Sifnos Greece: Complete Guide on What to See, Eat and Do on Sifnos Island

If you’re looking for a hidden gem while exploring the Cycladic islands then Sifnos Greece should definitely be part of your itinerary. I spent 5 days on this lesser visited island on my own Greek adventure in October 2024.

Sifnos island is a tranquil place with kind inhabitants, gorgeous views, delicious food, great hiking and plenty of swimming-in-the-sea opportunities. If you’re curious about the quiet islands in Greece then this is one worth looking into.

Visiting Sifnos Greece: Fast Facts

As you consider planning a trip to Sifnos, you might be wondering: 

Is Sifnos worth visiting? 

I’ll be honest, Sifnos island wasn’t on my original itinerary. I was looking more into the islands that have become well known through social media as of late, like Paros and Naxos.

Luckily for me, a friend of mine visits Greece every summer and steered me toward Sifnos. 

I preferred to go to a lesser well-known, less crowded island and Sifnos was perfect for that. Riding in my taxi from the port to my hotel on arrival, I was struck by the fact that anyone could have grown up in such a beautiful setting. 

I grew up in Chicago and nearby suburbs, with skyscrapers or shopping malls everywhere. Here was a world with none of that – epic mountains, seaside views, lots of trees and quaint villages carefully placed in the midst of it all. 

Yes, Sifnos is worth visiting. Go.

How many days in Sifnos is best?

I spent five days in Sifnos and focused on exploring only 2-3 areas. This allowed me to move at a leisurely pace, but there’s also a more I could have seen and explored with more time.

I would recommend between 4-10 days on Sifnos depending on how much you want to see and do there. 

If you want to spend more time relaxing, you could easily spend 1-2 weeks doing that on Sifnos. If you want to check out one beach, a hiking trail and one or two small villages a bit more quickly, you could do that in 3-4 days.

How to get to Sifnos Greece?

There’s only one way to get here – by sea. I took a ferry from Santorini to Sifnos. Be sure to book your ferry in advance.

What are the best things to do in Sifnos Island?

Your visit to Sifnos can be as relaxed or as action-packed as you want it to be. Here are some of the top things to do on the island: 

1. Eat!

Sifnos is considered a foodie island because the first, popular Greek cookbook came from a Snifnian chef – Nicholas Tselementes. 

You’re sure to find some great eats here and some of the most well-known restaurants to consider dining at are: Captain Sifakis, Omega 3, Yalos and Cantina – where the Obamas dined during their visit to Sifnos.

If you’re staying in or near Apollonia, check out Gerentopoulous for breakfast in a lovely environment. You can also visit their attached bakery shop to pick up some edible souvenirs.

Because I was there in October, a fair amount of places had closed for the season (sadly, Cantina was one of them). If there’s somewhere you definitely want to eat, be sure to reserve in advance and ensure your travel dates align with their openings. 

My favorite meal was at a tiny, waterside tavern that I hiked to near Kastro called: Captain George. It was a bit hard to find, – I almost missed it completely – but glorious once I finally sat down to my meal. 

My only regret was not coming ready to take a dip in the water first!

2. Go for a hike

As a solo traveler in Greece who generally doesn’t love to rent cars, I tend to rely on walking and public transportation when I travel. That’s one reason why I chose to include Sifnos on my Greek islands itinerary – the island is touted as being very hikeable. 

The Sifnos Trails are established hiking paths all across the island. You can view maps online, purchase them at different points on the island or maybe borrow one from the host at your accommodations. 

Ultimately, I only took one hike across the island, from Ano Petali to Kastro to dine at Captain George.

I did have to do some digging on Reddit to find the right trailhead and some additional context, and in the end I was thankfully able to rely on Google maps most of the way. 

I had to double back once or twice to stay on the correct trail, as well. I did this hike alone in broad daylight, although my general rule of thumb when solo traveling is not to hike alone. 

On the way back, I took the bus from Kastro to Apollonia rather than hiking all the way back after dark. The bus schedule is regularly updated, so be sure you’re consulting the most recent version when checking timetables. 

Alternatively, pre-arrange a pickup by taxi for after your hike. Of course, if you plan to hike, be well prepared for the elements. It can get hot, so a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses are a given. 

As are comfortable shoes and clothes. Don’t forget water and some snacks, and a fully charged phone with eSIM!

3. Stroll through Apollonia & Artemonas 

These two main villages of Sifnos are made up of charming, narrow streets flanked by cute shops and eateries. 

If you’re craving the quintessential gray cobbled paths, whitewashed buildings and splashes of brilliant blue that are typical of the Cyclades then you’ll certainly get your fill exploring Apollonia and Artemonas. 

4. Shop for pottery 

Sifnian pottery is part of an age-old tradition on the island, so picking up some pieces makes for a memorable souvenir. Some popular shops selling ceramics are: Apostolides, Sifnos Stoneware and Ceramic Psaraftis.

You might also decide to take a pottery class while on the island. Narlis Farm offers ceramics classes that can even be combined with a cooking class.

5. Enjoy beach days 

One of the most fun things to do while you’re in Greece is to go swimming in the sea. Thankfully, Sifnos offers plenty of beaches that allow you to spend the day doing just that! 

