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Map & Synopsis: Greek Island of Serifos (Cyclades)
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greece travel map serifos greek islandGreek Island of Serifos

One of the least visited of the Cyclades, Serifos is known mostly for its Hora, perched way up high on the cliffs above the port, and typically Cycladic, though far less touristic than other such towns in these islands.

Serifos is a good place to escape the crowds, though there's plenty of touristic activity down by harbor, Livadhi, at the beach of Livadhakia, with many rooms, apartments, bungalows, bar, restaurants, watersports outfits, and the like, though there is also a campground.

serifosQuieter beaches include Karavi beach, to the south, which is no-bathing-suit land, and Psili Ammos, to the north, with fine white sand and two tavernas, and another nude beach to the north, and some coves, one with good drinking water.

There are more beaches on the southwest coast. For visiting the dramatic Hora way up the road, one can walk up in about forty minutes from the port on an old kalderimi (cobbled path). The slopes are terraced, with little chapels hanging precariously over the cliffs below the village. Narrow lanes and whitewashed houses are the familiar scene up above; with flights of steps here and there. Stone from the ancient castle were used in some of the houses, and there are even some medieval ones. There are some neoclassical buildings in the main square, and a few tavernas with some local dishes. A few inexpensive rooms are found here, with most visitors to the island staying in the port or on the beaches. The steep walk down to Psili Ammos beach below takes about an hour. The beach resort below Megalo Horio has a nice bay, beach, taverna, and some rooms; more beaches are found to the south, and the two chambered Cave of the Cyclops, with stalactites and a small lake, the floor of the cave of petrified seashells.

almond blossomsIn the north of the island is the 10th century church of Panaghia, for which the nearby town is named. There's a big 15th of August festival here, but it's held on the 16th. In the northeast at Galani, is Taxiarkhos Monastery, dating from 1500, with 18th century frescoes by a famous fresco painter, and some other precious items worth viewing. The villages of Galani and Panaghia are both quite appealing; one might find a meal at the general store in Galani. One of the fertile areas on Serifos is at Kalitsos (or Kendharos) in the northeast part of the island, with almond and olive trees, reachable on foot from Hora in about 1 ½ hours; nearby is the beach of Platis Yialos and Sikaminia Bay , the former more sheltered, and with a beach adjacent to it with a taverna and some rooms with good views.