Serifos
Serifos is a Cycladic island with a hilltop town, former iron mining villages and beaches on four coasts, about 170 kilometers from Piraeus.
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Serifos is a Greek island in the western Cyclades, in the Aegean Sea, and part of the Milos regional unit. It covers about 75.2 square kilometers and had 1,241 residents at the 2021 census. The main town, Chora, sits on a hilltop about 200 meters up, and its medieval castle has marble blocks from the ancient town built into its walls. Livadi is the port below. In myth, Danaë and her infant son Perseus washed ashore here after being set adrift in a chest.
Iron mining began in the late 19th century, and the mines closed in 1963. Today the island depends mainly on tourism and small-scale farming. You can still see miners' housing and loading piers at Mega Livadi and Koutalas, and a main road loops from Chora back to Livadi. Beaches line the south, north, east and west coasts. The island lies about 170 kilometers east-southeast of Piraeus, the Athenian port.
Serifos in five
- Check which ferry and which day before you bookSerifos has no airport and sits on the western Cyclades route with Sifnos and Milos. Sailing times and frequency change by season, so check the operators.Piraeus
- Choose Livadi for the beach, Chora for the viewLivadi has the port and a beach with services; Chora sits on a hill with views and steep lanes. A bus links them.Cyclades
- Walk the path between Chora and the coastFootpaths link Chora with the coast and old mining sites. Wear sturdy shoes, carry water and avoid the midday heat.
- Rent a scooter or car for the beachesBeaches such as Psili Ammos and Ganema are a short drive from the port. Check road conditions, and book a vehicle in summer.
- Plan for strong wind in July and AugustThe meltemi can disrupt ferries and make beaches rough. Keep flexible and have a wind-sheltered backup beach.
Need to know
- Airport
- None; fly to Athens (ATH) and take a ferry from Piraeus
- Getting there
- Ferry from Piraeus, about 2.5–5 hours depending on boat
- Getting around
- Local bus, taxi, rental scooter or car
- Best base
- Livadi for the port and beach; Chora for views
- Time needed
- 3–5 days; a day trip does not work
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low12°Mild, wetJanuaryPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 74 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
- FebruaryPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh14°Low12°Mild, wetFebruaryPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 44 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
- MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh16°Low13°Cool, windyMarchClear
Good
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, windy
- AprilClear4 rainy daysHigh18°Low15°Spring, quietAprilClear
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, quiet
- MayClear3 rainy daysHigh21°Low18°Warm, openMayClear
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 18°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, open
- JuneClear1 rainy dayHigh26°Low23°Warm seaJuneClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- JulyClear1 rainy dayHigh28°Low25°Hot, meltemiJulyClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, meltemi
- AugustClear1 rainy dayHigh28°Low25°Hot, busyAugustClear
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear2 rainy daysHigh26°Low23°Warm sea, calmSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 26°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 9 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea, calm
- OctoberClear3 rainy daysHigh22°Low20°Mild, calmOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 22°
- Low
- 20°
- Precipitation
- 21 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, calm
- NovemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh19°Low17°ShowersNovemberPartly cloudy
Mixed
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 48 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh16°Low14°Mild, wetDecemberPartly cloudy
Poor
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 76 mm
- Rainy days
- 11
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, wet
Average daily high and low in Serifos, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Serifos
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
18
- Feels like
- 18°
- Humidity
- 86%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 95%
Serifos
10:47 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today19°17°95%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 19°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Tue20°18°95%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 20°, Low 18°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Wed20°17°5%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 17°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Thu17°14°5%Thursday: Partly cloudy. High 17°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Fri14°13°5%Friday: Partly cloudy. High 14°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sat14°13°5%Saturday: Partly cloudy. High 14°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 5%.
- Sun15°13°3%Sunday: Cloudy. High 15°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 3%.
Updated 07:04 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Piraeusferry, about 2.5–5 hoursThe mainland port where your trip starts and ends.Read the guide
- Santoriniferry connection; check the seasonA busier island farther east with caldera views.Read the guide
- Mykonosferry connection; check the seasonBeach and nightlife island on a different route.Read the guide
Before you go to Serifos
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Rules for Serifos, checked
- Greece is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (mfa.gr) before you travel.Source
- Non-EU visitors are registered under the EU Entry/Exit System at the border. Check the European Commission's current EES guidance before you travel.
- Do not take stones, marble or pottery from ancient sites. Removing antiquities from Greece is illegal, even a single piece from a wall or beach.
- Dial 112 for police, fire or ambulance from any phone in Greece.
Plan around Serifos
The island group Serifos belongs to
Read the guidePiraeusThe port where ferries to Serifos leave
Read the guideSantoriniA busier Cycladic island, farther east
Read the guideMykonosThe nightlife island, on a different ferry line
Read the guideAll of GreeceAthens, the islands and the mainland
Read the guideSerifos FAQ
Is Serifos worth visiting?
Yes, for a quiet Cycladic island with a hilltop town, small beaches and walking. It has fewer crowds than Santorini or Mykonos.
How do you get to Serifos?
By ferry from Piraeus, usually along the western Cyclades route with Sifnos and Milos. There is no airport.
How many days do you need in Serifos?
Three days covers Chora, a beach and a walk. Five days allows a slower pace and a second beach area.
Where should you stay in Serifos?
Livadi for the port and beach; Chora for views and quiet. A car or scooter helps with beaches.
When is the best time to visit Serifos?
Late May to June and September to early October for warm sea and calm. July and August are busy and windy.