In case you’re planning a Greek island vacation and want to keep away from the crowds, have you ever thought-about Serifos?
Positioned within the Cyclades, simply northwest of Paros and Sifnos, it is one of many least-visited Greek islands and has a uncooked, rugged magnificence, with rippled brown mountains plunging to broad ultramarine bays.
Comparatively abandoned outdoors of the principle port Livadi and the quaint hilltop capital of Hora (generally known as Chora), the island feels splendidly wild. Its wide-open expanses are punctuated by occasional remnants of previous mining enterprises (rusting tracks, cranes), excellent little seashores and the whoosh of the wind (which could be fierce).
Commercial
Change, nonetheless, can also be within the air, with flash vacation properties showing alongside the hillsides close to the bays. Previous Hora even now has a classy bar or two. Within the hills above Platys Gialos seashore, Chrysoloras Vineyard (which affords winery tastings) is making some good, natural whites.
In the meantime, earlier than phrase of Serifos’ delights reaches the lots, get out and discover this still-timeless island. We’ve got some suggestions from our guidebooks on Greece and the Greek Islands that may present you how one can take advantage of this unimaginable and unassuming island.
When ought to I journey to Serifos?
Summer season is right, when the climate is heat and sunny and you may take full benefit of a few of Serifos’ finest belongings: its lovely seashores. It is also comparatively straightforward to rearrange day journeys to different islands from Serifos in summer season when the ferries are working from common schedules. Motels are open, and the family-run tavernas that dot the hilltops and coastal resorts are welcoming guests for unhurried lunches and dinners. Summer season is competition season, notably August, with reside music live shows and folklore celebrations.
Greek Orthodox Easter, which usually occurs in April, is one other incredible time to get pleasure from Serifos as festivities, large and small, happen throughout the island. Late spring and early autumn are additionally nice instances to go to, as you possibly can decide up nice affords on lodging and revel in comparatively cooler temperatures and mountaineering actions. Nonetheless, the island primarily shuts down between October and Might and a few ferry providers are paused.
How a lot time ought to I spend on Serifos?
Serifos is a small island, however you’d nonetheless want a minimum of three to 4 days to get to understand it. That offers you sufficient time to get pleasure from lengthy, lazy seashore days and discover the hinterland. Life is not rushed right here; it strikes at a laid-back tempo, notably in July and August when temperatures soar, so make just like the locals do and take your time.
Is it straightforward to get to and round Serifos?
There are not any airports on Serifos however the island is well accessible from the port of Piraeus in Athens. Ebook your ferry tickets upfront, as they have an inclination to get snapped up rapidly in summer season. Serifos has affordable summer season connections on the Piraeus to the Western Cyclades ferry route.
Excessive-season providers embrace:
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Piraeus (€37.50–63.70, 2 to 4 hrs 30 minutes, day by day)
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Kythnos (€7.50–15, 1 hr 15 minutes, day by day)
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Sifnos (€7–24.70, 20 minutes to 2 hrs 40 minutes, day by day)
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Milos (€12–29.70, 1 to 2 hrs, day by day)
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Syros (€7.50, 2 hrs 15 minutes, day by day)
The island’s foremost highway is a handy loop, which makes touring straightforward. Usually, a clockwise route is the way in which to go, as that places you within the north later within the day when there are some good sundown vistas and the gap again to Livadi is brief.
Buses join Livadi and Hora; the timetable is posted on the bus cease by the yacht quay. In excessive season, a round bus route takes in Panagia, Galani, Kendarhos and Agios Ioannis Seaside (as much as six day by day), with a few day by day buses to Megalo Livadi and Koutalas. Cyclists will get pleasure from Serifos for its not-too-busy roads. Bikes could be rented in Livadi, in addition to automobiles, scooters and quads. Attempt Blue Chook, Poseidon Lease a Automotive or Serifos Excursions.
A scenic 2.5km (1,5-mile) vehicle-free strolling path (route 1A) winds down by Hora from Livadi.
High issues to do on Serifos
Linger in laid-back Livadi
Serifos’ foremost port and largest city is common with touring yachties. If it weren’t for normal ferries pulling as much as the lengthy stone jetty, although, you’d by no means understand it was a port city because it has really feel of a laid-back seashore city. There is a waterfront strip of the island’s finest tavernas and bars, plus low-key pensions overlooking the lengthy, slim and sandy seashore. Close by seashore Livadakia seashore is a straightforward stroll from city.
