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SIFNOS GREECE - ISLAND OF APOLLO The beauty and romance of the Greek islands are personified on the Aegean island of Sifnos. The tight little island is in the western cluster of the Cyclades, a group of 39 islands (24 of which are inhabited). Getting to the pristine beaches and crystalline waters of Sifnos is part of the fun and best enjoyed by ferry. These come in two flavors: regular and high-speed. The traditional ferry trip takes about 5 1/2 hours from the Piraeus (the port of Athens) to the island with a couple of intermediate island ports of call. Another and much faster option is the daily Flying Dolphin hydrofoil, which slashes sailing time to under three hours. No air service is available because Sifnos is too small to have its own airport. The closest airport is on Milos,and Naxos which will still require a ferry connection. Once on Sifnos (which measures only about 16 kilometers from tip to tip) the lure of the islands of Greece is obvious and close. The capital, Appolonia (named for Enargus Apollo), in the center of the island, is not much bigger than a village. Narrow streets wind among whitewashed buildings adorned with colorful flowers. Beautiful churches and a folklore museum are nearby, as are the island's primary shopping, financial and communication services. The sea, of course, is never more than minutes away and provides a number of memorable beaches and views. Close to Apollonia (5 km east) the ancient walled village of Kastro perches atop a cliff with a breathtaking view of the sea. About ten km south of Apollonia, Plati Gialos has become a popular gathering spot for young people with its pristine beaches and popular beachfront bars and restaurants. On the island's western side, the beach village of Kamares also offers a number of eating and drinking options along with several shops selling the local pottery and ceramics. A more intimate experience of life on Sifnos can be found at Faros, a small fishing village on the southeast of the island where pleasant beaches sit close to affordable accomodations, fresh seafood restaurants and ouzeries favored by the locals. |
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