- SERIFOS

SERIFOS: "Scribblings" and PhotoGallery. [Click on pics, below, to enlarge]

Serifos has a super, laid-back atmosphere. I liked it the moment I arrived! On the way from the port into town you have to pass by the atmospheric waterside tavernas, some of which have their tables right on the beach. It's wonderful!

Nestling on the hill not far above the port town of Livadi is the very attractive and appealing Chora. And, frankly, that is virtually all that Serifos is about - the port town and the Chora. Everything you want to do and see will be found in this combination of port and Chora.

The Chora is one of the most picturesque I have come across anywhere in the Greek islands. I spent hours there on more than one occasion strolling through the myriad of cobbled streets, alleyways and quaint squares. You will almost definitely get lost! Really, though, the Chora is not to be missed. It is wonderfully photogenic. The views over Chora and the port bay from the kastro at the top of the Chora are breathtaking. Incidentally, the bus drive to the Chora can be quite a hair-raising experience!

Livadi, the port town, comes alive at nightfall. There are wall-to-wall tavernas along the main drag near the harbour. Further down the drag at a slightly less busy location is the delightful "Yacht Club of Serifos"; an old kafeneion - cum - cafe bar, which is the place for sundowners and nightcaps. Lots of "volta" takes place up and down the main drag, and you'll probably come across Mr "Nice Guy"..as I call him....a very friendly and delightfully eccentric character who drives around wearing a pith helmet in his various army surplus jeeps. A great guy. Helpful and chatty. I really love these special kind of island characters. And he is a great wood-carver, too!

The beaches on Serifos are unremarkable and often not too easy to get to. The one along the longer part of the bay promenade is a bit scruffy. To get to the others is quite a schlepp. You will need a moped if you cannot face the walk. These better beaches are Ag. Sostis, and Psili Ammos. The latter is an attractive sandy beach backed by two picturesque, traditional tavernas.

Serifos is close enough to Athens for the Athenians to descend in their hordes at the weekends. Be advised to book ferry tickets in advance; especially at the height of summer. I had to work hard to get a ticket from Serifos back to Athens.