7 Incredible Serifos Beaches That Are Actually Worth Visiting
Serifos may be tiny, but apparently she didn’t get the memo that small islands should have so many beaches. Choosing where to throw down your towel and get sun-kissed can get overwhelming fast.
On my visit, I went to seven Serifos beaches: Psili Ammos, Agios Sostis, Vagia, Ganema, Megalo Livadi, Livadakia, and Livadi. I loved some; some were more convenient than wow, and I definitely had some favorites. I’ll tell you what each beach is actually like and which ones are worth your precious beach days.
And when you’re ready to swap your swimsuit for clothes and explore, my things to do in Serifos post has you covered.
Πάμε (Let’s go in Greek)!
Best Serifos Beaches Quick Look
You may not feel like reading about every grain of sand on Serifos; totally understand. Here’s the quick rundown of the Serifos beaches I visited and what I’d choose each one for.
These are the beaches I visited in Serifos, so the recommendations below are based on being there.
| Beach | Best For | Type | Organized | Food | Shade | Access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Psili Ammos | Sand and swimming | Sandy | Semi organized | Yes | Some | Easy |
| Agios Sostis | Scenery and quiet | Sand and pebbles | No | No | Very Limited | Easy by car |
| Vagia Beach | Views and relaxing | Sand and pebbles | Partially | Nearby | Limited | Easy by car |
| Ganema Beach | Space and long beach days | Sand and pebbles | No | Yes | Some | Easy by car |
| Megalo Livadi | Swimming, lunch and history | Sand and pebbles | No | Yes | Some | Easy by car |
| Livadakia Beach | Convenience near Livadi | Sandy | Partially | Yes | Some | Very easy |
| Livadi Beach | Quick swim near the port | Sand and pebbles | Yes | Yes | Some | Very easy |
7 Serifos Beaches I Visited
Psili Ammos
Psili Ammos is one of the best-known beaches on Serifos, and once you visit, you will see why it gets so much attention. The beach has soft golden sand, clear blue water, and that dreamy Cyclades backdrop that will make you forget about the heatwave five minutes ago.
It’s on the eastern side of Serifos and is easy to reach if you have some wheels. Unlike some of the more remote beaches of Serifos, there are 2 tavernas nearby, so you don’t need to pack enough snacks to survive until sunset.
If you’re still not sure which island to visit, I break down the differences between the two side-by-side islands in my Sifnos or Serifos post.
I enjoyed Psili Ammos, and the scenery is ridiculously beautiful, but I’m an organized beach kind of gal. When I’m on vacation, give me a sunbed, a little shade, and preferably someone bringing me a cold cocktail while I do absolutely nothing.
So while I can appreciate why people love Psili Ammos beach, I wasn’t there for long. If you prefer a more natural beach and sunbed service isn’t a dealbreaker, you’ll probably love it. For me, though, it was more of a stop, admire, swim, and move kind of situation.
Agios Sostis Beach
Agios Sostis is one of those beaches that looks very Greek before you even set your towel down. There’s a little white church overlooking the water that pretty much does all the work. The beach itself is a mix of sand and loose pebbles, with clear water and a much quieter, more natural feel.
Keep in mind there are no sunbeds, beach bars, or tavernas waiting for you when you arrive. If you plan on staying all day, pack plenty of water, snacks, and whatever else you’ll need. Basically, this isn’t the beach to show up empty-handed and assume a freddo espresso magically appears.
It was very windy during my visit, so the sea was a tad rough and I didn’t end up settling down there. Instead, I explored some, took photos of the church, and admired the bay, which is beautiful. It’s very secluded, and there’s little shade, so definitely keep that in mind before you go.
Vagia Beach
Vagia Beach is on the southern side of Serifos and feels more secluded than some of the beaches closer to Livadi. Picture a long stretch of sand and pebbles surrounded by that dry, rugged Cycladic landscape, dreamy, right?
You can reach Vagia by car, and keep in mind the beach is only partially organized, so there are only a few sunbeds. If they’re taken, don’t have a meltdown; there’s plenty of space to throw down your towel and claim a spot on the sand.
To be honest, I didn’t stay here very long. It was more of a quick stop while I was heading to another beach. But if you love that raw, wild beauty, Serifos does this well; this might be your spot.
Ganema Beach
Ganema Beach is one of the longest beaches on Serifos, so no need to worry if you will have enough room to spread out without feeling like a sardine. The beach blends sand and pebbles, with tamarisk trees for some natural shade along parts of the shore.
