Greek Islands Hiking Adventure

DAY 1: CIRCULAR WALK TO MEDIEVAL KASTRO

You will need to arrive in Athens the night before and meet at a designated downtown hotel. We will meet in the morning and take a fast ferry boat to the island of Sifnos. In the afternoon, we will do a first walk, passing through the beautiful settlements of Ano Petali, Artemonas, and Ai Loukas with their interesting architecture. Afterward, we follow the path down to the church of Poulati, while in front of us the view of beautiful Kastro leads us on, seemingly emerging from beneath the sea. We continue along the coast to reach Kastro, one of the most picturesque villages on the island and the most important from an archeological point of view. The village has been inhabited uninterruptedly since prehistoric times. After a short break to admire and explore Kastro, we will continue on a beautiful path that resembles a flight of stairs, zigzagging between fields with olive trees, bee hives, and a few pigeon towers on either side. We’ll pass the pretty village of Kato Petali and then end up back in Apollonia. Hiking Distance: 10 KM

DAY 2: ARCHEOLOGICAL TOUR TO THE MYCENAEAN CITADEL OF AGIOS ANDREAS

Today we’ll walk from Apollonia toward Vathy, one of the most beautiful bays of Sifnos. On the way, we’ll stop at the hill of Agios Andreas where we’ll admire the most important archaeological site of Sifnos, the Mycenaean Citadel of Agios Andreas, while enjoying the panoramic view over Sifnos and the nearby islands. We’ll continue our hike towards the magnificent church Panagia tou Neilou, an ideal place to stop for a rest, a snack or to admire the view. Shortly we will arrive at the long beach of Vathy where you can swim and relax. Later this afternoon, we'll head to a local farm for a hands-on cooking class, where we'll learn to produce a few local delicacies and then enjoy the fruits of our labors for dinner.  Hiking Distance: 10 KM

DAY 3: WALK  TO FIKIADA BAY, THE LONELIEST PART OF SIFNOS

Today our hike takes us to one of the loneliest parts of the island, Fikiada Bay in the south. Fikiada is ranked among the island's nicest beaches and can only be reached on foot or by boat. We’ll start our hike with a transfer to the bay of Vathy and walk for a little bit more than an hour through a breathtaking landscape. When we reach the bay, you can swim in the bay's secluded, turquoise waters. Your guides will prepare a lunch of local foods including local cheese, olives, tomatoes, and rusk (a traditional twice-baked bread). From Fikiada we will then walk towards another magnificent bay and beach, Platy Yalos, before ending our hike and shuttling back to the hotel. After we shuttle back to our hotel in Apollonia, we will transfer to one of the local workshops producing traditional pottery ceramics out of the island's clay. In addition to learning the process, you'll be able to spend time hands-on crafting the clay. Hiking Distance: 12 KM

DAY 4: APPOLONIA - EXAMBELA - FAROS - CHRISOPIGI - PLATYS GIALOS

We will depart from Apollonia for our coastal walk along the east side of the island. On the way, we pass the traditional settlement of Exambela and continue down narrow alleys leading to colorful courtyards adorned with bougainvilleas. Here we will get a glimpse into the daily life of the locals. The smells of basil, lemon trees, and jasmine will accompany us throughout the duration of our stroll in the village. We continue hiking through olive groves and along a little stream smothered by lush vegetation, spying old watermills that watered the nearby farms. We reach the picturesque fishing port of Faros, where you can have lunch at a traditional taverna located on the seaside. After a break, we continue to the best-known highlight of the island, the famous monastery and protectress of the island, the chapel of Chrysopigi. Our hike ends a short while later at the beach Platyis Gialos. Hiking Distance: 11 KM

DAY 5: HOTEL TO PORT FAREWELL STROLL

This morning we will enjoy our last Sifnos breakfast, pack, and checkout. Our bags will be shuttled to the port while we walk on an easy path the six kilometers to the ferry. We'll take the afternoon ferry back to the port of Athens, transfer to a downtown hotel, and head out for a delicious dinner of modern Greek cuisine. Hiking Distance: 6 KM

DAY 6: ATHENS CITY WALK

We'll join a local guide for a walk around Athens. Our walk will take us to the top archeological antiquities, including the Parthenon, the Acropolis, and the Ancient Agora, an outdoor marketplace that was a major gathering place for the Greeks in old times. We'll stroll through the neighborhoods of Anafiotika and Plaka, fascinating locales with shops and restaurants that provide a feast of sights, scents, and sounds. You'll have time to choose a restaurant for lunch on your own. This evening we'll have a final farewell Greek feast to celebrate our time in the country as well as newfound friends or renewed acquaintances.

DAY 7: DEPARTURE

This morning after breakfast in our downtown hotel you are free to continue your journey, either departing for your airport, staying longer in Athens, or perhaps visiting another area of Greece.