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Sifnos

The island of ceramics and gastronomy

卡马雷斯 (Kǎmǎléisī)
3–5h from Piraeus
Προφήτης Ηλίας 680m
Gastronomy
Villages
Hiking

How to get there See the map

Culture

History & heritage

Sifnos has been inhabited since the Neolithic era, but it flourished greatly during the Archaic period (6th century BC), when it grew rich from its gold mines and silver mines. It was among the wealthiest islands of the Aegean, so prosperous that it dedicated to Delphi the famous Treasury of the Siphnians, one of the most magnificent buildings of the sanctuary.

Legend says the Sifnians promised Apollo a golden stone every year, but when they stopped honoring the vow, the mines flooded with seawater and the wealth was lost. The ancient city stood on the site of today's Kastro, while the fortified acropolis on the hill of Agios Andreas attests to habitation as early as Mycenaean times.

After the Roman and Byzantine periods, the island passed to the Duchy of the Aegean and later to the Da Corogna and Gozzadini families, who fortified the Kastro. During the years of Ottoman rule, Sifnos retained privileges and flourished intellectually — here operated the renowned School of the Holy Sepulchre, one of the most important educational institutions of subjugated Hellenism.

With incorporation into the Greek state, the economy was based on ceramics, agricultural production and shipping. Sifnian potters ('tsoukaladhes') traveled all over the Aegean selling their pottery. In more recent times, Nikolaos Tselementes, born in Sifnos, cemented the island's reputation as a gastronomic destination — and today tourism showcases the authentic identity of Sifnos internationally.

Explore

Sights & Trails

Monasteries, castles, ancient towns and hiking routes.

Kastro

The medieval fortified settlement on the site of the ancient city of Sifnos — a labyrinth of two-story houses forming a defensive wall, with arches over the alleys, ancient marble finds built into the walls, and Venetian coats of arms. It was the island's capital from antiquity to modern times.

Monastery of Chrysopigi

The iconic monastery (1650) on a small islet in the southeast, dedicated to Panagia Chrysopigi, patroness of Sifnos. It is connected to the shore by a small bridge and holds a grand festival on the day of the Ascension.

Panagia Poulati

A blue-and-white monastery in a prominent spot above the sea, near Kastro — one of the most photographed churches on the island.

Profitis Ilias o Psilos

The Byzantine monastery atop the highest mountain of Sifnos (680m), with panoramic views over the whole of the western Cyclades — the endpoint of a popular hike.

Acropolis of Agios Andreas

A fortified acropolis of Mycenaean and Geometric times on a hill above Apollonia, with a double wall, house foundations and a small archaeological museum open to visitors.

Archaeological Museum of Sifnos

Housed in Kastro, it holds sculptures, inscriptions, vessels and finds from ancient and Byzantine Sifnos.

Folklore Museum of Apollonia

On the main square of Apollonia, with traditional costumes, embroidery, tools, ceramics and everyday objects from the island's life.

Monastery of Vrysi

A fortified 17th-century monastery near Exambela, today housing an ecclesiastical and folklore museum with rare heirlooms.

Agios Symeon

A church on a high hill between Katavati and Faros, with an impressive view of the sea, and one of the island's popular pilgrimage sites.

Panagia Kochi

A historic church in the area of Apollonia, built on an ancient temple, with important wall paintings.

White Tower

Ruins of an ancient cylindrical watchtower; Sifnos preserves dozens of ancient towers, a network for communication and guarding the mines.

Ceramics Workshops

In Kamares, Cherronisos and other spots, potters continue the age-old tradition of Sifnian ceramics, especially clay cooking vessels.

Panagia Angeloktisti (Katavati)

A Byzantine church at Katavati, near Apollonia, with older architectural elements and marble members from an ancient temple built into its walls.

Chrysostomos Monastery (Kato Petali)

A 17th-century convent at Kato Petali, with a white enclosure, an old olive press and a notable carved wooden iconostasis.

Panagia tou Vounou

A monastery on a hill above Platys Gialos, with a panoramic view of the south coast; it celebrates one of the island's liveliest festivals.

Taxiarchis Mersinis Monastery

A fortified monastery of the Archangel in northern Sifnos, near Mersini, with sea views and an air of seclusion.

Ancient Mines

The ancient gold and silver mines on the northeast coast that gave Sifnos its legendary wealth; galleries and traces of extraction survive.

Local flavour

ON THE ROUTE FROM THE PORT TO THE INLAND, the slopes with countless terraces and dry stone walls offer the best introduction to life on Sifnos. Although the island has experienced significant tourism development in recent decades, it largely retains its distinctive characteristics and gastronomic tradition. Even the dishes that remain the hallmark of Nikolaos Tselementes' homeland, except for the Easter lamb in mastelo which is now cooked year-round, embody the history of its agricultural society. Revithada, the Sunday dish slow-cooked in wood-fired ovens, revithokeftedes, caper salad, fava, lobia with skordalia, amygdalota, and melopita continue fresh, as if they were made today, the customs of old Sifnians.

Businesses

Find what you need

Accommodation, restaurants, activities and local products of the island.

Locations come live from the official Cyclades business directory.

住宿

SPITHAS ROOMS

Sifnos

Spitha Rooms Καλωσορίσατε στη Σίφνο. Ζήστε τις ωραιότερες διακοπές σας στο κυκλαδίτικο νησί και ανακαλύψτε τις μοναδικές ομορφιές του! Περιηγηθείτε……

住宿

ΜΟΡΦΕΑΣ PENSION

Sifnos

Επιλέξαμε να δώσουμε το όνομα του θεού του ύπνου Μορφέα στο συγκρότημα μας γιατί στόχος μας είναι η διαμονή σας……

住宿

IRINI PENSION

Sifnos

Καλωσορίσατε στη Σίφνο, το νησί των Κυκλάδων με τους κατάλευκους οικισμούς και τις αστείρευτες φυσικές ομορφιές! Γνωρίστε το πανέμορφο νησί……

住宿

WINDMILL BELLA VISTA

Sifnos

Το Windmill Bella Vista βρίσκεται πάνω σε ένα λόφο κοντά στο χωριό του Αρτεμώνα με μια εξαιρετική θέα του πανέμορφου……

住宿

ΜΑΤΙ ΑΙΓΑΙΟΥ AEGEAN EYE

Sifnos

Καλωσήρθατε στα δωμάτια Aegean Eye Elite και Aegean Eye Premium στο γραφικό Κάστρο Σίφνου! Τα δωμάτια Aegean Eye βρίσκονται στα ανατολικά της Σίφνου, σκαρφαλωμένα……

住宿

GIANNAKAS STUDIOS

Sifnos

Τα Giannakas Studios είναι χτισμένα μέσα σε ένα ελαιώνα, σε απόσταση 70 μέτρων από το κύμα της θάλασσας του Πλατύ……

住宿

MARGARITA ROOMS & STUDIOS

Sifnos

Καλώς ήρθατε στα ενοικιαζόμενα δωμάτια Margarita Sifnos Rooms & Studios! Στο γραφικό χωριό της Καταβατής, μόλις λίγα λεπτά με τα πόδια……

住宿