Kimolos Day Trip from Sifnos

A Kimolos day trip from Sifnos is a private boat excursion across the Western Cyclades to Kimolos, with swim stops, time ashore at Psathi and Chorio, and a run past Polyaigos. Boat trips and tours across the rest of the country are listed on Greece Tours.

The sections below cover the tours you can book, the crossing, the ferry timetable, Psathi, Chorio, Skiadi, the swim stops, Goupa, the food, Polyaigos, north Milos, the season, packing and booking for a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos, with links into the Kimolos pages. The tours shown are checked on GetYourGuide.

What is a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos?

A Kimolos day trip from Sifnos is a 6-hour private boat outing to Kimolos and back. The day mixes sea crossings with island stops. The boat brings the group back to Sifnos on the same day.

Kimolos is a Greek island in the Western Cyclades, north-east of Milos. A channel about 1 km wide separates it from Milos. The island is round, roughly 7 km in radius. Its land area is 36 square kilometres. At the latest census, Kimolos counted 810 residents. Its port is Psathi.

A Kimolos day trip from Sifnos starts on a larger island. Sifnos covers about 74 square kilometres in the Western Cyclades, between Serifos and Milos. Its port, Kamares, lies on the west coast. Apollonia, the seat of the municipality, is the main village near the centre.

A Kimolos day trip from Sifnos stays within one regional unit of Greece. Both Sifnos and Kimolos belong to the Milos regional unit. Milos, the larger island next to Kimolos, gives the unit its name. Uninhabited Poliegos, east of Kimolos, joins the route on two of the three tours.

The outing is a return trip, not a one-way transfer. Travellers keep their base on Sifnos and sleep there the same night. A one-way move to Kimolos falls outside these tours.

Which Kimolos day trips from Sifnos can you book?

Three tours on GetYourGuide sell a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos. Two are private boat tours and one is a speedboat tour. All three last 6 hours and carry a private, small group on board.

Each listing gives a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos its own mix of islands and activities. A private group means only the booked party rides on the boat. All three include free cancellation. The titles below match the GetYourGuide listings word for word.

• “From Sifnos: Kimolos and Poliegos Tour with Swimming”: a private boat tour to Kimolos and Poliegos, with swimming.
• “From Sifnos: Kimolos and North Milos Speedboat Tour”: a speedboat tour to Kimolos and north Milos, with swimming.
• “Sifnos: Explore Polyaigos and Kimolos on a Private Cruise”: a private cruise to Polyaigos and Kimolos.

Poliegos and Polyaigos are two spellings of the same island. So the first and third tours visit one pair of islands. Other sea outings from Sifnos appear on the page for Sifnos boat trips.

Booking lead times differ for a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos. The Poliegos tour and the speedboat tour take bookings until 1 hour 30 minutes before the start. The Polyaigos cruise needs at least 10 hours of notice.

The choice comes down to the second stop. Pick the speedboat tour to add Milos to the same day. Pick either of the other two tours to add Poliegos instead.

How long is the sea crossing from Sifnos to Kimolos?

The scheduled ferry crossing from Sifnos to Kimolos takes about 1 hour. A Kimolos day trip from Sifnos by tour boat makes the crossing twice within 6 hours. The boats head south-west from Sifnos to reach Kimolos.

The 1-hour figure comes from published ferry route data for this sea lane. It applies to the scheduled ferries, not to the private tour boats. At that pace, a round trip spends about 2 hours on the water.

The three tour listings state a 6-hour total, not a crossing time. The ferry figure is the reference for each sea leg of a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos. Both the outward and the return legs count toward those 6 hours.

At the ferry pace, a 6-hour Kimolos day trip from Sifnos splits into three blocks of time. The split below is a guide built from the ferry figure, not a tour timetable.

• Outward leg from Sifnos to Kimolos: about 1 hour
• Stops at sea and at the islands: about 4 hours
• Return leg from Kimolos to Sifnos: about 1 hour

The speedboat tour divides its stop time between Kimolos and Milos. The other two tours divide it between Kimolos and Poliegos. Kimolos is the one stop shared by all three routes.

Can a scheduled ferry work for a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos?

Scheduled ferries rarely suit a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos. Ferries run about 2 times a week from June to September and about once a week otherwise. The tour boats close that gap with a same-day return.

These sailing counts come from published route data for Sifnos and Kimolos. At the peak, the outward and return ferries seldom fall on the same day. Outside summer, the next ferry back can sit a week away. A Kimolos day trip from Sifnos by ferry then becomes a stay of at least one night.

