Sikinos

Sikinos is a tiny island between Ios and Folegandros in the southern Cyclades, 41 square kilometres and barely 200 permanent residents, with two villages — Chora perched high on a ridge and Alopronia as its small port — connected by a winding road. Rocky, dry and steep, it has few sandy beaches except Alopronia itself, and is defined by terraced hills, windmills and a deep sense of quiet isolation.

Known for its Monastery of Zoodochos Pigi, a fortified 1690 complex that dominates the skyline like a castle, and for the recently restored ancient temple of Episkopi, turned into a Roman mausoleum and later a Byzantine church, Sikinos remains one of the least visited inhabited Cyclades. Life is slow: a couple of tavernas, hiking trails to Manalis and Agios Georgios, and night skies with almost no light pollution.

The less than 40 sq km island between Ios and Folegandros with 230 residents and a cliff-top Kastro

Sikinos is one of the smaller Cycladic islands on the southern side of Cyclades, between Ios and Folegandros, south of Ios and west of Santorini, one of the least-populated Greek islands. With a total surface of less than 40 sq km, also listed as 40 square kilometer 15 mi2, 42.51 km2 16.41 sq mi or 41 square kilometres, and a coastline 41 km long, it has only 230 to 280 permanent inhabitants, around 300, with semi-arid climate BSk, altitude 278 m. The island is long and narrow, southeast section flat, northwest steep cliff where Chora is built, vegetation scanty, ground rocky, stony landscape dotted with olive trees producing exceptional olive oil and thyme honey, rather dry, inhabited since Cycladic period.

The port is Alopronoia, small bay on southern side. Chora or Kastro is centre, consisting of two districts: 15th-century Kastro and newer Horio together with narrow whitewashed streets, impressive mansions, picturesque windmills, and Pantanassa Church blue-domed from 1787 with templon and remarkable post-Byzantine icons by Cretan School artists. The island keeps traditional vibes and gorgeous Cycladic environment, gradually developing for pure calm vacations.

This is for you if you want quiet vacation, peace and authentic atmosphere, strolls in scenic locations and swimming clear waters. It is not for beach clubs or crowds; Sikinos is dry, rocky and intentionally slow.

The Roman mausoleum that became Apollo’s temple that became a church of wine

FYI Sikinos was known in ancient times for vineyards and wine production — its name ties to wine — and as an important religious centre with temple dedicated to Apollo Pythian on highest peak. ICYMI the Monument of Episkopi is its most important monument southwest of Hora: constructed in 3rd century AD as Roman burial monument, becoming temple of Apollo Pythius and finally converted into Orthodox Christian church dedicated to Dormition of Virgin Kimisis Theotokou in 17th century, surrounded by Byzantine chapels, wall stones, fragments of marble sculptures and columns of ancient temple, pressed into flanks of Mont Troullos with views of neighbours, near-complete Roman building standing to beginning of roof. Nuance: originally considered temple of Apollo then reinterpreted as 3rd century Roman mausoleum, now enigmatic monastery complex you reach in less than 10 minutes drive from Chora though in old days one hour on foot, with daily afternoon tours by local guide — a hidden treasure that explains why this tiny island was once considered great part of Cyclades history from Roman to Byzantine to Venetian and Ottoman.

Sources

https://www.greeka.com/cyclades/sikinos/geography/ | Between Ios Folegandros southern side Cyclades lies one least-populated Greek islands Sikinos total surface less than 40 sq km coastline 41 km population only 230 permanent inhabitants traditional vibes gorgeous Cycladic environment gradually developing pure calm vacations port Alopronoia small bay southern side
https://en.db-city.com/Greece–South-Aegean–Sikinos–Sikinos | Area 4251 hectares 42.51 km² 16.41 sq mi Altitude 278 m Semi-arid climate BSk
https://greeceguide.co.uk/cyclades/sikinos/ | covers area 40 square kilometer 15 mi2 coastline 41 kilometers 25 mi long 280 residents rather dry inhabited since Cycladic period located between Ios Folegandros nice goal walk monument Episkopi southwest where temple Apollo once stood Chora Kastro centre impressive mansions Pantanassa church beautiful templon remarkable icons founded 1787 picturesque windmills
https://mysteriousgreece.com/islands/sikinos/ | Monastery Episkopi most important monument Sikinos located southwest side Hora temple constructed 3rd century AD Roman burial monument becoming temple Apollo Pythius finally converted Orthodox Christian church dedicated Dormition Virgin temple Episkopi surrounded complex byzantine chapels ancient ruins wall stones fragments marble sculptures
https://hellenicseaways.gr/en/destination/sikinos | consists two districts 15th-century Kastro newer Horio together enchanting whole narrow whitewashed streets Pantanassa Church striking blue-domed church Kastro dates 1787 houses remarkable post-Byzantine religious icons artists Cretan School Episkopi Monastery enigmatic monumental monastic complex originally Roman mausoleum converted Christian church 17th century
https://teachercurator.com/monument-of-episkopi/ | long fascinating history dating back ancient times known vineyards wine production important religious center temple dedicated Apollo Pythian located island highest peak history parallels other Cyclades passing Roman Byzantine Venetians Ottomans

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Last Updated on September 2, 2026 by admin