SIKINOS TRAVEL GUIDE

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Sikinos is one of the lesser known and less touristy islands of the Aegean and therefore an ideal destination for a relaxed and quiet holiday in the sun. It’s a place where you can enjoy the crystal clear waters of the Aegean Sea and the traditional architecture of the Cyclades without the crowds. It has also some beautiful scenery and some nice, quiet beaches and it is ideal for hiking.

This travel guide will help you plan the perfect trip to Sikinos by showing you the best attractions, things to do and places to visit including a tourist map, photos and an itinerary.

Why shall you visit Sikinos?

Sikinos is a small but beautiful greek island in the Aegean Sea, part of the Cyclades. The island is very hilly and quite unspoilt with basic tourist infrastructure and therefore ideal for a quiet holiday.

The island’s area is 40 sq. km, with only 300 permanent residents and a lot of the houses are only used as summer residences.

There are a limited number of accommodation options and only a handful of restaurants on the island. There are also a limited number of cars.

There are only two settlements on the island: the small port of Alopronia and the village of Chora, which is situated on the north side of the island.

The tourist season starts from May to the end of September.

For a beach holiday, the best time to visit the island of Sikinos is between June and mid-September. It’s dry, sunny and hot. Also, most of the tourist amenities will only be open during these months.

If you want to avoid the crowds, I would avoid the summer months of July and August, as the island tends to get very busy with most Greeks taking their holidays then and prices tend to be higher and most places tend to get fully booked. Weather can also get very hot, with temperatures over 30°C. However, the island is full of life during those months with everything open and in full swing.

Wind can be an issue in Sikinos as in most islands of the Aegean and particularly in the Cyclades. It can get very windy when the northern winds blow and sometimes can last for days, which is a curse and a blessing as it can naturally cool the hot temperatures but it can be uncomfortable for swimming.

Off-season there are few ferries and most shops, hotels, and restaurants close in October and do not open until May.

For me, the best time to visit will be mid-June or early September with more acceptable temperatures, fewer crowds and lower prices but still possible to swim in the sea.

Sikinos is a small island and you can probably explore the whole island in a day, but I would recommend staying on the island for at least 2-3 days if you would like to explore it at a more relaxed pace and visit the more isolated beaches and parts of the island.

There are not a lot of accommodation choices in Sikinos. Most places to stay are in Alopronia, but there are some apartments to rent in Chora also (mainly at Kastro).

Best hotels in Sikinos

• Porto Sikinos: Two-star hotel in the centre of Alopronia
• Maistrali Studios: Nice rooms to the west side of Alopronia harbour, some with balconies overlooking the sea.
• Kamares: Lovely location overlooking the port (8min walk to the beach)
• Ostria Studios: Nice studios close to the beach in Alopronia.
• Sikinos Sunset: Great location in Kastro with beautiful views of the sea and sunset

Click here to check and compare prices on accommodation for the whole island.

By Plane

There is no airport in Sikinos. The closest airport is in Santorini or Milos

By Ferry

There are ferries from the port of Piraeus in Athens, usually 3 times per week during the high season. It’s a 7-hour long trip, so It can be very tiring but it can be combined with visits to other islands of the Aegean, as the ferry from Piraeus goes through other neighbouring islands (Serifos, Sifnos & Folegandros). The price is usually around €30 for a single basic ticket.

Sikinos is also connected with Paros, Naxos & Santorini.

For the cheapest site to book your ferry ticket in Greece, check the link below.

There is a tradition in Sikinos that whenever a ferry leaves the port, kids dive and swim behind the ferry as a farewell.

By Car

You could hire a car if you would like to explore the island at your own pace, although options are limited, so it’s advisable to book in advance. There are only 2 car rental offices in Alopronia. Car rental for a day is usually 40 euros in high season.

Check the link below to book and compare car rental prices.

By Scooter/Motorbike

A cheaper alternative to the car is renting a scooter or motorbike if you are comfortable with it, but you need to be more cautious on the road.

By Taxi

It might be ideal if you don’t want to rent a car, as the island is very small and the distances are short.

• Alopronia to Chora (3.8km)
• Chora to Episkopi (4.5km)
• Chora to Agios Georgios (6km)

By Bus

There is a bus connecting Chora to the port and back every hour. It also goes a few times a day to Ag. Georgios beach and a few times in the evening to Episkopi. The timetable is posted in several places. During low season, however, buses are less frequent.

The best place to go for a meal is Chora with 3 good restaurants. There is also a restaurant and a few cafes in Alopronia. Below you can find a list of some of the best restaurants in Sikinos. For more information and reviews of restaurants on the island, you can check TripAdvisor.

