Walking through cobbled streets fringed by whitewashed buildings with bright blue doorways is an item on almost every traveller’s bucket list. However, with more and more tourists descending on the likes of Santorini and Mykonos each year, it’s getting more difficult to enjoy it and even find a moment’s peace.
Luckily, there is a stunning little Greek island just a short distance away from Mykonos, also in the Cyclades archipelago, that is just as beautiful. Described by greeka as “one of the prettiest off the beaten track destinations of the Aegean,” this island has held onto its traditional atmosphere and has not become overwhelmed by tourist facilities. It’s as close to an untouched island as you can get.
Serifos Island lies in the western Cyclades, northwest of Sifnos and Paros. It’s also about 50 miles west of Mykonos and a three-hour ferry ride away. The island covers an area of around 29 square miles and is home to just over 1,200 people as of 2021.
It is one of the least-visited Greek islands and has a raw, rugged beauty backed by brown mountains that meet the sea in a mosaic of deep blue and turquoise waters.
In Greek mythology, Serifos is where the demigod hero Perseus and his mother, Danaë, washed ashore after his grandfather set them adrift in a wooden chest due to an oracle that his grandson would kill him. When Perseus returned to Serifos with the head of Medusa, he turned Polydektes, the island’s king, into stone for his attempt to marry his mother by force.
Its capital, Hora (sometimes called Chora), sits atop a quaint hilltop, home to a couple of trendy bars but nothing like the tourist traps on Greece’s more popular islands. Outside the settlement the island remains wonderfully wild, including its beaches.
Very few beaches are organised with tourist facilities, making for the ideal day to relax and enjoy some peace under the sun. Livadi and Livadakia beach, the former of which transforms into a lively resort at night, with bars and traditional tavernas.
Very few beaches are organised with tourist facilities, making for the ideal day to relax and enjoy some peace under the sun. Livadi and Livadakia beach, the former of which transforms into a lively resort at night, with bars and traditional tavernas.
Agios Sostis beach, just four miles from Chora, is one of the most scenic, with soft sand and turquoise waters. Next to the beach there is a small chapel with an iconic blue roof and white walls.
Late spring and early autumn are the perfect times to visit. Warm but bearable temperatures mean hiking through Serifos’ wilderness is definitely on the cards. In May, temperatures usually reach around 20C during the day. It also means that you can pick up great offers on accommodation.
Serifos is also far less expensive than its other Cycladic neighbours. According to Lonely Planet, a basic room for two costs just €110 (£94.50), while a casual lunch only around €7 (£6). Local beer costs just €2 (£1.72), making the island a perfect choice for those looking for a Greek holiday on a smaller budget.
There is no airport in Serifos, but the island is easily accessible from Piraeus’s port in Athens. High-season ferry services including a one-hour-15-minute journey from Kythnos, costing as little as €7.50 (£6.45).