Guidebook for Apollonia
Sightseeing
A famous very old church in a picturesque location near a popular beach.
9 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Chrisopigi Monastery
A famous very old church in a picturesque location near a popular beach.
A must for every visitor at Sifnos.
The ancient capital of Sifnos, Kastro
The toponym Kastro means Castle. At the east of Sifnos, on an abrupt rock with excellent panoramic view to the Aegean sea, there is the historic village Kastro, one of the most picturesque regions of Sifnos. The life there goes on in an autonomous way since the prehistoric times, and besides the ages that pass, Kastro always manages to keep something from its old glamour and nobility.
A sloping road leads to Kastro; it is 3,5 kilometers long, it starts from Apollonia and takes your breath away, when after a sudden turn the visitor faces the settlement. The residential installation at the village exists since the prehistoric times, according to the findings of the excavations. The settlement of nowadays, which is built over the ancient capital of Sifnos, the "asty" of Herodotus, still maintains the characteristics of the Venetian fortress that has been built by the dynasty of Da Corogna, in 1635.
It is up to this day one of the most important settlements of medieval urban planning structure in Sifnos and in Greece. For safety reasons, the main characteristics of the settlement are: narrowness, lack of spaces of public use, small courtyards, narrow streets with rare shapeless widening spaces and the unique square which is formed in front of the church of Agios Ioannis Theologos. The visitor of Sifnos still enters into Kastro from its old entrances - arcades, the "lozies", which used to seal in the past for the protection of the settlement like war towers.
At the internal arrangement of the settlement, the planning is quite free and many of the streets are passing over the houses’ rooms. The arrangement of the streets’ levels is such that in many cases passing is possible by small bridges. The houses of Kastro are divided in two categories, the houses with narrow front sides, and the mansions. The houses with the narrow front sides mainly of the external ring are built the one next to the other and they form the external part of the settlement.
At the entrance of the village, where today you shall find the cemetery of Kastro and the temples of Agios Stefanos and Agios Ioannis (1629), was once the famous School of Agios Tafos (1687-1835), also known as the "Educational Institution of the Archipelago". At the south foot of Kastro’s hill there is Seralia, the ancient port of Sifnos, where there is a small beach and restaurants with fresh fish and fantastic views.
Wandering around the narrow back streets of Kastro offers moments of unique pleasure! One could say that in this place time has stopped, while the atmosphere captures the visitor transmitting the glamour of the old times of Sifnos. The narrow paved streets with the low stone benches, the dark arcades, the old houses with the wooden balconies, the blazons at the entrances, the ancient pillars that were later used as architectural parts, the marble Roman urns that one meets spread all over the village with the relief jewels, the embrasures and the narrow courtyards of the houses, the picturesque little church of the "Eftamartyros", which seems to have climbed on a rock rising of the sea, compose a unique experience that everyone must have!
In Kastro there is one Archaeological Museum of Sifnos, which includes marvelous collections of Archaic and Hellenistic sculptures.
At the entrance of Kastro there is the old Elementary School of Kastro, which no longer operates as a school. However it opens its doors during the summer to host various exhibitions of Sifnos in its rooms (photography, painting, exhibitions of items from the Benaki Museum etc.).
Here you shall find rooms and apartments to let, traditional little taverns and fish-houses, patisseries, shops, gift-shops and coffee-bars.
8 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Kastro Sifnou
A must for every visitor at Sifnos.
The ancient capital of Sifnos, Kastro
The toponym Kastro means Castle. At the east of Sifnos, on an abrupt rock with excellent panoramic view to the Aegean sea, there is the historic village Kastro, one of the most picturesque regions of Sifnos. The life there goes on in an autonomous way since the prehistoric times, and besides the ages that pass, Kastro always manages to keep something from its old glamour and nobility.
A sloping road leads to Kastro; it is 3,5 kilometers long, it starts from Apollonia and takes your breath away, when after a sudden turn the visitor faces the settlement. The residential installation at the village exists since the prehistoric times, according to the findings of the excavations. The settlement of nowadays, which is built over the ancient capital of Sifnos, the "asty" of Herodotus, still maintains the characteristics of the Venetian fortress that has been built by the dynasty of Da Corogna, in 1635.
It is up to this day one of the most important settlements of medieval urban planning structure in Sifnos and in Greece. For safety reasons, the main characteristics of the settlement are: narrowness, lack of spaces of public use, small courtyards, narrow streets with rare shapeless widening spaces and the unique square which is formed in front of the church of Agios Ioannis Theologos. The visitor of Sifnos still enters into Kastro from its old entrances - arcades, the "lozies", which used to seal in the past for the protection of the settlement like war towers.