Ganema is on the southern side of the island, and you can reach it easily with some wheels. It’s unorganized, so you won’t see rows of sunbeds and umbrellas here, but there are tavernas nearby if hunger kicks in. At least you don’t have to pack the entire supermarket for this one.
During my visit to Serifos in June, Ganema was pleasantly quiet. There were only a few other sunbathers around, so I could actually relax without feeling like I was fighting for my little spot of sand. Parking was also a breeze; I found a spot along the road rather quickly.
Even though Ganema isn’t organized, I really loved this one. And coming from someone who usually wants a sunbed and some beach service on vacation, that’s saying a lot.
Megalo Livadi
Megalo Livadi is a little different from the other beaches of Serifos because there’s more here than sand and sea. The beach sits in a sheltered bay on the island’s southwest side, with dark sand, shallow water, plenty of tamarisk trees for shade, and tavernas steps from the water.
You can get to Megalo Livadi by car, and there is parking close to the beach. You won’t find any sunbeds here, but having tavernas steps away makes hanging around for a few hours much easier. Because yes, I can handle an unorganized beach a lot better when lunch is within eyesight.
What really makes Megalo Livadi stand out is its mining history. Around the bay, you can still see traces of Serifos’ mining past, including old rail tracks, wagons, a loading bridge, and the former mining headquarters. So even if you don’t spend the entire day swimming, it’s worth walking around and exploring before hopping to the next beach.
I loved having a relaxing lunch at one of the tavernas on this side of the island, and exploring the old mining area was an added bonus. It wasn’t very busy when I visited, which was nice, but this wasn’t my favorite spot to throw down my towel and spend the day sunbathing. I recommend coming here more for a combo of lunch, history, and scenery.
If this is your first time island hopping in this beautiful country, my Greece travel tips cover all the practical stuff that you should know before your trip.
Livadakia Beach
If you’ve been patiently waiting for me to get to a more organized beach, hello, we are here! Livadakia Beach is south of Livadi and is super easy to reach, especially if you’re staying near the port and don’t have a car.
This sandy beach has clear, shallow water and tamarisk trees for some natural shade. Livadakia is partially organized, so there are some sunbeds and umbrellas along parts of the beach, but there is still plenty of space to bring your own towel. There are also a few places nearby to grab food or a drink, which immediately earns a thumbs up from me.
Because of its location, Livadakia is a super easy option when you don’t feel like driving. You can walk here from Livadi, which is a good option for arrival day, departure day, or days when you’re doing the absolute minimum.
During my visit, I grabbed a few mezze plates at a restaurant nearby before working on my tan. To be honest, you’re eating right by the beach, so you know the food is a little pricier. Mine was totally worth it, though.
After driving around the island and hopping to different beaches, it was nice to have a day where I didn’t have to get in the car at all.
What’s pretty cool about Livadakia is that you can spot Sifnos across the sea. Maybe seeing it in the distance will have you thinking, ” Hmm, should I go there too? Then check out my Is Sifnos worth visiting? post, which may convince you to add this island to your itinerary. Apparently Greece loves to make it impossible to visit just one.
Livadi Beach
Livadi Beach is about as convenient as it gets. It’s located right in the port town, so if your home base is in Livadi, you can walk from your hotel to the water, no car keys necessary.
This beach has a mix of sand and pebbles, and the water is calm and shallow. There is a good variety of restaurants, cafés, and bars nearby. Livadi beach is organized, so you can grab a sunbed, order a cocktail or snack, and settle in. You already know I approve of this setup.
Livadi probably wouldn’t be the beach I’d drive across Serifos specifically to visit. There are prettier and more secluded beaches on the island to visit, especially if you have a car. But Livadi’s selling point is its convenience. It’s perfect for a quick swim, a simple beach day, or squeezing in a few more dips by the water before your ferry.
Despite being so convenient, Livadi wasn’t nearly as busy as you would expect. Sure, some of the beach bars and tavernas were crowded, but walk a few more steps, and you can easily find a quieter spot.
I loved the convenience of Livadi, especially because I had plenty of options for places to eat and could fully commit to a lazy beach day on a sunbed. No driving, no small hikes, and no supermarket run to pack a cooler. Sometimes, easy wins.
