Serifos Maps

Serifos is an island in the western Cyclades, located between Kythnos and Sifnos. The island covers 29 square miles and has a permanent population of approximately 1,400 residents. Livadi, the port on the southeast coast, serves as the main commercial center, while Chora, the capital, is dramatically positioned on a rocky hill 650 feet above sea level, visible from the sea as a white cascade of cubic houses topped by a Venetian castle.

According to Greek mythology, Serifos was where Perseus and his mother Danae washed ashore after being set adrift in a chest by Danae's father. Perseus later returned to the island with the head of Medusa and turned the king Polydectes and his followers to stone. The island has a rugged, mountainous terrain with limited vegetation and numerous beaches, including Psili Ammos, Agios Sostis, and Livadakia near the port.

Serifos has a long mining history, particularly iron ore extraction, which was economically important until the mid-20th century. Abandoned mine installations can be seen in various locations, particularly around Megalo Livadi on the southwest coast. The island remains relatively quiet and less developed compared to other Cycladic islands, attracting visitors seeking a more traditional and relaxed experience. Several Byzantine churches and monasteries, including the Monastery of Taxiarchon near the port, contain important religious icons and frescoes.