The fishing village
Faros, Sifnos
Written by Elena Philippou, who hosts Villa Olivia Clara above Platis Gialos.Updated August 2026
Faros is a small former fishing village on the south-east coast of Sifnos. Three small sandy coves sit a few minutes' walk apart, with a handful of fish tavernas by the sand, and the coastal path to the Chrysopigi monastery is 1.5 km. It is the quiet beach village on the island, 10.5 km by road from Platis Gialos and our house.
The name means lighthouse. An ancient one stood here. Couples and families with young children come for low-key beach days and dinner two minutes from the beach, and do not mind the same few menus each night. Faros is small. Any change of scene means the bus or the car. Platis Gialos is 10.5 km round the coast, and that is where the 700 metres of sand and the restaurants are.
Faros at a glance
| What it is | A small former fishing village on the south-east coast. Three small sandy coves and a few tavernas |
|---|---|
| Beaches | The village beach. Glyfo two or three minutes west. Fasolou about eight minutes south, below the Stavros monastery. Apokofto on the path to Chrysopigi |
| Eating | Pelicanos for a polished seaside lunch. Fish tavernas by the sand. Kitchens close early |
| By road | Kamares 12.5 km | Platis Gialos 10.5 km | Chrysopigi five minutes |
| Bus | Nine a day from Artemonas via Apollonia, about every two hours, last from Artemonas at 23:00. €3.50 from the port, €2.20 from Artemonas, €3.50 from Kastro |
| Walks | Chrysopigi 1.5 km on the coastal path, 20 to 25 minutes. Platis Gialos a further 2.4 km beyond |
| Best time | Early morning and late afternoon. The coves are calmest before the day boats arrive |
Distances are road and footpath kilometres routed over OpenStreetMap. Bus times and fares are the municipality's summer 2026 timetable. Bus timetable and stops
Is Faros a good place to stay?
For low-key beach days, yes. Three coves a few minutes apart, so you can change beach without the car. The water is easy, calmer than the north-facing side of the island, and they say the snorkelling off the rocks is some of the best on Sifnos. Couples come, and families with young children who want a quiet week. No nightlife and no shop to speak of. Apollonia is a short drive for those. Platis Gialos is 10.5 km round the coast.
The three coves
The village beach is the small sandy one with the fishing boats drawn up and the tavernas at its back. Glyfo is two or three minutes' walk west, longer than the village beach and usually quieter. The seabed is sand and flat rock and the water stays shallow a good way out, which works with children. No facilities, so carry water. Fasolou is about eight minutes the other way, south along the coast, a mostly sandy cove sheltered by the headland, with fewer people than on the main beach. The whitewashed Monastery of Stavros sits on the headland above the southern end of the bay. Glyfo to Fasolou is nearer twelve minutes. All three coves stay calm when the meltemi blows from the north.
The coastal path to Chrysopigi
From Faros the path runs 1.5 km along the coast, past Glyfo and Apokofto, to the Chrysopigi monastery, 20 to 25 minutes on foot. Stone-paved, lit at night. It climbs and drops between the coves and has a flight of steps, so leave the pushchair at the house. Chrysopigi is the monastery on every Sifnos postcard, on its rock with a short bridge across to the shore. Seventeenth century, the monastery of the island's patroness. Swim at Apokofto, the sandy beach beside the monastery, or at Saoures, the small cove to the west. Apokofto has a café. The path carries on 2.4 km to Platis Gialos, so walk it one way and take a taxi or the bus back. The monastery is open in the mornings. Cover your shoulders.
Chrysopigi: the monastery guideThe churches of SifnosSifnos walking trails
Eating in Faros
Pelicanos is the one to book, and it opens at one in the afternoon. A polished modern seaside lunch on the water, from Giorgos Samoilis, chef-owner of Cantina below Kastro, who ran the kitchen at Omega 3 in Platis Gialos for years. Evenings are the fish tavernas along the village beach, grilled fish and Sifnian chickpeas a few steps from the sand. Most open from late May to early October. Kitchens close early by island standards, so eat before ten. No shop of any size, so bring what you need from Apollonia.
Getting there and the bus
Faros is 12.5 km by road from Kamares, the port, and 10.5 km from Platis Gialos. The bus comes from Artemonas through Apollonia about every two hours in summer, thirteen a day, the last one out of Artemonas at 17:30 and the last up from Apollonia at 21:30. Singles are €3.50 from the port, €2.20 from Artemonas and €3.50 from Kastro. With a car the rest of the island is easy. Parking is at the top of the village.
Faros and the villa
Our house is above Platis Gialos, 10.5 km from Faros by road and 2.4 km beyond Chrysopigi on the coastal path. From the house Faros is a half-day. Walk or drive to Chrysopigi, swim at Apokofto, carry on to Faros for lunch at Pelicanos, and take a taxi back. Tell Elena your dates and she will say which day to do it.
Before you choose Faros
Three coves, a few tavernas, no shop to speak of, and the same menus every night. The bus runs about every two hours, so you want a car or a taxi for the rest of the island. Kitchens close early. In August the village beach is full by midday and Glyfo stays quieter. Outside late May to early October almost everything is shut.
Faros, Sifnos: common questions
Is Faros a good place to stay in Sifnos?
Yes, for quiet beach days. Three small sandy coves a few minutes apart, easy water, fish tavernas by the sand and the coastal path to Chrysopigi. Couples and young families like it. No nightlife, few shops, and the bus runs about every two hours.
What does Faros mean in Greek?
Lighthouse. The village takes its name from an ancient lighthouse that stood here on the south-east coast of Sifnos.
Which beaches are at Faros?
Three. The village beach with the fishing boats. Glyfo, two or three minutes west, longer and quieter, with water that stays shallow a good way out. Fasolou, about eight minutes south along the coast, below the Stavros monastery. Apokofto is on the coastal path to Chrysopigi, 1.5 km to the monastery.
How far is Faros from Chrysopigi?
1.5 km on the coastal path, 20 to 25 minutes on foot, or five minutes by car. The path carries on 2.4 km past the monastery to Platis Gialos.
Where are the best restaurants in Faros?
Pelicanos for a polished seaside lunch, from the chef-owner of Cantina. The fish tavernas on the village beach for a simple evening. Book Pelicanos in season and eat before ten, because the kitchens close early.
How do I get to Faros?
By the Faros bus from Artemonas via Apollonia, nine a day in summer, about every two hours, €2.20 from Artemonas and €3.50 from the port. Or by car, 12.5 km from Kamares and 10.5 km from Platis Gialos.
How far is Faros from Platis Gialos?
10.5 km by road. On foot it is the coastal path via Chrysopigi, 1.5 km to the monastery and a further 2.4 km on to Platis Gialos.
Which part of Sifnos is best to stay in?
Faros or Vathi for quiet beach days. Platis Gialos if you want a beach holiday with more going on. Apollonia gives you village evenings and the bus to everywhere. Artemonas or Kastro for the architecture, and our where-to-stay guide compares all eight.
Faros, a half-day from the villa
Our house is above Platis Gialos, 10.5 km from Faros by road and a coastal walk away via Chrysopigi. Tell Elena your dates and she will help you plan the beach days and the walks.