One of Greece’s most beautiful islands, and one of the few Cycladic islands that has retained its genuine character, remaining practically unaffected by the negative impact of tourism… A small oasis of serenity in the middle of the Aegean!

On the island’s most beautiful beach, Alopronia, we encounter a picturesque little village, where the LUCAS STUDIOS  Panorama are located.

 

The People

The people of Sikinos work mostly in livestock farming and fishing, and less in agriculture and tourism, which is still in its initial stages. The locals are simple people, warm and hospitable. They are generous with their love and smiles, and do their best to make you feel at home during your vacation.

 

Sites

• The Mansions: Some of the best examples of the traditional architecture of the Cycladic islands.
• The Church of Pantanassa (1787): With exceptional post-Byzantine icons of the Cretan school.
• The Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi: Perched on the edge of a rock, at an awe-inspiring location, it resembles a castle, as it stands surrounded by a wall. In the past, residents would seek refuge there during pirate raids.
• The Black Cave (Mavri Spilia): On the northern part of Sikinos we find the island’s largest cave.
• Episkopi: An ancient temple of Apollo Pythios, circa 3rd century AD.

Transportation

The island has approximately 18 km of roads. There is a bus meeting the needs of visitors, with frequent routes between Port-Chora-Episkopi.

To reach the beaches you can either take the bus (routes to Ai Giorgis and Dialiskari) or tourist boats (routes to Malta, Santorneika, Agios Giannis, Karras, Agios Penteleimonas). Also, if weather permits, they make the tour of the island.

 

Sikinos is an ideal destination for anyone who wants to enjoy a quiet and relaxing holiday. This small Cycladic island, with an area of only 41 sq. km, is located between the islands of Ios and Folegandros. Stone and white and blue colors prevail across the landscape; Sikinos has been able to preserve its traditional character through the years.

Chora, one of the most picturesque towns in the Cyclades, is perched on the edge of a steep cliff, granting visitors amazing views. Chora was the result of two villages joining, the Castle and the village, both equally scenic. The island’s port, Alopronia, is located on the south-east side of the island, at a distance of 3.5 km from Chora.

The trip to the island takes 8 hours by boat from the Piraeus Port. Daily routes are scheduled during the summer months.

 

General

Sikinos is a small island of the southern Cyclades, lying between Ios and Folegandros. Due to its size, it is ideal for a pleasant and quiet holiday. The landscape is rather bare and rocky. You will be surrounded by the mesmerizing clear blue waters of the Aegean sea.

The most important archaeological monument are the ruins of the ancient settlement, close to Episkopi. Another such treasure is found on the Malta Cape, which locals call “Paliokastro”. Don’t forget to visit the folk art museum, with many interesting artifacts on display. Among other things, you will have the opportunity to see an ancient oil press.

Sikinos today offers many choices to visitors who wish to explore it. There are many interesting sites to visit. Hiking along the island’s remote and rocky trails is popular among many tourists. Sikinos is blessed with a series of beautiful beaches. The sandy beach at the port is popular for swimming. There are also some rather isolated beaches, like Agios Georgios and Agios Panteleimonas. These can be accessed from the port, by boat.

 

Mythology

According to ancient Greek mythology, the women of Lemnos decided to take revenge on their men, because they were feeling neglected, so they killed them all.

Hypsipyle, the daughter of king Thoas, devised a plan to save her father, so she threw him in the sea, to escape from the island’s women, inside a big closed jar. The waves carried it to the shore of Sikinos, which at the time was named Oinoe, since it was known for its production of good wine. There, King Thoas married a local woman. Their son was named Sikinos, like the island’s current name.

 

Sikinos during history

Archaeological finds on the island show that Sikinos has been inhabited since the Mycenaean era, in the 10th century BC. Colonists from an Ionian island settled there first, and it was later occupied by the Athenians, during the late 5th century BC. The island was conquered by the Romans, who used it as a place of exile. It later came under the Byzantines and then the Venetians who added the island to the Duchy of Naxos. In 1537 it was occupied by the Turks, while later, in 1829 it became part of the rest of Greece.