Sikinos sits to the south of the Cyclades, often overshadowed by the more famous neighbouring islands of Ios and Santorini, and remains a quiet, unspoiled haven rarely visited by foreign tourists. The barren, rocky facade of black, volcanic hills is home to fewer than 500 people, and because it’s rarely visited by tourists, it had kept its authentic and sleepy charm.
There are few tourist facilities on the island, which is why many find Sikinos so charming. Until recently, it could be difficult to find and English speaker among the locals. For a place free from mainstream bars and upmarket restaurants, the fare found at the local restaurants and tavernas is traditional, hearty and well priced. The beaches on the south coast are calm and quiet, and crowds and tourist buses will not plague you.
The port of Alopronia is found on the island’s south and the only place where some tourists facilities have appeared. What was once a fishing village now has the most of the island’s tourist facilities. Hora is the largest town on the island is north of Alopronia, and it has the traditional charm of the Cycladic villages. Stone houses, cobbled streets and bright flowers adorn the town. There are also a number of chapels to be visited on the way up to the Kastro region on the town. Around the island, Sikinos there are a number of historical and cultural sites that can be visited. Moni Zoodohou Pigis, is the monastery outside of the Hora, perched high on the cliffs next to the town. The other excursion to be taken on Sikinos is a visit to Episkopi, to the south of Hora, where the remains of a Doric settlement are found, as well as the ruins of a 17th century monastery.