When 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 (typically referred to 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 will be fierce).
Commercial
Change, nevertheless, can also be within the air, with flash vacation properties showing alongside the hillsides close to the bays. Outdated Hora even now has a classy bar or two. Within the hills above Platys Gialos seaside, Chrysoloras Vineyard (which presents 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 some suggestions from our guidebooks on Greece and the Greek Islands that may present you tips on how to benefit from this unbelievable 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 property: its stunning seashores. It is also comparatively simple to rearrange day journeys to different islands from Serifos in summer season when the ferries are working from common schedules. Lodges 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 pageant season, notably August, with dwell music concert events and folklore celebrations.
Greek Orthodox Easter, which generally 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 occasions to go to, as you may decide up nice presents on lodging and luxuriate in comparatively cooler temperatures and mountain climbing actions. Nonetheless, the island primarily shuts down between October and Could 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 no less than three to 4 days to get to comprehend it. That provides you with sufficient time to get pleasure from lengthy, lazy seaside 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 simple to get to and round Serifos?
There are not any airports on Serifos however the island is definitely accessible from the port of Piraeus in Athens. Guide your ferry tickets upfront, as they have an inclination to get snapped up rapidly in summer season. Serifos has cheap summer season connections on the Piraeus to the Western Cyclades ferry route.
Excessive-season providers embody:
Commercial
-
Piraeus (€37.50–63.70, 2 to 4 hrs 30 minutes, each day)
-
Kythnos (€7.50–15, 1 hr 15 minutes, each day)
-
Sifnos (€7–24.70, 20 minutes to 2 hrs 40 minutes, each day)
-
Milos (€12–29.70, 1 to 2 hrs, each day)
-
Syros (€7.50, 2 hrs 15 minutes, each day)
The island’s essential highway is a handy loop, which makes touring simple. Typically, a clockwise route is the best way to go, as that places you within the north later within the day when there are some sensible sundown vistas and the space 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 each day), with a few each day buses to Megalo Livadi and Koutalas. Cyclists will get pleasure from Serifos for its not-too-busy roads. Bikes will be rented in Livadi, in addition to vehicles, scooters and quads. Strive Blue Hen, Poseidon Hire a Automobile or Serifos Excursions.
A scenic 2.5km (1,5-mile) vehicle-free strolling path (route 1A) winds down by Hora from Livadi.
Prime issues to do on Serifos
Linger in laid-back Livadi
Serifos’ essential port and largest city is well-liked with touring yachties. If it weren’t for normal ferries pulling as much as the lengthy stone jetty, although, you’d by no means comprehend it was a port city because it has really feel of a laid-back seaside city. There is a waterfront strip of the island’s finest tavernas and bars, plus low-key pensions overlooking the lengthy, slim and sandy seaside. Close by seaside Livadakia seaside 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 essential cities. From the minute essential site visitors sq. within the shadow of previous windmills, lanes attain into the maze of Hora correct. Comply with the slim alleys and steps dotted with only a few retailers southeast and upwards to the traditional acropolis and the scant remnants of the Fifteenth-century Vnetian kastro (fort) and the Church of Agios Konstantinos, providing spectacular views over the island and sea to distant Sifnos.
Get pleasure from Serifos’ finest seashores
The island’s most strikingly stunning seaside, 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 both sides 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 vehicles.
Subsequent up is fairly little Psili Ammos, tucked under the principle highway, providing good swimming and a few tavernas. Reached by a steep aspect highway, Platys Gialos within the north has gravelly sand and an honest seasonal taverna. Sykamia is without doubt one of the island’s finest seashores, with a dramatic method alongside a steep, windy, sealed highway by terraced hills. There’s a very good taverna set again from its pebble-strewn, grey-brown sands.
Tiny Megalo Livadi, on the southwest coast, is fascinating for its crumbling neoclassical buildings (remnants of the mining period) and seaside tavernas, however the seaside is a 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 typically 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 seaside and one oldtime taverna. Ganema has a tamarisk-fringed seaside with golden sand and a seaside bar with loungers. Vagia‘s horseshoe of golden sand is gorgeous and has drawn a number of new vacation properties.
Comply with Serifos’s mountain climbing trails
The island will 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 an excellent introduction to the island. Stroll up or down and take a bus the opposite method.
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 may proceed by the windy essential 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), inbuilt 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 situated within the village of Gilani within the northern a part of the island.
Simply north of the flip for Megalo Livadi seaside 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, probably 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 will be organized. The corporate additionally rents boats and arranges adrenalin-packed fly-board periods.
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 all over the place else on the planet, costs have been rising sharply lately.
-
Hostel dorm: from €50 in excessive season
-
Primary room for 2: €110
-
Athens to Serifos ferry ticket: €37.50 for 4 hrs 30 min ferry; €63.70 for two hr 30 min speedboat
-
Dinner for 2: €30–50
-
Informal lunch: €7
-
Espresso: €0.60–2
-
Bus journey from Livadi to Hora/from Livadi to southern seashores/from Livadi to northern seashores: €2/3–4/2
-
Native beer: €2
