Sikinos is one of the best-kept secrets in the Cyclades. Sitting between Folegandros and Ios, it is small, quiet and almost entirely free of mass tourism — a place where the rhythms of traditional island life continue undisturbed, and where the beauty is all the more powerful for being unpackaged.

The Island

Sikinos is tiny — around 41 square kilometres — with a permanent population of fewer than 300 people. The landscape is hilly and terraced, with olive groves, vineyards and a coastline of dramatic cliffs and small coves. There are two main settlements: Chora (also called Sikinos Town), the hilltop capital, and Alopronia, the port.

Sights and Attractions

Chora is a beautiful, traditional Cycladic village — two distinct settlements, Kastro and Chorio, connected by a narrow lane. The Kastro is the older part, with a medieval character and a church built within the walls of an ancient fortification. The views from Chora over the island and sea are extraordinary.

The Episkopi — a remarkable ancient monument on the hillside above Chora — is one of the most unusual sights in the Cyclades. Originally a Roman mausoleum (possibly from the 3rd century AD), it was later converted into a Byzantine church and then a monastery. The building combines Roman, Byzantine and later architectural elements in a way that is found nowhere else in Greece.

The Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi near Chora is a beautiful 17th-century foundation with a small museum of religious art.

Beaches

Sikinos has several good beaches, all uncrowded and undeveloped. Alopronia near the port is the most accessible — a sandy beach with clear water. Agios Georgios on the south coast is wilder and more remote. Malta is a beautiful cove accessible by boat.

Eating and Drinking

The tavernas in Chora and at the port serve simple, honest food. Lucas in Alopronia is the local favourite for fresh fish. The island produces its own wine — the local Sikinos wine is worth seeking out.

How to Get There

Sikinos is served by ferry from Piraeus (around 7–8 hours) and connects to Folegandros, Ios and Santorini. Connections are less frequent than on the main Cycladic routes — check schedules carefully.

Best For

Sikinos is for travellers who want the Cyclades completely to themselves — those who find beauty in simplicity, who are happy to hike between the port and the village and who want an island that has not been touched by mass tourism.

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Thinking about Sikinos? Talk to us — we can combine it with Folegandros and Anafi for a Cyclades itinerary that goes well beyond the obvious.