Sifnos, Greece
 

Sifnos, Greece

Unlike many of the Cycladic Islands, Sifnos isn’t overwhelmed by tourists although it is still a popular destination for yacht charters and international travelers.

The simple port of Kamares greets yacht charter visitors with a barren, rocky terrain. But, once leaving this area, charter guests discover lovely villages, ancient sites, and terraced hills scented with thyme and oregano. The countryside is filled with olive and almond groves, ancient monasteries and 365 chapels.

Sifnos was once the richest of the Cycladic Islands with huge reserves of precious metals including gold and silver. Some historians believe the island’s name derives from the Greek word for “empty” which is how the island was left after incurring the wrath of Apollo. Each year islanders sent an annual gift of a golden egg to Apollo’s sanctuary at Delphi, but one year they sent a gold-plated stone instead. This, according to legend, was answered by Apollo who retaliated by flooding the gold mines, leaving the island destitute.

Kastro Church, Sifnos

The medieval Kastro Village is a top yacht charter visitor destination. Perched on a cliff top on the east coast, Kastro Village has fine cuisine and locally produced pottery. Beautiful beaches line the southeast coast and a lovely bay is situated in the southwest.