Sikinos is one of the quietest Greek islands. Located in the Cyclades complex and just a few miles away from busy islands, Sikinos is one of Greece’s hidden gems and top places to relax. Although the island has just 260 permanent inhabitants and a handful of beaches, it has an unbeatable laid-back vibe. After spending several days on the island, I have put together this travel guide to Sikinos to help you make the most out of your stay.
Apart from the best things to do in Sikinos, you will also find info about its beaches and useful tips for your stay. Moreover, I’ll share my favorite eateries on the island and budgeting tips. So just navigate through the sections and find all the info you need for a relaxing vacation on this beautiful Greek island.
So, let’s start now with the best things to do in Sikinos.
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How to get to Sikinos Greece
The journey to Sikinos is relatively long, and you have two options to reach the island.
The first is to take the ferry from Piraeus. From the port of Piraeus, you’ll need between 8 and 11 hours to reach Sikinos. The exact duration of your journey depends on the ferry you’ll take and its itinerary. A one-way ticket to Sikinos costs about 40 euros; therefore, a return journey will cost 80 euros.
The second option is to fly from Athens to Naxos, and then continue by ferry. The cost, of course, multiplies: you should expect fares between 60 and 200 euros, depending on the period you are willing to travel. If you choose this option, make sure to book at least two months in advance. From Naxos, you can then reach Sikinos in slightly more than two hours, and the ferry costs less than 10 euros.
Of course, if you’re island-hopping in the Cycladic islands, you can reach Sikinos from any of the nearby islands, such as Folegandros, Ios, or Milos. Alternatively, you can visit Sikinos on a day trip with a private boat from Ios.
Use the search engine below to find the best prices for ferry tickets to Sikinos -and if you have more questions, read my Greek ferries guide.
On the other hand, check directly at the Aegean Airlines website for the plane from Athens to Naxos.
Where to stay in Sikinos
Now that I have visited Sikinos, I strongly suggest booking accommodation in Chora rather than in the port of Alopronia. Chora is far more beautiful, and all the nightlife happens there. Moreover, Chora’s mystic atmosphere is an experience by itself, especially at night.
Rooms in Chora start at 80-90 euros per night, while in Alopronia, you can find accommodation for 50 euros per night. Keep in mind that there are currently just a couple of options for accommodation in Chora. As I said, Sikinos is very quiet, and you shouldn’t expect a memorable nightlife. But that’s probably why you want to visit the island anyway.
Where to stay in Alopronia, Sikinos
I stayed in Alopronia at Manalis Camares, and I was delighted with the room. It was super clean and stylish and it cost 40 euros per night. The wi-fi is reliable, but there is no breakfast served. However, the mini-market is located next to the studios, and therefore, you can buy things for your breakfast. The people running the mini-market are charming (check my travelogue for more), and it was nice to talk with them every day.
Where to stay in Chora, Sikinos
The Chora of Sikinos is definitely the most beautiful settlement on the island. This is the area where the majority of permanent inhabitants live. The Chora is quiet, full of traditional whitewashed houses, and has an awesome vibe. The next time I visit Sikinos, I’ll definitely make sure to stay here. However, please keep in mind that there aren’t many accommodation options in the Chora, and most of them are local apartments.
So, the best options for your stay in the Chora of Sikinos are:
Kastro Elegant House. The Chora also has its own castle (Kastro), and that’s where this beautiful apartment is located. That’s a traditional Cycladic house offering breathtaking views. Check prices and availability for the Kastro Elegant House here.
Traditional Apartment in Kastro. Exactly the same case as above: a beautiful Cycladic apartment in the heart of the Chora, inside the Kastro. See the traditional Kastro apartment here.
Anna’s House. This wonderful house is located in the heart of Chora. It has a more modern touch than the other rooms in the Chora of Sikinos, but it still maintains the island’s character. See prices and availability for Anna’s House here.
Superb view house, Sikinos. The name of this house doesn’t lie: the view is indeed impressive. Moreover, there is a beautiful terrace where you can enjoy stunning views. See the Superb View House here.
Stegadi Apartments Sikinos. That’s actually one of the few hotel options in Sikinos. It’s more of a small rooms complex in the heart of Chora. All rooms come with air-conditioning and a small kitchen. Check Stegadi here.
More accommodation options & a note about the bus
You can check the best options for accommodation here -or use the interactive map below.