At the internal arrangement of the settlement, the planning is quite free and many of the streets are passing over the houses’ rooms. The arrangement of the streets’ levels is such that in many cases passing is possible by small bridges. The houses of Kastro are divided in two categories, the houses with narrow front sides, and the mansions. The houses with the narrow front sides mainly of the external ring are built the one next to the other and they form the external part of the settlement.
At the entrance of the village, where today you shall find the cemetery of Kastro and the temples of Agios Stefanos and Agios Ioannis (1629), was once the famous School of Agios Tafos (1687-1835), also known as the "Educational Institution of the Archipelago". At the south foot of Kastro’s hill there is Seralia, the ancient port of Sifnos, where there is a small beach and restaurants with fresh fish and fantastic views.
Wandering around the narrow back streets of Kastro offers moments of unique pleasure! One could say that in this place time has stopped, while the atmosphere captures the visitor transmitting the glamour of the old times of Sifnos. The narrow paved streets with the low stone benches, the dark arcades, the old houses with the wooden balconies, the blazons at the entrances, the ancient pillars that were later used as architectural parts, the marble Roman urns that one meets spread all over the village with the relief jewels, the embrasures and the narrow courtyards of the houses, the picturesque little church of the "Eftamartyros", which seems to have climbed on a rock rising of the sea, compose a unique experience that everyone must have!
In Kastro there is one Archaeological Museum of Sifnos, which includes marvelous collections of Archaic and Hellenistic sculptures.
At the entrance of Kastro there is the old Elementary School of Kastro, which no longer operates as a school. However it opens its doors during the summer to host various exhibitions of Sifnos in its rooms (photography, painting, exhibitions of items from the Benaki Museum etc.).
Here you shall find rooms and apartments to let, traditional little taverns and fish-houses, patisseries, shops, gift-shops and coffee-bars.
Essentials
Tel.: +3022840-33056
Everything you can find in a super market in considerably inexpensive prices.
Diaremes Marios
Tel.: +3022840-33056
Everything you can find in a super market in considerably inexpensive prices.
Food Scene
A well known meeting place thoughout the island's political history. Found in the heart of Apollonia, it is open from morning to late at night for coffee, pastries and great meze (varieties) food and appetizers for ouzo or tsipouro.
11 người dân địa phương đề xuất
KAFENEIO DRAKAKIS
A well known meeting place thoughout the island's political history. Found in the heart of Apollonia, it is open from morning to late at night for coffee, pastries and great meze (varieties) food and appetizers for ouzo or tsipouro.
Everything Else
Swimming and relaxing
The seaside village of Platis Gialos in Sifnos
Platis Gialos is situated at the south side of Sifnos. The toponym in the local dialect of Sifnos derives from the words Wide Seashore (In Greek: Platis Aigialos) and it means waterside relatively wide, spacious waterside. It is one of the most much-frequented beaches of Sifnos and it is considered one of the longer beaches of Sifnos which also got the the prize of the European Union’s "Blue Flag", having met the required criteria of the program!
At the North, on the top of the hillock there is the monastery of Panagia tou Vounou (Virgin Mary of the Mountain) (1813) from where the panoramic view over the beach of Platis Gialos is magic.
At the N.E. there is Aspros Pyrgos (the White Tower), the most famous of the 55 ancient towers of Sifnos.
At the South, at the little foreland of Platis Gialos, a prehistoric cemetery has been discovered.
At the S.E., at the entrance of the bay, there is the little private and uninhabited island of Kitriani, on which the only building is the Church of Panagia Kipriani (10th - 11th century).
Here, in Platis Gialos of Sifnos, one shall find hotels, rooms to let, groceries, traditional taverns, restaurants, coffee-bars, car rental agency and potter’s workshops, where the visitor can find traditional ceramics products of Sifnos and observe the way they are manufactured.
In Platis Gialos you will find water sports and boat rental companies.
On the left side of the beach there is a modern marina, in which spaces to moor are available to visitors. Here is the biggest port shelter of Sifnos (telephone +30 2284071365).
14 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Platis Gialos
Swimming and relaxing
The seaside village of Platis Gialos in Sifnos
Platis Gialos is situated at the south side of Sifnos. The toponym in the local dialect of Sifnos derives from the words Wide Seashore (In Greek: Platis Aigialos) and it means waterside relatively wide, spacious waterside. It is one of the most much-frequented beaches of Sifnos and it is considered one of the longer beaches of Sifnos which also got the the prize of the European Union’s "Blue Flag", having met the required criteria of the program!
At the North, on the top of the hillock there is the monastery of Panagia tou Vounou (Virgin Mary of the Mountain) (1813) from where the panoramic view over the beach of Platis Gialos is magic.
At the N.E. there is Aspros Pyrgos (the White Tower), the most famous of the 55 ancient towers of Sifnos.
At the South, at the little foreland of Platis Gialos, a prehistoric cemetery has been discovered.
At the S.E., at the entrance of the bay, there is the little private and uninhabited island of Kitriani, on which the only building is the Church of Panagia Kipriani (10th - 11th century).
