Sikinos

Sikinos is a laid-back island with great charm and a rich Greek everyday life. The island is situated between Ios and Folegandros and has about 240 inhabitants. It is an island for those who want to get away from stress, commerce and tourism, and for those who want to live in the present and take each day as it comes. On Sikinos, it does not happen much in one day. Most people come here to relax, and to take part of the meditative mood. The local inhabitants are good-natured and very pleasant and friendly, you feel welcome as soon as go ashore on Sikinos.

GETTING HERE
The easiest way to get to Sikinos is to fly to Santorini. Boat connections are pretty good for being such a small island; ferries from Ios whose destination is the western Cyclades is generally make a stop at Sikinos. You can also fly to Athens and take the ferry from Piraeus, the port of Athens.

GETTING HERE
Bus runs between the port and Chora. There are no taxis, but there are mopeds for rent in middle and high season. Boats to the beaches of Agios Georgios and Malta start out from the port.

VILLAGES
Sikinos can take a pride in its three small villages: Alopronia, Chora and Kastro. Alopronia is the port of Sikinos and it is home to about 40 residents. There are many pensions, some tavernas, one shop, one ticket office and the island's most accessible beach. From Alopronia the road winds its way up to Chora and Kastro; two villages which are so near that you barely notice any difference. Only a small road separates the villages. Kastro, which is the upper village, is pretty time-worn, many houses lie in ruins. Here is a small pension and an even smaller museum. Chora is a more developed village, and a very nice one. It is a typical Cycladic village with narrow lanes lined with whitewashed houses, cosy tavernas, a few shops and one bakery. On the cliff above Chora there is an old monastery, Zoodochos Pigi, the monastery offers a fabulous view over the sea and the sunsets from there are among the finest you can imagine. (See picture of Kastro and Chora on top of the page.)

Alopronia.

The fantastic sunset from Chora.

BEACHES
There are few beaches on Sikinos and all of them are mediocre; and that is why there are so few tourists that go to Sikinos. The best beach is conveniently located in the port. You can also take a swim from the rocks in the port, for example the ones under the Rockcafe, which is reached by a footpath to the right of the pier.

Northeast of the port are three beaches: Daliskari, Agios Georgios and Malta. The easiest way to reach them is by bathing boat. Agios Georgios is the finest of them and the only one that has a taverna.

SIGHTS
There are no sights to speak of. But who cares, then you have more time to do nothing, and perhaps it is precisely that which is Sikinos' biggest attraction, to just be there and take each day as it comes. For those who get tired of capturing the day and may want to do an easy hike, there is a small sight in the south of the island, more exactly the ancient temple of Episkopi. It is believed that Episkopi was built during ancient times and was dedicated to Apollo. Since then it has been rebuilt several times. Today, Episkopi is a church in ruins, but the place is nice and peaceful, and the walk there is absolutely worthwhile.

ACCOMMODATION
There is usually no problem to find a place to stay. As usual it is more difficult in high season, but not more difficult than on other islands. In the most cases the people with rooms to rent will meet up the ferries in the port. Most tourists stay in the port because most of the pensions are located there. If you want to go to Chora and search for a place to stay, take the bus that will meet all the ferries.

MORE ABOUT SIKINOS
Geographical location »
Map of Sikinos »
Ferry timetable »

OTHER LINKS
Folegandros - nearest island »
Weather in Greece »

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