Sikinos | A Charming Greek Island
Sikinos Island welcomes you with terraces, low stone fences, and many chapels scattered amidst beautiful green and blue waters. It’s not an urbanized island with wild nightlife. Rather, it can offer you some unique moments of tranquility. Sikinos is also well-known for its wine production, a tradition that started in ancient times.
The island is between the islands of Folegandros and Ios in the Cyclades.
Climate
The island of Sikinos has a Med climate with hot and dry summers and mild winters. The average annual temperature is 79° F, with a yearly rainfall of around 12 inches. It is dry for 243 days a year.
Places to see on Sikinos
- Chora, the capital of Sikinos, hosts two charming settlements, Horio and Kastro, located very close to each other. These villages are a bastion of tradition, where villagers proudly uphold their customs and festivities.
- About 4km from Chora, you’ll find the picturesque port of Alopronoia Village, also known as Ano Pronia Village. While it may not be a bustling party hub, it’s the perfect place to savor music, wine, and delectable cuisine.
- Explore the rich heritage of Sikinos at the Byzantine Collection, located in the heart of Chora. This collection houses the island’s most significant icons. The church displays them during the summer months. In the winter, their home is in the church of Panagia Pantanassa.
- The Church of Panagia Pantanassa, nestled in Kastro village, stands as Sikinos’ most renowned religious site. Built in 1787, it boasts a lovely katholikon and showcases exquisite late-Byzantine icons.
- Delve deeper into the island’s history at the Folklore Museum, housed in an olive oil press in Chora. This unique museum was once the home of an American expatriate. The man knew a lot about olive oil production and Sikinos’ history.
- Embark on an enriching journey to the Monastery of Episkopi, a one-hour walk from Chora. This spiritual retreat is a site of great significance and well worth the visit.
- The Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi, perched atop a hill above Chora, offers breathtaking views of the sea and the sunset..
- For more adventure, consider visiting the nearby island of Folegandros, famous for its pristine beaches, great restaurants, and captivating experiences.
- You can also hop over to Ios, where vibrant nightlife, stunning beaches, and a plethora of dining options await.
Things to do on Sikinos
- Hike. There are various hiking trails around the island. Some of the most popular trails are Episokpi to Agia Marina 1.4km (35 min), and Profitis Ilias to Malta: 4km (1.5h).
- Visit the beach. The few organized beaches are Port Beach, Agios Georgios Beach, Dialiskari Beach, and Malta Beach.
- Celebrate. During festivals, Sikinos residents celebrate with enthusiasm. There’s a lot of music, folklore dances, food, and wine.
- Visit a winery. The island produces not only fabulous honey but also delicious wines.
- Explore the Mavri Spilia cave. Many say that this cave, under the Monastery of Hrisopigi, is among the most beautiful of the Cyclades. You can only reach it by boat.
Gastronomy
Local women in Sikinos continue age-old traditions by making pasteli sesame snaps and melitinia. The latter is a traditional mini-pie made with mild myzithra cheese, sugar, vanilla, flour, eggs, and semolina flour.
Sikinos is well-known for its honey. The ten tons of honey produced yearly is among the best in Greece. Besides honey, the island produces excellent wine.
Sikinos Marinas
There are no large marinas on the island. However, there are some pretty anchorages and a port.
- Aghios Georgios is a lovely anchorage on the southeast coast. The Agios Georgios islet protects it.
- Agios Nikolaos Bay is between Sikinos port and Agios Georgios. It’s tiny. It has a tiny beach with Tamarix trees.
- Alopronia, or Skala, is the only port from which to visit the Chora.
