On a small island lost in the middle of the Cyclades, floating in the Aegean Sea, you’ll discover a haven of peace that’s virtually untouched by mass tourism trends. Sifnos is a haven for the slow lifestyle, transporting you to another time. If you’re visiting Greece, you might be wondering where to stay on Sifnos What are the best places to stay on the island?
We’ve divided the island into several categories, to the west on the port, to the east near the capital of Apollonia and to the south near Faros; you can choose to stay in a wide range of accommodation, mostly guesthouses, apartments and vacation homes, for an authentic stay in the simplicity of the Greek island.
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting accommodation in Sifnos, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. They should give you a better idea of the town and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay on Sifnos:
- $ This inexpensive guesthouse has a magnificent view of Kastri and the Aegean Sea,
- $$ This establishment offers traditionally styled rooms,
- $$$ This luxury hotel is ideally located in the heart of Apollonia.
Map of places to stay on Sifnos
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay on Sifnos, you’ll find on the map below all the Sifnos accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the various neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
Sifnos accommodation essentials
Places to stay in Sifnos
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying on Sifnos.
Staying east, near Kastro
It's on the eastern side of the island of Sifnos that you'll find one of its historic gems to discover if you happen to be passing through. Theancient capital, called Kastro, was a 14th-century Venetian citadel. In fact, it's one of the most visited and beautiful places on the Greek island. Meaning fortress, it was erected on the edge of the cliff to dominate the entire Aegean Sea, and its picturesque chapel perched on the promontory offers a remarkable view of the seascape.
Kastro is a small hilltop village of typically Cycladic white houses, with cobbled streets and pretty, colorful doorways. It's a beautiful village in full bloom, the perfect place to stay. There are numerous guesthouses where to stay, perfect for a memorable stay on Sifnos.
Bars and restaurants punctuate your stroll, as do stalls selling local crafts. The houses are very close together, allowing you to get up close and personal with the locals. If you're looking for accommodation in this part of the island, we've selected the best points of interest in the area:
- Chapel of Efta Martyrs (of the 7 martyrs): flanking the promontory, this chapel offers a panoramic view of the entire Aegean Sea.
- Château Acropole de Sifnos : In the heart of the village, a small building to observe, linked to the chapel by a hiking trail.
- Panagia Poulati : Accessible on foot from Kastro, this is the church of the Virgin of the Mountain.
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You'll be able to stay high up in this establishment, with its incomparable view of the city of Kastro and the Aegean Sea. The style is traditional and elegant, and you can enjoy a moment in the shade of the guesthouse's pergolas.
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Close to Kastro's Sifnou Park, this aparthotel offers you the chance to stay in a traditional, well-appointed setting where you'll find the typical Cycladic architectural style. Shaded terrace, hammocks and unobstructed view of the Aegean Sea.
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Set back from Kastro, inland from Sifnos, this traditional house offers classically decorated rooms. You'll have access to the garden, which borders the terrace offering panoramic sea views.
Choose to stay in the Apollonia and Artemonas areas
Today, Apollonia is the capital of Sifnos. This magnificent village is made up of 5 different hamlets that have grown closer together over time. It's a typical Cycladic village, with its cobbled streets, brightly-colored flowerbeds and streamlined architecture of white houses. The churches are all crowned with lagoon-blue domes, and the doors of the houses vary in color. It's a place much visited by visitors, and its charm lies in the hospitality of the locals, who love to socialize with mainlanders. Many guest houses are available for accommodation in this corner of Sifnos.
You'll find plenty of restaurants, bars and local craft stores to satisfy your curiosity about discovering Greek culture! Note that Sifnos stores close in the afternoon due to the heat and open from 6pm. This is also where you'll find all the basic services an island needs to serve its inhabitants. The nightlife here is also highly developed.
If you continue your journey to Artemonias, an ancient village following on from Apollonia, you'll also find plenty of accommodation. In fact, it's in this part of Sifnos that you'll find a wide variety of accommodation options. Prices sometimes vary drastically, so you can afford exactly the type of stay you want, depending on your budget.
- Folklore and Folk Art Museum: A very attractive museum featuring many pieces of ceramic art and centuries-old traditional costumes.
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Anthi Farm in Sifnos: A beautiful farm where you can experience country life with goats, donkeys, chickens and other farm animals. By appointment via their website.
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Close to Apollonia, this charming guest house will provide you with the best hospitality. The accommodation is traditional with its ancient stone exterior and will be an invitation to relax in the shade of the garden trees.
