We visited Sikinos island in Greece when we were staying in Ιοs island.
With a ferry, it is just a 30 minutes ride.
Sikinos is the type of island where you want to go and forget yourself.
There are not many exciting things to do while it follows the overall Cyclades style.
There are some small secrets to Sikinos island.
For example, this chapel you see below is also dedicated to a Nobel prize Greek poet: Odysseas Elytis.
His name is carved over the entrance.
His wish was mentioned in his last will to build this chapel on the island, although he never visited Sikinos.
The chapel is on your way up to the top of the hill after Kastro village, towards Zoodochos Pigi Monastery.
Whitewashed houses, knιt close together in its capital with few small coffee and snack shops here and there, transmit this sense of complete relaxation.
No noise, no heavy traffic is seen or heard; time seems to slow down.
What to Do in Sikinos island?
Sikinos is not developed in tourism; thus, you can find accommodation, but beaches offer just umbrellas and sun lounges.
You won’t find water sports and such. As said, if you want peace of mind, this is the island to get it.
However, there are some highlights you can do while on the island.
Explore Chora of Sikinos
Chora of Sikinos seems “separated” into two different smaller villages.
One of them is called Kastro (means: Castle), and the other one is called Horio (which translates to “Village”). So you have a village called “Village.”
You get to Chora by taking the bus from the port (which runs every hour) or walking the 4km asphalt road (uphill). We did the latter.
Walk through the 100 years old houses and alleys of Kastro, smelling the scent of jasmines and bougainvillea that surround you.
Stand next to the three windmills at the clifftop and see the vast sea.
Move to Chorio and feel the Cycladic island style.
Get lost in the numerous alleys that connect houses and hidden places.
Stop for a snack and beverages at one of the few coffee shops in the village, enjoying the shade and cool breezes.
Visit Episkopi Monastery
Originally built as a Roman mausoleum (3rd century AD), then converted into a Christian temple.
One can easily see the different architectures that present the different cultures and religions that veiled this monument.
Next to the main building is the chapel of Agia Anna (with the bell tower and chancel), along with monks cells that are not used nowadays.
Visit Zoodochos Pigi Monastery
You will find it at the highest point of Kastro.
It has a bit of climbing to reach this place, but the view is stunning.
Visit the Church of Panagia Pantanassa
The church is located in Kastro and has the characteristic blue dome of Cycladic churches. Take a look inside to admire the gilded wood-carved baroque iconostasis.
The magnificent icons belong to the Cretan School.
Hiking Routes in Sikinos island, Greece
Despite the bare -yet imposing landscape- Sikinos offers a range of hiking routes. There is a range of paths under the label of “Paths of Culture.”
Here is all the information about them:
1. Chorio – Stamatini – Episkopi – Manalis Well – St. Panteleimon – Alopronia: The route is 12.9 km long and takes around 4.30 hours to complete. It starts from the top of Chora and ends at the harbor.
Starting point: The Old Primary School.
You can see The traditional mills, the Episkopi church, the Byzantine churches of St. Anne and St. George, a range of cobbled paths with impressive stone walls, the chapel of St. Panteleimon, and vineyards.
2. Chorio – Stamatini – Episkopi – Manalis Well 0 St. Panteleimon – St. Dimitrios – Chorio: A circular route, 14.3km long, takes 5 hours to complete.
Starting point: The Old Primary School.
What you can see: Ampitheatrical view of the villages of Castro and Chorio, traditional windmills, Episkopi church, the Byzantine churches of St. Anne and St. George, cobbled paths, the chapel of St. Panteleimon, and the church of St. Dimitrios with its two vaults and the Byzantine church of St. Stephen.
3. Castro – St. Vlasios – Bonama spring – Pyrgari – Alopronia: A 3.8 km route takes 50 mins to complete.
Starting point: The Old Primary School.
You can see The churches of St. Vlasios and St. Artemios, great views of the port, and Bonama spring.
4. Castro – Monastery – Profitis Elias – Aghia Triada – Malta Beach: A 6.2 km route takes 2.20 hours to complete.
Starting point: The bus stop at Chorio.
You can see The traditional windmills and the cobblestone steps leading to the monastery of Zoodohou Pigis, the church of Panaghia Pantochara, the church of Aghia Triada, and Malta beach.
5. Castro – Deutera Parousia – Fotini – Profitis Elias – St. John – Castro: A circular route of 9.3 km. It takes 3.20 hours to complete.
Starting point: At New School.
The landscape deploys its intense relief as you walk. You can see Terraces between cultivated fields, the Byzantine church of Christ, the Monastery of Zoodochou Pigis. The little churches of Deutera Parousia, Fotini, and St. John, are along your way.
6. Episkopi – Aghia Marina: A 1.4 km route. It takes 35 mins to complete.
Starting point: Episkopi church.
You can see Episkopi church, the Byzantine churches of St. Anna and St. George, the old cobbled path to the naturally fortified ancient village, and traces of the temple of Pythian Apollo and the Agora.
7. Chorio – St. Dimitrios – St. Panteleimon – Katergo – Alopronia: A 8km route. It takes 3 hours to complete.
Starting point: The Old Primary School.
You can see: The villages of Chorio, the Byzantine church of St. Stephen, and the church of St. Dimitrios with the two vaults, and the amphitheatrical aspect of Castro and Chorio, flagstone paths with impressive low stone walls, the chapel of St. Panteleimon, orchards.
Get to the Folklore Museum
Such folklore museums host items that depict the daily life of locals from the old times.
There are commons with similar museums in different Greece locations and those of other countries.
For example, we met the same style of objects (and usage) in Croatia, Ios island, and Sikinos.
Sikinos Beaches
There are four beaches on Sikinos island.
These are the following, mentioning the distance from the capital (Chora) of Sikinos:
Port beach (4km): This one is directly after you disembark from the ferry. It is next to the harbor but is sandy. There are a couple of coffee shops with snacks straight next to the beach.
Malta Beach (8km): A small private cove in the north part of the island.
Agios Georgios beach (5km): Small with clean waters and isolated.
Dialiskari beach (4km): More a cove than a beach. Approachable by small boats. There are a few rooms to rent.
How to Get to Sikinos island?
You can get the ferry from Ios island and do Sikinos as a half-day trip.
There are two options with low and expensive ferry prices, depending on which company you choose, Ios.
We paid around 6 euros per person to get to Sikinos, while there were options for about 35 euros.
We suggest taking the early one around 9 am and returning with the 2 pm ferry.
Since it takes only 30 minutes to get there from Ios, you have plenty of time to see Chora.
Make sure to grab the bus to Chora directly after your disembarkation; otherwise, you will have to wait for 1 hour for the next one.
If you travel from Athens to Sikinos by Ferry, it takes around 10 hours to do so (the same one serves Folegandros island). The closest airport is in Santorini. How to get from Ios to Sikinos.
A pleasant ferry ticket provider for Greece is this one.
Where to Stay in Sikinos, Greece?
Being on the island, we think it is best to stay anywhere between the port and Chora (the capital).
Sikinos is an easy-going and quiet island.
Chora is built at the island’s top and has a cozy authentic style. Most hotels are around the port.
Since it is a small island, there are excellent but limited options for accommodation. Check prices and availability from here.
Enjoy!
