Serifos

Serifos

On the way to popular islands like Santorini and Mykonos, Serifos is often neglected by tourists. The island`s calm atmosphere and isolated beaches predispose to lazy and crowd-free holidays. But if you happen to spots its Chora from the ferry, it will definitely grab your attention and make you consider it.

Serifos is one of the smaller Cyclades Islands, with almost circular shape and area of 75 square kilometers. It lies between Kythnos and Sifnos, with predominantly rocky landscape but on many of the beaches there are trees growing right on the sand, as the island has drinking water. It is connected via ferry to Piraeus and other islands of the group. Ferries arrive at the port of Livadi, which is a small resort with a long sandy beach. Above Livadi rises up the impressive island capital - Serifos Chora, with white houses cascading on the slopes of a high hill, starting from the top and reaching down Livadi. Chora is divided into two neighborhoods, Kato (Lower) Chora and Pano (Upper) Chora. A ring road encircles the entire village but the streets inside it are pedestrian, with small squares, cafes, restaurants and labyrinth of stairs leading to Agios Konstantinos chapel, with the best view of the entire gulf.

Except for Livadi and Chora, there are a few more sleepy villages in the inner part of the island. Accommodation and tavernas can be found around some of the beaches but they are seasonal and function only in the summer. The beaches are concentrated on the east and south coast, close to the port, as the most popular of them are Livadi, Livadakia and Psili Ammos.

In 19 century Serifos was seriously engaged in the mining industry due to its rich ore deposits. The mines were exploited until 1964 and today visitors can can see some of the buildings, abandoned mining facilities and an old loading pier at the settlement of Megalo Livadi.

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highlights: small island between Kythnos and Sifnos, island in Cyclades Islands, Greece