If you happen to're planning a Greek island vacation and want to keep away from the crowds, have you ever thought of Serifos?
Situated within the Cyclades, simply northwest of Paros and Sifnos, it's 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 (generally 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).
Change, nonetheless, can be within the air, with flash vacation properties showing alongside the hillsides close to the bays. Outdated Hora even now has a stylish bar or two. Within the hills above Platys Gialos seashore, Chrysoloras Vineyard (which gives winery tastings) is making some good, natural whites.
In the meantime, earlier than phrase of Serifos' delights reaches the plenty, get out and discover this still-timeless island. We’ve got some suggestions from our guidebooks on Greece and the Greek Islands that may present you how one can benefit from this unbelievable and unassuming island.
When ought to I journey to Serifos?
Summer season is good when the climate is heat and sunny and you may take full benefit of a few of Serifos' greatest property: its lovely seashores. It's additionally comparatively straightforward to rearrange day journeys to different islands from Serifos in summer time when the ferries are working from common schedules. Inns 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 live shows and folklore celebrations.
Greek Orthodox Easter, which usually occurs in April, is one other improbable time to take pleasure in Serifos as festivities, huge and small, happen throughout the island. Late spring and early autumn are additionally nice instances to go to, as you possibly can choose up nice gives on lodging and revel in comparatively cooler temperatures and climbing actions. Nonetheless, the island primarily shuts down between October and Might 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 a minimum of three to 4 days to get to comprehend it. That offers you sufficient time to take pleasure in lengthy, lazy seashore days and discover the hinterland. Life isn't 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 straightforward to get to and round Serifos?
There aren’t any airports on Serifos however the island is well accessible from the port of Piraeus in Athens. E-book your ferry tickets upfront, as they have a tendency to get snapped up shortly in summer time. Serifos has cheap summer time connections on the Piraeus to the Western Cyclades ferry route.
Excessive season providers embrace:
-
Piraeus (€37.50–63.70, 2 to 4 hrs 30 minutes, day by day)
-
Kythnos (€7.50–15, 1 hr 15 minutes, day by day)
-
Sifnos (€7–24.70, 20 minutes to 2 hrs 40 minutes, day by day)
-
Milos (€12–29.70, 1 to 2 hrs, day by day)
-
Syros (€7.50, 2 hrs 15 minutes, day by day)
The island's principal highway is a handy loop, which makes touring straightforward. Typically, a clockwise path is the best way to go, as that places you within the north later within the day when there are some good 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 Seashore (as much as six day by day), with a few day by day buses to Megalo Livadi and Koutalas. Cyclists will take pleasure in Serifos for its not-too-busy roads. Bikes will be rented in Livadi, in addition to automobiles, scooters and quads. Strive Blue Chook, Poseidon Hire a Automotive or Serifos Excursions.
A scenic 2.5km (1.5-mile) vehicle-free strolling path (route 1A) winds down by way of Hora from Livadi.
Prime issues to do on Serifos
Linger in laid-back Livadi
Serifos' principal port and largest city is widespread with touring yachts. 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 seashore city. There's a waterfront strip of the island's greatest tavernas and bars, plus low-key guesthouses overlooking the lengthy, slim and sandy seashore. Close by seashore Livadakia seashore 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 hanging of all of the Cyclidic principal cities. From the minute principal visitors sq. within the shadow of outdated windmills, lanes attain into the maze of Hora correct. Observe the slim alleys and steps dotted with just some retailers southeast and upwards to the traditional acropolis and the scant remnants of the Fifteenth-century Vnetian kastro (fortress) and the Church of Agios Konstantinos, providing spectacular views over the island and sea to distant Sifnos.
Get pleasure from Serifos' greatest seashores
The island's most strikingly lovely seashore, Agios Sostisis 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 all sides are gravelly golden seashores abutting crystal-clear waters, completely framing views of distant islands. It's greatest reached on foot because the entry highway is tough and there's solely parking for a handful of automobiles.
Subsequent up is fairly little Psili Ammostucked beneath 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 a good seasonal taverna. Sycamia is likely one of the island's greatest seashores, with a dramatic method alongside a steep, windy, sealed highway by way of terraced hills. There's an excellent taverna set again from its pebble-strewn, gray-brown sands.
Tiny Megalo Livadion the southwest coast, is attention-grabbing for its crumbling neoclassical buildings (remnants of the mining period) and seaside tavernas, however the seashore is a little 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 seashore and one oldtime taverna. Ganema has a tamarisk-fringed seashore with golden sand and a seashore bar with loungers. Vagia's horseshoe of golden sand is gorgeous and has drawn a couple of new vacation properties.
Observe Serifos's 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 a superb introduction to the island. Stroll up or down and take a bus the opposite approach.
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 possibly can proceed by the windy principal highway for an additional 3km (1.9 miles) to the monastery of Moni Taxiarhon. The stroll from Hora to the monastery takes about two hours. The steep (in components) path from the village of Panagia right down to distant Sykamia Seashore 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 value exploring for its spectacular 18th-century frescoes and tiny cemetery. It's positioned within the village of Gilani within the northern a part of the island.
Simply north of the flip for Megalo Livadi seashore in Livadi, the lonely Aspros Pyrghos (White Tower) is a brief stroll off the principle highway. In Greek mythology, the Cyclops constructed this archaeological website, 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 adrenaline-packed fly-board classes.
How a lot cash do I want for Serifos?
Serifos isn't 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 hrs 30 minutes speedboat
-
Dinner for 2: €30–50
-
Informal lunch: €7
-
Espresso: €0.60–2
-
Bus experience from Livadi to Hora/from Livadi to southern seashores/from Livadi to northern seashores: €2/3–4/2
-
Native beer: €2
