Serifos

General Information on Serifos

Serifos is an island of western Cyclades, located between Kythnos and Sifnos. With a surface area of about 75km² and a population of about 1100 people, it is considered a small quiet island. Serifos is one of the most beautiful islands of Cyclades cluster. It combines natural beauty with a characteristic architecture that remains untouched. Serifos is attractive because of the beautiful location of Hora, some very picturesque villages and really nice beaches.

History of Serifos

Serifos, during prehistoric times, was inhabited by the Cretans who discovered and exploited the minerals of the island. In 1800 B.C., Mycenaeans, preceded by the Phoenicians, reached Serifos. In the 6th century B.C., the island flourished thanks to its mines. It was already an Ionian colony with democratic institutions. In 146 B.C., Romans conquered the island that kept its autonomy by complying with the Roman law.

During the Venetian domination, the island culture and economy further grew. The Venetians brought slaves to the island and the mines reopened after 1000 years. When the Turks took over the island, it already suffered from pirate attacks and the mines closed down again. Many years after the revolution of 1821, the Greek government decided to grant concession to the first mine companies to exploit the mines. Nowadays, inhabitants are involved in fishing, tourism and agriculture.

Towns & Villages in Serifos

Hora: The capital of the island is located on a hill above the main port of the island. It was built during the Venetian occupation and the narrow streets with houses of traditional architecture are combined with the spectacular view of the Aegean.

Livadi: Is the port and tourist center of the island on the southeastern side, below the capital of Serifos. The town is known for its natural beauty and its quaint, cubic shaped, houses. In Livadi, there are many places to stay or eat.

Panagia: is a mountainside village located at the center of the island. This village has an amazing view and it is built around the Byzantine Monastic Complex of Virgin Mary.

Galani: Is another mountainside village lying in northern Serifos. The village took its name after the Ancient Galanite Mines that existed in the area. Today, very few people stay here during winter.

Livadakia: the village is a part of Livadi and stretches along the beach. Kentarchos or Kallitsos is considered one of the most charming villages of the island of Serifos. It is situated in a green valley which leads to the sea. It is full of white houses and narrow streets and offers a splendid view of the Aegean Sea.

Megalo Livadi: is a very distant village on the southwestern side of Serifos. Visitors can see several historical buildings and a mining ladder, all of which are now abandoned since the mine is closed. Megalo Livadi has a lovely beach full of trees, with shallow and clear waters.

Beaches in Serifos

Psili Amos: is right next to Livadi. This beach, according to many people, is the most beautiful beach of the island. The Sunday Times voted Psili Amos as the best beach for the year 2003.

Sikamia: is one of the biggest beaches of the island, with sand and few trees.

Koutalas: is in front of the village Koutalas. This is a beach with pebbles, sand and many trees.

Ganema: is a beautiful beach with pebbles, sand and many trees. It is ideal for those who want to relax in a quiet place.

Vagia is next to Ganema. It is a wide sandy beach with crystal clear waters. Kalo Ampeli is a small sandy and very quiet beach, in which you can go by boat or on foot.

Livadakia is a beach of great development. It is near Livadi and next to the village of Livadakia. There are many places to sit under the tree shade.

Aulomonas is also a crowded sandy beach. It is the natural end of the port.

Agios Sostis is a beautiful bay with a sandy beach and the church of Agios Sostis at the edge of the cliff.

Kentarchos: If you follow the path from village Kentarchos, you will arrive at the beach with the same name. It is a small beach with pebbles and a few trees.

Top Things to Do in Serifos

1. The throne of Cyclops is a strange construction, known as Psaropyrgos. It is a rectangular building of 9m length and 7m width, which stands above Megalo Livadi.

2. At the top of the hill on which Hora is spread lie the remains of the Venetian castle, which was built for protection. The castle itself was destroyed in 1210 by pirates.

3. Taksiarhes Monastery is dedicated to the patron saints of the island, archangels Michael and Gabriel. It was built in the 1600s and it resembles a fortress. During the Turkish domination, it was the religious and economic centre of the island.

How to Reach Serifos

Serifos has a regular ferry connection to Piraeus (4 hours), that becomes more frequent during summertime. It also has frequent services to other Cycladic islands.

Getting Around in Serifos

There are frequent buses between the main villages –Hora and Livadi–. Also there is one rental firm of cars and motorcycles in Livadi.

Weather in Serifos

The weather of Serifos is typical of the Mediterranean with a lot of sunshine during the hot months of summer and few rainfalls during mild winters.

Like most of the other Cycladic islands, summer in Serifos is inseparable from the seasonal north wind, Meltemi, which blows from the middle of July until the middle of August.