The bus is running just a few times per day, and to visit the Agios Georgios beach, you have only one option off-season: take the bus around 11:45 and return at 16:50. There are, of course, more itineraries during the high season, but they aren’t that frequent. The ticket costs 1,80 euros, both for Chora and Agios Georgios. Check the local bus itineraries here.
If you rent a car in Sikinos, you will have more flexibility for sure. While the bus is reliable, the itineraries have long intervals between them. A car will give you flexibility, and you’ll also see more of the island. The prices start from 35-40 euros per day. Consider asking for car rentals at the port or at your accommodation.
Where to eat and drink in Sikinos
There are just a few tavernas in Sikinos, but the food is delicious and homemade. At Chora, you will also have a couple of options for a drink at night, but Sikinos is a quiet island; therefore, things won’t go crazy. I can highly recommend the following restaurants and cafes:
- Kapari. The taverna is located at the beginning of the castle, straight on the main street. The food is delicious, and the taverna has exceptional service. Their homemade red wine is outstanding. The prices are moderate, and you should calculate about 25-30 euros per person for a main dish, a starter, and a glass of beer or wine. That’s one of the best places to eat in Sikinos.
- Meltemi. That’s a small taverna in Alopronia, straight after the port. The food is not that interesting (but at least it’s homemade), and the service is slow. Nevertheless, it’s one of your few options to eat something in Alopronia if you’re bored going to Chora. This is a cheaper option, and dinner at Meltemi should not cost you more than 20 euros per person.
- Anemelo. A beautiful cafe bar on the main street of the Chora. The owner is very helpful and knows how to make great cocktails. There is a balcony with a spectacular view of the open sea. Anemelo is a great place to unwind late in the afternoon after a long day at the beach.
Things to do in Sikinos: the beaches and everything else
Sikinos isn’t an island famous for its beaches. There are only three approachable beaches, and the rest require two hours of hiking. So if it’s warm, don’t even consider it an option.
Alternatively, the small vessel touring around the island has resumed its itineraries. While there was a pause for a couple of years, the vessel runs again throughout the summer months. Please ask for the port of Alopronia for the vessel’s itineraries. It will take you to the nicest beaches of Sikinos and bring you back to the port late in the afternoon.
The beaches of Sikinos
So, here is everything you need to know about the beaches in Sikinos.
Agios Georgios Beach
This is hands down the nicest beach on the island. Natural shadow and not packed, it’s the beach to go if you’d like to swim or read your book in the shadow. Agios Georgios has a few tamarisks, a couple of umbrellas, and a restaurant. I swam almost every day there, and I liked it a lot. I think that’s probably the beach you’ll visit daily, especially if there’s no vessel to other beaches.
Alopronia Beach
That’s the sandy beach straight at the port and the most easy-to-reach place to swim if you stay in Alopronia. It’s nothing special as a beach, but it serves its purpose. Next to it, there is a small rocky beach where both locals and tourists tend to swim. Unfortunately, there is no place to put a beach towel on the rocky beach, but the water is crystal clear.
Dialiskari Beach
Dialiskari is the third beach on the island. The locals will probably discourage you from visiting Dialiskari because it’s a steep 40-minute walk. The beach itself is beautiful, though, and it looks like a smaller version of Agios Georgios. However, the road is terrible, so you should be cautious.
I heard at the mini-market that there is a local man driving people to Dialiskari and picking them up too, but I didn’t use the service. So, ask at the mini-market if you’re interested; I was told it costs 15-20 euros per return ride (not per person). If you are an early bird, consider hiking, but don’t try it after noon; it’s way too warm.
Malta Beach
The Malta beach in Sikinos lies approximately 9 kilometers away from the Chora. That’s a small, stunning cove on the island’s northern side. Check the wind forecast before you visit it, and make sure to pack some provisions for the day.
Santorineika Beach
Santorineika is one more tiny beach, this time on the southern part of the island. It is a really small pebbled beach, and it doesn’t have enough space for everyone. I would probably skip it because you can’t be sure if you’ll find a place to sit.
Agios Panteleimon
Agios Panteleimon is a small rocky beach with crystal clear water. To reach it, you’ll have to take the trail starting from Agios Panteleimonas church.
Ai Giannis
Ai Giannis is one of Sikinos’s more typical secluded beaches. Starting from Episkopi, it’s a rather tough hike of approximately 4 km to the beach. Its name derives from the small church on the beach dedicated to Saint John (Ai Giannis). You will most likely be all alone at the beach; therefore, make sure to bring enough water and some food with you.