Best restaurants in Sikinos

• Klimataria Restaurant: One of the best restaurants in the centre of Kastro for traditional cuisine.
• Kapari Restaurant: Another good restaurant in Kastro.
• Manalis Winery: Decent food with a choice of local wines and great sunset views
• To steki tou Garbi: Good taverna for meat dishes in Kastro
• Meltemi Taverna: One of the few options for a meal in Alopronia by the harbour.

You can check the location of these restaurants on this map.

Local Specialities

• Thyme Honey
• Wine
• More information about the best greek dishes you can find here.

1. Climb the steps to Zoodochos Pigi monastery

The Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi is built on a hill at the edge of a cliff above Kastro and has an amazing view of the village of Chora, the sea and most of Sikinos island. The monastery was built in 1690. Surrounded by walls, it was used to protect the islanders from attacks.

There is a cobbled footpath ascending from Kastro, but you can also visit by car.

2 . Have a stroll in beautiful Chora

3. Enjoy a drink and sunset view at Manalis Winery

Manalis winery is located on the northern hilly side of Sikinos on the way to Episkopi. It is situated next to vineyards descending the rocky slopes and provides wine tasting and tours of the vineyards and winemaking facilities. The winery is also a restaurant and it is an ideal destination to enjoy a drink and food while watching the sunset. It provides some magnificent views of the Aegean Sea.

4. Visit Episkopi

Episkopi is an old Byzantine monastery built over a Roman mausoleum (3^rd century BC). It is located 4 km southwest of Chora. It has some nice frescoes. but at the moment, maintenance works are being carried out.

There are some ruins of ancient buildings in Agia Marina area near Episkopi. The hike is about 40min.

5. Swim and relax on one of the beaches on the island

6. Visit Panagia tis Sykias

Panagia tis Sykias (Virgin Mary of the Fig Tree) is a small Byzantine church with 13th-14th century frescoes. It can be reached via a very narrow 1.2km cement road that starts from Alopronia and provides beautiful views towards Alopronia Bay.

7. Have a stroll at Alopronia port

8. Admire the views from Profitis Ilias

Profitis Ilias is located to the northwest of Chora. It is a tiny chapel but provides beautiful views of the south coast of the island.

1. Chora of Sikinos

Chora is the attractive capital of the island built in the traditional style of the architecture of the Cyclades with whitewashed houses and picturesque narrow alleys. It consists of two settlements: Kastro, the oldest of the two and Chorio, the most recent one built on the opposite side of the main road.

Kastro is a fortified village built on the edge of a cliff with the monastery of Zoodohos Pigi at the top. It is the most beautiful part of Chora with some old stone mansions, beautiful squares and picturesque alleys for a nice stroll. It is the centre of the island’s social life and has the best restaurants and cafes and some shops.

Things to Do in Chora

1. Visit the Monastery of Zoodohos Pigi for great views and also sunset views
2. See the Church of Panagia Pantanassa with its beautiful blue dome– it is located in the main paved square in Kastro; it was built in 1787 and it has a beautiful wood-carved iconostasis and great late-Byzantine icons.
3. Enjoy the view from Panagia Pantohara on your way up to Zoodohos Pigi.
4. Visit Chorio on the opposite side of Kastro.

2. Alopronia

Alopronia is the small port of Sikinos and the main tourist centre of the island with a few accommodation options. There are a few restaurants, cafes and shops by the seaside. There is also the most popular and largest beach on the island.

Sikinos has a limited number of beaches (only four main beaches) and they might not be the most beautiful beaches of the Aegean compared with its neighbours; however, they still have some nice sand and crystal clear water. All beaches are located on the southern side of the island.

The most popular beach is the beach by the port of Alopronia and then Agios Georgios beach.

1. Alopronia Beach

Alopronia beach is the most popular beach in Sikinos, located by the port with all the tourist amenities nearby. It is a beautiful sandy beach with sunbeds and umbrellas and also some trees at the back that provide shade. Ideal for families with children. Accessible by bus and car from Chora with a large parking area.

2. Agios Georgios Beach

Agios Georgios is a nice sandy beach with crystal clear waters. It is the most popular beach on the island after the beach at the port of Alopronia. It has some trees providing natural shade and also some free of charge umbrellas. There is also a taverna serving some nice seafood. Easily accessible by car via tarmac road and bus from Chora.

3. Dialiskari Beach

Dialiskari beach is a small sandy and pebble beach with some trees for shade. It is located between Alopronia and Agios Georgios and it is accessible by car via a dirt road from Alopronia.  

