Serifos the iron island of the Aegean Sea! It is located at the western part of Cyclades group and it is considered one of the most graphic and attractive islands. It has the most beautiful beaches in the Aegean, quaint and traditional villages and special festivals. In Serifos you can relax and enjoy nature.
SERIFOS or Chora, the enchanting capital of the island spreads around a rocky hill above the harbor Livadi.
Its daedalian narrow streets and the traditional architecture in combination with the amazing view, create true magic.
On top of the hill are the ruins of the Venetian castle built in 143 that protected the settlement, and also remains of the ancient acropolis. The capital is divided in two settlements: Pano and Kato Chora, while the public places as the Piazza at Pano Chora, where there is the neoclassic building of the Town Hall. At Kato Chora there is a Folklore Museum where you can admire articles of the traditional life of the island and samples of the mineral wealth of Serifos’ land. Behind the Folklore Museum you will see a small theater where several events take place.
The Archaeological Museum of Serifos is also situated in Kato Chora and houses findings of the Classic, Hellenisitic and Roman times. A special place in the capital is occupied by the square of windmills (Myli Square), however only two of then have been restored. Here there are some tourist shops and bars.
In the capital you will find some rooms to let, many restaurants and taverns where you can taste the local recipes and the local wine, coffee shops and bars.
The most important church of Serifos is Panagia, which dates from the 19th or 11th c., at the beautiful village also called PANAGIA, a short distance north of Chora.
PYRGOS is located at about 1,5 kilometers from Panagia and it is one of the most ancients settlements on the island. There are only abandoned houses.
In the north-east of the island, near the village of GALANI is the monastery of the Taxiarchon, a fortress-monastery built in the 17th c.
The village got its name from the ancient mines of galinitis found nearby.
A short distance away is the fine beach of PLATYS GIALOS.
A small distance before the crossroads to Platys Gialos there is the small church of the Panagia Skopiani.
South-west of Chora, in the interior of the island there are the remains of a Hellenistic tower (Aspropyrgos), while the ruins of fortifications and a few houses can be seen at Kastro Grias.
At the south – west is also KOUTALAS a coastal settlement which has been developed when the island’s mines were operating and which was the mining center of the island. Mines were a significant part of the history of Serifos.
At the south west side of the island in the homonym bay is the settlement of MEGALO LIVADI which has been founded in 1880. It has known a big economic acme during the period when the mines operated. At the edge of the coast there is still a neoclassic building with big palms, which used to house the seat of the mine company. Today there are only a few houses that are inhabited during the summer, a wonderful sandy beach, some rooms to let and two taverns.
LIVADI the harbor and the tourist center of Serifos is 5 kilometers south-east of Chora. Here you will find numerous hotels and rooms to let, coffee shops, taverns, various shops, travel agencies and places for entertainment. It is a village full of life!
LIVADAKIA is a small and new settlement right next to the harbor. It has a nice and a protected from the winds beach that attracts most of the people. In the area you will find hotels, bungalows, rooms to let, the only organized camping site of Serifos, some taverns and coffee shops.
BEACHES
Serifos is an island full of bays and amazing sandy beaches with crystal clear waters. The topology of the island is ideal for swimming, bicycling, windsurfing and skiing in the sea.
There are many beautiful beaches on the east side of the island: PSILI AMMOS, AGIOS IOANNIS, AGIOS SOSTIS, LIA, KARAVI etc.
Megalo Livadi is the beach of the homonym village, with shallow and crystal waters.
Psili Ammos is very close to Livadi and it is considered the best beach on the island. The waters are clear and shallow, ideal for families with children.
After Psili Ammos you will meet Agios Ioannis beach with the homonym church. Here there are some rooms to let.
Agios Sostis is a wonderful sandy beach with the homonym church at the edge of the cliff. This beach is ideal to relax.
Lia is a golden sandy beach, also unique to relax.
Within 10 minutes of walk from Livadakia you will find Karavi beach with crystal clear waters ideal for swimming.
On the north side of Livadi is Avlomonas, a quite crowded beach, the natural end of the port. It is the only organized beach on the island with sun beds and umbrellas. There is also the possibility for water sports.
One of the biggest beaches of the island is Sikamia with pebbles, tamarisk trees and deep blue waters.
Other nice sandy beaches are Platis Gialos and Avessalos the best fishery of Serifos.
NEARBY ISLANDS
Around Serifos there are 3 small islets: PIPERI in the north, SERIFOPOULA and VOUS.
TRADITION – EVENTS
Serifos still maintains its traditions alive. One of the most special customs of the island is that of Kapetania which takes place on the last Sunday of the Carnival.
The most important festival on Serifos is that of Xylopanagia which takes place in the village Panagia at the most ancient church of the island on the 15th August.
Other festivals are those of Agia Irene in Koutalas on the 5th May, of Taxiarches at the homonym monastery on the 8th November, of Agios Sostis at the beach of the same name on the 7th September, of Saints Constantine and Helen on the 21st May, of Panagia in Pyrgos on the 16th August and many others.
LOCAL PRODUCTS – CUISINE
In the taverns you will taste the traditional local recipes of Serifos. The most famous of them are: revithada, marathotiganites, fava, local sausages, skepastaria and local wine as well as souma (alcoholic drink : a kind of raki ).
In Serifos you can enjoy local products such as amygdalota, bakery products, honey and cheese.
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