Cheronissos Beach, Sifnos

If you’ve followed me for a while, you’ll know Sifnos is one of my favourite islands. I have been here the most, apart from Mykonos of course. And Cheronissos (also written as Cherronissos or Heronissos) is one of my favourite spots on this beautiful island. A small beachside village with whitewashed houses, a little church and a handful of tavernas. That’s it really. Its beauty is in its simplicity.

The beach is calm and shallow. Easy, quiet and very peaceful. You throw your towel down, go for a swim and don’t feel the need to rush anywhere. Like most of Sifnos, Cheronissos has this relaxed, quiet charm about her.

Cheronissos sits right at the northern tip of Sifnos, around 11 km from Apollonia and about a 20 minute drive. It is a relatively easy drive to get here, as easy as any drive in the Greek islands can be. And this is exactly why I always suggest hiring a car in Sifnos. You won’t get to places like this without one.

Cheronissos doesn’t really have hotels. Stays here are mostly simple rooms and small houses right on the water. Think waking up to the sound of the waves, shutters open, a morning swim a few steps from your door. Places like this are available to book, but they’re limited, especially during high season.

As for us we come, we swim, we walk up for lunch and on this specific day they were barbequing octopus, so lunch was sorted. Ammoudia tavern had a few table under the tamarisk trees, by the water, the octopus, some fresh fish, fried potatoes and of course a Greek salad. The taverna owners even treated us to these delicious ice creams.

Cheronissos and places like this are what make Sifnos special for me. Quiet, unfussy and still very real.

I’ve included Cheronissos and other spots I return to every time, in my Sifnos guide. It’s a practical guide with personal recommendations on where to eat, swim and stay across the island.

You can find the Sifnos guide here