Planning a trip to Sifnos
Visitor Information
The best place on the island for information and help getting a hotel room, boat tickets, car, or motorbike (and arranging hiking excursions) is Aegean Thesaurus Travel and Tourism, with offices on the port (tel. 22840/32-152; www.thesaurus.gr) and on the main square in Apollonia (tel. 22840/33-152). Aegean Thesaurus handles tickets for all hydrofoils and ferries. Check at either office to get the helpful information packet on Sifnos for 2€. Just off the main square in Apollonia, Xidis Travel (tel. 22840/32-373; www.xidis.com.gr) is another good travel agent.
Fast Facts
Visitor services are centered in or just off the main square in Apollonia. This is where you will find the National Bank (tel. 22840/31-317), with an ATM; the post office (tel. 22840/31-329); the telephone office (OTE); the police (tel. 22840/31-210); for medical emergencies call tel. 22840/31-315. The municipal website www.sifnos.gr is useful.
Getting There
By Boat
Weather permitting, there are at least four boats daily from Piraeus, including car ferries and HighSpeeds and SeaJets, some of which take cars. Check ferry schedules with a travel agency, or with the Piraeus Port Authority (tel. 210/451-1311, -1440, or -1441; phone not always answered) or Sifnos Port Authority (tel. 22840/33-617). Ferries travel on ever-changing schedules to other islands, including Serifos, Kimolos Milos, Tinos, Paros, and Kithnos. Boats are notoriously late and/or early; your travel or ticket agent will give you an estimate of times involved in above journeys. www.openseas.gr is a useful resource for boat schedules. If you have time to kill waiting for your boat, have a seat by the Poseidon Café, where an ouzo and mezedes were a reasonable 2€ in 2011.
Tip: If you find yourself waiting (and waiting) for your boat in Kamares, the Emba K'Evas (Come and Go) Café has tables and chairs by the water, good coffee, and ouzo and simple mezedes for a very reasonable 2€.
Getting Around
By Bus
Apollonia's central square, Plateia Iroon (which locals simply call the Plateia or Stavri), is the main bus stop for the island. Buses run regularly to and from the port at Kamares, north to Artemonas and Cheronisso, east to Kastro, and south to Faros, Platis Yialos, and Vathi. Pick up a schedule at Aegean Thesaurus Travel.
By Car & Moped
Many visitors come to Sifnos for the wonderful hiking and mountain trails, but still want the convenience of a car or motorcycle. Reliable agencies include Aegean Thesaurus (tel. 22840/33-151), in Apollonia and Proto Moto Car (tel. 22840/33-792; www.protomotocar.gr), with a quayside office in Kamares and offices in Apollonia and Plati Yialos. In high season, you should reserve ahead. As always, exercise caution if you decide to rent a car or moped; many drivers, like you, will be unfamiliar with the island roads. The daily rate for an economy car with full insurance is from 30€; a moped rents from 20€.
By Taxi
Apollonia's main square is the island's primary taxi stand. There are about 10 taxis on the island, each privately owned, so you'll have to get their mobile phone numbers available at travel agents. Most hotels, restaurants, and shops will call a taxi for you; offer to pay for the call.
