When I planned my trip to Greece, it was difficult to decide between so many different islands. Based on advice from friends I chose Sifnos, and I am so glad that I did! Before even arriving, I knew that Faros, the tiny village where I stayed, would be something special. I knew from the communication with my host that this would be a warm, welcoming community. What I didn’t know was just how much my host, Panos, along with his parents, Sofia & Dimitris, would go out of their way to make me feel like family.
They helped with anything and everything I needed—rides to town, restaurant recommendations, advice on what to do, and even an emergency dentist appointment! And they did their best to fatten me up with samples of all the best local homemade treats: revithada (traditional chickpea soup), lemon-yogurt cake, spanakopita, fava, and several varieties of local cheese. The entire community of Faros and the entire population of Sifnos were simply lovely and inviting, but this family goes above and beyond to make sure their guests have an unforgettable experience.
Then there’s the apartment itself, which has every amenity you might need. It’s beautifully decorated in modern Greek style. The shower is quite large by European standards, with a wonderful rainfall showerhead. The hairdryer is high-end and powerful, and there’s even a flat iron provided. The kitchen is perfectly equipped, with a full-size fridge and plenty of kitchen tools and small appliances. The Wifi is surprisingly strong and consistent, which is oftentimes not the case in small island villages. There are electrical outlets everywhere—even on the patio—so you can easily charge all your devices. There are 2 AC units, so during hot weather you can completely cool the place. The bed is big and comfy, and the hosts regularly refresh the bed and bath linens. There’s also a washing machine and a ton of storage space for clothes and luggage.
The patio is awesome—like a whole extra outdoor room! It’s an ideal place to sit on the porch swing and enjoy your morning coffee, while exchanging greetings of “Kalimera!” with the locals passing by. Or, hang out there in the evening, sipping good Greek wine and watching the light shift to dusk over the hilltops of Faros.
When you’re ready for a swim, it’s a short 100-meter stroll to the closest beach, which was never ever crowded. Several other beaches—including my favorite of the entire island, Apokofto—are in easy walking distance. There are a handful of delicious restaurants in and around Faros, plus a mini-market for basic needs. When you need more groceries or fancy a night on the town, the capital of Apollonia and neighboring Artemonas are a mere 4 miles away (you can get a ride with your host, on the local bus, or with one of the island’s 10 taxi drivers). For restaurant recommendations, try Café Mosaic (Artemonas), Cayenne (Apollonia), Chrissopigi Tavern (Apokofto beach), Lychnos (Faros), Leonidas (Kastro) and To Steki (Platys Gialos). Late-night drinks are best at Botzi (Apollonia). For quality shopping (no typical touristy souvenirs), don’t miss Passe-Partout (Kastro), Sifnos Stoneware (Artemonas), and Y&Z Creations (Artemonas).
As you can tell, I fell in love with Faros village and the island of Sifnos. It already feels like a home-away-from-home and I can’t wait to return!