Day Trip
Kimolos & Poliegos: The Perfect Day Trip from Sifnos
Uninhabited Poliegos in the morning, a seaside lunch on Kimolos in the afternoon — the single best day trip from Sifnos.
Best time
May–October
Category
Island Hopping
Island context
Uninhabited Poliegos and quiet Kimolos.
If you do one day trip from Sifnos, make it this one. A short hop southwest lie two very different islands: Poliegos, uninhabited and ringed with some of the clearest water in Greece, and Kimolos, gentle and lived-in, with quiet whitewashed villages and beaches the crowds haven’t found.
Together they make a near-perfect day — swimming where there are no roads in the morning, a seaside lunch in a real village in the afternoon.
How to plan this experience
Book an organised boat trip from Platis Gialos for the full Poliegos-and-Kimolos pairing — it’s the only way to properly see uninhabited Poliegos. For Kimolos only, check the Ferry Guide and confirm return times.
Book ahead in July–August; bring cash for lunch, swimwear under your clothes, and a dry bag. See the parent day trips guide for Milos, Serifos and other options.
Why this is the day trip to take
Poliegos gives you the wild, empty, cinematic side of the Cyclades — bays you reach only by boat, roamed by wild goats. Kimolos gives you the human side — a working island with good food and no rush. Doing both in a day means you get the best of each without committing to an overnight.
Poliegos: the uninhabited jewel
The largest uninhabited island in the Aegean and a protected nature reserve, Poliegos (“many goats”) has no ferry and nowhere to stay — you come by boat, to swim. The highlights: the pool-clear Blue Bay, Kalogeros Bay with its white sand and turquoise water, the open-roofed Fanara sea cave, and the lighthouse high above the sea. The southern bays stay sheltered even on windy days, which is why skippers head here when the meltemi is up.
Kimolos: quiet villages & clear beaches
Small and easygoing, Kimolos rewards a slower visit. The port of Psathi has seaside tavernas; the hilltop Chorio above it is a lovely wander of white lanes; and the beaches — Prassa (turquoise water, pale sand) and the fishing coves of Goupa and Kara — are among the prettiest in the western Cyclades. It’s the kind of place Sifnos itself might have been a couple of decades ago.
Getting there: boat vs ferry
- By boat trip (best for both islands): organised day cruises from Platis Gialos pair Poliegos’s bays with a Kimolos stop, carrying snorkelling gear and often lunch or a lunch stop. This is the only way to properly see Poliegos. See our Sifnos boat tours guide.
- By ferry (Kimolos only): short scheduled crossings connect Sifnos and Kimolos, good for an on-foot village-and-beach day — but you can’t reach Poliegos this way, and you’re tied to the timetable. Check return times. See the Ferry Guide.
Where to eat on Kimolos
Kimolos eats well for its size. The tavernas at Psathi and the beach spots on the east coast serve fresh fish and Cycladic home cooking; the island is also known for its ladenia (a tomato-and-onion flatbread, Kimolos’s answer to pizza). Ask your skipper or a local for the current favourite — small islands’ best tables change hands.
Practical tips
- Book the boat ahead in July–August; trips sell out and weather can cancel them.
- Bring swimwear under your clothes, water shoes, sun protection, a hat, cash for lunch, and a dry bag.
- Ferry day? Confirm the last boat back to Sifnos before you relax into lunch.
- Windy forecast? Poliegos’s south bays are your friend; open crossings get bumpy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Sifnos to Kimolos?
By organised boat trip from Platis Gialos (usually combined with Poliegos) or by scheduled ferry for an on-foot day on Kimolos itself. Check ferry return times.
Can I visit Poliegos from Sifnos?
Only by boat — Poliegos is uninhabited with no ferry and no accommodation. It’s visited on a day cruise, typically alongside Kimolos.
How long is the boat trip?
Full-day cruises to Poliegos and Kimolos usually run around 6–8 hours with several swim stops; confirm timings with the operator.
What are the best beaches on Kimolos?
Prassa, Goupa and Kara on the east coast are the standouts — clear water and quiet sand.
Is Kimolos worth visiting?
Yes — it’s a gentle, authentic island with good food and lovely beaches, an easy and rewarding day out from Sifnos.
When is the best time to go?
Late spring to early autumn; June and September are calmer and less crowded than midsummer. See when to visit Sifnos.
Local tips
- →Book the boat ahead in July–August — trips sell out and weather can cancel them.
- →Bring cash for a Kimolos taverna lunch stop.
- →Wear swimwear under clothes and pack a dry bag for your phone.
- →Ferry day? Confirm the last boat back before you settle in for lunch.
- →On windy days, skippers favour sheltered Poliegos bays — trust their routing.
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