
Few hotels, few paved roads, few equipped beaches: the island of Serifos has remained an oasis of authenticity untouched by mass tourism. A jewel to be discovered, with more than 60 wonderful beaches bathed by a turquoise and crystal-clear sea, rust-coloured ridges, tamarisk and fig trees that colour the landscape green.
Due to the scarcity of accommodation, many tourists prefer to stay on more touristy islands and visit Serifos in a day trip, but these flash visits involve long hours of boat travel and do not allow one to capture the true essence of this island.
Much better to do as the Greek tourists do, which is to stay the night here. Take advantage of the cheap hotel prices and let the relaxed atmosphere of the island, the friendliness of the islanders and the beauty of the scenery submerge you.
Serifos enjoys the typical Mediterranean climate of the Greek islands, with mild winters and warm, sunny summers. As it is less touristy than other islands, even in high season it is not chaotic and hotel prices do not rise excessively, so it can be said that the best time to go to Serifos is throughout the summer. In other seasons, ferries are considerably reduced and getting to the island may become a bit complicated.

Almost all the beaches on Serifos are sandy and gently sloping, so they are also suitable for inexperienced swimmers and those travelling with children. Bear in mind, however, that with few exceptions, they are not equipped and are completely exposed to the sun, with no shelter from the shade.
Another positive feature of the beaches on this island is that they are generally uncrowded, perfect for those who do not like the hustle and bustle of the more famous beaches.
One possible pitfall is the meltemi, the dry Aegean wind that blows in summer, which is well known and feared. The most exposed beaches are those to the north, so avoid them if you want to be sheltered.
Named one of the most beautiful beaches in the Aegean by Sunday Time, Psili Ammos is the most famous beach on Serifos. It is the only one that is certainly crowded during the high season, although it is definitely quieter than the beaches on the more touristy islands. It is a picturesque beach of light-coloured sand bathed by crystal-clear blue waters, on which a few small trees grow, much appreciated by tourists for their shade.
Also very picturesque is the sandy beach of Agios Sostis, set in a small bay overlooked by a pretty little blue and white church. It is reached by a dirt road and then a short walk.
The ‘city’ beaches, if one can call them that, of Livadi and Livadakia, framed by rows of tamarisk trees and a few tavernas, are also beautiful.
Other beaches not to be missed in Serifos are:

The most important settlements on the island are Chora and Livadi. There is a holiday atmosphere in Livadi and you can relax by browsing through the souvenir shops and sipping a drink in one of the many small bars.
The Chora, on the other hand, is the jewel of the island, a typical Cycladic town with a cascade of whitewashed houses, which will enchant you with its panoramic views, characteristic narrow streets and steep but picturesque ups and downs. Take a look at the neoclassical town hall, the cathedral and the kastro (fortress), before retreating to the top to admire the view enraptured.
If you have rented a car (highly recommended!) you can dedicate an afternoon to visiting the hinterland. Spend some time in inland villages, such as Galani, Kentharcos and Panagia, and on the way stop to take a look at the Taxiarchon monastery, named after the patron saints of the island.
Serifos is not a destination recommended for those who love nightlife and entertainment. In terms of sports activities, too, there are not many opportunities: there is a lack of the facilities and centres found on other, more touristy islands.
One thing Serifos does excel at, however, is trekking: this small island is one of the very few Greek islands to have a network of marked footpaths, totalling no less than 80 km.
Trekking on Serifos does not require any special knowledge, and the trails are generally of varying lengths and low gradients, so you can choose the one best suited to your fitness level. When choosing the path, also pay attention to the return: if it is too long a distance to go back and forth, make sure you can take a bus or taxi back.
Another very rewarding activity to do in Serifos is shopping for local products, such as goat cheese, honey, capers and wine.
Tourism on Serifos is less developed than on other Cycladic islands: take this into account when planning your holiday or day trips.
Rental cars and taxis on the island are few and far between, so should always be booked. Beaches often have no bars or restaurants so it is a good idea to bring plenty of water and food from home. Most of the roads are unpaved, and some are a bit bumpy: be careful when driving.
These minor inconveniences will be more than compensated for by the beauty and tranquillity of the island.
Serifos is an island still untouched by mass tourism, so there is a limited choice of hotels. Although the choice is not very wide, one can find accommodation of various categories, from budget to 4-star, but do not expect to find the exclusive design hotels with infinity pools of the more glamorous islands.
The majority of hotels, B&Bs and holiday homes are concentrated in Serifos Chora and Livadakia, a suburb of Livadi, one of the island’s main ports. Serifos Chora is certainly more picturesque and romantic, but offers fewer facilities.
Serifos is a good choice for low-cost travellers: average hotel and flat prices are much lower than on other Greek islands, especially when compared to Mykonos and Santorini.
We offer a selection of hotels at Serifos to suit all categories of travellers. The most booked by tourists are the sea-facing hotels, often right on the beach. If you want to play it safe, choose one of the following: they are among the most booked hotels in Serifos, sorted by number of reviews.
If you prefer space, privacy and the ability to prepare your own meals to a hotel holiday, book a holiday home at Serifos. We recommend a few below, but in this case we advise you to book early because houses and apartments for rent at Serifos are in high demand.
The island of Serifos does not have an airport so it is not possible to get there by direct flight. However, thanks to its proximity to Athens (about 170 km from the port of Piraeus), the island can be reached rather easily: from the Greek capital in the high season, 3-4 hydrofoils and ferries to Milos leave daily for Serifos.
The duration of the journey by ship varies depending on the company, but generally by hydrofoil you arrive at your destination in less than three hours.
There are also ferries to Serifos from other Greek islands including Mykonos, Naxos and Santorini.
What's the weather at Serifos? Below are the temperatures and the weather forecast at Serifos for the next few days.