Both islands sit on the Western Cyclades ferry line. That line also links them with Piraeus, the port of Athens. A catamaran joins the line only in the tourist season. Ferries reach Kimolos all year round, not only in summer. Kimolos has a busier local ferry link with Milos than with Sifnos.

Travellers based in Athens reach Sifnos first, on a ferry from Piraeus. Sifnos lies about 130 km from Piraeus. The boat tour then starts from Sifnos, so the Kimolos leg needs no ferry ticket.

A Kimolos day trip from Sifnos by tour boat avoids the ferry timetable altogether. The ferry days matter more for travellers who plan to sleep on Kimolos. The main Sifnos island page covers the rest of a stay on the island.

How does a six-hour boat day from Sifnos unfold?

A Kimolos day trip from Sifnos runs in five steps. The group boards at a Sifnos harbour and crosses to Kimolos. Swim stops and time at Kimolos follow, and then the boat carries everyone back to Sifnos.

The five steps below follow the shape of the day on all three routes. No listing gives clock times, so the steps show the order only. Swim stops apply to the two routes that list swimming.

• Pick-up: the group boards the boat at the harbour on Sifnos.
• Crossing: the boat sails across the open sea to Kimolos.
• Swim stops: the boat pauses for swimming, and for snorkelling on the speedboat.
• Island time: the group visits Kimolos, plus Poliegos or Milos by route.
• Return: the boat sails back to the harbour on Sifnos.

On a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos, the route decides which part of the island the group sees. The Poliegos tour heads to traditional Kimolos and adds time to relax on board. The speedboat tour keeps to northern Kimolos and also takes in Milos.

The Polyaigos cruise lists its two islands without a set order of stops. The ride back across the sea closes every Kimolos day trip from Sifnos. Guests step off on Sifnos within the 6-hour window of the listing.

What do day visitors find at Psathi, the port of Kimolos?

Psathi, the main port of Kimolos, is the gateway to Chorio on a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos. The harbour settlement is small and lived in mainly in summer. Chorio, the main village, stands on a hill in the south-east, above the port.

Travellers based on Milos, across the narrow channel, follow the Kimolos day trip from Milos instead. Parking is a major summer problem in Psathi and Chorio. Visitors on a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos arrive by sea and skip that problem.

The walk from the quay up to Chorio covers about 800 metres. Psathi also has a beach of its own, one of the busiest on the island. A local bus and taxis run routes from the port area to the beaches. Travellers short on time take a taxi up to Chorio and walk back down to the boat. The Kimolos Port Authority is a department of the Milos Coast Guard.

Psathi is one of the small settlements outside Chorio. Others include Prassa, Aliki, Bonatsa, Dekas and Agios Nikolaos. A dirt road leads to Dekas and to Mavrospilia, a sunset spot for photographers.

Why walk up from Psathi to Chorio and the Kastro?

The walk up from Psathi leads to Chorio and the medieval Kastro at its core. On a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos, this climb reaches the oldest part of the main village. Locals call the village Chorio or Kimolos, not Chora.

The Kastro has a square plan. The outer walls of its outer houses double as the castle wall. A second ring of houses stands inside the first, with a small row at the centre. A small square opens beside the central row. A narrow lane, wide enough only for small carts, runs between the two rings.

The outer ring has two main gates. The Lower Gate opens on the south side, on the Agora road. The Upper Gate faces east, next to the Folklore and Naval Museum. The Church of the Nativity of Christ stands beside the small central square. The Church of Panagia Odigitria faces the Archaeological Museum.

Chorio has two parts, the old Palio Chorio and the newer Neo Chorio. Neo Chorio covers neighbourhoods such as Mizithrou, Xeropigada and Theoskepasti. The Inner Castle now lies in ruins, while the outer ring survives as a row of houses. On a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos, look for these details along the lanes:

• 123 two-storey houses in the old castle settlement
• Upper floors for one family, the anogarides
• Ground floors for a second family, the katogarides
• Walls of hard local stone, called sideropetra
• Decorative details in piori, a soft limestone
• Lintels with coats of arms and dates

What is the Skiadi rock on Kimolos?

Skiadi is a giant mushroom-shaped stone in a small valley in the interior of Kimolos. The municipality lists it as a natural and geological monument. It lies inland, away from the swim stops of a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos.

Skiadi formed through ablation. Dust carried by the wind scratches the stone. The softer lower layers wear away faster than the harder top layers. Over centuries, this process left a broad cap on a narrow base.

Milos and Kimolos belong to the Aegean volcanic arc, along with the small islands around them. They consist mainly of acidic volcanic rocks. Tuffs cover large areas of Kimolos, and older pre-volcanic bedrock shows in places.

