Sifnos, a lesser-known Greek island, offers a crowd-free alternative to the busy Cycladic hotspots of Santorini and Mykonos, with around 126,000 visitors each year compared with the roughly three million who travel to Santorini. The island is known for its whitewashed villages, clear-water beaches, and traditional character.
What makes Sifnos special
The island is crossed by a network of well-signposted hiking trails that pass through ancient olive groves, terraced hillsides, and traditional villages. A key highlight is the medieval village of Kastro, which sits on a cliff edge and is home to the Church of the Seven Martyrs, a white-and-blue-domed chapel on a rocky outcrop.
At sea level, beaches such as Vathi and Platis Gialos offer shallow waters suited to swimming and water sports. Local tavernas serve regional dishes including slow-cooked lamb stew (mastelo) and chickpea soup, often prepared in the island's artisan ceramics.
Getting there
Visitors fly to Athens first, then take a bus, train, or taxi to the port of Piraeus to catch a ferry. A standard crossing takes about five hours, while a high-speed boat takes two hours, with fares from roughly £25.
Travel TikToker Declan called Sifnos his "favourite" Greek island out of the 10 he has explored, saying: "This under-the-radar island checks every box: amazing restaurants and bars, whitewashed villages and cobblestone charm, quiet beaches without the Mykonos crowds, hikes with panoramic views, and it’s affordable, authentic, and easily accessible from Athens!"
Another creator, Totally Avalon, described the island as the "most underrated island in Greece", showing its "incredibly blue" water and "unforgettable" scenery, and said she "can't wait to go back". One former visitor confirmed: "This was our favourite island." Another wrote: "Stunning."
