Either add Sifnos to your larger Cyclades Islands Holiday or just plan the entire trip to Sifnos. You will enjoy a Big Fat Greek Feast on Sifnos, Greece’s most delicious island.
Sifnos owes its foodie reputation to Sifniot Nicholas Tselementes – Greece’s most famous chef – who wrote the very first Greek cookbook in 1910. On most Greek islands, souvlaki and moussaka are taverna staples. On the island of Sifnos, you are more likely to find ‘revithada’ (baked chickpea stew), ‘revithokeftedes’ (chickpea fritters made with marjoram and mint), and ‘mastello’ (slow-roasted lamb with red wine and dill) as the taverna staples. Traditional Sifniot cooking is baked in terracotta casserole dishes that have been produced on the island for centuries. As you consider a trip to Sifnos, you might also like to find out more about our Trips to Milos and our Mykonos Holidays.
When looking forward to a Sifnos holiday, it may help to learn more about the history of the island. The name “Sifnos” stems from Sifnus, son of the Attican hero Sounius – or, according to multiple other versions, to the epithet “Sifnos”, which means empty, or hollow, and points to the existence of multiple tunnels which are the result of intensive mining activity.
Experts surmise that the first inhabitants settled the island during the second half of the third millennium B.C. They can tell this from the various tombs and foundations of villages discovered by the archaeologist Christos Tountas, mainly at coastal areas of the island. The first inhabitants of the island were the Pelasgians, followed by the Carians, the Leleges, and then the Phoenicians. According to mythology, these people were cast out by Minos, the king of Crete, who installed his sons as kings of the Cyclades.
Apollonia is the capital of Sifnos and is actually a collection of villages. The town is famous for its whitewashed buildings and small, narrow alleyways.
Found near the beautiful Kastro village, the small chapel of the Seven Martyrs is probably the most photographed spot on Sifnos island. It sits on the top of a rocky islet that emerges from the sea.
Sailing around Sifnos Island provides an unmatched opportunity to explore the hidden beaches of Sifnos, while feeling the cool breeze of the Aegean Sea. Find more about our Greek Sailing Holidays.
Swim, swim, and swim some more. Some of our favorite beaches on Sifnos are Glifo, Apokofto, Cheronissos, Kamares, and Platys Gialos, and are idyllic spots for taking a dip and cooling off under the warm Greek sun.
Sifnos is a wonderful island for walking, no matter what level of hiker you are. There are over 100km of way-marked trails – one of the largest networks in the Aegean. Our favourite hike takes you from Apollonía across the island to Vathý, but there are also plenty of beautiful, shorter hikes to Kastro, Chryssopigí or to the monastery of Agios Simeoón.
From the outside, Omega 3 looks like a simple beach shack (albeit one with a sensational sea view!) but it’s one of the most famous restaurants in the Cyclades, counting Jeff Bezos and Tom Hanks among its fanbase. Omega 3 is proudly a fish restaurant although the ever-changing menu is far from traditional taverna fare. Come here to soak up the views and try offbeat, delicious dishes like ‘Nachos Calamari’ and ‘Smoked Mussels Doughnuts stuffed with Parsley Pesto’. If you’re a seafood lover in Sifnos, Omega 3 cannot be missed!
Watch a sensational sunrise over the Church of Seven Martyrs, a beautiful chapel floating on an outcrop of rock. This is one of the best places to get in touch with the culture and history on your Sifnos holiday.
Artememos is this Greek island’s prettiest village. When you’re done enjoying the enchanting, postcard-perfect streets, make sure to pay a visit to Theodorou’s Sweet shop; a family-run business which has been dazzling the sweet-toothed since 1933. Make sure to try nougat wafers, ‘amygdalota’ (addictive almond cookies), and bourekia (cinnamon, honey and almonds wrapped in honey and then smothered in icing sugar – all still cooked in the traditional way in copper pots over a wood fire.
The vibe of a mini Mykonos only less congested. Our favorite bar is Botzi – Established in 1993, this bar is a multi-leveled terrace known for its jazz, soul, and funk music, excellent cocktails, and authentic greek hospitality from Yango the owner.
Would you like to find out more about this destination or speak with one of our Epicureans about the best options in Greece? Reach out to one of our experts who can tailor an unforgettable experience that will be the envy of your friends.