Dotted with whitewashed villages and historic Greek Orthodox churches, Serifos is a small island in the Cyclades. It boasts picturesque beaches and one of the most beautiful capitals in the island group, as well as a wild, natural interior that feels well off-the-beaten-tourist-trail.
Things to do in Serifos
Spend a day exploring the island capital of Hora, a classic Cycladic town that is perched atop a hill near the port of Livadi. Get lost in its narrow streets, which are lined with charming churches, whitewashed windmills and the ruins of a Venetian castle while soaking up the stunning views across the waters of the Aegean Sea.
While Serifos is home to more than 100 churches and sanctuaries, one of the most impressive is the 16th-century Taxiarchion Monastery near the small village of Galani. Its fortress-like building houses 18th-century frescoes and treasured relics that include a holy codex and an archangel icon brought from Cyprus.
Want to hit the beach? There are more than 70 different beaches along the shores of Serifos, which range from long stretches of sand to pebbly coves. Kick back on Agios Sostis (named after its clifftop church) or make the short walk from Livadi to the picturesque sands of Livadakia Beach. If you want to discover what’s below the water’s surface, join one of the local dive operators to explore the Spanish cargo shipwreck that lies just off the shores of Kalogeros Beach.
Getting around Serifos
Serifos is connected by fast hydrofoils and catamarans to the Athens port of Piraeus, with larger steamships also stopping at the island on their way through the Western Cyclades. The main towns of Livadi and Hora are compact enough to explore on foot while bus services travel to other parts of the island.