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SEE SERIFOS

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Table of Contents: 
THE TOWN.
THE REST OF THE ISLAND

 

See Serifos and understand why Greeks love coming here.
The Chora of Serifos.

What is there about Serifos that attracts people?

There is no airport. And it is not a stop on the ferry running to Mykonos, Santorini, or other mass-market islands.

Ferry service from Pireaus (Athens) takes around three hours. The next stop is usually other Cycladic islands more popular with local Greeks than tourists.

So what do they see in Serifos?

The views out to sea are beautiful as well.
Serifos has some dramatic coastline.

Is it the dramatic coastlines, hidden beaches, or hillside towns? Or is it a lack of tourist buses, beach clubs, and crowds? Come, see Serifos and decide for yourself.

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The Town

Livadi (Port).

There is nothing “special” about the port area of Livadi. It has the same services as most Greek island ports, cafes, car rentals, and inexpensive accommodations.

The gateway to Serifos as you can only get here by boat.
Livadi is the lower (port) area of Serifos’s main town.

Take a walk along the Livadi harbor in the early morning or before sunset.

Sit and see Serifos waking up.
Start your day with a coffee by the sea.

In many places, the town is only two blocks deep. Streets are oneway, and there are no sidewalks.

As you will see, Serifos has a laid back pace.
A fishing boat at Livadi Bay in Serifos Island, Greece

Paralia Livadi.

Probably the most popular beach on the island as it is right there. Running along the front street, there are nearby cafes with food, drinks, and restrooms.

Location, location, location.
Livadi Beach.

 

Chora (Upper Town).

Many consider this one of the most picturesque capitals in the Cyclades.

As you will see, Serifos is not a flat island.
The Chora (Upper Town) of Serifos.

Clinging to the hillside, the Chora offers views as impressive as other Cycladic islands.

Church of Agios Konstantinos.

Sitting close to the top of the Upper Town, this traditional Greek church is more than 750 feet above sea level. You can also see a few remains of the old Venetian castle (CAETPO.)  It dates from the 1400s.

The views rival those in Santorini.
The church of Agios Constantinos.

Windmills.

There have been windmills in the Aegean since the 12th century A.D. These are part of a boutique hotel.

Serifos can be proud they still have a few left.
Windmills were especially popular in the Cycladic Islands due to constant breezes.

Serifos Archaeological Collection.

The island’s small archaeological museum is on the Square of the Windmills.

Currently, this is the largest collection of artifacts from the island.
Archeological Collection.

Church of Agios Athanasios.

Lending its name to the 17th-century square in front of it, the church dominates the square.

The church and town hall circle the square.
Square and St Evangelistria. The 1904 Town Hall is to the right of the church.

Church of Evangelistria.

Sitting on the central square of the Kato Chora neighborhood, this 1907 church is not white.

In a sea of white buildings, this pastel church stands out.
The Church of Evangelistria.

Serifos Folklore Museum.

This museum, housed in a 100-year-old mansion, shows homelife in old Serifos.

In the summer, they do performances at the small theater behind the museum.
The Serifos Folklore museum.

Memorial of the Fallen.

Near the Folklore museum, next to the chapel of St Antonios, is this memorial. The white marble monument lists the names of 36 locals lost in wars up until 1935. The white plaque to the right lists the three fallen soldiers from WWII.

The Greeks are very good at remembering their dead.
The memorial is in a tree-covered area.

 Although there are no UNESCO sites to see, the Chora is a great place to explore. Take part of a day to lose yourself.

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See Serifos Outside of Town.

Heading south out of Livadi:

Cape Spathi Lighthouse.

Dating from circa 1900, this stone building is still in operation. You can walk to the site. However, the building is private.

There has been a light here for over a century.
The Lighthouse in Serifos, and the island of Sifnos behind.

Paralia Vagia.

This beach on the southwest coast has a sandy, rocky mix. You can get close to the beach by car. There is a snack bar nearby.