Sikinos beach essentials
Before listing other things to do in Sikinos, it’s good to mention two must-haves for your Greek vacation.
As is often the case in the small islands of the Cyclades, most beaches in Sikinos don’t have sunbeds or umbrellas. Sikinos is a dry island, and excessive heat isn’t uncommon during the summer; it can even occur in September. So, if you get easily sunburned, you should definitely have with you a pop-up beach tent and sunscreen (and some bottles of water, of course).
The pop-up beach tents are a must for your vacation in the Greek islands. It is a lightweight item, and it will give some shade. Here’s the pop-up tent I always have with me, and here’s a relatively bigger one. Check them out and see if any other models fit your needs.
I’m not an expert on sunscreen, but I always have one with me. It’s a must, especially for the initial days of your holidays in Greece. Sunscreen like this one should be good for your vacation in Sikinos.
Other things to do in Sikinos
Apart from swimming, Sikinos is a paradise for hiking. There are several hiking trails in Sikinos, and you can find maps everywhere on the island. If you are in good shape, Sikinos can be your paradise. For occasional hikers, there are more accessible paths too. So get a water bottle or two, grab a map, and hit the road. However, don’t underestimate the heat: it’s better to avoid hiking if it feels too hot for you.
As is always the case in the Cyclades, the rocky landscape hosts numerous churches. However, even if you are not religious, I can only encourage you to visit the Zoodochos Pigi Monastery: it is one of the top things to do in Sikinos. The view is magnificent, and the building itself is beautiful. On the way up to the Monastery, you will also see the Church of Elytis, one of the island’s highlights.
However, another church attracts the visitors’ attention: Episkopi. The Episkopi Church is a Christian church created by converting an ancient Roman mausoleum into a church in the 17th century. It is one of the few examples of antiquity buildings preserved in Greece in good condition and perhaps the only one that retains its later additions. Moreover, Episkopi was built close to a Temple dedicated to Pythian Apollo.
Sikinos is also home to an impressive cave, which is among the biggest caves in the Cyclades. The Black Cave (Mavri Spilia) is located straight beneath the Monastery of Chrissopigi; however, you can only access it by boat.
Last but not least, a visit to the Manalis winery is recommended too. The winery offers excellent local wine and a great view of the open sea and nearby Folegandros. However, the service felt a bit distant and faceless. The Manalis winery serves food too, but you should expect much higher prices than elsewhere on the island. You can reach the winery by bus; it is located 2,5 kilometers away from Chora. The road is in good condition, so if you rent a car, you can also drive to the winery.
A note about Sikinos and its wine
You might rightly wonder how the arid landscape of Sikinos hosts a winery and vineyards. However, a look into the island’s past might solve the mystery. In ancient times, Sikinos was known as Oenoe (Ancient Greek: Οινόη).
The word Oenoe derives from “oinos,” the Greek word for wine. According to Solon, the island was famous for its wine cultivation and vineyards. The area where Oenoe once stood is believed to be close to Maltas beach, in the archaeological site of Paleokastro.
How to budget for Sikinos
Sikinos is a moderately priced island. As you’ve read in the previous sections, you can find accommodation for 50 euros in a double room per night in Alopronia. Renting a car will cost you approximately 40 euros per day, and dinner won’t cost you more than 25-30 euros. However, if you decide to stay at Chora, which is far more beautiful, you should calculate anything from 80-90 euros per room per night. As for the bus, it costs 2,50 one way, and it reaches the Chora several times per day.
Overall, Sikinos is a reasonably priced Greek island, and it’ll be hard to exceed your budget. If you are two people traveling, I’d say that 90-100 euros per day will be enough to cover each person’s daily expenses (room in Alopronia, food, transport). A small raise in your budget will give you the option to book a room at Chora.
Sikinos has a very laid-back daily rhythm. It’s one of those places where life unfolds at a really slow pace. But if you are searching for a place to relax after a hectic year, look no further: Sikinos is the place to go, especially if you don’t want to visit a different beach every day. I’d go back to Sikinos in a heartbeat: the landscape is stunning, the locals are hospitable, and the place never gets crowded. What’s really more to ask?
More about Sikinos: An introverted island, The church of Elytis, The local bus
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Last Updated on April 10, 2024 by George Pavlopoulos