Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
dwellings, while the occasional ancient sarcophagus lies incongruously on the
pavement. In addition, there are the remains of the ancient acropolis, as well as a small
archeological museum (Tues-Sun 9am-3pm; free) operating in a former Catholic
church in the higher part of the village.
You can walk along Kástro's northeastern peripheral path overlooking the picture-
postcard church of the Eptá Martyres (Seven Martyrs), which juts out into the sea.
There's nothing approximating a beach near Kástro, as defence and not easy access was
the aim of the inhabitants. For a swim you can use the Eptá Martyres rocks, or possibly
the rocky cove of Serália , just south of Kástro, or the small shore at Panayía Pouláti ,
1.3km to the northwest; both have facilities.
The fantastic views over the valley below might inspire you to tackle two well-
signposted walks to Fáros (1hr 30min) and to Vrússis monastery (50min) that start
from the Konáki snack bar (see below).
6
ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
KÁSTRO
Aris & Maria T 22840 31161, W arismaria
-traditional.com. Rooms and studios in six century-old
houses all over Kástro, fully renovated, but retaining all
of the traditional Cycladic features such as wooden
ceilings and stone floors. As no cars are allowed inside
Kástro, you will need to carry your luggage for about
100m uphill t o th e reception following the signs to
“Ancient Wall”. €55
Ì Konáki T 22840 33165. With a striking pink decor,
this café-cum-snack bar has good, strong cappuccino and
home-made local pastries (€5). Shaded and with
comfortable seats, it is the perfect place to laze about and
gaze across to Apollonía beyond the valley below. April-
Oct daily 9am-10pm .
To Astro T 22840 31476. The oldest taverna in the
village, feeding people since 1969. Enjoy your food slowly
and unhurriedly to match the service, but you can speed it
up by choosing from the day's gastra dishes (€12) that
should already have been prepared. May-Sept daily
noon-midnight.
Fáros
To the south of Kástro, the small fishing village of FÁROS is a possible fall-back base,
though the beaches are relatively small. The main beach is partly shaded and crowded
in season while Fasoloú , a 400m walk to the southeast past the headland is better and
shaded by many tamarisk trees. Head of west through the older part of the village to
find the picturesque GLYFÓ beach, arguably the best of the three.
ACCOMMODATION
FÁROS
Sifnéïko Arhontikó Fáros T 22840 71422, W sifneiko-
arxontiko.gr. Don't be taken in by its Greek name (Sífnos
Manor); this modern hotel is not housed in an old mansion,
but was built in 1992 in typical Cycladic style. Rather hard to
find because it's not signposted, but worth tracking down, as
it offers the most comfortable option in Fáros - convenient
both for the buses and the beach. April-Sept. €50
Thalatta Glyfó T 22840 71485. Built on a slope and
inaccessible to vehicles, this villa complex is as close to
pure solitude as you can hope for - although you do have
access to a minimarket, bars and several tave rnas within
200m. Four nights minimum stay. May-Sept. €65
THE MONASTERY OF KHRYSSOPIYÍ
From the beach at Glyfó (see above), a fifteen-minute hillside path leads to the longer beach
of Apokoftó , with a couple of good grill tavernas. Flanking Apokoftó to the south,
marooned on a sea-washed promontory, the seventeenth-century Khryssopiyí
Monastery features on every poster of the island. According to legend, the cleft in the rock
(under the entrance bridge) appeared when two village girls, fleeing to the spit to escape
the attentions of menacing pirates, prayed to the Virgin to defend their virtue. To celebrate
the story, a large festival takes place forty days after Easter and involves the spectacular
arrival of a holy icon on a large high-speed ferry, and its - often dramatic - transfer to a
small boat to be brought ashore.
 
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