There are many those parts of the Cyclades remaining alovita by the wave of mass tourism has, in many cases, alter the traditional colors and make it obscured the natural beauty of the islands. Following the trend of the market "a large part of the island cluster sacrificed some of its image in the interest of tourism development.
In spite of the times, Serifos keep the traditional color, the Cycladic character exudes an atmosphere of another, last season. How could indeed be otherwise? Mythikon home to many great heroes, from Pegasos and Perseus to the Medusa and Cyclops Polyphemos, with the glorious history of 3000 years, now has only 1400 inhabitants, who know that the great beauty of the place they have to offer them many more from excessive tourism.
As the ship approaches the Lawn, the port of Serifos, the unsuspecting visitor created conflicting emotions. On the one hand, the environment agono given Serifos in the not too honorary title "xeronisi" and katalefka houses of Chora, amphitheatrically built on the hill that rises above the Lawn, bringing to mind the typical image of the other Cyclades.
On the other hand, the endless length of one kilometre beach that lies next to the port, Avlomonas, and kolpiskos hosting the evergreen LIVADAKIA and distinguished to the left, seem to indicate that the island has something special.
In an area roughly 75 square kilometres, Serifos counts total 72 (!) Beaches, a total area of 10 kilometres or more. Other accessible from the mainland and others from the sea, others with golden sand and others with small pebbles, other nearby settlements and other isolated, but all with deep blue waters and dream-like atmosphere.
It would be rather unfair to suggest some of the beaches of Serifos as "better", not just a question of making their assessment difficult, but also because it would ypovivaze the magic of exploration, which is the essence of a trip to Serifos.
Completely guide will mention the "famous", and our favorite, Ganema, crushed sand, Sykamia, Vagia, Livadakia and Good Vineyard, urging you to discover the more you can write your own list.
The magic of Serifos, but not limited to the beaches. Traditionally, settlements, with the main amphitheatric Country of 280 inhabitants, with traditional buildings, cobbled streets paved, katalefka houses and the ruins of the Venetian fortress at the top of the hill, but also more "cosmopolitan" areas, with the main Lawn , Which hosts most of the night life of the island, constitute a distinct image of a place that knows how to exploit the "beauty to calcify" (the myth that Perseus, after killing the Medusa, showed the head of the Polydeukes, who in view of petrose, together with all the beauty of the island) to create paramythiou scene.
The traces of mining activity sometimes led to sharp increase in residents of the island is still visible today in the form of industrial archaeology. Rich in minerals and rocks known to those who have hobbies, mineralogical, Mega Livadhi.
The graphic and, despite its name, araiokatoikimeno fishing village on the back side of the island hosts one of the spectacular Greek monuments industrial archaeology. The huge stone bridge that served the rapid loading of ships, currently stands in poor condition at the entrance of the bay of Grand Leivadiou and welcomes instead of commercial ships, crews of vessels coming to a meal in the picturesque tavernas small beach.
Across the bridge or "Staircase", on the other side of the bay, rises known to locals "villa", the story which refers to the difficult years of dictatorship, while behind Skala begin daidalodeis lavyrinthoi of mine who crosses the mountain .
With the help of a local driver, bold… can walk through the tunnels and emerge after about 50 minutes path to another entrance, winning a prize as a dip in the deserted beach waiting below. We note the need to "guide" because several parties have been landslides, while not rare stories for peripatites which xestratisan and lost in the mine.
Guide transition
From the port of Piraeus will find yourself in Serifos in 4 hours and a few minutes ferry boat or 2 hours with high speed. Routes run daily during the summer months, and cover almost the entire cluster of western Cyclades (Kythno, Serifos, Sifnos and Milos).
Survival Guide
Accommodation
The Serifos has several hotels and boarding houses, most of whom are concentrated in the Lawn. Some of the best choices are as follows.
Pergola (Lawn, tel: 22810 52065, 6932747293): Twenty just meters from the beach, offers a uniquely decorated rooms, equipped with air condition, television, radio, hairdryer, fridge and fully equipped kitchen. The double room high season cost 60 euros.
Gorgona Studios (Lawn, tel: 22810 51784, 22810 51971): Also next to the beach area, has ten rooms with all necessary amenities, including air condition, refrigerator and kitchen with all the necessary utensils. The double room high season cost 65 euros.
Naias Hotel (Lawn, tel: 22810 51749, 22810 51585): Rooms with balconies offering magnificent sea view, fully equipped with satellite TV, refrigerator, mini bar, safe and air condition. The double room high season costs 70 euros.
Food and fun
In almost all villages of the island will find taverns and restaurants offering fresh fish and steamed too - with specialties local traditional dishes, such as marathotiganites, liastes tomatoes, local sausages and revythada (chick peas in the oven). Do not forget to try the local rosé wine.
From the most favourable options for food, both restaurants on the beach of Avlomona, near the harbour, and Nikoulias, Platy Yialos.
Regarding the evening you exit, very good choice is the Rakadiko Country, raki, rakomelo… and other national spirit, the club Serifos the Lawn (where you go for your breakfast) with excellent music and cool cocktails and bar Vegera, also in Lawn, which operates from morning till brown, with sofas anapaftikous above the wave.
It is interesting to see
* The archaeological collection hosted at the City Hall of the Country and includes exhibits from the Classical, Hellenistic and Roman periods.
* The built in the 17 th century monastery Taxiarxes with high enclosure and battlements that protected by the pirates, making it to resemble castle
* The Folklore Museum of Country, with traditional objects of different eras.
* The abandoned gold mines, iron and copper in the Great Lawn
* The monument is dedicated to four Miners who performed during the strike for the eight-hour day in 1916, in the same area.
* The throne of the Cyclops, which according to legend, is the rock that Polyphemos flew to Odysseus as he left the island, in Koutala.
* The cave Koutala, with amazing stalactites and stalagmites.
· * The more you beaches.
