ISLAND

Serifos ... the mythic!

Home of the legendary Perseus who killed Medusa, and one of the stations of Odysseus on his way back to Ithaca, the famous island of the Cyclops, Serifos, is located between Kythnos and Sifnos and within 73 nautical miles from Pireaus.

Serifos is said to be first inhabited by Ionians, while later sided with Athens against the Persians. Unfortunately in 1207 the island was conquered by the Venetians and in 1537 the Turks succeeded them. Eventually the island escaped the slavery in 1821 with the Greek Revolution.

Beautiful beaches, rich in iron subsoil, low hills and fertile valleys are some of the elements that characterize the enchanting island of the mythical Cyclops Polyphemus.

Hora or Serifos

As being untouched by tourism, the country of Serifos, nestled on a steep hillside, with its whitewashed cubic houses, the old windmills, the churches in the tiny squares, the few cafes and tavernas and the Castle that adorns the top of the hill, leaves no room to question its cycladic character.

It’s divided into two neighborhoods, the Epano and Kato Hora and just 5 km road from the port.
It’s famous for its wine, which owes its distinctive taste to the traditional way of production. You can accompany it with marathotiganites, salad with capers, dried fried tomatoes, kakavia, gingerbread, ksynomyzithra, honey and sweet figs or rooster with pasta.

Do not forget to buy textiles and ceramics as a souvenir...

Whenever you decide to visit Serifos, surely you will be lucky to be in any of the traditional festivals that take place on the feast of St. Barbara on 4/12, on Christmas, on the Feast of St. Athanasius on 18/01 and on 21/07 on the feast of St. Panteleimon in the Pente Pigadia.

Attractions: The best way to do a comprehensive tour of the sights is to start from the Folklore Museum and the Archaeological Collection which are situated in Hora, then visit the church of St. Athanasius, which was built in the 19th century and have remarkable images and then navigate to the ruins of the castle on the hill and finally climb to the church of St. Constantine and enjoy the wonderful view, as the whole island will be spread before you.

Archangels Monastery: Near the village of Galani, in the northeast of Hora, is perhaps the most important monument of Serifos, the Monastery of the Archangels which was built in the 17th century ..
The monastery is dedicated to the patrons of the island Archangels Michael and Gabriel and has a fortress-like character.
It has been plundered many times by pirates because of its wealth.
The monastery has valuable relics, abbey, bank, and 60 cells.

Koutalas

One of the villages which was known by the extraction of minerals, today is just a small coastal village with beautiful beaches and a few tavernas.

It is worth visiting the untapped cave in the west of the village with the stalactites and stalagmites in odd shapes and the findings which reveal that in antiquity the place was a place of worship. Then, see the ruins of 'Old lady’s Castle' and the bridge used for the loading of metal.

The crystal waters of the beach of the village will wile you, but beautiful beaches for swimming are also Gianema and Vagia, to which you will arrive by car or foot.

There is a festval on 05/05, on the feast of St. Irene.

Livadi

The harbor presents the most touristic “movement”.
Livadi is surrounded of green valleys and light blue waters, an image that enchants visitors who arrive in the island. It has no remarkable historic monuments, but its sand reaches 1.5 km and has a vibrant nightlife.

Apart from diving, in Avlemona, the beach of Livadi, you can also do canoeing, sea bike and wind-surfing.
Magic, however, are also the beaches Megalo Livadi, Livadakia (preferred by nudists), Karavi, Psili ammos, Ag.Sostis and Lia. In most you can reach by walking , but for the latters you will need a motorcycle or a truck.

Across are the uninhabited islets Vous and Serfopoula where you can swim to the coast, if you come with your craft.

Countless seaside tavernas, bars and discotheques are the nightlife of the island.

Traditional festivals take place in Kalo Ampeli on 06/08 that is the feast of the Transfiguration of Christ, on 24/08 at the feast of Virgin Mary of Rammos and on 06/09 of St. Sostis.

Megalo Livadi

This village has been in a great boom in the 19th century when was the mining of metals as it was the port from which they were transported, and is just 13 km far from Hora.

Historically it is worth mentioning that here was the first strike in Greece that an 8-hour work was demanded.

After a stroll in the post-Byzantine church of St. John the Baptist, with frescoes of the 17th century, and in the neoclassical building of the 19th century that housed the offices of the mining company, you can go swimming and fishing in the sheltered bay of the village.

Of course the day of the Holy Spirit there is a feast at the Holy Trinity Church in Mega Chorio.

Panagia

At a distance of 4 km from Hora, Panagia is a mediterranean village built on the hillside.

What is worth visiting here, is the church of the Virgin which was built between 950 and 1000 AD, and is the most important Byzantine church on the island, but also the church of St. Stephen where traces of Byzantine frescoes are preserved.

From here you can make an excursion to nearby villages, Pirgos and Galani, and from the latter you can reach the beach Sykamia.
From the main beach you can go by boat to one of the many secluded beaches with the view of Kythnos.

At August 15th there is the big feast that lasts three days, with dances and songs and food and wine are offered.

Where to stay?

In most parts of the island you will find rooms while in Livadi there are hotels, apartments and organized camping.

How do we reach?

Whether by boat or by hydrofoil from Piraeus.
By ferry from Piraeus in about 4 hours.
By hydrofoil from Piraeus in 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Internal Transport

If you do not have any transport mean when reaching Serifos or do not want to rent a car or motorbike, you will discover the island with buses that cover the route Livadi, Ηora, Panagia, Galani, Kentarhos, M. Livadi and Koutala. Additionally, you can move by taxi, animals and charter boats for the more remote beaches.

Useful phones

Serifos Municipality: 22810-51210
Police: 22810-51300
Port Authority: 22810-51470
First Aid: 22810-51202
Pharmacy: 22810-51205
Telephone center: 22810-51399
Post Office: 22810-51239

Επιμέλεια: Ελένη Μπεζιριάνογλου