Sikinos

Sikinos is a small peaceful island in the southern Cyclades, famous for its beautiful beaches, serene atmosphere, wild nature and exquisite local products. On this Ferryhopper page, you can find useful info about vacation on the island, the best beaches, villages, sights and experiences, as well as ferry routes. Discover the secrets of the Greek island and book cheap ferry tickets to Sikinos on Ferryhopper with just 4 clicks!

Breathtaking view to the Aegean Sea from a chapel in Sikinos

Vacation in Sikinos

The serene island of Sikinos charms travelers with its unspoilt beauty, amazing natural sceneries, Cycladic simplicity and traditional character. It is a great destination for relaxing holidays by the sea, away from the crowds. In Sikinos, you can enjoy idyllic beaches, old hiking trails, romantic walks in the quaint capital, easy-going nights and authentic local dishes!

How to get to Sikinos

You can get to Sikinos by ferry from Athens year-round. There are regular routes from 2 ports in Athens to the island of Sikinos. You can either catch a ferry from the port of Piraeus or the port of Lavrio. There’s no airport in Sikinos, but you can fly to Santorini and catch the ferry from there. Find more information on how to get from Athens to Sikinos by ferry below.

What to do in Sikinos

During your stay in Sikinos, you can swim at the many beaches of the island and explore the unspoilt natural sites. Most major beaches on the island are only accessible on foot or by boat, meaning they are great for relaxation in a remote setting. Don’t forget to visit the sea cave of Mavri Spilia and follow amazing hikes through old chapels and ancient ruins. Moreover, Sikinos is an ideal destination to experience the real Cycladic traditions. You can attend a festival, shop organic products and taste local delicacies, such as goat cheese, fava patties and thyme honey. 

If you’re in the mood for more amazing vacation experiences, you can also go island hopping in the Cyclades catching a ferry from Sikinos to the neighboring islands of Ios, Folegandros and Santorini.

Beaches in Sikinos

The virgin beaches of Sikinos captivate visitors with their crystal-clear waters and tranquility. There are only 3 beaches on the island that are accessible by car, while most of them are only accessible on foot or by boat. Here are 7 of the best beaches in Sikinos:

1. Alopronoia: The port beach of Sikinos is close to many traveler amenities. It is a large golden-sand beach with clear waters, a few umbrellas and some tamarisk trees for shade.
2. Agios Georgios: It’s a cove with pebbles, sand, clear waters and a few tamarisk trees. The rocks surrounding the beach are great for underwater exploration. The beach is accessible by car and there’s a taverna.
3. Dialiskari: This is a small sandy cove of wild beauty, surrounded by impressive rocks. The beach has clear emerald waters and a couple of tamarisk trees. There are a few umbrellas and you can get there by car. 
4. Maltas: It is the most remote beach on the island, accessible either via a long hiking trail or by boat from Alopronoia. The beach has crystal-clear waters, it is surrounded by rocks and it is covered with pebbles and sand. There’s no natural shade, so make sure you bring an umbrella and a hat.
5. Agios Panteleimon: The beach of Agios Panteleimon is covered with pebbles and it has a rocky seabed and clear waters. You can reach the unspoilt beach on foot from the chapel of Agios Panteleimon or by hopping on a fishing boat at the port of Alopronoia.
6. Santorineika: The dreamy beach has turquoise waters and it’s covered with sand, pebbles and rocks. You can get to the beach via a hiking trail or by boat from Alopronoia.
7. Agios Ioannis (Ai Giannis): The beach of Ai Giannis is a small pebble-covered paradise with clear waters. There’s no natural shade and you can get to the beach by taking a challenging 3.5km hike from Episkopi. It takes around 1.5 hours to reach the beach on foot.

The beautiful sandy cove of Agios Georgios

Activities and sightseeing in Sikinos

Sikinos has a rich history, exhibiting a variety of cultural sites. The island is also great for outdoor exploration. From Roman and Medieval monuments to picturesque chapels of Cycladic architecture and beautiful hikes, there’s a lot to see and do on the island. Ferryhopper suggests:

• Walking in Chora: The picture-perfect village of Chora is the largest on the island. It consists of 2 main areas: Kastro and Chorio. The narrow alleys, impressive houses of Cycladic design and 15th century fortifications make you feel like you’re stepping back in time! Don’t forget to walk to the church of Pantanassa and the Zoodochos Pigi (Chrysopigi) Monastery to enjoy the tremendous view to the blue sea.
• Visiting Episkopi: It’s worth discovering the beautiful historical site of Episkopi, a Roman mausoleum that was also used as a Christian temple. This enigmatic monument is located at the inland of Sikinos, 4km from Chora. You can get there on foot or by car.
• Exploring the sea cave of Mavri Spilia (Black Cave): The beautiful sea cave is one of the most stunning in the Cyclades. It is close to the Zoodochos Pigi Monastery, but the only way to reach it is by boat.
• Watching the sunset from Panagia Pantochara: This small chapel is located on the road from Kastro to the monastery of Chrysopigi. It was built following the wishes of important Greek poet Odysseas Elytis, who had a deep emotional connection with Sikinos. It is one of the most magical spots on the island and one of the best sunset viewing spots!
• Following hiking trails: The hiking trails of Sikinos take daring and amateur hikers through impressive landscapes by the Aegean Sea. By walking on the age-old trails, you can reach remote beaches and see quaint chapels, ancient ruins and wild natural sites.
• Attending a local festival: The island is famous for its local celebrations, called panigiria. If you’re lucky enough to visit during a festival, we recommend that you join the fun to listen to traditional music, taste amazing local dishes and get acquainted with the island traditions.

