On Sérifos, varied coastal landscapes meet a terrain whose geology and mining history are central themes. When choosing a destination, you can first consider whether coastlines, hikes, or historical and geological sites should shape your trip. Coastlines, hiking trails, mining remains and archaeological finds offer concrete points of reference for planning your trip.

Coastlines and geology

Sérifos has geology characterized by iron and granite. Its coast features rocky stretches, pebble beaches, golden sandy beaches, small coves and deep blue waters. If you are considering Sérifos for its coastline, you can take several different types of beach into account as part of the character of the place. Psili Ammos is considered one of the most significant beaches on Sérifos and has been described by international media as one of the twenty best beaches in Europe. Thus, alongside the variety of the coastline, a beach highlighted by name and its attributed significance can also inform your choice of destination.

Hiking and distances

The official hiking trail network on Sérifos covers more than 46.4 kilometers. The Mining Gallery hiking trail is listed as 920 meters long. You can plan a single hike on the Mining Gallery as a 920-meter route.

Mining around Koutalas and Mega Livadi

The Natura 2000 site GR4220009 is listed for the Koutalas area on Sérifos. Since 2002, the Koutalas Cave and the mineral deposits, or iron mines, on Sérifos have also been listed in the Ministry of the Aegean’s Atlas of Geological Monuments of the Aegean. Mining facilities with rail systems, ore transport carts, a weighing facility and a loading bridge are located west of the village of Koutalas. As a travel-planning theme, Koutalas therefore combines a Natura 2000 designation with tangible features from the mining history.

On the left side of Mega Livadi Bay, the mining remains there can be described as an open-air mining museum. They include underground tunnels, iron rails, partially destroyed bridges, mine carts and another loading bridge.

Monastery, structure and ruins

In the north of Sérifos, the Taxiarches Monastery was built as a fortified complex with a high perimeter wall, battlements and lookout posts. These defensive features no longer survive today. At Psaropirgos—also called the “Throne of the Cyclops,” “Psaros Tower” and “Kanapes”—the focus is on its shape and material: the structure is made of elongated slate slabs and measures about 8.4 meters long and 4.2 meters wide. It is therefore approximately twice as long as it is wide.

Some ruins are located at Gria Castle. An ancient wall, which was probably more than two meters high, points to a strong fortification. It is unclear whether a small village or scattered defensive towers originally stood at this site.

The cave on Sérifos associated with the Cyclops Polyphemus has collapsed and is no longer accessible.

Discover more destinations

Apollonía, Vathí, Pachena, Mandrakia, Livadion, Firopotamos, Milos, Kimolos

For the main travel overview: Milos.