Slide NIVAL BOUTIQUE HOTEL

THE SIFNOS

 
Sifnos Island is a gem of the Aegean that is famous for its Cycladic architecture and original beauty. Sifnos combines the excellent Greek gastronomy with the unique picturesque Cycladic landscape. It is the place where folk art meets tradition, in the incomparable beauty of the Aegean scenery. The wealth of the island thanks to the gold mines, the silver mines and the development of the ceramic art, from antiquity until today, gives the island the high level of services and infrastructure. Its beaches are unique and can satisfy all tastes, while the spontaneous hospitality from the locals allow visitors to immediately feel familiar and pleasant.

Enjoy your stay !
 
 

The journey starts from Apollonia, the capital of Sifnos which offers many options for entertainment, but also a flashback to the island’s tradition. The village of Apollonia is named after the god Apollo and is characterized as a traditional and protected settlement. In Heroes' Square, you will find the Folklore Museum, which exhibits objects from the daily life in the ancient times. A very popular place is "Steno", a picturesque path and a meeting point for the nightlife in Apollonia.

Panagia Chrysopigi has been the patron saint of Sifnos since 1964 and has performed over 35 miracles. The church is located on the sacred rock of Panagia, to Akrotiri Petalos, which is connected to the rest island of Sifnos by a small bridge. The location is one of the most famous and beautiful landscapes in Sifnos that you must visit.

In the church, there is the miraculous icon of the Virgin Mary, named by Parthenios Chairetis, a Cretan who wrote down all the miracles of Panagia in 1677. He gave Panagia the name Chrysopigi, as he had practiced in the Monastery Chrysopigi of Chania before visiting Sifnos.

The Church celebrates the day of the Ascension, i.e. 40 days after Easter, with great honor and festivities till the early morning hours, attracting numerous believers and pilgrims.

The manorial village of Artemonas is one of the largest and most traditional villages in Sifnos Island, with classic Cycladic houses and their well-kept courtyards with beautiful flowers. The village is named after the goddess Artemis, and in antiquity, there was a temple for her worship, at the same place where today is the church of Panagia Kochi. The view from the highest points of Artemonas is magnificent, while there are various options in restaurants, bakeries and traditional patisseries. In the summer, the folklore exhibition "Ioannis Atsonios" of the Cultural Association of Sifnos, entitled "Our houses in the old days", is open and it is worth visiting.

The famous three-day Cycladic Gastronomy Festival "Nikolaos Tselementes" is organized every September in Artemonas and is the only one in Cyclades. All the Cycladic islands and some of the rest of the Aegean participate in this Festival. They present their local products, dishes and recipes and the visitors have the opportunity to taste these delicacies for free and get to know the gastronomic tradition of each island. At the same time, cooking competitions, music and dance events take place. Be sure to try these products of Sifnos:

  • Sifnos revithada (i.e. chickpeas) in the oven
  • Mastelo - this is a ceramic utensil in which a local goat or lamb is baked with wine
  • Chickpea balls
  • Caper salad
  • Gilomeni Manoura (cheese covered with gyli, i.e. sediment of wine)
  • Loli (sweet pumpkin pie)
  • Anise cookies
  • Butter cookies
  • Marzipan cookies with almond made in Cyclades
  • Turkish delights
  • Patty (miniature sized patty, made with thin dough)

Vathi is a village and at the same time one of the largest sandy Sifnos beaches. It is well known for its protected "sand lilies" that bloom every year in August. Vathi is known for its potters, which is why there are many pottery shops here. On the beach there is the small church of Taxiarches, which celebrates three times a year, July, September and November. Many hiking routes start from Vathi, mainly to the NATURA area. NATURA is an area of ​​about 20,000 acres that has been included in the European Network of Natural Protected Areas NATURA 2000. This area is on about 150m height and hosts 39 species of birds and 19 rare endemic species of animals and plants.

Kamares is the port of Sifnos. There are various shops, restaurants and even campsites here. The beach "Kamares" is awarded with a blue flag, it is sandy with vegetation and the well-known "sand lilies". Hiking routes, also, start from Kamares to NATURA, Mavri Spilia and Korakies.

Taking a walk in the picturesque settlement of Kastro, you get to know the ancient capital of Sifnos. It is the most picturesque and historical area of ​​the island. The name comes from the formation of buildings, which look like a castle, while the morphology of the settlement has a defensive character. Before the visitor enters the Kastro, he meets six "lotzies" (gates). The Archaeological Museum of Sifnos is in the medieval core of the area and its collections include sculptures, ceramics and coins of antiquity and Roman times. Inside the Castro, there are marbles, columns and sarcophagi from antiquity. Following the path north of the Castro, you will find Panagia Poulati and the "Seven Martyrs", a place of incomparable beauty, but also an ideal place for cool dives.

Herronisos is located 15 km from Apollonia and is a picturesque fishing village with various shops and a pottery workshop. The church of Saint Georgios and also, remains of an ancient tower are up the hill.

Faros took its name from the ancient tower, which was located on the beach, as a lighthouse. It is a sheltered harbor and fishing village. There is a small theater, too, where various events take place, as well as three small sandy beaches.

Continuing the walk to the archeological areas of the island, it is worth visiting the Mycenaean Acropolis in the Monastery of Saint Andreas. It is located next to the church and has a small archaeological museum. The view from the top of the hill is magnificent and definitely worth including in your photo memories.

In Katavati there is Panagia Angelochtisti, a church of special importance, as tradition wants it to be built by Angels. Also, on the main road that leads to Vathi, the monastery of Fyrogeia is built and holds the "Europa Nostra" Cultural Heritage Award.

Slide SOCIAL

FOLLOW US


 
                   
Book Now