Conveniently located between Xylokastro and Kiato, the waterfront village of Sykia is among the area’s hidden gems. Enjoying a prime location at the Gulf of Corinth, Sykia is a sophisticated destination for travelers and road-trippers. It’s no coincidence that iconic Greek poets like Aggelos Sikelianos and Kostas Karyotakis chose the village for their summer holidays. Sykia is charming, and its proximity to several places of interest in the Peloponnese makes it an unbeatable destination.
I based myself on a long weekend in the small village and explored the region’s beauty. Therefore, in this Sykia guide, you’ll see plenty of my photos and discover various things to do in the area. Moreover, I’ll share the best places to eat and my preferred accommodation in Sykia. Finally, if you plan a road trip to northeastern Peloponnese, you’ll find the top places to visit close to Sykia and how to make the most of your holiday.
So, let’s discover what makes Sykia, the picturesque village on the Corinthian Gulf, unique and worth visiting.
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A short guide to Sykia, Peloponnese
With a population of 500 and just 120 km (~75 miles) from Athens, Sykia’s location close to Xylokastro guarantees a relaxing vacation even off-season. During the summertime, the place feels more full due to daytrippers and locals visiting their summer houses. However, the long beach of Sykia has enough space to accommodate everyone, and the delicious food served in the tavernas promises long, lazy days under the Greek sun.
So, here are a few things to do during your Sykia holiday.
Swimming at Sykia Beach
The small village has a beautiful beach all along its promenade. The Gulf of Corinth is famous for its chilly and deep waters, however, in Sykia, it gets gradually deep. In addition, the Sykia enjoys a Blue Flag status, an award given to beaches for their water quality.
The beach is covered with pebbles, and the same goes for the first two-three steps into the sea. However, after your initial steps, the sea’s bottom becomes sandy, and swimming in the Corinthian Gulf is always pleasant. Straight at the beach, you’ll find a few cafes and tavernas, but if you’d like to isolate yourself, there’s plenty of space to place your umbrella.
Visit Pefkias Beach
The coastal town of Xylokastro is located just two kilometers away from Sykia. Halfway to Xylokastro, you will come across a pristine location, Pefkias Beach.
As its name suggests, Pefkias (Greek: Πευκιάς) is a pine tree forest ending at a marvelous beach. A small part of the beach is organized with sunbeds, but once again, there’s lots of space to place your beach mat and umbrella.
Pefkias Beach is a unique location in Peloponnese due to its rich flora; together with the crystal-clear water of the beach, it creates a dreamy scenery for swimming. For Greeks, Pefkias is a fantastic day trip from Athens, but the area surely deserves an overnight stay.
It’s easy to reach Pefkias from Sykia, and all you have to do is drive for a couple of minutes on the coastal road connecting the village to Xylokastro. You can park your car shortly before and walk through the forest to the beach.
Explore the nearby town of Xylokastro
Compared to Sykia, the nearby town of Xylokastro feels big. However, to put things into perspective, Xylokastro has a population of 5,000; therefore, by Greek standards, it’s just another mid-sized town.
Xylokastro has always been a resort town and still holds its reputation. There are several hotels and houses to rent, while its beachfront promenade is full of tavernas serving fresh fish. The town feels much busier than Sykia, and as a result, more people choose to stay there.
Xylokastro stands for “Wooden Castle,” and exploring its narrow streets will give you an overview of how life unfolds in the Peloponnese. Additionally, for film lovers, there are two open-air cinemas to enjoy movies under the starlit sky.
Unwind at Sykia’s tavernas
Coastal Greek towns and villages are always home to picturesque tavernas by the sea. Sykia is no exception, and all along its beautiful promenade, you’ll find places to eat and relax.
It’s pretty hard to choose one, but it’s always a great idea to ask for fresh fish. For me, grilled fish is interconnected to the Greek summer, and it’s a pity to miss it. You can choose from various fish from the day’s catch and enjoy it while staring at the sea.
There were two places where I really enjoyed the food in Sykia. The links will open on Google Maps for your convenience so that you can save their location for your upcoming trip.
Σχάρα. Its name stands for “Grill,” and that’s one of the best places to enjoy Greek food straight at the sea. You can choose from a variety of dishes, the service is polite, and the prices are moderate. You should ask for grilled fresh fish. See Σχάρα on Google Maps here.
