At a glance: Southeastern Serifos, the island’s only port and largest settlement, around 5 kilometres from Chora. A sheltered, wind protected bay that grew from a mining company headquarters into the island’s busiest tourist centre. Best suited to travellers who want an easy, well connected base right where the ferries dock, with a proper beach a short walk from the harbour.
Is Livadi worth visiting
Livadi carries more weight than the typical port village, both historically and in scale, as the largest, most populous settlement on Serifos and its only harbour. The seaport underwent major development between 1870 and 1900, once the Greek Mining Company set up its headquarters here, a role it held until the industry’s decline in 1907. Long before mining brought growth, Livadi was a simple fishing village, and it only transformed into the island’s tourist centre over the last three decades, now offering constant traffic, cafes, bars and rooms to let along the neighbouring beach of Avlomonas. It suits travellers who want an easy, well equipped base close to the ferry, with Chora rising dramatically in the background above the bay.
Highlights
- The sheltered, wind protected harbour itself, the only port on Serifos and its busiest hub
- Avlomonas Beach, one of the island’s few organised beaches, shaded by tamarisk trees
- The dramatic view of Chora rising on the hillside above the bay
- The legacy of the Greek Mining Company’s headquarters here from 1870 to 1907
- A genuine transformation story, from fishing village to the island’s main tourist centre over the last three decades
From mining headquarters to the island’s busiest harbour
Livadi’s modern development traces back to 1870, when the Greek Mining Company chose this sheltered bay as its headquarters, driving significant growth here through the turn of the century until the industry declined by 1907. Before that boom, and again for decades afterward, Livadi remained largely a fishing village, its economy built around the small boats that still line the harbour today. Real transformation came only in the last three decades, as tourism took over from mining and fishing as the main driver of growth, turning Livadi into the busiest, most developed settlement on Serifos, complete with cafes, bars and a steady stream of visitors arriving by ferry.
Where Livadi is
Getting to Livadi
From Chora: Livadi is about 5 kilometres away, around 10 to 15 minutes by car, bus or taxi.
From Livadakia: Less than 1 kilometre away, an easy 10 to 15 minute walk along the shore.
By ferry: Livadi is the only port on Serifos and the arrival point for every ferry to the island. For full ferry routes and journey times, start with how to get to Serifos.
By bus: Regular bus services connect Livadi to Chora and other villages. Check current routes and times on the Serifos bus timetable.
By car or taxi: See getting around Serifos and Serifos taxi for prices and booking details.
Where to eat
Livadi has the widest choice of tavernas, cafes and bars on Serifos, spread along the harbour front and beside Avlomonas beach, several with tables set right on the sand. It is an easy, lively place for a first or last meal on the island.
Where to stay
Livadi suits travellers who want to be close to the ferry, with the island’s best range of hotels, rooms and shops right by the harbour. For a quieter beach base just a short walk away, see Livadakia.
The beach at Livadi
Avlomonas Beach sits right beside the port, one of the few organised beaches on Serifos, with plentiful tamarisk shade and fishing boats and tavernas lining the sand.
Best time to visit
Livadi is busiest around ferry arrivals and departures throughout the summer, so a quieter stroll along the harbour comes easier earlier in the morning or later in the evening. Spring and autumn bring fewer crowds off the boats and comfortable temperatures for exploring the wider island from this base.
Continue exploring Serifos
Head back to the Serifos island guide for more on getting around and travelling to the island.
