuge in Vathi, since its bay is one of the most protected in Sifnos. The toponym Vathi means that the port is located at a lower point in relation to the surrounding area.

The landmark of Vathy is the monastery of Taxiarches, built in the small port. The monastery celebrates 3 times a year, July, September and November. The cells that once housed the monks have been now turned into guesthouses. In Vathi there are rooms for rent, groceries, cafes, pottery workshops as well as one of the largest and most luxurious hotels in the Cyclades. In the taverns standing by the sea, you can taste traditional dishes of Sifnos and fresh fish. There is a parking lot at the entrance of the village where you can park your vehicle as cars are not allowed in the settlement.

On the way to Vathi, you can find the monastery of Fyrogia and one of the most important archaeological sites of Sifnos, the Acropolis of Agios Andreas with the homonymous church built in 1701. Almost in the middle of the route to Vathy there is the monastery of Taxiarchis of Mersini (1738), with amazing views of Platis Gialos. Do not forget to visit the pottery workshops in Vathi, where you can watch how they are made and buy pottery products of Sifnos.

Faros is a picturesque fishing village on the southeast side of Sifnos, 7 km from the island's capital, Apollonia. It is the most protected natural port on the island and till 1883 the main port of Sifnos. Faros has three continuous sandy beaches, Fasolou, Faros and Glyfos. Glyfos is the start point of the most popular path that leads to the Apokofto beach and finally to the monastery of Panagia Chrysopigi. Walking along the path, you enjoy a fantastic view of the village and the monastery. Halfway, there are ruins of the old installation of loading the metal from the mines of the island, onto boats in order to transfer it to Lavrio. Glyfo owes its name to a well with brackish water which has been there since ancient times. On the left side of Faros, right next to the small port, there is a tiny theater which hosts various cultural events during the summer. There are more trails that start from Faros and lead to the Acropolis of Agios Andreas, Exabela and to the medieval village of Kastro.

Sifnos is well-known for its festivals. One of them takes place on September 13 where the locals celebrate the Cross. Once, Faros was a vivid settlement of potters with many ceramics workshops that don't exist anymore. In the small village you can find many fish tavernas, coffee shops, grocery stores and hotels.

 

Kamares is located in a large natural bay surrounded by high mountains. It is 5 km from Apollonia, the capital of the island, and is the largest coastal settlement and the port of Sifnos. It owes its name to the abundance of caves that existed on the rocky south coast. In the past, those caves were used for storing the small fishing boats in order to protect them from bad weather.

The settlement extends at the right side of the bay while on the opposite side, lies the quarter of Agia Marina or Pera Panda. They are separated by a beautiful sandy beach with shallow, clean waters. The beach is well-organized with sun loungers and parasols and been awarded the blue flag many times. In the quarter of Agia Marina you can find the homonymous church perched on a rock. It is worth visiting the church to enjoy an amazing sunset, watching the sun literally sink into the sea. At the top of the rock stands the monastery of Agios Symeon overlooking both the bay and the surrounding islands. From Kamares start several paths leading to caves found in the wider area. For hiking lovers there is a path climbing all the way to Agios Symeon.

Among the most important attractions are the churches of Agios Georgios and Agia Varvara of 1785, the Fanari of 1896, the remains of the kilns, the ore loading ladder of 1883 and the old pier of 1909. In Kamares you can find all kinds of shops, pottery workshops that if you are lucky you can watch the creation procedure of the products and shops selling souvenirs.  Also plenty of hotels and studios, a camping, traditional tavernas and cafes that at night turn into bars. 

The charming village of Kastro (meaning Castle in Greek) is skirmished on a hill in the center of the east coast and offers magnificent panoramic view to the Aegean Sea. It is one of the most historic villages of Sifnos and has been inhabited for over 3000 years. Built by the dynasty of Da Corogna in 1635, was at one time the capital of the island. Even today, is the only village with a strong medieval character that has retained intact from time passing by.

To get to Kastro you can either go by bus, car or motorbike from Apollonia or follow the old footpath that connects the two villages. It is a beautiful walking trip, entirely downhill. If you go by car, you will have to park in the parking area outside the village, as there are no cars or any other vehicles allowed within the village. To entry Kastro, the old entrances called "lodgies" are used, that in the past were protected by martial towers. There were only five of those entrances in the massive walls which enclosed the settlement. When you enter the village, you go through tunnels and passageways into a labyrinth of tiny streets with beautiful two-storey white washed houses with wooden balconies. The exterior walls of the houses constitute the wall of the castle itself.  It is worth making a walk in the interior of Kastro, wander in the narrow alleys and admire the beauty of tradition. As you walk around the village with the Aegean below you, amazing views and incredible landscape create an exciting atmosphere for all visitors.

Kastro is rich in antiquities and besides having an archaeological museum, there are artifacts scattered throughout the village. On the sea side of the village, is the quaint Church of the Seven Martyrs. The tiny chapel is built on a rock and is a popular spot for weddings. Apart from this one, there are several more interesting old churches and picturesque chapels in and around Kastro, like the church of Saint Nicholas and the twin churches in the valley below the town. At the entrance of Kastro there is the old Elementary School which no longer operates as a school, however it hosts various exhibitions during the summer.

The port of Kastro is known as Saralia and has a couple of fish taverns, serving fresh fish and local delicacies. There you can find a pretty small rocky beach with blue and crystal-clear water, great for swimming and snorkeling. In Kastro, there are rooms for rent, taverns, cafes and bars. Kastro has managed to keep something from its old glamour and nobility and is a must visit destination whilst on the island of Sifnos

Within a short distance of the settlement you will find the Monastery of Panagia Vrysiani where the Museum of Ecclesiastical Art is hosted. You will also find the church of "Geros" Ai Nikolas, where there is also the tomb of Aristomenis Proveleggiou.The famous Greek chef, Nikos Tselementes, came from the village of Exambela, Sifnos. This has attributed to the island's culinary culture. 

Artemonas is the second largest village of Sifnos and is a place full of tradition and history. It is located 1,5 kilometers north of Apollonia and it is a real jewel for the island. The nobility of Artemonas stems from the economic prosperity of the village about one and a half centuries ago - due to the occupation of its inhabitants with shipping. It is reflected in its magnificent neoclassical buildings and in the houses with the blooming courtyards and the large tree-lined gardens, mainly on the main path of the settlement.

 

In Artemonas it is worth visiting the church of Panagia Kohi with its interesting architecture, the Panagia of Ammos where there is the icon of "Panagia Monachi" a rare depiction of the Virgin without the Holy Infant, the church of Agios Spyridonas and the beautiful church Panagia of Bali. According to the tradition the church of Panagia Kohi was built on the ruins of the ancient  worship center of "Ekvatiria" Artemis, who was the goddess who used to protect people during their disembarkation from the ships. At the highest point of the village there are two wonderful well-preserved windmills. From there the visitor can have a panoramic view of Sifnos and the surrounding islands. Artemonas is the homeland of the great Nikolaos Chrissogelos and of the poet and philologist Ioannis Gryparis. 

 

Every year in early September, in the central square of the village, takes place the Cycladic Cuisine Festival "Nikolaos Tselementes" , as well as a number of parallel events including exhibitions, traditonals dances and much more. At the same time a small bazaar takes place along the central street of Artemonas, with traditional products mainly from Sifnos but also from the surrounding islands. The festival lasts for three days.

 

In Artemonas there are grocery stores, rooms to let, taverns, traditional bakeries and pottery workshops.