For ease and convenience, I chose to stay right near Kamares beach for a couple days, before I took a ferry from the nearby port to my next destination. 

However, if you want to go all in on having a solid beach vacation while on SIfnos you might consider staying near Platis Gialos or Cheronissos beach instead.

If you rent a car, or are up for longer hikes, you could also aim to check out several different beaches during your time on the island. 

6. Join a cooking class

Sure, eating should be a top priority on a foodie island. But chances are you could also learn a thing or two from take a cooking class in such a place. 

While Sifnos does get some tourism, you won’t find a ton of tours or experiences bookable via the typical Viator or GetYourGuide here. 

Instead, consider booking an experience like a cooking class through Sifnos Events. I haven’t booked through this site personally yet, so if you do so and have a positive experience let me know! 

7. Explore Kastro

One of the main attractions on Sifnos is Kastro (castle), so named for its walled or fortress-like setting. 

After my lunch at Captain George’s I made my way up to try to find this castle. My maps took me around and around, circling the area but somehow unable to reach or find the Kastro. 

It took me an embarrassingly long time to realize I was already in Kastro. That I wasn’t looking for one castle, but that the entire area itself was Kastro. So I’m sharing my foolishness with you here to help you avoid the same confusion.

There are various shops and restaurants, many of which were closed since it was off-season. I sat down at one that was open (Astro) for a lemonade while I waited for the bus.

Another place to check out while you’re in Kastro is the bar called Kavos. Here you’ll be treated to great views and a strong drink off the limited menu of Cuban drinks. 

8. See the Church of Seven Martyrs 

Don’t miss out on seeing the church that’s perched atop rocks jutting out into the sea while you’re near Kastro.

This is the most photographed site on Sifnos, and rightfully so. If you’d like, you can go all the way down to the church along a series of stone steps.

Unfortunately, I ran into what can only be described as a little gang of cats as I looked on from the viewpoint. As someone with a fear of cats, walking past a group of 8 of them staring me down simply wasn’t going to happen. 

So, I snapped my photos from a distance and continued onward. Cats 1. Me 0. 

9. Take in the sunset 

One reason I made sure to stay in Kamares for a couple nights was to ensure I’d have access to beautiful sunset views. 

I was not disappointed. 

You may choose to watch the sunset from the beach, like I did. Or, if you’re feeling adventurous then make the drive or climb (a couple hours’ worth) up to the Church of St. Symeon for even more spectacular views. 

Recommendations for hotels in Sifnos

You can read full guide on where to stay in Sifnos but at a glance, here are some recommendations:

🏨 Luxury: Apsila Pool Suites

Located within a 5-minute walk from Kamares beach, Apsila Pool Suites is a condo hotel that has everything you’ll need for a comfortable stay. Rooms are airy and beautifully designed, with a private hot tub or even pool on your terraces.

👉 Check prices & availability at Apsila Pool Suites

🏨 Mid-Range: Arcos Suites Sifnos

This newer Sifnos hotel, Arcos Suites Sifnos, is where I chose to stay on my own visit to Sifnos. The owners are kind and always available, and they serve up a delicious breakfast each morning. 

It’s only a 2-minute walk to the beach, and you can enjoy great sunset views from the hotel itself. Enjoy the pool or relax in your clean, comfortable room.

👉 Check prices & availability at Arcos Suites Sifnos

🏨 Budget: Kouki Maria Rooms

If you’re on a budget and want to experience the charming villages of Sifnos, book your stay at Kouki Maria Rooms.

This hotel is located right near Sifnos’ main town of Apollonia, and offers gorgeous views over the island. Maria, the host, is known for her kindness and the delicious breakfast she serves on the terrace, overlooking Sifnos. 

👉 Check prices & availability at Kouki Maria Rooms

Getting Around Sifnos Island

Many people rent a car, scooter or ATV for getting around Sifnos. This option will, of course, give you the most flexibility to move about at your own pace. But I chose to rely on walking and buses, and this served me just fine. 

One reason I chose to visit Sifnos is because there are many hiking trails all over the island, so I figured it’d be easy enough to rely on the walking and bus combination.

I also took a taxi twice – from the port to Ano Petali on arrival for the first part of my trip, and then from there to Kamares for the second part. It cost 15 euros each way.

What islands can you combine with Sifnos Greece?

You could combine a visit to Sifnos with a visit to the islands of Serifos, Milos or Paros just to name a few. I myself went from Santorini to Sifnos, then from Sifnos to Syros. 

Going from Sifnos to Syros isn’t necessarily the most ideal as it isn’t direct and requires a transfer, but it was worth it for me. Consult Ferryhopper to see what itinerary would make the most sense for your travel style and preferences.

Final thoughts on visiting Sifnos Island 

Sifnos is an amazing place to visit while you’re in Greece. Despite having comfortable infrastructure for tourists, the island still feels largely untouched, like a quiet oasis.

If you’re looking for beauty, relaxation and feeling like you’re a bit off the beaten path then definitely add Sifnos to your Greece travel itinerary.