This is an outstanding house in Sifnos (a hidden gem!). The house is located in a rural setting in the northwest region of the island on a dirt road. It is a newly built home (completed spring 2019) with truly excellent amenities. It is modern, sophisticated, yet very functional and practical, and it is spotlessly clean. They considered every lovely and thoughtful detail when they built this house. The kitchen is incredibly well equipped for cooking and preparing feasts. The bedrooms and bathroom are very comfortable and very well appointed. The washing machine and dishwasher are excellent. Hot water is plentiful. There is no need for an air conditioner. The house has two balconies with absolutely stunning, unobstructed views of the magnificent Aegean Sea and surrounding rugged wild hills/ small mountains, with the most brilliantly breathtaking and romantic sunsets.
Nikos and Sofia welcomed us so warmly and also provided us with delicious Sifniot specialties including their own home-made cheeses (both soft and hard varieties made from their family’s goats), local capers, honey (Nikos is a beekeeper and his bees produce their ambrosial delight from the surrounding fields of wild thyme flowers).
At night, the stars are brilliant and you can see the Milky Way. The nearly constant sea breeze is magnificent and refreshing. There is no noise from cars or motorcycles. The rustle of the wind and cicadas provide the only background sounds along with the gentle bells of the near-yet-distant grazing goats in the mid-morning and late afternoon. Too many superlatives are not enough to describe this house and the setting.
We suggest that you rent a sturdy car (4 wheel drive) for the convenience of coming and going as you please. The nearby beaches are fabulous.
It helps if you can speak Greek with Nikos and Sofia; they are extremely genuine and delightful hosts who are always available (they live nearby). If you don’t speak Greek, please be patient and polite (and use google translate). Wifi was excellent. Upon our departure we purchased some of Nikos amazing honey as a delicious memento of our trip (a bargain at 18 Euros per kilogram). The Petala house description on airbnb provided by Nikos and Sofia does not do the house/ location sufficient descriptive justice. The house is very comfortable for up to 5 people. There are signs along the road directing you to the correct location. Overall, it is an amazing value.
Sifnos is a wonderful island, mercifully overlooked by the hoards of tourists visiting Santorini and Mykonos. The Sifniot food at the many restaurants is truly outstanding. The hiking along the many excellent well-marked trails of Sifnos is an incredible highlight. The crystal clear, sparkling and calm Mediterranean sea is unforgettable. The endless light and sun are dazzling in Sifnos. The beautifully austere Cycladic architecture and dry landscape in the summer is mesmerizing (an added plus: no mosquitoes!). It is neither too hot nor too cold in the summer. This was one of the most relaxing, interesting and enjoyable vacations ever.