With its whitewashed houses, rugged rocky landscapes and crystal-clear beaches, Serifos is one of the most authentic islands in the Cyclades.
So close to Athens yet at the same time so remote, Serifos is an island that hides priceless treasures. With SEAJETS you'll reach Serifos from Piraeus in just two hours. There you'll discover its history that stretches back through the centuries, from prehistoric times to the present day.
Serifos' history is inextricably linked to its mineral wealth, as since antiquity iron mines have played a significant role in the island's trajectory through the centuries. The island also holds an important place in Greek mythology, as it's connected both with the myth of Perseus and with the Odyssey. Today, Serifos is one of the most popular islands in the Cyclades for summer holidays, as well as for short getaways, thanks to the easy access from Athens and the wide variety of beaches and experiences it offers its visitors.
The top beaches of Serifos
Serifos has more than 70 beaches, most of them unorganized, without sunbeds and beach bars.
Psili Ammos
Psili Ammos is considered the island's most famous beach, with crystal-clear blue waters, sand, and tamarisk trees for shade. Access is easy and the waters are shallow and ideal for family swims. It's not organized with sunbeds and umbrellas, but there are a few tavernas where you can enjoy your meal.
Agios Sostis
On the eastern side of the island, about 5.5 km from Chora, lies one of Serifos' most impressive beaches. Agios Sostis, which took its name from the little church of the same name, is a sheltered beach with golden sand, crystalline waters, and tamarisk trees.
Ganema
On the southern side of Serifos, in the bay of Koutalas, you'll come across Ganema, one of the island's largest beaches. It's a beach that caters to all tastes, as half is sandy and the other half has white pebbles.
Vagia
Golden sand blankets this beach with its wonderful seabed and unique sunset. At Vagia you'll find a few sunbeds and umbrellas, however, most of the beach is free.
Kalo Ampeli
Kalo Ampeli is a secluded beach of wild beauty on Serifos' southern coast, with golden sand, sculpted rocks, and gorgeous turquoise waters. Access is relatively challenging as you have to follow a path on foot for about 20 minutes, but the landscape will reward you.
Food and sweets of Serifos
Serifos, like all the Cycladic islands, has its own gastronomic identity. The island's culinary tradition is based on pure local products and authentic Cycladic recipes. During your visit, it's worth trying the famous marathokeftedes (meatballs with fennel), as well as one of the island's most characteristic dishes, oven-baked revithada, cooked in a clay pot and served with lemon.
In Serifos you'll eat fresh string beans, as well as fava that's served at festivals. Among the local cheeses, xinomyzithra stands out for its slightly tangy and refreshing flavor, as does graviera. You'll also pair your wine with louza, the Cyclades' traditional cold cut. In sweets, the stars are pastelia with honey and sesame, a traditional treat at the island's festivals, and the famous amygdalota with rosewater.
The sights of Serifos
Serifos is an island that also stands out for its sights. Chora with its windmills and authentic Cycladic color, the little churches, and the visible traces of its rich mining past give Serifos a distinctive charm.
Chora
Serifos' Chora could be described as one of the most beautiful in the Cyclades. In its picturesque central square, which feels like a movie set, you'll see the neoclassical Town Hall building and the imposing church of Agios Athanasios.
The Castle
From Chora it's worth climbing up to the Castle, which was built by the Venetians in the 15th century. The route, which takes just 10 minutes, will lead you to the top of the rock with the chapel of Agios Konstantinos and you'll enjoy the enchanting view.
Megalo Livadi
One of the island's key sights is at Megalo Livadi. There you'll see the remnants of the island's mining past: ruins of buildings, old wagons, rails, and galleries. The settlement experienced major economic growth during the period of mining exploitation until 1963.
The Monastery of the Taxiarches
The 16th-century Monastery of the Taxiarches is the island's most important monastery and one of the most interesting in all the Cyclades. It resembles a medieval castle, with battlements, a machicolation, and high walls. In its main church, frescoes by Emmanouil Skordilis are preserved, and there are also icons of the Cretan School.
Where to stay in Serifos
Distances on Serifos aren't long. If you want to be amid the picturesque alleys and the lively atmosphere with cafés and tavernas, Chora is the ideal spot. In Livadi you'll be right by the beach and the port, and there are plenty of cafés and bars for your nights out. For those who prefer direct access to the sea and tranquility, the best places to stay are Agios Sostis and Lia beach.
How to get to Serifos - Ferries
You can choose among the daily morning and afternoon departures of SEAJETS from the port of Piraeus and reach Serifos in just two hours. That way you gain more time for more swims, more sunsets, and more summer.
Silver, Club or Platinum? Choose the class that suits you and travel with comfortable airline-style seats and services that make the difference.