Other Beaches to Visit in Serifos
Seven beaches were more than enough to keep me busy, but they’re definitely not the only beaches on Serifos you should know about. If you have extra time, you can add Kalo Ampeli, Lia, Koutalas, Sikamia, Agios Ioannis, Platis Gialos, Karavi, and Malliadiko to your beach-day list.
Kalo Ampeli is one of the names you’ll see pop up often, but getting there requires some effort, including a walk to reach the beach. If you prefer more secluded beaches, go to Lia. For an adventure to see another side of the island, Koutalas and Sikamia give you an excuse to hop in the car.
I didn’t personally visit these beaches, so I’m not going to rank places I haven’t taken a cool dip in. But if you have several days on Serifos, you may wanna keep them on your radar.
And if Serifos has you rethinking the usual Santorini and Mykonos itinerary, I listed the best Greek islands for first-timers; this post has more islands you may want to hop over to.
FAQ About Serifos Beaches
What is the best beach on Serifos?
My favorite beach on Serifos was Livadi, but it really depends on your beach vibe. I was traveling on my own, and I’m pretty chatty, so I like being around other people when I’m solo. Psili Ammos is beautiful if soft sand and a more natural setting is your thing, while Livadi and Livadakia are the go-to if you want sunbeds, restaurants, and an easy beach day.
Which is nicer, Sifnos or Serifos?
Choosing between Sifnos and Serifos depends on the type of Greek island trip you’re looking for. Serifos has a rugged, raw, and laid-back feel, and it’s not short of beaches and a dreamy Chora. Sifnos has a more polished feel and is especially known for its fabulous cuisine.
What is Serifos, Greece known for?
Serifos is known for its beautiful beaches, hilltop Chora, natural Cycladic landscape, and mining history. It’s less polished than other islands like Santorini or Mykonos, and that’s part of what makes this island so unique.
Do you need a car to visit the beaches in Serifos?
Well, you don’t necessarily need a car to visit every beach in Serifos, especially if you’re staying near the port. You can reach Livadi Beach and Livadakia Beach on foot. However, I highly recommend renting a car to explore other beaches around the island. Having one made beach hopping so much easier.
Planning Beyond Serifos
If you want a sunbed and cocktail or a quiet stretch of sand where you barely see another person, Serifos has a beach for every beach vibe. As you know, I’m clearly Team Sunbed, but even some of the unorganized beaches won me over.
Now comes the dangerous part: choosing whether to squeeze in other Greek islands. If you have more time to plan a longer island-hopping adventure, my 14-day Greece travel itinerary has all the deets to help you see where Serifos fits without turning your vacation into one long ferry ride.
Πολλά φιλιά (Many kisses)!
Greece Travel Planning Guide
🚑 Should I buy Greece travel insurance?
Yes, absolutely. Travel delays, missed ferries, lost luggage, and surprise medical issues happen. If you’re visiting from abroad, travel insurance is one of those things you hope you never need, but you’ll be glad you have travel insurance if something goes wrong.
💧 Can you drink the water in Greece?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. In Athens and many mainland areas, tap water is generally safe. On some islands, though, the water may be desalinated or not taste great, so many travelers stick to bottled water.
🚗 Is it safe to rent a car in Greece?
Yes, and it can make your trip much easier if you plan to explore outside Athens. Just expect narrow roads, tight parking, and a little driving chaos now and then. I book my rentals through Discover Cars.
📱 Will my phone work in Greece?
Maybe, depends on your plan. Some international plans work fine, while others come with roaming fees that are just rude. For maps, bookings, and everyday travel, Airalo’s eSIM is worth it.
🏨 What’s the best way to book accommodations in Greece?
For hotels, I usually check Expedia and Booking.com first. If you would like more space, VRBO is a good option too. In summer, book early because the best spots go quickly.
✈️ What’s the best site to book flights to Greece?
I like using Skyscanner to compare flight prices to Greece. It’s especially helpful if your dates are flexible or you’re deciding whether to fly into Athens or straight to an island.
⛴️ Should I book ferries in advance in Greece?
Yes, especially in summer, I use Ferryhopper. Popular ferry routes can fill up quickly, especially for islands like Santorini, Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos. Missing your ferry is not the kind of Greek adventure you want.
🎫 Do I need a visa for Greece?
Probably not for a short trip, but always check first. Many travelers, including US passport holders, can stay in Greece for up to 90 days without a visa. For longer stays or remote work plans, check the rules ahead of time. Check visa requirements here.