Serifos
Dramatic white Chora and empty west coast beaches
Serifos is the wildest of the western Cyclades — stark, treeless, and topped by one of the most dramatic villages in Greece: Chora climbs up a volcanic cone like a staircase of white cubes. Iron mining gave the island prosperity until 1963; now abandoned mines and rusted piers give the coastline a post-industrial beauty. The beaches are empty, the villages stuck in time.
3-day itinerary for Serifos
Day 1: Chora & Livadi
- 10:00 · Livadi (port)
Main port and the only real village on the coast. Small but lively with tavernas along the bay. - 11:00 · Livadakia Beach
Sandy beach 5 min walk south of Livadi. Family-friendly with tamarisk shade and tavernas. - 16:00 · Chora (Upper Village)
White-cubed village crowning a pyramid-shaped hill. The climb from the bus stop is steep but magical at dusk. - 18:00 · Chora Castle ruins
At the top of Chora — 360° views over the Aegean at sunset. - 20:30 · Dinner — Stou Stratou
Iconic Chora restaurant on the main square. Modern Cycladic cuisine with creative meze.
Day 2: Northern Coast & Mines
- 10:30 · Megalo Livadi
Abandoned mining harbor on the west coast. Eerie industrial ruins and a pebble beach. The 1916 miners' strike monument is here. - 12:00 · Koutalas Beach
Long sandy bay on the south coast. Peaceful, excellent water clarity. - 15:00 · Mega Chorio (abandoned)
Semi-abandoned mining village in the island's interior. Tall narrow stone houses. - 16:30 · Panagia
Quiet village with one of the oldest churches in the Cyclades (10th-century Byzantine).
Day 3: East Coast Beaches
- 10:00 · Psili Ammos
The most photogenic beach on Serifos — golden sand, turquoise water, perfectly arced bay. - 12:30 · Agios Sostis
Small sandy cove with a whitewashed church on the rocky headland. Very few people. - 14:00 · Lunch — Takis
Local-favorite taverna on Livadi's waterfront. Fresh fish, Serifos chickpea stew (revithada).
Top beaches of Serifos
Psili Ammos
The postcard beach of Serifos. Voted among Greece's top beaches multiple times.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 250 m
- Depth
- Shallow
- Facing
- East — protected
- Facilities
- Two tavernas, umbrellas
Livadakia
Family-friendly main beach, 5 min walk from the port. Shaded by tamarisk trees.
- Type
- Fine sand
- Length
- 250 m
- Depth
- Gradual
- Facing
- South — protected
- Facilities
- Full: tavernas, umbrellas, rooms
Agios Ioannis
Wide, wild northeast coast beach. Striking views, few crowds.
- Type
- Coarse sand & pebbles
- Length
- 400 m
- Depth
- Moderate
- Facing
- East — exposed
- Facilities
- One taverna, umbrellas