Where to stay 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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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.