Sifnos or Serifos
Sifnos or Serifos – which is better for you?
Sifnos for: Safe sandy beaches, classy food, shopping, younger families.
Serifos for: Rugged dramatic landscapes and beaches, history, impressive Chora and square
These 2 islands are next to each other and only separated by a 20 minute ferry ride but is Sifnos or Serifos a better choice for you. They both have a lot to offer so of course as always I would say – why not do both Serifos and Sifnos? But if you can only choose one , this guide might help you make the right choice.
Best beaches – Sifnos or Serifos
Serifos has some nice beaches from the convenient and sandy Livadi near the port to the rugged and hard to access Karavas in the north west of the island. In general the Serifos beaches are not the best for younger families and not much is organised. Psili Ammos in the east is a good beach for families – gentle sloping sand in a sheltered cove with a taverna behind the beach. Vagia is the setting for the Cocomat resort and its a spectacular beach – but beware the sharply sloping entry into the water. Agios Sostis and Ganema are two more worth checking out. Overall perhaps Serifos beaches are best for couples rather than families.
Sifnos beaches are more suited to younger families with Platis Gialos in the south a clear stand out – it’s sandy and partially organised but with plenty of room to lay down towels. Lots of tavernas and bars as well for refreshments. Vathi is another excellent beach (away from the Elies resort) and Faros, Fassalou and Apokofto are all close to Platis Gialos if you feel like a change. Even the port beach at Kamares is pretty good (which is not always the case). There are also some more remote options like Vroulidia and Vlichada for those who like some exploration with their beaches.
Villages of Serifos and Sifnos
Sifnos has a good mixture of seaside settlements and inland villages to explore – Platis Gialos, Vathi and Faros are 3 good seaside examples. Inland both Appollonioa and the stately Artemonas are great to explore during the day and at night. You’ll find some shopping opportunities, good cafes/tavernas and bars in both centres and they have the iconic laneways to wander through.
Serifos has one of the most impressive choras and (in particular) one of the most photogenic squares I’ve ever seen – a pedestrian only square high in the Chora, bordered by a church and with colourful seats from all the cafes filling the square. The view down to the port from the high point of the Chora is one to behold. Megalo Livadi in the south west is worth a visit – it’s an old mining settlement with a rich history and old mining artefacts and stately buildings still visible.
Best food on Sifnos and Serifos
Sifnos is a foodie heaven building on the traditional heritage of Nikolaos Tselementes and using the local ingredients to offer both traditional and modern takes on the Sinian heritage. Some of the modern fine dining locations like Omega3, Cantina and Nus are well renowned and widely featured. But there are plenty of traditional places that are popular too like To Steki at Platis Gialos and Mosaic at Artemons. Food on Sifnos is definitely a differentiating factor and a strength.
Serifos food is built much more around the traditional taverna styles offerings, particularly in teh Chora. Down at the port you’ll find some more ‘international’ establishments but in general, Serifos doesn’t quite match the Sifnos food standard.
Island nature – Sifnos vs Serifos
The words often used to describe Serifos are ‘rugged’ and ‘barren’ and ‘stark’. It’s a real mountainous island and you’ll see that if you drive over to Megalo Livadi or up to the north. The good thing is that it remains relatively quiet and you never feel crowded in.
Sifnos is still visually impressive but a bit greener with its more fertile areas for growing the produce used in producing the local foods. It can get busy in the peak periods particularly in teh popular beach areas and in the more popular towns.
Sifnos ou Serifos – best for shopping
Sifnos offers a thriving pottery environment, built on traditional methods and outputs but now encompassing more contemporary offerings as well – you can buy to take away on the spot or of course worldwide delivery is available too for those bigger pieces. There are also the usual selection of gift and jewellery shops in Apollonia and teh beach areas.
Serifos is not big for shopping – you’ll find a few gift shops but not too much variety. And maybe that’s what you prefer!
Nightlife on Sifnos and Serifos
Sifnos or Serifos for nightlife? Neither of these islands will offer you too much in the way of raging. Botzi and Cosi are decent bars in Apollonia and there are the beach cocktail bars at Platis and elsewhere but largely there are no Mykonos or Paros vibes here.
Serifos is probably one notch down even from Sifnos – a few bars at Livadi and Chora but that’s about it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which island is better for beach lovers? A: Serifos is renowned for its dazzling and rugged beaches, while Sifnos offers organized and safe beaches for convenient family travel.
Q: Where can I find unique shopping experiences? A: Sifnos stands out with larger villages offering curated island chic and a centuries-old pottery scene, providing a unique shopping experience compared to Serifos.
Q: Is fine dining more prominent in Sifnos or Serifos? A: Sifnos is known as a gourmand’s paradise with modern fine dining options, offering more diverse culinary experiences compared to Serifos.
Q: Does Sifnos or Serifos have an airport? A: No, ferries are the way to get to these islands.
