Overview
A ten day, self-guided walking holiday on two Cyclades islands of Serifos, where you spend four days, followed by five days on Sifnos. Our itinerary includes a first night in Piraeus, the port area of Athens, so that you can catch the early morning ferry to Serifos. Staying in the same hotel suites on Serifos throughout, in the waterfront town of Levadi, take on a variety of trails such as to the inland capital of Chora, the hilltop town of Kastro, remote northern villages and an ancient monastery.
Take a ferry to Sifnos on day five, where your journey starts in Artemonas, one of the prettiest whitewashed villages on the island. Walk through terraced hills, alongside mountain streams and to remote beaches, with the highest point, Profitis Ilias, 680m overlooking you, and an Azurean bliss all around. Sacred sites are gorgeously Greek too, such as the Panagia Vrissis and Panagia Chrysopigi monasteries, all just adding to the sublime nature of this holiday.
- Chora, the capital of Serifos
- Livadi
- Panagia
- Monastery of Moni Taxiarchon
- Sifnos
- Kamares
Itinerary
Day 1: Arrival in Athens or Serifos
Arrive at Athens International Airport, from where a transfer takes you to your accommodation in Piraeus. It is also possible to start your tour directly from Serifos instead of Piraeus, if travelling from another island. Depending on your arrival time, explore the local area and head for a stroll around the harbour at Mikrolimano. If arriving in Serifos, there is an optional walking route heading to Livadi, via Chora that you could take on this first day.
- Accommodation: Argo Hotel or similar in Piraeus
Day 2: Piraeus – Serifos | 5-11km
From your accommodation, you can either walk or arrange a taxi to the port (payable locally), where you take the ferry to Serifos (4.5h), usually departing early in the morning. Upon arrival in Serifos, walk to your accommodation in Livadi, located close to the port, and leave your luggage there. This afternoon’s walk is a circular route to Chora from Livadi, and there is a shorter and longer route option available. If you would prefer a longer walk, or if this is your second day on Serifos, there is the option to take a taxi to Panagia (payable locally) and walk from there back to Livadi, heading through Chora along the way.
- Walking for the day: 2h, 5km, ↑250m ↓250m or 4h, 11km, ↑310m ↓640m
- Accommodation: Kalami Suites or similar in Livadi, Serifos
Day 3: Circular walk from Panagia | 8.5km
Take a taxi to the starting point of the walk in Panagia (not included, payable locally). Today’s route follows a circular trail from the village of Panagia, traversing the rocky landscape, heading through farmland and crossing a creek along the way. Walk through the settlement of Galani, before descending to the secluded beach of Sykamia, where there is the opportunity for a refreshing dip. Head back to Panagia via a different route, mostly following dirt roads and paths. In the centre of the village is the Byzantine church, Xylopanagia, the oldest on the island, dating back to the 10th century. Take a taxi back to Livadi at the end of the walk (payable locally).
- Walking for the day: 3h, 8.5km, ↑360m ↓360m
- Accommodation: Kalami Suites or similar in Livadi, Serifos
Day 4: Circular walk from Livadi | 16km
Today’s walk starts in Chora, which is easily accessible by bus from Livadi (payable locally). The route begins by following one of the best preserved trails on the island of Serifos, to the village of Kallitsos. Kallitsos, also known as Kentarchos, is a small settlement with narrow streets and traditional houses. From here, continue on to Galani, heading past the cliffside Moni Taxiarchon Monastery, which is almost fortress-like. From Galani, follow the route through Panagia before joining a path which provides coastal vistas, as well as views over Chora upon your approach. Take the public bus or a taxi back to Livadi (payable locally).
- Walking for the day: 5.5h, 16km, ↑680m ↓680m
- Accommodation: Kalami Suites or similar in Livadi, Serifos
Day 5: Apollonia circular walk, Sifnos | 4-10km
Walk to the port this morning to take the regular ferry (45mins) or high-speed ferry (20mins) across to Sifnos. A transfer takes you to your accommodation in Artemonas, from whih you have two walking options today. The shorter route is a circular walk following the old donkey trail, once the only main connection between Apollonia and Kamares, the port of Sifnos. The longer route option begins with an ascent into the countryside, before descending to the small church, Panagia Poulati, then continuing on to Kastro. Begin your ascent back to Apollonia following the old donkey trail. From Apollonia it is a short walk back to Artemonas (15mins), or depending on availability, your accommodation may be located in Apollonia.
- Walking for the day: 1.5h, 4km, ↑125m ↓125m or 4h, 10km, ↑350m ↓350m
- Accommodation: Smaragdi Hotel or similar in Artemonas, Sifnos
Day 6: Faros circular walk | 8-15.5km
Today’s route follows paved paths and dirt roads along the south-eastern regions of Sifnos. Walk past terraced farmland before arriving at the Holy Monastery of Vryssi, which also hosts a museum of Ecclesiastical art. Begin a gradual descent towards the beach of Apokofto and Chrysopigi Monastery, with the trail providing views over the Aegean Sea. Continue on to Faros, a harbour which was the main port of Sifnos up until 1883. From Faros, it is possible to shorten the route by taking the public bus (payable locally). Follow the paved path to Kastro, before heading uphill and back towards Artemonas.
