It seems that Sikinos, a small Greek island in the southern Cyclades, has charmed many Germans, Norwegians and Swedish, who have bought abandoned houses and renovated them to enjoy the island’s serenity in spring and autumn.
About 15 foreigner families who own property on the island feel at home there, while its beauties and calmness have played a key role in choosing this specific Cycladic island.
“The foreign house owners do not live permanently on the island. They usually come during spring and autumn, while they avoid visiting the island in July and August, when most of the tourists flock to the island,” the Mayor of Sikinos, Giannis Syrigos, explained. “They preserve the houses they have bought, without intervening in their primitive form.”
Sikinos is a unique island, which abstains from crowds and noise one comes across on other islands. In August, however, the island’s picturesque alleys count up to 2,000 visitors.
“We are a traditional settlement tourists are discovering little by little. Visitors can find out on our island how the Cyclades used to be 40-50 years ago,” the mayor said. “The island’s tourism is gradually increasing, but we want to maintain our own way of life.”
Sikinos (ancient Oinoi) is one of the smaller islands of the Cyclades, located in the southern part of the complex between Ios and Folegandros. It has an area of 416 km2 and a population of 238 inhabitants. The south side is smooth while the north-west is a steep cliff 280 meters on which the town is built. The island produces fine honey and olive oil and famous wine since ancient years, according to the island’s official website.
The town of Sikinos (Castle) is an excellent example of Cycladic architecture with the church Pantanassa at the center. The island’s main attractions are the castle of the Zoodochos Pigi Fountain (1690) and the Diocese of the Roman funerary monument’s monumental facade (2nd-3rd century AD.) retrofitted into a Christian church.
The beaches Agios Georgios, Agios Panteleimon and Dialiskari, as well as the unique Black Cave attract many visitors to spend quiet holidays.
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