Pyrgosykia. This one became my favorite place for lunch. I’d love to have dinner there as well, but unfortunately, it shuts at 6 pm. Pyrgosykia serves traditional Greek dishes and fish, and they have tables on the beach. After swimming, you can find a place at this charming taverna and have lunch close to the sea. See Pyrgosykia here.
Where to stay in Sykia
Sykia has become a standalone summer destination, and nowadays, you’ll find several accommodations by the sea. You should expect elevated prices during the peak season, but shoulder months are reasonably priced.
Since I wanted to have a relaxing long weekend, I decided to stay at Diamante Beachfront Suites. This is probably the best accommodation in the village. The luxurious Diamante Beachfront Suites enjoy spectacular sea views and a great location straight at the sea. The are three apartments at Diamante: the ground floor has a spacious garden, the first floor comes with a fantastic veranda, and the loft on the top floor overlooks Sykia Bay.
I stayed on the first floor, and the photo above is the view from its veranda. The apartments are fully equipped, and the beds are perfect. Overall, I was delighted by Diamante and will definitely return there.
You can book your Diamante Beachfront Suite here.
Other accommodations in Sykia
There are plenty of accommodations to choose from in Sykia. Although I didn’t have enough time to check every available option, while strolling around Sykia, I saw some great places to stay. The list is apparently not exhaustive, but here are some great places to stay in Sykia, Peloponnese.
Please use the interactive map below for all other accommodation options in Sykia.
Sykia as your base for further Peloponnese exploration
As I stated earlier in this travel guide, Sykia is an excellent base for your Peloponnese road trip. While the village itself doesn’t have that many things to do, it can be an ideal starting point for further exploring Greece’s most authentic region. You can visit various fascinating places within a short distance from the village.
Therefore, in this final section of my Sykia guide, I will share the best day trips from Sykia.
Ancient Corinth. Corinth, the famous city-state of Greek antiquity, is one of Greece’s most prominent locations. Located just 33 km from Sykia (30 minutes by car) is a must-see in the region. The Temple of Apollo and the excellent museum are among the best things to see in the Peloponnese. You can read my Ancient Corinth guide here.
Acrocorinth (or Akrokorinthos). Close to Ancient Corinth and easy to combine on a day trip from Sykia, you’ll find the lesser-known Akrokorinth. Acrocorinth is probably the most iconic acropolis in mainland Greece, featuring a well-preserved fortress. It is just 36 km from Sykia, and you’ll need 35 minutes by car to reach it. Read more about Acrocorinth here.
Nemea. Greece’s most famous wine region is located 52 km from Sykia. In just 1 hour and 10 minutes, you can be in a serene landscape of vineyards and wineries, where you can taste the famous Agiorgitiko wine. Nemea is a must-see location for wine lovers but also for Greek antiquity fans due to the beautiful Temple of Zeus. You can read my Nemea guide here.
Mycenae. That’s probably the absolute must-see in the Peloponnese and among the top places to visit in the world. Mycenae, the epicenter of the ancient Greek civilization, is a top-class location and features a fantastic museum. Located 70 km from Sykia and just 1 hour by car, Mycenae is a must for your road trip in the Peloponnese. You can read my Mycenae guide here.
Ancient Epidaurus. Finally, you can reach Ancient Epidaurus, approximately 104 km from Sykia and a 1 hour and 30 minutes drive. Epidaurus is a fascinating location, renowned for its ancient theater and the adjacent sanctuary of Asclepius, the first healing center of antiquity. Moreover, its proximity to the sea makes it a great day trip for swimming and sightseeing. Read more about Epidaurus here.
Final thoughts about Sykia in the Corinth Gulf
Sykia is one of these marvelous coastal villages that are often overlooked. However, its proximity to the sea and various places of interest are enough reasons to choose Sykia for a relaxing holiday. Yes, there are no plenty of things to do straight at Sykia, but I guess nobody expects that. After all, travelers of all ages visiting Sykia know that sightseeing is limited.
On the other hand, Sykia is an ideal destination for relaxing by the sea, enjoying good food, and going on day trips in the region. The Peloponnese remains largely undiscovered by international travelers, but its authenticity will surely create great memories. Last but not least, the proximity to the town of Xylokastro means there’s always the chance to enjoy more things in just 5 minutes by car.
In my opinion, Sykia is an excellent base for your Peloponnese road trip or some relaxing days by the sea. So, find nice accommodation, and enjoy swimming and walking in a charming Greek village.
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Last Updated on August 12, 2023 by George Pavlopoulos