Water shoes are a great idea for beaches on Serifos.
Paralia Vagia.

A little further along the bay is Paralia Ganema, offering much the same.

Crowds rarely get this far away from town.
Paralia Ganema

Koutalas Beach.

Originally a miner’s village, today, the area has guest houses. The beach, to me, always seems less crowded, and you can see remnants of the mining infrastructure.

The beach gets locals and guests in the small bed and breakfasts.
Koutalas Beach and village.

Ormos Koutala.

On the southwest side of the bay are the remains of a loading crane from mining days.

The mines are not accessible and each year the other remains rust some more.
Remains of the Koutalas mine and its loading bridge.
As you will see, Serifos had a lot of mining.
The mining remains at Ormos Koutala.

Psaropyrgos, (Sofa of the Cyclops).

This structure is from the Hellenistic or possibly an earlier period. 

Due to its location, it was for protection far away from the coast.
The structure looks like a sofa from below.

The remains of several structures sit on a ledge above the road. The dry-stack construction is in excellent condition considering its age.

There are several structures indicating a group of people.
Ruins at the Sofa of the Cyclops.

With no excavations in this area, there are many legends. One that the Cyclops used to sit there looking for victims. Another that it was an entrance to the Cyclop’s cave, which is further down the hill. For safety reasons, the cave is no longer accessible.

The location allows a clear view of the western end of the island.
View of Megalo Livadi from the Cyclops’ Sofa.

Whatever it was, it still offers incredible views of the western end of the island.

 

Megalo Livadi.

This village on the west end of the island was a thriving town in the early 1900s. Today, there are only a few remnants of this time.

Almost 4000 people were living in this are at the turn of the 20th century
The town and bay of Megalo Livadi.

Open-Air Mining Museum.

The remains of a loading assembly and several ore cars are visible in this area west of the town.

But you can wander and see mining relics.
The term museum might be a bit of an exaggeration.

Aspros Pirgos (White Tower.)

One of possibly four on the island, its construction is from the fourth century B.C. Today, the remains only stand 16 feet high.

Little is known about this particular tower.
Precut stones often became building materials for later structures.

Panagia.

This small, hillside pedestrian town is a charming stop on an around-the-island drive. The highlight of the town is The church of Panagia.

The town has many streets with shade from trees, perfect later in the day.

You will see Serifos has several charming villages.
The shade of Panagia is especially nice in the afternoon.

Holy Monastery of Taxiarches.

This men’s monastery, dating from 1572, is close to Galani village. It honors the Archangels Michael and Gabriel, the patron saints of Serifos.

Women are allowed in the monastery these days.
The Holy Monastery of Taxiarches.
You will soon see Serifos as many white churches and chapels as the next island.
The monastery’s chapel.

Panagia Skopiani.

This east coast church is between Galani and Livadi, offering beautiful views.

It is a magical setting.
The Church of Panagia Skopiani.
There is no walking down the aisle for brides in Greece.
Mamma Mia, look at all those steps.

Paralia Agios Sostis.

This pebble beach is approximately a 10-minutes drive east from the port.

The beach is beautiful with its Aegean blue water.
Paralia (beach of) Agios Sostis.

Paralia Lia.

South of Agios Sostis beach is this secluded beach, popular with naturalists.

No suit and no shade can be a tragedy waiting to happen.
Paralia Lia is a very natural beach (clothing or textile optional).

The island warrants getting a car for a day and exploring. It will also get you away from the crowds near town.

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See Serifos Summary.

Explore and you will see Serifos is an island with something to offer.

The dramatic coastline and occasional secluded cove provide endless scenic vistas.

The views from the Chora can be spectacular.

Let Serifos work its magic on you.
Discover Serifos island.

There’s the food and the local people to mix it.

Is it time for you to see Serifos?

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BACK TO SERIFOS

TASTE GREECE

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