- Walking for the day: 5h, 15.5km, ↑500m ↓500m or 2.5h, 8km, ↑170m ↓325m
- Accommodation: Smaragdi Hotel or similar in Artemonas, Sifnos
Day 7: Fykiada and Vathy | 9.5km
Take a local bus to Platys Gialos (payable locally), the starting point of today’s route, which is one of the most popular walks on Sifnos. Follow the route up the slope, gradually ascending towards the Monastery of Profitis Ilias of Psilos, located at the highest point of Sifnos at 657m. Descend to Fykiada Bay where you start a steep ascent to Spilia Megalogianni, a natural cave. From there, descend to the coastal village of Vathy and take a local bus back to Artemonas (payable locally).
- Walking for the day: 3.5h, 9.5km, ↑310m ↓310m
- Accommodation: Smaragdi Hotel or similar in Artemonas, Sifnos
Day 8: Artemonas – Kamares | 13.5km
Leaving Artemonas, ascend gradually through farmland and olive groves to the remote church of Panagia Toso Nero, perfect spot to take a break before continuing your ascent up to the highest point of today’s route. Take in the views which, depending on the weather conditions, extend all the way to the Taygetos Mountains, on the mainland’s Peloponnese Peninsula. Start a steep descent to Kamares, although we can provide a less strenuous option.
- Walking for the day: 5h, 13.5km, ↑610m ↓790m
- Accommodation: Mosha Pension in Kamares, Sifnos
Day 9: Optional circular walk from Kamares | 11.5km
Choose to relax on the beach today in Kamares, or embark on a final walk on the island of Sifnos. Today’s optional route follows the old donkey trail that connects Kamares with Apollonia.
- Walking for the day: 4h, 11.5km, ↑425m ↓425m
- Accommodation: Mosha Pension in Kamares, Sifnos
Day 10: Departure
Departure after breakfast, or extend your stay with an additional night in Kamares.
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation on this tour includes a mix of mostly small, locally-owned hotels, B&Bs and traditional guesthouses. They have been carefully selected based on a variety of criteria including their location, warm hospitality, fine local food or commitment to responsible tourism. All rooms have en-suite or private bathrooms.
Click to view default hotels
- Argo Hotel (Piraeus)
- Kalami Suites (Livadi, Serifos)
- Smaragdi Hotel (Artemonas, Sifnos)
- Mosha Pension in Kamares, Sifnos
Accommodation is subject to availability. In the event of a particular hotel or guesthouse being fully booked for your chosen dates, we will replace it with a hotel of equal value and quality level. We will provide exact accommodation details to you upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Breakfast is included on all days. When no restaurant location is available en route, lunches and snacks can either be bought from local shops or packed lunches can be pre-ordered from your hotel the night before. Dinner is available either at the accommodation or from restaurants in the local area.
Difficulty and terrain
This tour is rated easy to moderate and is suitable for experienced walkers with a good level of fitness. Daily walking distances range between 4-16km. The routes cover a variety of terrain, including unsurfaced tracks and footpaths, and some days involve a couple of steep ascents and descents (read more about difficulty grades).
We strongly advise you to only follow marked trails and never try to shorten the path through unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed route notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed information on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This tour is available from April until October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means there are no fixed dates, meaning you can start your trip on any date during the season. Please note, however, that on Sundays there are no ferry departures, so a supplement will be applied for catamaran tickets instead.
We recommended visiting the Greek islands during late spring, when wild flowers are in bloom, and early autumn, when the seawater temperatures are still very pleasant. It can get very hot and overcrowded during the summer months. The climate of the Cyclades is typically Mediterranean, with mild and rainy winters and hot and sunny summers. During the warm season, starting from May, the Cyclades are particularly affected by the Meltemi, a wind that blows from the north, persistently and in periods lasting a few days, which makes the air feel cooler than it is and can make the sea rough. For further information on travelling to Greece, please see our blog on the Best time to go to Greece.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By train or bus
- Transfers from Athens International Airport to the accommodation in Piraeus are included in the tour price (one per booking)
- It is also possible to arrive directly to Sifnos from a different Greek island, since there are many ferry connections available. Your ferry tickets to Serifos will still be included and will be booked according to your departure destination, and an additional night in Serifos would be booked in this case, instead of the night in Piraeus
- Individual departure from Sifnos, from where there are many ferry connections, including services to Piraeus, Naxos, Santorini and Amorgos (Katapola), depending on the season
- For further information and ferry timetables, please see Openseas or Direct Ferries
Inclusions
Included
- 9 nights accommodation
- 9 breakfasts
- Transfer from Athens International Airport to Piraeus
- Ferry tickets Piraeus to Serifos
- High-speed ferry ticket from Serifos to Sifnos
- Transfer from Sifnos Port to Artemona/Apollonia
- Luggage transfer from Artemonas/Apollonia to Kamares (one piece per person, up to 20kg). Please note, you are required to carry your own luggage to and from ferry transfers (with the exception of Sifnos Port to Artemonas/Apollonia)
- Digital holiday information pack, including GPS-checked and regularly updated route descriptions, maps and GPS tracks. The information pack for this tour is digital only and will be emailed prior to departure. Physical documents are not able to be mailed or provided locally
- 24/7 phone support by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and any ferry tickets not listed as included
- Local bus fares and taxi journeys (these may be necessary on days two, three, four and seven)
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable locally)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
Options, extras and supplements
- If you’re travelling in a group, a supplement applies to group members who would like to have a room of their own
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights
- Additional ferry tickets
