SIFNOS

SIFNOS

Sifnos is a mountainous island and thus, contributes in its own way to the beautiful landscape of the Cyclades. Its hills and valleys with olive trees are verdant, differentiating thus the landscape greatly in comparison to the other islands of the Aegean, where vegetation is almost nonexistent. However, its beauty is not evident at first sight. When a visitor arrives and is still on the boat, he or she approaches facing two abrupt cliffs, and in the background, there is the very vague impression of the houses of a village. That village is Kamares, which when one becomes acquainted with it, he or she will fall in love with it and find it unforgettable.

Sifnos is considered to be the island of Apollo. Patience is required in order to become familiar with Sifnos and discover its beauty, which indisputably does exist. For this reason, Sifnos is not a place for a holiday with a schedule. However, it is ideal for exploration, for people who know how to appreciate what exists and do not seek to be impressed at first glance. They will discover the light of Sifnos. The architectural forms on Sifnos are simple and in harmony with the needs and the aesthetics of the landscape. The houses are completely white-washed and cubical in shape, the alleys are paved and white-washed and are decorated with flowers at their edges.

The yards of the houses are completely white with white walls, stone benches, and between them stand the picturesque white churches with their blue domes, the color of the sky and the sea, and their beautiful bell towers. Sifnos awaits everyone with open arms. It wants us to walk in its alleys, to enjoy its sunshine, to swim at its clean beaches, and to visit the church of Panagia Ouranofora. And the night lies in wait to make us travel to other places.

Sifnos belongs to the archipelago of the Western Cyclades in the Aegean Sea and is located between Serifos, Kimolos, and Antiparos. The island has a triangular shape and it is 75 nautical miles away from Piraeus. Its area reaches 74 square kilometers. The coastline of the island extends for approximately 70 kilometers and is full of beautiful coves and small bays.

Sifnos belongs to the Province of the Cyclades in both administrative and ecclesiastical terms. The Metropolitan Bishopric to which it belongs has its seat in Ermoupoli, on Syros. Approximately 15 years ago it became a Municipality that includes many settlements and villages. The administrative headquarters of the Municipality is in Apollonia.

KAMARES

The name ‘Kamares (which means arch or vaulted roof) originates from the many caves that were previously on the rocky south coast of the bay.
The positions of these arched caves are now occupied by houses, shops and cellars, where boats are sheltered in the winter time to protect them from storms.

Kamares is the largest coastal village and port in Sifnos since the end of last century. The main village stretches along the right side of the inlet that forms the bay of Kamares. Here you’ll find the pier of the harbor, travel agencies, grocery stores, restaurants, pastry and pottery shops, bikes and cars for rent, newspaper kiosks, and even a private campground where you can pitch a tent. The western fringes of the settlement hold the mansions of the wealthy.

Up the end of the pier on the right find the street going up to Apollonia, find the work of the head physician and Senator G. Koulouris, whose action among other works, is the opening of the central street driveways.

Facing the foot of the mountain of Saint Simeon in the port, notice the developed district of Agia Marina or Pera Panta, where taverns and rent rooms are also located. The two arms of the harbor are joined by the golden sandy beach.

Some of the older buildings of Kamares are the churches of Saint George and Saint Barbara (construction 1785, renovated 1906), the lighthouse (1896), remains of the furnaces and the loading ladder ore (1883) and the old dock ( 1909).
Other churches in Pera Panta are the Holy Anargyroi, Saint Anna, Saint Catherine and the end of Agia Marina, from where visitors can enjoy the sunset over Kamares Bay.
The beach of Kamares won for the first time in 2002 the Blue Flag Beach Award of the European Union due to its extreme cleanliness and excellent conditions for safe, relaxing swimming.