Sikinos
SIKINOS
Sikinos, west of Ios Island, is a bare rocky island fringed by sheer cliffs, with rugged hills in the north and north-west and with gentler country in the south-east where terraced cultivation is possible.
From the harbour of Alopronia it is an hour’s climb to central place of the island, Chora, though a wooded gorge. The modest capital is a typical little Cycladic village, with the picturesque castle quarter within its medieval walls.
On the hillside above Chora lies the main village Chorio. Higher up you will find the ruins of the Nunnery of Zoodochos Pigi.
One and a half hours’ walk west stands the Chapel of tPanagia, which belonged to the Episkopi Monastery (5th – 7th c.), built on the site of an ancient sanctuary of the 2nd c. BCE.
On the steep hill beside the little Church of Aghia Marina stand scanty remains of the ancient city.
Ports & Anchorages
- Aghios Georgios is a very attractive anchorage on the south-east coast – protected by the Agios Georgios islet. Solid holding in sand, generally just suitable for a lunch-stop; there is a fish taverna in the summer months.
- Agios Nikolaos bay is situated between Sikinos port and Agios Georgios. Its tiny Dialiskari beach is lined with Tamarix trees. The bay is very narrow; uncharted; easy to take a line ashore.
- Alopronia or Skala is the only port from which to visit the exceptional Chora.