Here, in Platis Gialos of Sifnos, one shall find hotels, rooms to let, groceries, traditional taverns, restaurants, coffee-bars, car rental agency and potter’s workshops, where the visitor can find traditional ceramics products of Sifnos and observe the way they are manufactured.
In Platis Gialos you will find water sports and boat rental companies.
On the left side of the beach there is a modern marina, in which spaces to moor are available to visitors. Here is the biggest port shelter of Sifnos (telephone +30 2284071365).
The village of Artemonas in Sifnos
The picturesque village of Artemonas
It is situated at the north of Apollonia in a distance of one and a half kilometer from it. It is a real jewel of Sifnos. High at the top of the hill only two of the old series of wind mills are preserved in a good condition. From here, the view of Sifnos is panoramic. The visitor can look far away at the surrounding islands, at Kastro, at the central settlements, even at Kamares. It is said that at the site where Panagia of Kochi is built today, according to the tradition, there used to be during the ancient times a worship center of "Ekvatiria" Artemis, who was the goddess who used to protect people during their disembarkation from the ships and who also used to safeguard the happy issue of all the cases.
The walk around the paved narrow streets of the village is a unique experience, as the visitor can see some of the most beautiful mansions of Sifnos, in the railed in verdant gardens. The promenade in all the neighborhoods keeps continuous surprises and the image of this marvelous residential complex when it is bathed in the faint light of the afternoon shall certainly touch your soul. The village, with the particular residential development, attracts the visitors in a magic way.
It is the homeland of the great master and national fighter Nikolaos Chrissogelos and of the poet and philologist Ioannis Gryparis. From 1914 to 1998 it was the seat of the homonymous community of Artemonas. The visitor of Artemonas besides from the classic mansions, must also visit the house where the poet Ioannis Gryparis was born. Also the churches Panagia the Kochi with its interesting architecture, Panagia of Ammos, where one can see the icon Panagia the Monachi, a rare representation of the Virgin Mary without the Holy Infant, and the beautiful church Panagia of Bali.
Across the church Panagia of Bali, the exhibition of folklore items "Giannis Atsonios" takes place under the title "Our houses in the old days", with traditional items that were used in Sifnos in the past.
In Artemonas there are hotels, many rooms and apartments to let and many are those who choose to stay there, since it offers the possibility to have peaceful vacation in comparison with the noisy Apollonia. In the village one shall find the best traditional pastry making workshops and bakeries with traditional sweets of Sifnos, famous traditional taverns, stores, gift-shops, steak houses and super markets.
The Festival of Cycladic Gastronomy "Nicolaos Tselementes" takes place during the last years in Artemonas, at the village’s central square. Besides Sifnos, many other islands of the Cyclades complex participate in the Festival with booths, where traditional recipes of the islands are presented. The Festival also includes various events such as a representation of a pottery atelier, of a traditional sifnian wedding, traditional dances etc. At the same time, a small bazaar takes place along the central paved street of Artemonas, with traditional products mainly from Sifnos but also from other islands. The festival lasts for three days and takes place every year in Sifnos, in the beginning of September.
Just after Artemonas, in the beginning of the road to Cherronissos, there is the Cultural Center of Sifnos. In its rooms various exhibitions and other events take place, during the whole year.
18 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Artemonas
The village of Artemonas in Sifnos
The picturesque village of Artemonas
It is situated at the north of Apollonia in a distance of one and a half kilometer from it. It is a real jewel of Sifnos. High at the top of the hill only two of the old series of wind mills are preserved in a good condition. From here, the view of Sifnos is panoramic. The visitor can look far away at the surrounding islands, at Kastro, at the central settlements, even at Kamares. It is said that at the site where Panagia of Kochi is built today, according to the tradition, there used to be during the ancient times a worship center of "Ekvatiria" Artemis, who was the goddess who used to protect people during their disembarkation from the ships and who also used to safeguard the happy issue of all the cases.
The walk around the paved narrow streets of the village is a unique experience, as the visitor can see some of the most beautiful mansions of Sifnos, in the railed in verdant gardens. The promenade in all the neighborhoods keeps continuous surprises and the image of this marvelous residential complex when it is bathed in the faint light of the afternoon shall certainly touch your soul. The village, with the particular residential development, attracts the visitors in a magic way.
It is the homeland of the great master and national fighter Nikolaos Chrissogelos and of the poet and philologist Ioannis Gryparis. From 1914 to 1998 it was the seat of the homonymous community of Artemonas. The visitor of Artemonas besides from the classic mansions, must also visit the house where the poet Ioannis Gryparis was born. Also the churches Panagia the Kochi with its interesting architecture, Panagia of Ammos, where one can see the icon Panagia the Monachi, a rare representation of the Virgin Mary without the Holy Infant, and the beautiful church Panagia of Bali.