Tip: If you’re a cinema-lover, you can attend the summer film festival Documentary Days to watch interesting documentaries at beautiful open-air locations.

Magical sunset over the village of Chora in Sikinos

Nightlife in Sikinos

Sikinos is not a party island, but you can enjoy fun nights at Chora and the port of Alopronoia. There are lounge bars and all-day cafés, where you can drink cocktails and Greek wines under the clear night sky. Most bars stay open just past midnight. If you prefer a more family-friendly option or you want to dine with your friends at a traditional setting, then the tavernes of Sikinos are a fantastic idea! There are plenty of restaurants and street food places in Chora and the port of Sikinos, serving delicious dishes and local drinks. You can enjoy the cuisine of Sikinos, listen to Greek music and enjoy summer nights like locals do!

Food in Sikinos

Sikinos has a long history in farming and agriculture. The people of Sikinos work the land with devotion, using traditional methods to produce local delicacies of exceptional quality. The cuisine of Sikinos focuses on endemic vegetables, sustainable farming and the gastronomic tradition of the Cyclades. Here’s what to try in Sikinos:

• Favokeftedes: fava patties
• Pasteli: sweet sesame and honey bar
• Green beans
• Capers
• Thyme honey
• Local wine
• Goat cheese and dairy
• Stuffed goat
• Fresh fish
• Cucumbers

Tip: If you want to learn more about wine production on the island, you can visit the Manalis Winery for a tour in the cellars, wine-tasting and amazing views to the sea from the vineyard.

Villages in Sikinos

Sikinos is a small island with only 2 villages: Alopronoia and Chora. Alopronoia (Alopronia) is the island port and Chora is the capital. The village of Chora is located approximately 4km from the port of the island. There are visitor amenities and entertainment options both at the port and the island capital.

The beauty of minimalist Cycladic architecture

Useful information for Sikinos

Sikinos is a small island with only few permanent residents. In Chora and Alopronoia, there are visitor amenities such as grocery stores, bars, restaurants and shops. You can also find a grocery store and a gas station at the port, as well as a National Bank of Greece ATM machine and a medical center in Chora. As for accommodation, there are vacation rentals in both villages.

Good to know: Bear in mind there’s no pharmacy on the island.

Important phone numbers for your stay in Sikinos

Here are some useful contacts for your trip to Sikinos:

• Sikinos Port Authority: +302286051121
• Sikinos Multipurpose Medical Center: +302286051211
• Municipality of Sikinos: +302286051238
• Sikinos citizen service center (KEP): +302286051196
• Sikinos Police Station: +302286051222
• Bus driver: +306937865866
• Dimitris’ boat for beach access: +306937261800

Transportation in Sikinos

There are not many roads in Sikinos, as the island is quite small and there are only 2 villages. You can get by car from the port to Chora, as well as 3 beaches. There is a bus serving the route Port - Chora - Episkopi, as well as a boat taking passengers to remote beaches. There are no taxis in Sikinos, but you can rent a vehicle on the island or bring your car or motorcycle on the ferry from Athens.

Ports in Sikinos

The port of Sikinos is in Alopronoia on the east coast of Sikinos. All ferries from Athens and more islands in the Aegean Sea arrive at the port of Alopronoia. There are holiday rentals, restaurants, cafés, a gas station and a small parking lot for short stays at the port.

Island hopping from Sikinos

Sikinos is a great destination for island hopping in the Aegean Sea. There are frequent ferry routes from the port of Sikinos to more islands in the Cyclades, such as Ios and Folegandros that are the closest to Sikinos. You can travel directly by ferry from Sikinos to the following ports:

• Folegandros
• Ios
• Naxos
• Kimolos
• Milos
• Santorini
• Paros
• Syros
• Anafi
• Thirassia
• Kea
• Kythnos
• Serifos
• Sifnos

On Ferryhopper’s Map of ferries, you can see all ferry routes and schedules from Sikinos to more islands in the Cycladic archipelago, to plan a dreamy island-hopping trip in Greece.

The quaint port of Alopronoia in Sikinos

Sikinos ferry: schedules and tickets

There are frequent ferry routes from Athens to Sikinos throughout the year. Ferries to Sikinos depart from 2 ports in Athens: Piraeus and Lavrio.

• Ferry from Piraeus to Sikinos: You can catch a ferry from the port of Piraeus to Sikinos at least 3 times per week. The Piraeus - Sikinos crossing duration is around 10.5 hours.
• Ferry from Lavrio to Sikinos: The ferry from Lavrio to Sikinos is available at least once a week. It takes 11 hours to reach Sikinos from the port of Lavrio.

Where to book ferry tickets online to Sikinos

You can find all ferry schedules and book cheap ferry tickets to Sikinos online on Ferryhopper. Check available routes and compare prices from all ferry companies through our fare search engine. Ready for the trip to the unspoilt island of the Cyclades?