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Here you can stay in traditionally styled rooms in a renovated old building. The terrace is shaded by a pergola and the huge garden faces green areas planted with trees. Ideal location for visiting the towns of Artemonas and Apollonia.
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Right in the heart of Apollonia, you can stay at this charming establishment offering classic, comfortable rooms. A balcony with a view of the sea is available, and you'll love the huge terrace with swimming pool and plenty of shaded areas.
Accommodation in the port of Kamarès: close to major shipping routes
Sifnos is usually reached via the port of Kamares. This western village stretches from the harbor along the cove to the Marina in the north. There's plenty of accommodation here to make your visit to this Cycladic island easier. Many visitors choose to stay here to stay close to the sea routes to the surrounding islands and to Piraeus, the departure point for boats from Athens.
From here, you can easily reach the other places we've mentioned to see on Sifnos. You can easily rent a car, a scooter or even bicycles to enjoy this 74 km² islet. If you have your own vehicle, you can also choose to stay at the harbor and keep this as your base for the duration of your stay. This way, you can optimize your Cyclades tour.
In the vicinity of Kamares, you'll find several points of interest, which we've listed below:
- Agios Simeon: a perched Orthodox church offering a magnificent view of the harbor
- Prophet Elias : Monastery perched on a 680m high hill overlooking the entire bay of Kamares
- Kamarès Beach: A sandy beach close to the port, where you can relax and hire deckchairs
There's a wide range of accommodation on offer, including hotels, guest houses and apartments, if that's what you prefer. We've put together a selection of the most interesting places to stay in Kamarès.
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Just 100m from Kamarès beach, this pretty, flower-filled, typical guest house offers you the chance to stay in classically decorated, well-equipped rooms. Enjoy the Cycladic sunshine on the terrace, where you can also dine.
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Just a few minutes from the port of Kamares, this aparthotel will make you stay in its modern, uncluttered spaces, typical of Greek style. The bathrooms are designed in a Zen spirit. You'll enjoy terraces with swimming pools and breathtaking sea views.
Staying south of Sifnos: Faros and Platis Gialos
It's towards the south of Sifnos that you'll find a real haven of peace, particularly in Faros. Here, you'll find a succession of beaches such as Fassolou, Faros and Glipho. Even if you arrive at the port of Faros, don't stop there if you're looking for a beautiful beach, because it's not the most beautiful. Instead, head for Vlichó to the west of the port, an atypical white-sand beach with a few large fir trees. Fassolou, further south along the east coast, is both rocky and sandy, with a few straw huts along the beach.
From Apokofto beach, you'll find the paved path along the hillside that leads to the monastery of Chrissopigi. These places are easy to reach if you decide to stay around Faros or further south in Platis Gialos. Here, you'll find a wide range of hotels and guesthouses offering comfortable accommodation at a wide range of prices. Because of its relatively unknown status, Sifnos currently offers very affordable accommodation, making it an excellent destination if you're looking for a rather quiet place to stay.
Platis Gialos is the liveliest part of the south, however, and you'll find it easy to find where to stay and eat, with its many typical restaurants. The beach of the same name is a hot spot for nightlife, and you'll find lovely little paillotes to enjoy the sun until dusk.
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In Platis Gialos, a beautiful vacation home reminiscent of a church dome, where you can stay in pretty, simple rooms with plenty of trees. You can enjoy a meal on one of the many terraces in the garden. Good value for money.
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Overlooking the bay of Platis Gialos, this aparthotel offers accommodation in beautiful rooms decorated with taste and simplicity. You'll have access to a balcony with breathtaking sea views and a terrace for dining or sunbathing.
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Just 300m from Faros beach, this hotel offers new, modern accommodation in the traditional Cycladic style. You'll love its high-quality natural materials, spacious rooms and relaxing ambience. Terrace in the sun or shade for comfort.
Summary
You now know which parts of the island of Sifnos to visit for a successful trip to the Cyclades. We can only recommend that you set aside enough time to discover this relaxing and authentic place, which is in some ways the antithesis of Mykonos. Indeed, you’ll love its charm, hospitality and constant authenticity, which will enable you to stay in establishments that also respect this spirit.
The most beautiful beaches are to be found in the southern part of Sifnos, which also boasts a large park. The waters are crystal-clear and the bathing tranquil. To the east, the capital offers interesting entertainment and a wide range of accommodation where to stay to make the most of local life. If you’re only staying a short time, the port of Kamarès is the best option for staying close to the sea