Joanna KalafatisIn the past few years people have been flocking way from the increasingly overpriced (and insanely overcrowded) Greek islands of Mykonos and Santorini and exploring lesser-known destinations. One of the vacation spots that has seen a large boost thanks to this trend is Serifos, and its main town of Chora.
Like the world-famous islands of Mykonos and Paros, Serifos is also part of the Cyclades island chain. However, it is serviced by ferries that usually operate on a different route from Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos, as Serifos is south of Athens, while the aforementioned islands are south-southeast.
If you want to head to a more authentic, and less overrun Greek destination, Serifos may be the summer island choice for you.
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Where is Chora, Serifos?
Most main towns of Greek islands are either called “Chora”, or by the name of the island itself. For example, the capital city of the Ionian island of Lefkada, is called “Lefkada”.
Chora in Serifos is divided into Ano Chora (Upper) and Kato Chora (Lower). The lower part of town is on the slope of the hillside, and has plenty of stunning bougainvilleas spilling over the sides of the whitewashed houses found here.
Serifos has a bit of an unusual main town, in that it’s not by the coast. In fact, it’s approximately a 15-minute drive up from the port and adjacent seaside hotels, although there are other methods of transportation as well. Which brings us to the first activity you can pursue when visiting Chora, Serifos.
Things To Do in Serifos’ Chora
Hike Up From the Port of Livadi Bay to Chora
Though you can choose to drive up to Chora, or take one of the frequently departing shuttles between the port and the main town, there is another option: hiking.
By far the most scenic and beautiful of the transportation options available, the hike up to Chora will reward you with incredible panoramic views, food and refreshments at the traditional Greek tavernas at the top, and best of all, a nice feeling of accomplishment.
Eat your way through that saganaki and drink up some ouzo – you deserve it.
The hike follows the main road leading up from the bay, and then veers off onto stair-laden uphill path. Thanks to the incline, the hike up is infinitely harder than the hike down. Give yourself approximately 50 minutes to reach the top, possibly more in the warm summer months that discourage fast movements.
If you are hiking in the summer, have water with you, and choose a time either early in the morning or right at dusk in order to avoid the midday heat.
Explore the Castle of Serifos
You will come across a small castle at the top of the uphill climb. No medieval fortresses or dark stone dungeons here – instead, you will find an old Venetian wall around the central part of the settlement.
Several beautiful churches lie within these walls. Explore them in addition to walking the narrow alleys winding among the whitewashed houses. Enjoy losing yourself among the rectangular traditional structures that give the impression they are spilling down over the hill.
Enjoy the Sunset View at Agios Konstantinos
The main town of Chora has quite a few traditional Greek Orthodox churches and monasteries within its city walls, such as Agia Varvara and Agios Athanasios, both of which are worth exploring. However, one of the most well-known sits at the top of the hike to Chora: Agios Konstantinos.
Perched high up on the edge of town, with the beautiful blue waters of Livadi Bay as a backdrop, this area provides one of the best vista points in Serifos. Since the bay is east, southeast of Chora, you will have the sun behind you as you gaze out onto the Aegean Sea.
As a result, the sky over the bay lights up with some of the most fairytale-like pinks and purples you have ever seen.
Relax at the Picturesque Pano Piatsa
The main plaza of Chora, Serifos, is located in front of the island’s town hall, built in 1904. It may seem familiar if you’ve been browsing Greek island-themed Instagram posts in the past few years.
Walk amongst teh brightly colored chairs and tables, in front of the neoclassical town hall and traditional whitewashed houses tinged with blue. This is one of the few open, airy spots in Ano (Upper) Chora, which has a lot of densely packed stores and houses otherwise.
Grab a seat and grab a coffee, a cocktail, or mezedakia (traditional Greek appetizers). Stou Stratouis always highly recommended for small plates and drinks.
Go Shopping to Buy Islands Crafts & Designs
There are several small boutique stores throughout Chora that offer handmade products. I personally love Anemi for jewelry, San Paramithi for clothing and accessories, and Sarfus, which has handmade ornaments and home decor.
Of course, you can also go exploring on your own to find out of the way boutique stores, away from the main plaza, that many people won’t come across. The shopowners also tend to be quite chatty and love sharing their experiences living in Serifos, either full or part-time. And there’s no better way to travel like a local than to get locals’ impressions of their towns.
One of the last recommendations isn’t just a store, but also a place to learn some techniques. Which brings us to…
Explore the Island’s Tradition of Ceramics and Pottery
Serifos and the neighboring island of Sifnos both have a long-time tradition of pottery, ceramics, and general clay making.
If you want to go beyond browsing local shopowner’s Natasa Kalogeropoulou’s creations, as well as those of other Greek ceramicists, you can also dive into the world of clay and ceramics yourself.
Check out shops like Kerameio for locally made creations. Sometimes, the shop even offers workshops.
Try Greek Craft Beers at Thidira Tap Concept Bar
Ouzo may be the traditional drink of choice in Greece, but the country has also made quite a name for itself in craft beers.
There are dozens, if not hundreds of beer brands being produced throughout this relatively small country. Head to Thidira Tap Concept Bar, also located in the main square, to try some truly unique, hard to find beer concoctions.
Grab a Coffee or a Cocktail at White Coffee Bar
It’s a rare spot that manages to make a great cup of coffee as well as a killer cocktail. White Coffee Bar is here to provide it can do both.
This very highly-rated bar in Chora features traditional white island home design and minimalist decor. The simple, classy ambiance, combined with some innovatively crafted cocktails, make this a great stop in town.
Eat Upscale Greek Cuisine at Seriani Restobar
If you want to splurge a little on dining, check out Seriani Restobar. It serves traditional Greek cuisine with a modern twist, all paired with an excellent wine list.
Classic seafood, meat, and other dishes, like octopus with fava, spanakopita, and pastitsio, are served with some experimental yet delicious twists of flavor. You will also find some local classics like Serifiotiki Salad.
Go Dancing and Drinking at Gaidaros and Vatraxos
In Greek, Gaidaros and Vatraxos translate to “donkey” and “frog”, respectively. While I can’t tell you why the two bars were named after animals, I can tell you that they both attract a fair amount of people at night.
The alleys and stairs around Gaidaros tend to get more and more crowded as the night goes on; typical of Greek island nightlife, where most spots feature a tiny interior and huge surrounding exterior area. Expect a DJ playing lots of house and dance music on most nights.
Vatraxos is a little more of a crapshoot when it comes to songs, as it can mix pop with 70s and 80s throwbacks and several other genres. It’s a little more informal and in a slightly inferior location as it is located right on the road. However, you can usually find people here dancing and having a good time.
Ferries From Athens to Serifos
You will find several ferries leaving from the Greek capital of Athens to Serifos throughout the week, especially in the high season of the summer months.
The ferries leave from the port of Piraeus. They arrive in Serifos within two hours. However, keep in mind that the ferries arrive in Livadi Bay, not the town of Chora, Serifos.
To book a ferry from Athens to Serifos and back, check out Ferryscanner.com; otherwise, you can book tickets in the port of Piraeus last minute. However, if you are traveling with a car, it’s a good idea to book tickets in advance, as space for cars is limited.
Hotels in Chora
If you want to stay in the picturesque town of Chora, instead of down by the port in Livadi Bay, or on one of Serifos’ many beaches, check out the following hotels via Booking.com:
