Serifos island

The small island of Serifos belongs to the island complex of the Cyclades. Embraced by two seas with Myrtoos on its left and the Aegean on its right, Serifos is located between Kythnos and Sifnos. Its shape is almost circular and it has an area of 73 square miles.

Serifos is not mountainous, but stone prevails. Its highest peak, with an altitude of 583m, is located in the central part of the island and is called Troulos.

The small island consists of low hills and small valleys. Through its stone volumes are formed tributaries of the two main rivers of the island, Lygarolakkos and Mavro Klima.

In the small agricultural lands, a few fruit trees, citrus trees, olive trees, horticulture and vines are usually cultivated. On the slopes of the low mountains we find various herbs such as oregano, thyme and some prickly pears.

The island of Serifos flourished at the beginning of the 20th century. The subsoil of Serifos was rich in metal deposits. For this purpose, many mining companies settled on the island at that time, creating large facilities that would serve the extraction of metals. Afterwards, of course, they were abandoned after mining was deemed unprofitable. Mining existed from Proto-Cycladic times with an emphasis on copper and iron mining. Even today, the subsoil of Serifos is rich in deposits of hematite, magnetite, and copper.

Let’s get to know Serifos through the eyes of a visitor…

Serifos is a small, picturesque and peaceful island in the southwest Aegean. It is only 65 nautical miles from the port of Piraeus. During the summer season, the itineraries from the port of Piraeus are made by high-speed ferries and conventional ferries. The transition can take from 2 to 4.5 hours. Arriving in Serifos you can connect to other Cycladic islands such as Ios, Kimolos, Syros, Folegandros, Mykonos, Amorgos, Anafi, Milos, Sifnos and even Crete via Milos.

Serifos is characterized by harmony and peace, which it generously gives to the traveler from the first moment he visits it.

There are many who characterize it as the Untouched Paradise. It always remains peaceful, away from the bustling crowds of the cities, the non-stop crowd of the cosmopolitan Cycladic islands.

Serifos opens its welcoming traditional island embrace to every visitor. The island of Serifos stands out for its hospitable inhabitants and welcomes you to a travel experience with magical images, traditional tastes and island smells. It is certain that the traveler who chooses Serifos for his holidays will be enchanted by its eerie but at the same time idyllic landscape.

The residential system of Serifos is similar to that of the rest of the Cyclades. The Chora, the port, the main villages, the coastal settlements and the rural settlements form the basic residential structure for the whole complex of these islands. Chora, Livadi, Livadakia, Ramos, Panagia, Galani, Kentarchos, Pyrgos, Megalo Livadi, the great village, Koutalas are some of the main settlements of the island.

Let’s take a closer look at the main settlements of the island.

The picturesque Chora of the island rises on the hill at an altitude of 200m. it stands stately and welcoming, as if it “looks down” at the picturesque bay of Livadi from above. Chora stands out, and remains an unexpected surprise for the visitor, perched on the imposing rock with its calcareous slopes, with its romantic cantons wrapping the small white houses of the traditional settlement. Its welcome starts from the picturesque Mills. They welcome you until you reach Ano Chora on foot, walking up the whitewashed steps that will lead you to the Piazza, with the traditional cafes, in a setting from the past. There you will see the imposing building of the City Hall dominating, in a setting that seems to have been taken out of a movie and your wandering will lead you slowly and seductively through the beautiful, quiet alleys with the unique images from the well-kept balconies and the enchanting smells from their flowers .

Its harbor is Livadi, with its sheltered harbor and the picturesque bay of Avlomonas, adorned by the characteristic tamarisk trees that generously offer their shade to young and old who rest there. Livadi is a seaside settlement full of life with various small shops, with picturesque taverns and cafes to choose from the first to the last meal of your day. Of course we could not leave out the charming bars for your romantic evenings, which decorate the beautiful streets on summer nights.