The Chic Greek Island of Sifnos is a Foodie Paradise (and you’ve probably never heard of it)
With more than 360 churches, gorgeous beaches, and a culinary scene that’s a foodie delight, the quiet Greek island of Sifnos is a rare find.
It’s a tiny island packed with charm, where whitewashed villages spill down hillsides, ancient olive trees line walking paths, and the scent of freshly baked revithada drifts through sunlit squares.
The island of Sifnos is known for two things – churches and food (specifically, “revithada” a traditional chickpea stew cooked in clay pots).
Sifnos strikes a rare balance. It has the beautiful beaches, boutique hotels, and best restaurants you’d expect from a luxury destination, but it’s also deeply rooted in tradition.
From the hilltop churches with panoramic views to quiet hiking trails between villages, the entire island of Sifnos is ideal if you’re looking to slow down and soak up the good life.
Note: This post may contain affiliate links. If you choose to book through these links, I receive a small commission, which I will undoubtedly blow on more flights (it’s a vicious cycle). All of this internet voodoo takes place at no additional cost to you.
I couldn’t help but notice a lot of French speakers on my recent visit making me wonder if the French are ahead of the popularity curve on this particular culinary gem.
If you’re into great food, gorgeous sunsets, or textbook Cycladic architecture (or all three), welcome to your new favorite island.
Planning a trip to Greece in 2025?
From the most spectacular beaches to the tastiest treats to try, here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip to the Greek Islands!
How to Get to Sifnos
Like most small Greek islands with no airport, the only way to get here is by ferry. Like many gems in the Greek islands, Sifnos doesn’t have an airport—which, honestly, is part of the charm.
Most ferries from Athens depart from the main port in Piraeus but there are also a few options from the Lavrio port. Ferries arrive in the port of Kamares on Sifnos.
From Athens (Piraeus Port)
- High-speed ferries like Seajets get you to Sifnos in about 2.5 hours
- Conventional ferries take a bit longer (around 5 hours), but they’re often more affordable
- Ferries run daily in high season, with multiple departures per day during the summer months
Tip: The absolute best site for booking ferries in Greece is FerryHopper.com.
Island hopping to Sifnos
If you’re already in the islands, Sifnos is an easy addition to your itinerary with direct connections from other beautiful islands like:
- Serifos (30 minutes)
- Milos (45 minutes)
- Paros (1 hour)
- Mykonos (2 hours)
- Santorini (2 hours, 45 minutes)
- Naxos (3 hours, 45 minutes)
If you’re in a hurry, there’s also a helicopter service to Serifos from the Athens airport that gets you to Serifos in just 45 minutes. It runs around $500 and can also be booked through FerryHopper (when you search that ferry route, it’s listed in the results).
Arrival in Kamares
The busy little port town of Kamares is your first impression of the island – and it’s a good one.
In my experience, Greek island ferry ports fall into two categories:
1) Charming, beautiful port towns that make you feel like you’ve stepped off the ferry right into the very best part of the island (Symi, Hydra, and Koufonisia are good examples).
2) Busy, no-nonsense, transportation hubs that get you where you’re going and that’s about it (like Santorini, Mykonos, and Paros).
Kamares definitely falls into the first category. With a wide sandy beach, a few great tavernas, and mountain views, it’s the ideal home base for exploring Sifnos.
Which brings me to…
Where to Stay on Sifnos
Here’s a look at where I stayed plus a few other options (including two luxury hotels) across the island:
Studios Mirtia – Located in Kamares, this was my pick for Sifnos. It’s ideal for ferry arrivals and easy access to the village center, beach, and waterfront tavernas. It’s a simple, traditional guest house with a family-run vibe and has a genuine local feel.
My room was beautifully decorated and felt more like a 5-star hotel than a simple guest house. It also had a large terrace with a sea view.