Across the church Panagia of Bali, the exhibition of folklore items "Giannis Atsonios" takes place under the title "Our houses in the old days", with traditional items that were used in Sifnos in the past.
In Artemonas there are hotels, many rooms and apartments to let and many are those who choose to stay there, since it offers the possibility to have peaceful vacation in comparison with the noisy Apollonia. In the village one shall find the best traditional pastry making workshops and bakeries with traditional sweets of Sifnos, famous traditional taverns, stores, gift-shops, steak houses and super markets.
The Festival of Cycladic Gastronomy "Nicolaos Tselementes" takes place during the last years in Artemonas, at the village’s central square. Besides Sifnos, many other islands of the Cyclades complex participate in the Festival with booths, where traditional recipes of the islands are presented. The Festival also includes various events such as a representation of a pottery atelier, of a traditional sifnian wedding, traditional dances etc. At the same time, a small bazaar takes place along the central paved street of Artemonas, with traditional products mainly from Sifnos but also from other islands. The festival lasts for three days and takes place every year in Sifnos, in the beginning of September.
Just after Artemonas, in the beginning of the road to Cherronissos, there is the Cultural Center of Sifnos. In its rooms various exhibitions and other events take place, during the whole year.
Arts & Culture
Description of the Mycenaean Citadel of Agios Andreas in Sifnos
The Archaeological Site of Agios Andreas (on the road to Vathi)
The archaeological site of the Mycenaean Citadel of Agios Andreas, which has been awarded in 2012 as an "excellent example of display and enhancement of archaeological remains" by the European organization Europa Nostra, is one of the most important archaeological sites of Sifnos.
Walking around the Mycenaean Citadel of Agios Andreas in Sifnos
The archaeological findings here show that the place has been constantly inhabited from the Mycenaean to the Hellenistic times. The excavations have brought into light a big part of the Mycenaean wall of the 12th century B.C. in that wall there are ruins of five buildings, which were possibly residences.
At the entrance of the archaeological site there is a museum, which hosts the findings that were discovered during excavations.
You will find the Citadel on the way to Vathi, on the hill of Agios Andreas, which is situated on your right, a little bit after the Monastery of Firogia (16th century).
On the hill of Agios Andreas there is the homonymous church (St. Andrew), which dates back to 1701.
Even if ancient findings are not among your interests, it is worth visiting this site, since the view from the highest spot of the hill is magic and it will compensate whoever decides to visit it. Enjoy the view of all the central villages of Sifnos such as Apollonia, Artemonas, Ano Petali and Katavati right in front of you and in the background you can see the ancient village of Kastro and the Aegean Sea.
There are two ways in which you can access the ancient site: the easy way, which is by car, since in the last years a road has been constructed that leads to its entrance and the hard way, following the stone built path. The ascent to the top of the hill is not particularly difficult, it takes around 25 minutes and it is possible via a narrow winding path.
The site is open every day except on Mondays and holidays, from 8.30 to 3 in the afternoon.
Information: +302284031488
13 người dân địa phương đề xuất
Agios Andreas
Description of the Mycenaean Citadel of Agios Andreas in Sifnos
The Archaeological Site of Agios Andreas (on the road to Vathi)
The archaeological site of the Mycenaean Citadel of Agios Andreas, which has been awarded in 2012 as an "excellent example of display and enhancement of archaeological remains" by the European organization Europa Nostra, is one of the most important archaeological sites of Sifnos.
Walking around the Mycenaean Citadel of Agios Andreas in Sifnos
The archaeological findings here show that the place has been constantly inhabited from the Mycenaean to the Hellenistic times. The excavations have brought into light a big part of the Mycenaean wall of the 12th century B.C. in that wall there are ruins of five buildings, which were possibly residences.
At the entrance of the archaeological site there is a museum, which hosts the findings that were discovered during excavations.
You will find the Citadel on the way to Vathi, on the hill of Agios Andreas, which is situated on your right, a little bit after the Monastery of Firogia (16th century).
On the hill of Agios Andreas there is the homonymous church (St. Andrew), which dates back to 1701.
Even if ancient findings are not among your interests, it is worth visiting this site, since the view from the highest spot of the hill is magic and it will compensate whoever decides to visit it. Enjoy the view of all the central villages of Sifnos such as Apollonia, Artemonas, Ano Petali and Katavati right in front of you and in the background you can see the ancient village of Kastro and the Aegean Sea.
There are two ways in which you can access the ancient site: the easy way, which is by car, since in the last years a road has been constructed that leads to its entrance and the hard way, following the stone built path. The ascent to the top of the hill is not particularly difficult, it takes around 25 minutes and it is possible via a narrow winding path.
The site is open every day except on Mondays and holidays, from 8.30 to 3 in the afternoon.
Information: +302284031488