Serifos is one of the least visited islands in the western Cyclades, and its beaches are the main reason that needs to change. The island has over 70 coves and bays, most of them completely undeveloped, with water so clear it barely looks real. The landscape is barren and rocky, dotted with old iron mines and crumbling stone walls, and the beaches sit at the bottom of steep hillsides like hidden rewards for anyone willing to make the drive or the walk down.
Livadi is the port village on the southeast coast, with a long sandy beach right in front of it. Chora sits high on the hill above, crowned by the remains of a Venetian castle and visible from almost everywhere on the island. Most of the best beaches are on the south and east coasts, sheltered from the meltemi, though the north coast has a few wild spots for days when the wind drops.
The road network on Serifos is limited and several beaches are reached only by dirt track. A hire car or quad bike makes a real difference. Buses run between Livadi and Chora but do not serve the beaches directly. Check the Serifos bus timetable and the how to get to Serifos page for ferry connections from Piraeus, Sifnos, and Milos.
Which Serifos Beach Suits You
The most popular beach on the island: Livadakia Beach sits in the next bay south from the port, a short walk from Livadi. It is a wide crescent of golden sand with shallow water, a handful of sunbeds, and a couple of beach bars. This is the one beach on Serifos that feels properly set up for visitors, and it is where most people spend their first day.
Fine sand and crystal water: Psili Ammos Beach on the south coast has some of the finest sand on the island. The name means “fine sand” in Greek and you will understand why when you get there. It is reached by a dirt road and a short walk, with no facilities, and the water is turquoise and calm.
A proper wild beach: Vagia Beach on the northeast coast is big, open, and exposed to the wind. On calm days the swimming is excellent and you may have the entire beach to yourself. On meltemi days the waves build and it is better admired from the road above.
Walking distance from the port: Livadi Beach runs along the harbour front in the port village. It is not the most scenic beach on the island, but it is the most convenient. Sandy, shallow, and right next to the tavernas.
Something remote on the south coast: Ganema Beach is a small sandy cove reached by a rough track south of Livadi. No facilities, no crowds, and the kind of isolation that bigger Cyclades islands cannot offer anymore.
Near the old mines: Malliadiko Beach sits on the southeast coast below the abandoned iron mining area. The rusted industrial remains on the hillside above give the beach a raw, atmospheric quality that is unlike any other swimming spot in the Cyclades.
A sheltered cove for snorkelling: Lia Beach on the south coast is a small rocky bay with deep, clear water and good visibility. It is better for snorkelling than sunbathing, and the rocks around the edges are worth exploring with a mask.
Planning Your Beach Days on Serifos
A hire car opens up the island properly. The south coast beaches are the most sheltered and have the best swimming conditions, while the north coast is for days when the wind is calm and you want something wilder. Several beaches need a 4 wheel drive or at least a vehicle you do not mind taking on rough tracks. The Serifos taxi page has numbers for local drivers, though availability is limited on such a small island.
The Serifos map shows all beach locations. Between beach days, the walk up to Chora and the Venetian Castle is the one thing every visitor should do. The views from the top take in most of the island and out across the sea to Sifnos and Kythnos. For the full picture see our main Serifos island guide.
