General information about the island of Sifnos
Strengths:
Suitable for families with children.
Average:
Sea and beaches, points of interest, prices, crowding, nightlife.
Weaknesses:
Excursions, connections.
- Capital: Apollonia
- Population: 2400
- Area: 74 km²
- Port: Kamares
- Airport: no
- Public transportation: yes
- Car and motorcycle rental: yes
- Campsites: yes
Sifnos (from Greek Σίφνος) belongs to the Cyclades archipelago and is located south of Serifos. It can only be reached by sea from nearby islands or from Piraeus (76 nautical miles).
It has an area of 74 km² and about 2400 inhabitants.
Sifnos in the west is arid and mountainous while in the east it consists of terraced hills cultivated with olive trees and fruit trees. Its highest peak reaches 680 meters (Mount Profitis Ilias).
The inhabitants are engaged in livestock farming, fishing, and some tourism, but in the past, the extraction of minerals, including gold and silver, flourished, enriching the population.
Its coasts are characterized by various cliffs hosting beautiful beaches.
The capital of the island is Apollonia, inland, while the port is in Kamares.
Among the local products, the excellent oil stands out, while in craftsmanship, ceramics are particularly appreciated.
It is a beautiful island, still quiet, characterized by the presence of many churches, chapels, and monasteries, and boasts excellent cuisine. The tourists, increasingly numerous every year, are mostly young people.
According to a legend, it is said that the inhabitants of the island donated a golden egg to the Apollo of Delphi every year until once, they tried to deceive him by presenting a gilded stone. Apollo got angry and to take revenge, he caused the island's gold mines to sink.
Sifnos is traversed by paved roads that connect the various villages of the island. A bus service connects the port with the villages and beaches of the island. There is a taxi service and it is possible to rent cars or scooters.
