Welcome to my guide on the best things to do in Serifos. I grew up in Tinos which is a Greek Island located in the Aegean Sea known for its dry rocky terrain and strong winds. After finishing my studies in economics, I was based in Athens and started working in the telecom sector.
Over the last 15 years I have fallen in love with photography and started to travel as much as I could. I am a big fan of landscape photography and always try to combine my passion for photography with travelling. One beautiful place I travelled to recently was Serifos in the Cyclades.
Serifos is a small island characterised by steep hills which end at sandy beaches. That, along with the cosmopolitan town of Chora built around an old castle on the top of a hill overlooking the harbour, makes Serifos one of the best vacation islands and a great alternative to the usual Greek Islands.
A Special Week Spent on Serifos Island
I visited Serifos for the first time in August, 2020 and spent almost a week there. August is peak season for this island, as in most Greek Islands, so it can get crowded. I travelled to Serifos by car (via high speed ferry) and had the opportunity to explore the entire island as the distances are short.
My friends were already on the island and provided accommodation for me. The typical schedule everyday was to spend most of the sunlight hours on the beach – with around 10 beaches to choose from – then have dinner in the town (Chora) or the harbour (Livadi), and finish the day at the bar.
Overall, I would describe my one week trip to Serifos as a pleasant experience with lots of fun and relaxation. I highly recommend the island.
Favourite Places in Serifos: The Beautiful Beaches
My favourite places in Serifos were the beaches. There are some great spots for swimming and relaxation: Psili Ammos is a kind of cosmopolitan beach and Agios Sostis is a preferred beach for families with children. Then there is Lia which has nudists and Ganema which is ideal on windy days.
Other beaches include Vagia which is great for calm days, Kalo Ampeli, Platis Gialos, Malliadiko Beach and Sikamia. All beautiful beaches.
10 Best Things To Do in Serifos
Serifos is a raw and rugged island best suited for people who love untouched beaches, quaint hilltop villages and an overall relaxed vibe. Despite being a small island there is actually quite a lot to see and do here. Below are my top 10 recommendations for your visit to Serifos.
1. Take in the Scenic Views from Chora
Chora is the capital of Serifos and is perched at the top of a small hill. This location makes it the perfect place to take in stunning views of the island down to the Aegean Sea. Get lost in the alleyways of white-washed houses and take some amazing photos at night when the houses light up.
2. Visit the Old Iron Mines and Caves at Mega Livadi
Mega Livadi village is home to sandy shores and old mining facilities. It’s located in the south western part of the island. The strip of beach here is narrow but still quite beautiful in its own way. You can take a walk around the old mining facilities and watch the sunset peer through the old bridge.
3. Have Dinner and Drinks at Livadi Port
Livadi is the main port of Serifos and offers some fantastic hotels, tavernas, restaurants and bars with beautiful sea views. You can enjoy a meal here at night and during the day take a boat trip to some of the nearby beaches. Livadi is a place you’ll want to acquaint yourself with while visiting Serifos.
4. Relax at the Serene Ganema Beach
Ganema is a relaxing beach consisting of fine sand, soft pebbles and crystal clear waters. Located on the southern coast of Serifos, Ganema is the ideal place to take shelter from the wind. There are a couple of taverns near Ganema and Vagia which make for the perfect spot to enjoy a cold drink.
5. Swim at the Beautiful Psili Ammos Beach
Psili Ammos is a popular spot for beach-lovers. The beach is located 8km from Livadi and makes for a great walk if anyone is up for it. Alternatively, you can take a scooter which is the preferred mode of transport on the island. Get your tan on and go swimming in beautiful waters.
6. Discover the Amphitheatre Village of Galani
Galani is built amphitheatrical on the mountain’s slope making it one of the most incredible villages of Serifos. Its name comes from the ancient galena mines. You can explore the white-washed houses and little streets of Galani while taking in the stunning views of the Aegean.
7. Marvel at the Monastery of Kentarchos
Another village mounted in an amphitheatrical manner, Kentarchos is a great place to visit. Discover white-washed houses, a beautiful town square and a wonderful monastery. This town has been described as a “painting on the mountain” and it’s hard to argue with that when you see it.
8. Taste the Wine at Chrysoloras Winery
Chrysoloras is a tiny little winery located in an industrial-style building. You can see the processing areas as well as try the delicious wines in the exhibition and tasting zone. The winery is near the beautiful Monastery of Taxiarches which makes for a great addition to Chrysoloras on the way.
9. Chill at the Quiet Kalo Ampeli Beach
This quiet southern beach in Serifos is a hidden gem. Kalo Ampeli is part of a coastline that consists of four bays: Koutalas, Malliadiko, Dyo Gialoudia and Kalo Ampeli. The beach itself has golden sand and pebbly areas leading to the sea. Not a bad spot to sunbathe and swim for the day.
10. Check out the Nudist Beach of Lia
Lia Beach is a nudist beach so be prepared for that before going. If nudity doesn’t bother you then head down to one of the nicest sand beaches of Serifos located on the northeastern coast. It’s a secluded and relaxing beach where you can take a dip in the sea and read a book in the sun.
People, Culture & Food of Serifos
Life is easy-going in Serifos as long as you don’t have any expectations for luxury or high-end services. The tourist season starts in May and ends in September. Locals are great but there could be some room for improvement with customer service. Nevertheless, I had no complaints.
The food of Serifos is nice just like all Greek Islands and there are many choices. Make sure you try the following: Manolis (Psili Ammos), Kyklopas (Mega Livadi), O Vitos (Sikamia) and Nikoulias (Platys Gialos).
In Chora try: Plakes and Marathoriza. Also check out Louis at the city hall. For the best grill head to Aloni found on the way from the harbour to the town on the hill. In Lavadi have a meal at Porto Vecchio for pizzas, Takis for fish and Mpakakaki for meat. A new addition is Blue Bamboo for Thai.
Tips for your Visit to Serifos
There is no airport on the island so you have to book tickets for a boat. Also, once you arrive it’s best to rent a car in order to visit remote beaches. However, finding a park can be hard at some of the beaches in August.
Serifos has many cool places for accommodation including hotels and airbnb options in both Chora and Livadi. Some of them can get pricey. I stayed at my friend’s house but I heard of many amazing places. Do some research and you will find what you’re looking for. Thanks for reading!
