Geography and location of Sifnos

The natural landscape of the island is mainly characterized by shrubby vegetation since the island does not boast high forests. As such, the trees that dominate the landscape are Schinus trees and a species of a small sized Cedrus ("fides" in the local dialect or scientifically "Juniperus Phoenicea"), which is a protected species.

Its highest summit is at the central part of the island and it is Prophitis Helias with an altitude of 650m. Then, there is also Agios Symeon, Prophitis Helias of Troullaki and Agios Andreas with altitudes 490m. 465m. and 425m. respectively.

The torrent Livadas has its source at the central part of Sifnos; its length is 5,5 km. and it flows into the bay of Kamares. One more torrent traverses the island and it is 3 kilometers long. It is the torrent of Erkies which has its source from the east and flows into the bay Seralia of Kastro.

There are not any other small islands around Sifnos, besides the uninhabited desert islet Kitriani, at the south part of the island, near the cape Kontos.

A few words on Sifnos

Sifnos is part of the island complex of the West Cyclades, in the Aegean Sea and it is situated at the centre of the triangle, which is set by the islands Serifos, Kimolos and Antiparos. The island’s shape is triangular and it is situated 75 sea miles away from Piraeus.

Sifnos occupies 74 square kilometres; its latitude is 37° 01' and its longitude 24° 43'. Its coastline is divided in very traditional bays and little gulfs and it covers about 70 km. Administratively, Sifnos belongs to the Prefecture of Cyclades, the capital of which is Ermoupoli of Syros and ecclesiastically it belongs to the Metropolis of Syros.

The capital of Sifnos since 1836 is Apollonia, which is also called Stavri and spreads amphitheatrically along three hills in the center of Sifnos, while in the west, there is its picturesque port, Kamares.

In Sifnos you shall see places, such as the noble Artemonas, the fascinating Vathi, the beautiful Faros, the magic Chrissopigi, the cosmopolitan Platis Gialos, the picturesque Cheronissos and Kastro, where the picturesqueness and the simplicity of life are beyond any imagination. You shall be enthusiastic over the arrangement of the mansions and the simple houses, with the paved courtyards and the arches. The invariable beauty of the entire island!

Sifnos is the homeland of the great chef Nikos Tselemendes, and its cuisine is delicious, with traditional dishes! As for its pastry making, all you have to do is take a walk in its traditional bakeries and workshops and discover for yourself its authentic tastes!

Sifnos is not known only for its natural beauty but it is also famous in the whole world for its pottery!

Entire Sifnos is full of narrow paths, which wait for the aspiring travelers to enjoy them. Many of these paths, on the perimeter of the island, lead to many magic little bays and to beautiful retreats for the lovers of adventure or for those who desire to know the island inch by inch. Many bays are accessible only by boats or by private crafts.

When you leave the island it is certain that: "The spell of Sifnos shall turn out to be abolishing! And it shall call you to visit it over and over again!"

The islands of Greece

The islands form the main morphologic characteristic of the Greek space and a constituent part of the civilization and the tradition of the country. The Greek state includes 6.000 islands and islets, which are dotted in the Aegean and the Ionian Seas, which is a unique phenomenon in the European continent, only 227 of which are inhabited.

Most of the islands are in the Aegean Sea and they are divided in seven complexes (from the north to the south):

• The islands of the northeast Aegean: Agios Efstratios, Thassos, Icaria, Lesvos, Limnos, Oinousses, Samos, Samothrace, Chios, Psara
• Sporades: Alonissos, Skiathos, Scopelos, Skyros
• Euboea
• The island of the gulf of Argosaronicos: Agistri, Aegina, Poros, Salamina, Spetses, Hydra and the coastal area of Methana
• Dodecanese: Astypalea, Kalymnos, Kartpathos, Kassos, Kastelorizo, Kos, Lipsi, Leros, Nisyros, Patmos, Rhodes, Symi, Tilos, Chalki
• Crete
• Cyclades: It is a complex of 56 islands the most important of which are the following: Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Dilos, Ios, Tzia, Kimolos, Kithnos, Milos, Myconos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Serifos, Sikinos, Sifnos, Syros, Tinos, Folegandros, and the "Small Cyclades", which consist of Donoussa, Heraclia, Koufonisia and Shinoussa

The Cyclades islands are the most famous islands of Greece. Their pictures have been all over the world. Their characteristic is the simple and plain beauty of their landscapes, which fascinates every traveler. Their colors are absolutely Greek. The white color of the settlements and the blue of the Aegean, create a heaven scenery on earth!

The holidays in Cyclades are the realization of the summer dream of thousands of tourists every year. In the fabulous beaches and the clean waters of the Aegean Sea, with the sun shining over the magic islands, life seems fairy-like!