Get misplaced within the lanes of quaint Hora
This whitewashed village cascades down the summit of a rocky mountain above Livadi, placing it among the many most dramatically putting of all of the Cyclidic foremost cities. From the minute foremost visitors sq. within the shadow of outdated windmills, lanes attain into the maze of Hora correct. Observe the slim alleys and steps dotted with just some retailers southeast and upwards to the traditional acropolis and the scant remnants of the Fifteenth-century Vnetian kastro (citadel) and the Church of Agios Konstantinos, providing spectacular views over the island and sea to distant Sifnos.
Take pleasure in Serifos’ finest seashores
The island’s most strikingly lovely seashore, Agios Sostis, is a 40-minute stroll northeast of Livadi. It occupies a sandy spit terminating in a headland topped with a blue-vaulted church and craggy golden rock formations. On either side are gravelly golden seashores abutting crystal-clear waters, completely framing views of distant islands. It’s finest reached on foot because the entry highway is tough and there’s solely parking for a handful of automobiles.
Subsequent up is fairly little Psili Ammos, tucked beneath the principle highway, providing good swimming and a few tavernas. Reached by a steep facet highway, Platys Gialos within the north has gravelly sand and a good seasonal taverna. Sykamia is likely one of the island’s finest seashores, with a dramatic strategy alongside a steep, windy, sealed highway by terraced hills. There’s a great taverna set again from its pebble-strewn, grey-brown sands.
Tiny Megalo Livadi, on the southwest coast, is attention-grabbing for its crumbling neoclassical buildings (remnants of the mining period) and seaside tavernas, however the seashore is a little bit muddy and rocky. The cave the place the Cyclops was stated to dwell is close to right here.
The highest seashores on the south coast are usually broad and sandy, and abandoned out of excessive season. It’s a wild panorama punctuated by derelict equipment. Three of them share a big sheltered bay: Koutalas is a small fishing village with a shady, pebble-strewn seashore and one oldtime taverna. Ganema has a tamarisk-fringed seashore with golden sand and a seashore bar with loungers. Vagia‘s horseshoe of golden sand is gorgeous and has drawn a number of new vacation properties.
Observe Serifos’s mountaineering trails
The island could be explored through a community of trails – some signposted – of various lengths and problem. For cross-country walks, take meals and water, as amenities are few. The ages-old 5km (3-mile) loop path linking Livadi and Hora is a superb introduction to the island. Stroll up or down and take a bus the opposite means.
A path from Hora heads north for about 4.5km (2.8 miles) to the tiny village of Kendarhos (aka Kallitsos), from the place you possibly can proceed by the windy foremost highway for one more 3km (1.9 miles) to the monastery of Moni Taxiarhon. The stroll from Hora to the monastery takes about two hours. The steep (in elements) path from the village of Panagia right down to distant Sykamia Seaside is one other winner.
Our favourite factor to do on Serifos
The Monastery of the Taxiarches (a title referring to the archangels Michael and Gabriel), in-built 1572 and fortified to guard it from pirates and different raiders, is price exploring for its spectacular 18th-century frescoes and tiny cemetery. It is positioned within the village of Gilani within the northern a part of the island.
Simply north of the flip for Megalo Livadi seashore in Livadi, the lonely Aspros Pyrghos (White Tower) is a brief stroll off the principle highway. In Greek mythology, the Cyclops constructed this archaeological web site, presumably relationship to the Hellenistic interval.
Serifos Scuba Divers is a scuba operator that takes divers to a dozen websites across the island, together with wrecks and extra. In July and August, day-long snorkeling journeys could be organized. The corporate additionally rents boats and arranges adrenalin-packed fly-board classes.
How a lot cash do I would like for Serifos?
Serifos is not as costly as different Cycladic islands like Mykonos and Santorini, however very like in all places else on the planet, costs have been rising sharply lately.
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Hostel dorm: from €50 in excessive season
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Fundamental room for 2: €110
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Athens to Serifos ferry ticket: €37.50 for 4 hrs 30 min ferry; €63.70 for two hr 30 min speedboat
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Dinner for 2: €30–50
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Informal lunch: €7
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Espresso: €0.60–2
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Bus experience from Livadi to Hora/from Livadi to southern seashores/from Livadi to northern seashores: €2/3–4/2
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Native beer: €2
