Greek Guide


Serifos Tourist Attractions Day Trips Greece Greek Travel Guide

Many visitors to Serifos are happy enough to spend their days simply soak up the sun's rays on one of the many unspoilt beaches, stirring only for a swim or a spot of late lunch.

in a waterfront taverna. You don't come here for the frantic tourist activity to be found on the more popular islands such as Mykonos or Santorini. But if you want to explore the island you'll find it offers plenty of places of interest traditional villages, scattered churches and monasteries, hidden coves and pretty fishing hamlets.

If you're staying in the port of Livadi you'll want to take a trip up to the island capital, Hora, either by bus or on foot. If you're travelling out of season you won't have any choice as the bus service grinds to a halt along with most of the other limited tourist facilities on the island.

Perched precariously on a hill top overlooking the harbour, Hora is one of the most dramatic towns in the whole of the Cyclades. The walk takes about 40 minutes up some steep, cobbled steps well worth doing if you're feeling fit and travelling light. Otherwise take a bus or taxi. At the top you'll be rewarded with a delightful concoction of white sugar cube houses, windmills and chapels dotted along narrow, twisting streets. The town affords magnificent views of the island and is crowned by the ruins of a 15th century Venetian fortress.

Refresh yourself with a drink or a meal in one of the many cafés and tavernas which flank the charming town square before continuing your journey up some more steps to the fortress. Pop along to the town's archaeological museum to see pieces of pottery and sculpture unearthed at the fortress and artifacts from the island's Roman years.

Hora isn't exactly a shopaholic's paradise but you'll find several good quality arts and crafts workshops which are ideal if you're looking for souvenirs or gifts to take home.

A path from Hora leads north to the village of Kallitsos (a walk of about 90 minutes) and from here you can continue three kilometres on to one of the island's main places of interest the fortified Moni Taxiarchon (Monastery of the Archangel) built in 1500. The monastery is cared for by one live in monk who'll be able to show you its impressive 18th century frescoes and other treasures including a bishop's throne inlaid with marble, Egyptian lamps and Russian relics. You can reach Kallitsos by bus from Livadi in high season.

The inland village of Panagia, to the south of the monastery, has pretty whitewashed alleyways and a 10th century church which is a hive of activity on August 16th (the feast day of its patron saint).

Sikamia, in the north west corner of the island, is a picturesque fishing port with some beautiful unspoilt beaches nearby. The sleepy fishing ports of Koutalas and Megalo Livadi in the south west are also worth a visit if you want a break from the relative hustle and bustle of the main port of Livadi.