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Sikinos

Sikinos lies between Folegandros and Ios and is 39 sq km in area. It is 120 nautical miles from Piraeus, that is, approximately 9 hours by boat. It is a mountainous island with Troulos (600 metres) as its highest peak. It also has small but not particularly fertile valleys. Its climate is dry and very healthy but the aridity, which prevails in most Cycladic islands, does not favour cultivation. The 300 inhabitants of Sikinos are mainly engaged in stock-breeding and fishing and much less in agriculture and tourism, which is growing very slowly on the island. The locals are simple, warm-hearted and hospitable people. They like tourists and take great pains for their comfortable stay on Sikinos. Its Hora with the beautiful stone mansions, snow white houses, arched windows and paved alleyways, creates an irresistible picture.

The islanders keep their manners and customs alive. Sikinians love their festivals, which allow them to revel to the sound of the bagpipes, violin, and the lute. Every festive occasion turns to be a big local feast. In Alopronia, from August to Christmas, everyone fishes for squid every night with "kaftero", a special kind of bait. The whole procedure is like a big festival and all the islanders gladly take part.

There are fine stone mansions to admire and a church of Our Lady "Pantanassa". The monastery of Zoodohos Pigi, built on the peak of a rock, is more reminiscent of an impregnable castle from a distance.

The port area of Alopronia (sometimes called Skala) is where the tourists stay. The noticeable absence of the usual swarm of motor-bikes, the scourge of so many a Greek Island, is a Godsend. Ultra-lazy days pottering between beach, tavern and hotel can be punctuated by a kayak trip to the beach of Agios Nikolaos.

Walking back down to Skala from Hora/Kastro can take an hour, but the magnificent scenery and views are worth it. In the few bars, one can have a drink, while listening to good music and admiring the landscape's beauty.

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