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Book a Call Enquire OnlineBY - Will Davis , 9 October 2024 - VIEW ALL ARTICLES
Sifnos is a luxury villa holiday destination well suited to families with children, as there are numerous quiet sandy beaches and the sea is crystal clear. If you can tear yourself away from your luxury villa with your private pool, you could explore the historic Monastery of Chrissopighi or one of the many quaint villages with their stone houses and cobbled streets.
If you are looking to escape the crowds and find your own little bit of paradise, then Sifnos could be the ideal island luxury villa holiday destination for you.
This quiet hilly island has numerous sandy beaches just waiting to be discovered. If it’s quiet and secluded you’re looking for then head to Vathi. Previously this beautiful little harbour town was only accessible by boat, but there is now a road to take you up to a parking area just outside of the village, as few cars are allowed in Vathi. With a mile-long beach and the comings and goings of small sailboats, this is one of the loveliest and most peaceful areas of Sifnos to explore on a luxury villa holiday here.
Kamares is a popular beach town with long sandy beaches and rows of beach bars and cafes which means you can spend the whole day going between the beach and back to the bar for another drink and meze selection. This is also the main ‘port’ of Sifnos but it is not to be confused with the busy ports typical of other Greek Islands. The ferries are never here long enough to make an impact and the beach is large enough for it not to be a concern.
If you wish to escape your luxury villa for the day and to embrace a bit of Greek culture, besides eating at the local taverns in the sun on the beach, the traditional hilltop village of Apollonia is the heart of Sifnian life. Many of the best walks around Sifnos will begin at Apollonia. Wander through the winding backstreets and stumble across some of the traditional shops, tiny boutiques and amazing cafes. This is where you’ll be amongst the locals, especially in August when many of the Athenians come to participate in the summer celebrations.
And we can’t talk about Sifnos without mentioning the incredible amount of churches. With over 300 historical churches, some small and some large, it’ll be hard to miss them. Many of the churches have ‘panagris’, which are traditional religious festivals typically during the summer months.
The most popular time for a luxury villa holiday in Sifnos is in the summer. With long sunny days and endless beaches, the months throughout the summer are an ideal time to come to Sifnos. However, visiting Sifnos in both autumn and spring is still a fantastic option.
In early spring the flowers are beginning to bloom and there is the large Easter celebration, which occurs in May. October is referred to as the ‘little summer’ because the weather is still pleasant and the town has begun to return to its normal rhythm.
We love Sifnos’s reputation as having the best food in the Cyclades. With so many specialties to try eating out in Sifnos could be the highlight of your trip.
There is no airport on the island of Sifnos. The closest airport is in Athens. The fastest boats from Athens take approximately 3 hours. You can also access the island by ferry from other islands in the Cyclades including Santorini.
Known as the Island of Flavours, Sifnos has been the home to a number of award-winning chefs and boasts some of the best food across the Cyclades. With endless cafes, restaurants and taverns you’re spoiled for choice. Or if staying in a luxury catered villa, you will be cooked up delicious meals by your private chef.
In Apollonia one of the most popular restaurants, for both locals and tourists, is O Drakakis. It’s nestled in between small boutiques and is the kind of place where you will feel like you’ve been before due to the warm welcome you are bound to receive. Eating traditional Greek food in a traditional setting will definitely be a highlight of your trip.
For lunch with a beautiful view, whilst your feet are in the sand then Tsikali in Vathi ticks all the boxes. Take a break from the sun under the shade of the trees and enjoy a cold drink and the incredibly fresh cuisine that the beachfront restaurant has to offer.
Written by
Will is a keen traveller and writer. When he's not travelling the world or writing about it, he's managing the marketing for Firefly Collection.