4. Malta Beach

Malta Beach is a small cove on the north coast of Sikinos with crystal clear waters. The beach is not organized and it has a mix of sand and pebbles with no trees

It is difficult to get to and therefore very quiet. It is accessible by boat in high season from Alopronia or by a 1.5h hike from Profitis Ilias church.

You can click on the map below for the location of the best attractions, restaurants & hotels, as well as the best villages and beaches to visit in Sikinos. The map also includes practical information, the best viewpoints and routes on the island.

To save the map, make sure you are logged in to your Google account, then click on the star to the right of the title. To locate the map go to your Google Maps app (or Account), click on ‘Saved’ (or ‘Your Places’), and select ‘Maps’.

It is worth staying on the island at least for 2-3 days if you want to explore it at your own pace. The following itinerary includes things to do for 2 days on the island.

Day 1

• Visit the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi and admire the views
• Have a stroll in Kastro and enjoy a coffee in some of the narrow alleys or by the square
• Take a stroll at Chorio on the opposite side taking in the views towards Kastro
• Return to Alopronia beach for a swim or go to Dialiskari beach
• Drive or hike to Panagia tis Sykias from the port.
• Enjoy a stroll at the port but eat in one of the restaurants in Chora

Day 2

• Take the scenic route of the north coast to Episkopi
• Hike to Agia Marina enjoying the views
• Visit Profitis Ilias to admire views towards the south coast
• Drive to Agios Georgios beach for a swim
• Have an evening stroll in Kastro
• Visit Manalis winery for a meal enjoying the sunset views

Here is a list of the best viewpoint locations on the island where you enjoy great views.

• Zoodochos Pigi Monastery
• Road to Episkopi
• Profitis Ilias
• Agia Marina
• Panagia tis Sykias
• Alopronia Viewpoint

You can check these viewpoint locations and the best photo spots on the island on the following map.

Photo Gallery

Hiking

There are various hiking trails around the island. Some of the most popular trails are highlighted below:

• Episokpi to Agia Marina hike: 1.4km (35min)

It is a 1.4km hike that provides some magnificent views of the whole island. The hike starts from Episkopi Monastery and ascends via a path to the top of the hill where the Church of Agia Marina is located. The 35min climb follows the ancient cobbled path and there are some ancient ruins at the top (temple of Pythios Apollo and ancient Agora).

• Profitis Ilias to Malta hike: 4km (1.5h)

This is a long hike that starts from Profitis Ilias chapel and descends via Agia Triada to Malta Beach. It takes about 1.5h to reach the sea. If you would like to avoid the ascend on the way back, you can return by taking the boat back to Alopronia and then the bus to Chora and walking the rest of the trip to Profitis Ilias on foot (3km).

Visit the neighbouring islands

You can take the ferry and visit one of the neighbouring islands. Difficult to be done as a day trip because of the ferry time schedules but it is ideal as a stopover for a few days before you go back to Athens. You can visit the beautiful island of Folegandros or Ios or one of the other islands on the route back to Piraeus (eg. Paros or Naxos).

Check the following video slideshow to get further inspiration to visit Sikinos 🙂

There are not many souvenir shops but your best bet will be in Chora.

Check also my post on the best things to buy from Greece.

Other useful websites for more information about Sikinos:

• Greeka.com: One of the best travel websites about Greece with lots of information and travel guides for all the greek islands, including Sikinos
• Mysterious Greece: Another good website with detailed information about Greece, including Sikinos

Some good travel guides to buy before your visit Sikinos:

• Lonely Planet Greek Islands (Travel Guide): This comprehensive guide also includes information about Sikinos. Only worth it if you are planning to visit other islands in Greece.

• Flights: I always use Skyscanner as my first choice as it’s so easy to use and you can search best deals by month. Momondo is another very good search engine as well as Google Flights.
• Accommodation: I always use Booking.com as my first choice, as it offers a great choice of accommodation at affordable prices and it’s so easy to use. TripAdvisor is one of the best search engines to check deals from different websites; however not as good for checking the actual properties & rooms. Airbnb is a great alternative to find out homes and apartments to rent by real homeowners.
• Ferries: Ferryhopper is one of the best websites to check ferry schedules and buy the cheapest ferry tickets while in Greece.
• Car Rental: I always check Skyscanner for the cheapest car rental options.
• Public Transport: There is no booking site to check bus timetables and book buses online in Sikinos.
• Travel Insurance: SafetyWing is a great choice for long-term travellers and digital nomads. Alternatively, you can use one of the price comparison websites for cheaper quotes.

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