Sifnos

Introducing Sifnos

Sifnos (see-fnoss) masks it many charms behind a curtain of high barren hills. Beyond all this, however, is an abundant landscape of terraced olive groves and almond trees, with oleanders in the valleys and juniper and aromatic herbs covering the hillsides. It is a sizable island and has a number of villages. Plenty of old paths link these villages and walking on Sifnos is particularly satisfying. The Anavasi map series Topo 25/10.25 Aegean Cyclades/Sifnos is useful for footpath details.

During the Archaic period the island was very wealthy because of its gold and silver resources, but by the 5th century BC the mines were exhausted and Sifnos’ fortunes were reversed. The island has a tradition of pottery making, basket weaving and cooking.

Last updated: Feb 17, 2009