Geography and location of Serifos

The relief of Serifos island

Serifos is an island of West Cyclades, with hills and small valleys, where fruit trees, citrus trees, olive trees, vegetables and vineyards are cultivated. In addition, on the mountainsides there are prickly pears, oregano, thyme and other herbs. Stone prevails on the island and, according to the inhabitants, one may discern the figures of Danae and Perseus from the mythology of Serifos.

The island’s subsoil is rich in iron ores, which are known to have been exploited from the ancient times. Ore deposits still exist in some regions of the island, mostly on the southwest side.

The highest peak with an altitude of 583m, is found on the island’s central part and it is called Troulos. Other small mountains of Serifos are Petrias, Trachilos and Varda Vounakia with an altitude of approximately 553m, 519m and 432m respectively.

Countless torrents and streams, the tributaries of the islands main rivers, Lygarolakkos (Northwest) and Mavro Klima (South), are formed among the stone volumes.

Moreover, on the perimeter of the island, there are countless natural bays, like the bays of Livadi (where the port of Serifos is found), Koutalas, Kountouros, Psili Ammos, Platis Yialos, Sikamia, etc. In addition, in Steno region, in the east side of the island, there is a water dam.

Around Serifos there are 3 small islands. Piperi in the north, Serifopoula in the northeast and Vous in the east, which was named after its shape.

Location

Serifos is part of the island complex of the West Cyclades and it is situated between Sifnos and Kythnos and about 73 nautical miles away from the port of Piraeus.

Its shape is almost round and it is about 73 sq. km. in extend, while its coastline is about 80 km long and its coasts, divided in very traditional bays and small gulfs, cover about 10 km. Its latitude is 37°30'16" and its longitude is 25°9'5".

Administratively, Serifos belongs to the Prefecture of Cyclades, the capital of which is Ermoupoli of Syros and it belongs to the Courthouse of Milos.

The islands of Greece

The islands form the main morphologic characteristic of the Greek space and a constituent part of the civilization and the tradition of the country. The Greek state includes 6.000 islands and islets, which are dotted in the Aegean and the Ionian Seas, which is a unique phenomenon in the European continent, only 227 of which are inhabited.

Most of the islands are in the Aegean Sea and they are divided in seven complexes (from the north to the south):

• The islands of the northeast Aegean: Agios Efstratios, Thassos, Icaria, Lesvos, Limnos, Oinousses, Samos, Samothrace, Chios, Psara
• Sporades: Alonissos, Skiathos, Scopelos, Skyros
• Euboea
• The island of the gulf of Argosaronicos: Agistri, Aegina, Poros, Salamina, Spetses, Hydra and the coastal area of Methana
• Dodecanese: Astypalea, Kalymnos, Kartpathos, Kassos, Kastelorizo, Kos, Lipsi, Leros, Nisyros, Patmos, Rhodes, Symi, Tilos, Chalki
• Crete
• Cyclades: It is a complex of 56 islands the most important of which are the following: Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Antiparos, Dilos, Ios, Tzia, Kimolos, Kithnos, Milos, Myconos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Serifos, Sikinos, Sifnos, Syros, Tinos, Folegandros, and the "Small Cyclades", which consist of Donoussa, Heraclia, Koufonisia and Shinoussa

Cyclades are the most famous islands of Greece. Their pictures have been all over the world. Their characteristic is the simple and plain beauty of their landscapes, which fascinates every traveler. Their colors are absolutely Greek. The white color of the settlements and the blue of the Aegean, create a heaven scenery on earth!

The holidays in Cyclades are the realization of the summer dream of thousands of tourists every year. In the fabulous beaches and the clean waters of the Aegean Sea, with the sun shining over the magic islands, life seems fairy-like!

A few words on Serifos

White houses with flat roofs, mazy alleys, little churches with sky-blue or white domes, traditional ovens, shoemakers’ shops, dovecotes, golden beaches and dreamlike bays, settlements climbed on mountainsides or by the sea all framed with a traditional island authenticity.

The capital of Serifos is the captivating Chora, built amphitheatrically on a hill; it constitutes an authentic defensive settlement of the middle-ages. It is situated in the south-eastern part of the island and only 5 km. away from the island’s port, which is situated in Livadi, a natural bay in the south.

In Serifos you will discover places that will impress you. The picturesque Chora is built on a rock, its view will take your breath away as soon as you face it and it waits for you to discover it. The small villages Galani, Kentarhos or Kalitsos and Sikamia are built on hill slopes, each one with its own history. The cosmopolitan Livadi (the port), where all the nightlife and entertainment is found, Koutalas with its small stone made houses, old miners' domiciles, Mega Livadi with the imposing ruins of the time that the mines were exploited and the neoclassical building of the mining company’s headquarters.

If you ask the locals, they will tell you that Serifos has over 70 beaches and this is not an exaggeration. The entire island is full of small paths waiting for the aspiring travellers to enjoy them. Many of them, on the perimeter of the island, lead to small magic bays and to beautiful retreats for adventure lovers or for those who want to get to know the island inch by inch. Several bays can only be accessed by boats or private crafts.

When leaving the island, one thing is sure: "The spell of Serifos will turn out to be catalytic! And will be calling you to visit over and over again!"