8 Best Things to do on Sifnos Island, Greece

Sifnos Island in Greece is a wonderul off the beaten path island with gorgeous beaches, hiking trails, impressive pottery and a delicious food scene. We spent several days enjoying the islands during the summer of 2024 and will share some of the highlights as well as some of the best things to do on Sifnos Island.

Find more resources to help plan your visit to Sifnos and Greece:

• Travel Guide to Greece
• The 8 Best Sifnos Hiking Trails, Greece
• The 10 Best Beaches in Sifnos
• Best Things to do on Milos

Best Things to do on Sifnos Island

Explore Apollonia

The main town of Sifnos, Appolinia is perched up on the top of the island with gorgeous views, and a fun maze of small streets to wander full of restaurants and shops. Wander through the charming alleys of Apollonia and enjoy boutique shops, traditional taverns, and vibrant nightlife. Don’t miss the “Steno,” the main pedestrian street, especially lively in the evenings.

We spent an afternoon in Appolonia and enjoyed dinner right on the main street.

Relax on Sifnos’ Beaches

Sifnos has many gorgeous beaches. You can find both sand beaches and rock beaches. We found the beaches more laid back than other Greek Islands. While you can still find some beaches with rental chairs, many beaches feel more rustic and private. Some of the best beaches are:

• Platis Gialos: A sandy and family-friendly beach with plenty of amenities.
• Vathi: A quieter, crescent-shaped bay with a serene atmosphere.
• Chrisopigi: Near the famous monastery, it offers crystal-clear waters and a picturesque setting.

For more details on beaches, see: The 10 Best Beaches in Sifnos

3. Visit the Monasteries

There are so many monasteries dotting this island including the most famous Monastery of Chrisopigi.This iconic whitewashed monastery, perched on a rocky peninsula, is a symbol of the island. It’s a great spot for photos, and the surrounding waters are ideal for a swim.

In general, the Cycladic Architecture includes monasteries that are adorned with whitewashed walls, blue domes, and simple, minimalist designs. Monasteries on Sifnos have been centers of spiritual life and cultural preservation for centuries, hosting religious festivals and panigiria. Many are situated in locations offering stunning views and peaceful environments, ideal for reflection and prayer.

4. Hike the Island’s Trails

Sifnos boasts an extensive network of well-marked hiking trails. Most of the trails were made to get people from town to town or farm to town. This means you can walk right across the island.

Walk from Apollonia to Kastro, explore ancient ruins, or hike to the Profitis Ilias monastery for panoramic views.

We enjoyed hiking around Appolonia, walking the trail from Kastro to Chrysopigi, and hiking around the main port.

You can see more about hiking on Sifnos.

6. Taste Sifnos’ Culinary Delights

Sifnos has distinquished itself asa foodie island. We truly had some of our best meals in Greece in Sifnos. Specialties include revithada (baked chickpeas), mastelo (lamb cooked with wine and dill), and the local almond sweets.

7. Visit Pottery Workshops

Sifnos has a long tradition of pottery-making. You can find pottery shops in most of the main towns as well as studios throughout the islands. This is a great place to get an authentic part of Sifnos to take home.

With a long history of making pottery, Sifnos used to send pottery throughout the other island in the region.

8. Savor the Sunset at Kamares

End your day in Kamares, the island’s port. Enjoy a drink or dinner by the sea while watching the sun set over the bay. We stayed right in Kamares and enjoyed the beach, restaurants and sunset right in town. You can find some lovely little shops and small hotels within walking distance of the port.

Planning your Visit to Sifnos Island

Where to Stay

You can’t really go wrong with places to stay in Sifnos. We opted to stay right in the port of Kamares since we were traveling with a group who was arriving and departing at different times. This turned out to be a great option. We also recommend staying up in Appolonia if you don’t mind not staying right near the water.

We booked our hotel through booking.com and found they had lots of options available.

How to Get Around

The best way to get around Sifnos is by rental car. There are a few taxis on the island and a bus system. We used both the bus system and a rental car for a day. While the bus is great to connect you to the main areas on the island, if you want to explore some of the more remote areas, you will need a rental car. You acn rent a car right on the town of Kamares.

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