Hotel Boulis – For beachfront access, it’s hard to beat this family-run 2-star gem in Kamares. It’s right on the sand with views of the mountains and sea and an easy walk from the port and a wide variety of shops and restaurants.
Its Kafenés bistro serves mezedes and local dishes under a vine-covered pergola—great for slow morning coffees or evening wine.
Verina Astra – Perched on a cliff in Artemonas, this luxury hotel with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and Kastro village is a gem. Sixteen independent suites with private terraces feature sleek Cycladic design, and the infinity pool seems to float above the sea.
It has an on-site spa, a farm-to-table restaurant, and it’s a short hike to Kastro and the Church of the Seven Martyrs.
Nival Boutique Hotel – Situated in Apollonia, Sifnos’s buzzing main village, this boutique hotel is close to plenty of shops and restaurants. Rooms are stylish with earthy tones. There’s also a sleek pool, free parking, and easy access to island hikes and nearby villages.
Getting Around Sifnos
Even though the island of Sifnos is compact, getting around is easiest with a car. The villages are spread out, and many of the best places to visit—like remote beaches or hilltop churches—aren’t always walkable.
Here’s a breakdown of your options:
Rent a Car (or ATV) 🚗
If you want total freedom to explore the entire island of Sifnos, renting a car is your best bet.
Thanks to a recommendation from my hotel, I rented mine from El Mar Car Rentals near the ferry port, and they were great.
Roads are in good condition, and driving is relatively easy, even for first-time visitors to Greece. Parking is available at most beaches and villages (though it can be tight in high season).
ATVs and scooters are also available for rent, but keep in mind that Sifnos is very hilly, and some roads are winding.
Public Bus 🚌
Sifnos has a decent local bus system, and it’s especially handy in summer when routes run more frequently. Buses connect Kamares, Apollonia, Artemonas, Platis Gialos, Faros, and other villages. The timetables change seasonally, and buses don’t run late at night.
It’s a budget-friendly option, but not ideal if you’re on a tight sightseeing schedule
Taxis 🚕
Taxis are available but, like most Greek islands, limited in number. If you’re staying in one village but want to go out for dinner in another, a taxi is a decent option.
Best Things to Do on the Island of Sifnos
Despite its size, this tiny island has plenty of things to see, do, and more importantly EAT to fill your days.
Here are the top things to see and do on the island:
Eat Your Way Around Sifnos
Sifnos has serious culinary cred. It’s the birthplace of Nikolaos Tselementes, Greece’s most famous chef—and it shows. Food isn’t just good here. It’s the heart of the culture.
The island’s traditional recipes have been passed down for generations and are still prepared the slow, soulful way—with local ingredients, clay pots, and wood ovens.
Start with revithada, the island’s signature dish.
I know what you’re thinking, “Chickpea stew? That doesn’t sound very exciting.” That’s what I thought, too.
But these chickpeas aren’t your average legumes. Grown in Sifnos’ mineral-rich soil, they’re extra creamy and flavorful, and they’re slow-baked overnight in a clay pot (called a skepastaria) with olive oil, onions, and bay leaves.
Sunday lunch on Sifnos is revithada.
Thanks to a recommendation from my host, Mirtia, I tried my first bowl of revithada at Simos in Kamares. It was absolutely delicious and filling enough to be a whole meal.
Also try mastelo, tender lamb or goat cooked low and slow in red wine and dill. And don’t skip the caper salad, which brings a salty, briny brightness to the table—capers grow wild all over the island.
You’ll also find honey, herbs, and cheeses made locally, often by the same family that owns the taverna.
Apollonia and Artemonas are packed with excellent tavernas and upscale eateries, many with modern takes on Sifnian classics. But even the beach town of Kamares surprised me with its food scene.
Mirtia, also recommended Meropi Restaurant. Like Simos, it’s right on the sea in Kamares and it was equally delicious. The chickpea balls at Meropi were fantastic.
