Tour of Sikinos Island
Sikinos is a small island in south Cyclades group, ideal for quiet and peaceful holidays with its hospitable residents.
On the virgin beaches with the crystal waters you will enjoy unforgettable times of relaxing.
Sikinos has retained all its traditions, colors and all the other characteristics that compose a typical Cycladic island.
CHORA SIKINOS
Chora or SIKINOS is a very picturesque town, thanks to its traditional architecture: amongst the purely Cycladic elements are several interesting mansions.
It consists of two settlements: Chorio the village and Kastro the castle.
Chorio is the oldest settlement with small labirynth alleys, old houses, quaint arches, hidden corners and stone steps.
The church of the Pantanassa is worth visiting, with its gilded wood-carved icons and post-Byzantine icons.
The Folklore Museum is also at Chorio at the old oil-press building.
Around the central square of Chora you will find many taverns, where you will taste the famous local recipes and rooms to let.
Kastro built on the edge of a 280 m. high cliff, is a fortressed settlement of the 15th century. Here beats the island’s heart: shops, cafes, taverns and the central square are the core of the island’s social life.
Tour of Sikinos Island
To the west of Chora is the ruined monastery of Chryssopigi (or Zoodochos Pigi) which is a fortress-monastery, and is called Kastro by the locals.
It is a female monastery built in 1690.
The first king of Greece, Otto, terminated its operation in 1834.
Chryssopigi was the last resort for the inhabitants each time Sikinos was raided by the pirates.
ALOPRONIA
The small and tranquil harbor of ALOPRONIA (or Pronia), lies 3,5 kilometers south-east of Chora.
This picturesque settlement has a big tourist development and attracts many holiday makers in the summer.
Around the port you will find hotels, rooms to rent, taverns and café-bars.
From Alopronia you can take a boat for excursions to the secluded beaches all around the island.
EPISKOPI, AGIA MARINA and PALIOKASTRO are sites of archaeological interest.
In the region of Episkopi was built ancient Sikinos.
You can see the remains of Pythios Apollo’s temple dated from the 3rd c. BC and the church of the Dormition of Virgin Mary which was built at the 5th century.
SIKINOS BEACHES – CAVES
The magic beaches of Sikinos are to be found in small coves, in protected bays.
You can swim at Alopronia or take a boat to Agios Georgios with sand and tamarisk trees for shadow, Agios Panteleimonas a small beach south of the port and Dialiskari.
All these beaches have sand or pebbles and crystal clear waters.
The largest beach of Sikinos ideal for swimming, Livadi, is adjacent to Alopronia.
Maltas is another small sandy beach with crystal waters accessed only by boat or by path from Kastro (6,5 kilometers, 2 hours of walk).
The largest cave of Sikinos is Mavri Spilia (Black Cave) and it is located on the northern side of the island under the Chryssopigi monastery. It can be reached only by boat.
Tour of Sikinos Island
TRADITION – EVENTS
A summer festival is organized in Sikinos every year in August.
The program includes exhibitions, performances and concerts.
The most famous religious festivals are those of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary in 15th August, of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross in 14th September, of the Entry of Virgin Mary in 21 November, of Zoodochos Pigi in 2nd May, the day of celebration for the Pantanassa in 27th March, and of Agios Panteleimonas in 27th August.
The local feasts are celebrated very diligently on the island: the churches are meticulously prepared, women cook endless quantities of local dishes and all the houses are decorated.
After the holy mass and the blessings everybody is invited to eat, drink, sing and dance.
LOCAL PRODUCTS
The local products of the island are famous for their quality and taste.
Don’t miss to taste the honey of fine quality, delicious cheeses, fresh fish and seafood, red wine and the traditional sweet pasteli made with local pure honey.