Sifnos

Sifnos holds a dominating place in the west of the Cyclades, not only for the natural beauty of its landscapes, but also for the purity of its constructed forms. To appreciate and experience this, take any of the multitude of paths that weave around the entire island leading to the chapels and monasteries located on a hill or at the bottom of a small valley. Don't miss the opportunity to go for a one-and-a-half-hour hike to the Monastery of the Prophet Ilias, on the island's highest point.

The most striking characteristic at Sifnos is its terraces criss-crossed by dry stone walls topped with obliquely-placed sandstone slabs.
They are real masterpieces.
Each plot of land is thus delimited by walls. Tiny paths winding around between the walls lead from one plot to another. These "sculpted" slopes and beautiful walls give the landscape a geometrical look.

Rural buildings have greatly contributed to the beauty of this island. Good examples are the pigeon houses that stand just about everywhere. These are square or rectangular shaped buildings whose ground floor is used for storing tools. The pigeons enter through small openings in the upper part of the construction.

The "alonia", meaning threshing floor in Greek, is a reminder of days gone by. They are generally circular and are surrounded by stones. They are used at harvest time.
There is a pastoral charm about the place with the shade of olive trees and clay apiaries.

Most of the churches were built in the 17th century under the influence of a wealthy merchant named Vassilis Logothetis. He was very devout and persuaded his fellow citizens to build places of worship; this partly explains why there are so many churches; some say there are 365 of them!

Panaghia ta Gournia Church
Remarkable for its paintings and its superb carved wooden iconostases, this church was designed according to a basilica plan with two naves. It has a very simple outside facade and a flat roof. It is found on the path leading to Artemonas.

Panaghia tis Ammou Church
Situated at Artemonas. Restored in 1788 according to an inscription on the walls, it houses a very beautiful iconostasis. It is a church with a flat roof and without a nave.

Agios Constantinos Church


Situated at Artemonas. It is built in a parallelepiped shape according to a basilica plan with a triple nave arched to almost a point, with the middle nave higher than the two others.

Panaghia tis Poulatis Church
It was built in 1871 on the foundations of an old church. Surrounded by olive trees, it nestles at the far end of a creek surrounded by a curtain of indented cliffs. The site is magnificent and can be better appreciated by taking the path leading to Kastro (about 25 minutes on foot).

Monastery of Panaghia tis Chryssopigis
It can be found near the fishing village of Faros, on a rocky peninsula bordered on both sides by two beaches of fine sand. Built in 1650 on the foundations of an old church, according to a basilica plan with vault, the monastery of Panaghia tis Chryssopigis is surely the most visited monument on the island, as much for the beauty of the site as for the peaceful atmosphere which exists there.

Monastery of Taxiarchis
Situated at Vathy, next to the beach.
It was built according to a plan with a double nave. About ten very basic rooms have been made available to visitors.
Above Vathy are the monasteries of Agios Nicolaos and Agios Ioannis as well as the monastery of Agios Andreas which is surrounded by an ancient acropolis. A true experience!

Right in the north of the island is Heronissos, a little fishing port, nestling at the far end of a deep bay, which is well sheltered from the winds and bordered by a nice little beach of fine sand and a number of fishermen's houses. It feels like another world!
The walk to reach there is very interesting, as the region is endowed with numerous circular zones where the grain is beaten, small hamlets and, as always, the "lourias" (low wall in local dialect)which add to the beauty of the scenery.

Sifnos : Overview - Where to stay ? - Excursions - Photo gallery