Bottom line: If you love Greek food, Sifnos is worth a detour. It’s one of the best islands in the Cyclades for an authentic, ingredient-driven culinary experience.
Now, let’s talk about how to work off all those great meals on Sifnos…
Wander the streets of Kastro
Once the medieval capital of Sifnos, Kastro village is a must-see.
Perched dramatically on a cliff above the sea, this ancient settlement is a labyrinth of stone alleyways, crumbling walls, and secret passageways.
It’s one of the oldest continuously inhabited villages in the Greek islands, and it’s the perfect place to get lost (literally) for an afternoon.
Don’t miss the Church of the Seven Martyrs, clinging to the edge of the rocks below the village—sunset here is pure magic.
Visit the Monastery of Chrisopigi
Arguably the island’s most iconic sight, the Chrisopigi Monastery sits on its own tiny peninsula, seemingly floating on the Aegean Sea.
The whitewashed chapel, built in 1650, is dedicated to the protector of the island. It’s also a popular wedding venue thanks to its cinematic setting and deep spiritual roots.
Accessible by car, bus, or coastal walking trail from Platis Gialos.
There are over 360 churches on the island—almost one for every day of the year. Many are simple and small, with bright white domes and blue trim.
Agios Andreas (Church of Saint Andrew) near Apollonia, is another great stop. It’s a bit of a drive up a curvy road, and a short hike to reach the church, but the sweeping views over the island and sea are worth it.
Note: There’s also a 5 EUR entrance fee here and a small museum.
Relax on Sifnos’ Beautiful Beaches
Sifnos doesn’t do giant resort beaches—but it does deliver on beauty. Here are a few of the best beaches:
Kamares Beach – Long, sandy, and right at the port, perfect for families or lazy arrival-day swims.
Platis Gialos Beach – One of the most popular on the island, lined with restaurants, beach bars, and a stylish crowd.
Vathi Beach – Quieter and more remote, with calm, shallow waters and a handful of tavernas.
Fassolou and Faros Beaches – These small coves near Chrisopigi are about a 10-minute walk apart. The Faros side is partially organized and has a few small tavernas.
Fassolou is larger but with fewer facilities. Either one is perfect for a post-monastery swim.
Hike Between Villages
Sifnos has a well-marked trail system crisscrossing the island. If you love a scenic walk, this is one of the best things about visiting Sifnos.
Trails connect many villages and beaches through olive groves, terraced hillsides, and old donkey paths. The hike from Apollonia to Kastro and from Artemonas to the Church of the Seven Martyrs are two of the most popular.
Just be sure to wear proper shoes—it’s rocky in places. And bring plenty of water and sun protection.
Why Sifnos is a great pick in the Cyclades
In a sea of postcard-perfect destinations, the island of Sifnos stands out quietly—but confidently. It’s not the loudest or the flashiest of the Greek islands, but that’s the point.
Sifnos is a place where food still matters more than flash.
Where the pace is slow and you can explore ancient villages and clifftop churches on foot, then end the day with fresh seafood and a sunset swim.
You don’t come to Sifnos to be seen. You come to see—to take in panoramic views, feel the history of Kastro village, swim in quiet coves, and connect with an island that still feels like a Greek island did 30 years ago.
Whether you’re after a relaxed family vacation, a quiet summer escape, or simply a change of pace from the usual Santorini-and-Mykonos itinerary, Sifnos is the perfect place to land.
And once you do, you may not want to leave.
Looking for more fabulous Greek Islands to visit? Start here:
10 Irresistible Greek Islands to Visit This Summer (#8 is Greece’s Best-Kept Secret) ☀️
The 7 Best Greek Islands for Beaches (You’ve Never Heard of #4)
Car-Free Hydra is This Summer’s Chic Greek Island Escape
Stunning Koufonisia Island is Where Greeks Vacation (& You’ve Never Heard of It)
Get 3 Stunning Greek Islands for the Price of One With a Trip to the Sporades
