Getting from Santorini to Serifos

Serifos is one of those Cycladic islands that rewards people who look past the obvious. It is rugged, hilly and largely bare, with a Chora that climbs up a steep hill above the port in a way that looks almost impossibly dramatic from the water. The beaches are excellent, the island is quiet even in August by Cycladic standards and the mining history that made it prosperous in the 19th century has left behind an industrial landscape in the interior that is genuinely unusual. People who find Serifos tend to go back.

Take the ferry

There is a direct ferry from Santorini to Serifos, running year-round. Seajets and Fast Ferries both serve the route with up to 2 daily crossings in summer and several per week in the low season. The fastest crossing takes around 3 hours 20 minutes, with the route stopping at Folegandros, Milos and Sifnos along the way on most sailings. It is a longer crossing than some Cyclades hops but a very scenic one. Book ahead in July and August.

What about flying?

Serifos has no airport. The nearest airport is Athens. Flying from Santorini to Athens and then taking the ferry from Piraeus to Serifos, which takes 2 to 4.5 hours, is an option but adds significant complexity compared to the direct crossing. For most people the direct ferry from Santorini is the better approach.

Your best option

Take the direct ferry from Santorini. At around 3 hours 20 minutes on the fast boat it is manageable and you arrive without passing through Athens. Check the schedule on Ferryhopper and note that most sailings stop at one or two islands along the way, which adds some time but makes for a good crossing.