Take a ferry to Sikinos and spend a few days on this island that has an unspoiled charm and laid back atmosphere, exceptionally quiet, ideal for relaxation!
Inhabited only by a few hundred people, away from dazzling lights, Sikinos is the kind of island for people that want to relax and escape from everyday stress and anxiety. Sikinos is a typical Cycladic island, with picturesque alleys, traditional whitewashed houses, blue domed churches and lovely small beaches of crystal clear and deep blue waters, located between Ios and Folegandros and of the most beautiful and serene islands of the Cycladic complex.
It may be small but Sikinos is an island still unexplored but definitely worth discovering. The capital of Sikinos is Chora which is built on the slopes of a hill, on the edge of the winds, a starting point for the trails that cross the entire island. Although the island’s path and trails don’t provide much shadow they hide unique tourist attractions and thrills. Until the end of spring, the northern side of the island is covered with rare wild flowers and in its middle part the abundant clearings offer a breathtaking panoramic view of the Aegean sea.
The most accommodation options are located in Alopronia or Ano Pronia, about 4km from Chora where the port is also located and in total there are three settlements in Sikinos.
If you are looking for eclectic and secluded beaches, tranquil holidays, complete privacy and an actual break from the workload and the hectic everyday life, make your Sikinos booking in advance and start planning your holidays!
Getting to Sikinos by ferry
The island of Sikinos can be easily reached either from the port of Piraeus or the port of Lavrion, both located in Athens.
Lavrio-Sikinos: The port of Lavrio is located on the southeast coast of Attica (approximately 35km away from the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos). It is the third largest passenger port in Athens. At the moment there is only one shipping company serving this connection with one route per week and only with a conventional/normal ferry. The duration of the sailing is approximately 11-12 hours.
- Piraeus- Sikinos: The port of Piraeus is located also in the southeast of Greece and is Europe’s biggest passenger port and Athens’ gateway to the islands of the Aegean (approximately 50 km away from the Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos). There are more than 3 routes available per week also served by a conventional ferry and the duration of the sailing is approximately 10-11 hours
Sikinos ferry port
The ferry port of Sikinos is located in the village of Alopronia, on the east coast of the island. Around the port, there are a few hotels and studios, a supermarket, a few coffee shops and a few bars. From the port there is also one bus running to Chora and some of the other beaches on the island.
Public Transportation in Sikinos
Sikinos is a small island but the transportations won’t be a problem since the only settlements are approximately 3.5 kilometers away one from each other and there is a road network only 9 kilometers long. Unfortunately there aren’t any taxis or many cars on the islands. However, visitors may find a motorbike to rent at the gas station of the island or they can use the public transportation services.
Bus
There is a quite regular bus itinerary with stops at Hora, Alopronia and Episkopi. For more information, please contact +30 6937 865 866.
Holidays in Sikinos, Greece
Sikinos is a beautiful island of the Cyclades, quiet and without fanfare with authentic and unaffected images and landscapes, hospitable people and quite a few things to do and see other than hiking and swimming. The island was one of the first places considered as a Habitat of European Importance. The poppies, the rosemary, the sage,the hiking trails, the terraces and wild cliffs will instantly charm each visitor.
We provide below a list of must- see attractions and sightseeings in Sikinos:
- Visit the Ancient Site of Episkopi, located 4km south west of Chora, once a Roman mausoleum later turned into a Byzantine monastery
- In Chora, you will find the old school, a beautiful building built in the early 20th century by the politician Andreas Syrgos
- Visit the Black Cave (Mavri Spilia), one of the largest caves of the island
- Take a walk through the Monastery of Chrysopigi, built in 1690, and its many secret passages
- Go to the church of Panagia Pantanassa in Kastro Village/Chora, built in 1787 with the characteristic blue dome that stands out and the gilded wood carved baroque iconostasis with the splendid icons that belong to the famous Cretan School
- Visit the monastery of Zoodochos Pigi that was built at the edge of a rock and looks like a castle
- Admire the private collection of old agricultural implements, pots and household utensils and the exhibits and materials for the processing of olive oil
- Taste the fruits of the special species of fig trees
- Enjoy rare wine tastes on Manalis Winery
- Drink the local rakomelo
- Admire the three windmills on the highest place of Chora
Check the calendar for Sikinos’ feasts and festivals like astronomy nights, workshops on choral music and Greek folk dancing lessons.
Hotels in Sikinos
Accommodation options in Sikinos island are extremely limited and most of them are located close to the port in the village of Alopronia and at a walking distance from the beach.
Find some of the best rated hotels & accommodations below (according to customer reviews):
- Porto Hotel
- Sikinos Sunset
- Maistrali
- Ostria Studios
- Vrahos Rooms
- Agnanti Studios
- Stegadi Apartments
- Kamares
Beaches in Sikinos
Most of the beaches on the island are accessible on foot or by boat, located in small coves and protected bays. The virgin, unspoiled, small and secluded beaches of Sikinos are ideal for visitors who seek some peace and quiet.
Please find below a list of the best beaches:
- Agios Georgios: located 5km southeast of Chora. A cove with thick sand, pebbles and crystal clear waters. Can be accessed by car
- Alopronia: located 4 km south of Chora. Alopronia Sikinos beach is the only organized beach on the island, long, sandy and the most popular
- Dialiskari: located 4km south of Chora. A small sandy beach surrounded by impressive rocks with emerald green waters and it has natural shadows from tamarix trees
- Santorineika: located 3km north of Chora. The beach has two small bays with pebbles, sand and turquoise waters
- Maltas: located 8km east of Chora. A small sandy cove with crystal clear waters, white pebbles and fully exposed to the sun
- Agios Panteleimon: located 8km south of Chora. A small sandy beach with green emerald waters. A roch panel from side to side offers great shadow
Day trips from Sikinos
The location of the island, between the islands of Folegandros and Ios, make it an ideal location for those that would like to take advantage of this opportunity and visit nearby islands of the Cyclades group.
Choose one of the following routes and hop on a ferry to extend your vacation time in Greece!
