We are Weronika and Jonas from Lemony + Travels. Welcome to our travel guide on Sikinos – a beautiful and secluded Greek Island in the Cyclades.
Before we tell you about this stunning Cycladic island, allow us to introduce ourselves. Weronika is from Poland and lived in Los Angeles before she came to London in 2008. Jonas grew up in Sweden and moved to London in his early twenties. We first met in 2008 in a high-end London nightclub.
We officially got together as a couple in 2010. Working in hospitality gave us a lot of free time and flexibility to travel. We used to go away up to 14 times a year which lasted for a seven year period. All of our friends started to see us as the go-to people for trips and recommendations.
When Instagram became popular it just felt natural to share our trips with a wider audience. Thus our Instagram page @lemonytravels and website lemonytravels.com was born. We’ve never looked back since.
Tying the Knot in Folegandros, Greece
Our very first holiday together was to Greece and Santorini. We obviously fell in love with the place and each other. So we kept coming back each year. But after a while, we started to explore the neighbouring islands.
The more places we visited, the more amazed we were with their variety and beauty. These days we just use Santorini as a hub before moving elsewhere. We have only travelled through the Cyclades Islands in Greece and so far have been to Milos, Amorgos, Koufonissia and Folegandros.
Inspiration to Visit Sikinos in the Cyclades
Having been to Folegandros many times in the last 10 years, we have seen the island attract more tourists every year and numerous high-end hotels and restaurants have sprung up as a result of its new-found popularity.
We started to long for the simplicity of ‘Folegandros 10 years back’ – and a friend of ours recommended Sikinos as an alternative – a place with a few simple tavernas and guesthouses, fewer hotels and no pools. That sounded like a paradise to us. Our first impression was extremely positive.
On arrival to Sikinos, we felt a great energy straight away and the port area looked welcoming which is unusual for most of the Greek Islands.
How 4 Nights Turned into 13 Nights in Sikinos
Initially, we booked 4 nights in Sikinos which felt like more than enough time to experience the island’s two main areas: the port and the Chora.
There are only 3 beaches accessible by car (a few more by boat). At first glance it seemed that the restaurants and cafes on the island would be quite mundane but we realised quickly how freeing and relaxing it was not to run around all day looking for new things to do and new places to go to.
Instead we were able to completely chill and soak up the great energy of this Cycladic island. We ended up staying for 13 nights rather than just 4 nights. I think that sums up our experience. We explored pretty much the whole island, except for a couple of beaches which require day trips.
There are plenty of hiking trails to choose from and many lead to beaches which (most of the time) you will have to yourself. Food is a big part of our travels and we loved Meltemi Taverna by the port. Home-made, comforting and full of fresh produce – it quickly became our favourite.
It turns out Sikinos is also a popular destination for Tom Hanks who happened to sit behind us whilst we admired the beachfront view during one of our lunches there. Unfortunately, we were only told a few hours later, otherwise we would have asked him to feature on Lemony Travels.
Our Favourite Place: Swimming Spot by the Port
Our favourite place was our swimming spot near the port. We stayed in Vrahos Guesthouse which sits on a cliff right above it. Each morning we woke up early and walked down the steep stairs for a dip at this hidden gem. It’s used mostly by locals so we were excited to discover and enjoy it.
Best Attractions & Hidden Gems of Sikinos
The best attractions and experiences of Sikinos for us were the following: morning swims by the port, lazy afternoons at Marconi Cafe, visiting Manalis Winery for sunset views over Folegandros, and strolls around the old and new Chora of Sikinos to take in the stunning architecture.
Another highlight was watching people jump into the water and surf the jetstreams after the ferry departure. It’s a typical ritual only of this island and people do this to show their respect for someone close to them who is leaving Sikinos. We loved witnessing this joyful and carefree celebration.
In terms of hidden gems, the Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi at the top of Chora is one of the best. Apparently you can visit the nun who lives there and she will show you around if you’re lucky. Certainly a unique experience!
You can also take a boat trip to either Santoniraika or Malta Beach. Here you will find stunning waters and some spectacular coloured rocks. Santorinaika has both black and white rocks so it looks pretty unreal.
Finally, I recommend a couple more experiences to cap off your trip. Stroll around the old town for some excellent photo opportunities and take a canoe trip along the coast to uncover hidden coves and beaches.
Meeting the Awesome Locals of Sikinos
The island of Sikinos has a tiny population (less than 1000 inhabitants) and you realise very quickly that everyone knows each other. We felt that there was a strong family and community vibe on the island. We only met a few locals but they were all extremely friendly and interesting people.
Especially Jack and his dad Gary (Greek name Pythagoras) who have had a house in Sikinos for many generations. With an Australian/Greek heritage, they are descendants of Lakovos ‘James’ Sigalas – a man of great significance. He had a successful life in Australia but kept a close connection to Sikinos.
Lakovos was a benefactor of the island and godfather to many children. He purchased a house here and left a personal income to the people which has been used to improve amenities. There is a statue of him in Chora.
Authentic and Delicious Food of Sikinos
Sikinos food feels like something you would eat at home. Everything is made fresh on the day depending on the produce available, so the menu changes daily. We loved Meltemi Taverna. Their stuffed zucchini was our top choice – we were lucky to try it as it’s not made every day.
Where to Stay on Sikinos: Vrahos Guesthouse
Our preference was to stay at the port of Sikinos at Vrahos Guesthouse. We fell in love with the hospitality, friendliness and energy of the owners Konstantinos and his mother. It was the perfect location and they went out of their way to look after us. We would definitely recommend this place.
What you Need to Know Before you Go
Sikinos is a simple island. It’s a very quiet and peaceful place. The main thing to keep in mind is to be respectful and polite with the locals. That way you can immerse yourself in the local way of life. Unwind and relax the soul in one of the most beautiful and secluded islands in the Cyclades!