Hot springs and a geothermal field show the island’s volcanic past. Mount Paleokastro, the highest point of Kimolos, reaches 364 metres. The shoreline seen on a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos is part of this volcanic ground.

Where do the boats from Sifnos stop for a swim on Kimolos?

Private boats on a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos stop at the island for swimming and time ashore. Kimolos has clean, sheltered beaches of sand or pebbles, with rocks for diving. One speedboat trip adds snorkelling to the swim stops.

Therma, Mersinia and Zefokalamo are beaches reached by boat. The Gerakia Cave, at Cape Gerakia, is a sea cave for swimming, also reached by boat. At Agioklima, a hot spring bubbles up at the shoreline. Check which of these spots the route of a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos includes.

Aliki, Bonatsa and Kalamitsi sit on one stretch of coast. Saltbush and lentisk shade both Aliki and Bonatsa. Aliki ranks among the busiest beaches on Kimolos. The named beaches differ in ground and depth:

• Prassa: white, coarse sand, with thermal baths at the entrance to the settlement
• Aliki: pebbles, sand and shallow, clean water
• Bonatsa: sand along the shared stretch
• Kalamitsi: a double beach of sand and pebbles
• Ellinika: remains of two ancient harbours by the shore

The north wind hits Klima, a beach of large pebbles and sand, and exposed Monasteria. Soufi, a short walk from Monasteria, stays sheltered. On a windy Kimolos day trip from Sifnos, ask the skipper for a sheltered cove.

What are Goupa, Kara and Rema, the boathouse villages?

Goupa, Kara and Rema are small neighbouring settlements on the coast of Kimolos. Their syrmata are caves carved into soft rock, where fishermen haul their boats up in winter. These boathouses show the working shore on a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos.

Goupa is a fishing hamlet, and Rema lies next to it. Kara sits just past Goupa. Goupa and Kara also share one combined name, Goupa-Kara. Locals call the boathouses syrmata or magazia. Syrmata line the shore near Rema.

Rema has a natural pool, rocks and the small Rematonisa islets. Its water is sheltered from the wind and suits swimmers of all ages. Kara has rocks and good spots for diving.

On a private Kimolos day trip from Sifnos, request a pass along the Goupa shore. From the water, the open fronts of the syrmata face the boat directly.

What do you eat on a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos?

Ladenia is the island dish to order on a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos. It is a flat dough baked with tomato, onion and olive oil. Eat it fresh as a snack before the boat leaves.

The municipality lists three more local specialities beside ladenia: tyrenia, kolokythenia and elenia. Order all four by their Greek names during a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos. Kimolos also turns local tomatoes into its own tomato paste, called pelte.

The island produces its own cheeses, sweets and preserves. The municipality names capers and local honey among these products. Three more local foods, two cheeses and a sweet, appear on the same list:

• Xino, a fresh mizithra cheese
• Manoura, a dry cheese coated in grape-must sediment
• Pasteli, a bar of sesame and honey

Why do the boats from Sifnos stop at Polyaigos?

A Kimolos day trip from Sifnos stops at Polyaigos because the island lies 2 km south-east of Kimolos. It is the largest uninhabited island in the Aegean, with goats as its only residents. Its beaches lie mainly on the south side.

The name Polyaigos refers to goats. The Greek Orthodox church owns much of the island. It lets parts of the land to herders from Milos and Kimolos. Ptolemy, Pliny the Elder and Pomponius Mela all mention Polyaigos in their works. The Polyaigos island page covers this uninhabited neighbour on its own.

• Area: about 18 square kilometres
• Length: 6 km along the longest axis
• Width: 4.3 km at the narrowest point
• Coastline: 22 to 27 km
• Hills: Stroggylo at 330 m and Psilo Vouno at 370 m
• Distance to Milos: 6.2 km to the west

Sea caves along the shore shelter a dwindling population of Mediterranean monk seals (Monachus monachus). On a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos, swim clear of these caves so the seals rest undisturbed. Keep voices low near the cave mouths as well.

What does the north Milos speedboat route add?

The north Milos route adds a second island to a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos. A channel about 1 km wide separates Kimolos from Milos. The speedboat covers the northern coasts of both islands in one outing.

GetYourGuide lists this route as “From Sifnos: Kimolos and North Milos Speedboat Tour”. The title names Kimolos and north Milos and leaves Polyaigos out. Choose it when Milos ranks above Polyaigos on your list.

On this Kimolos day trip from Sifnos, the stops along the northern shores are for swimming and snorkelling. Speedboats cover distance fast, so two coastlines fit into the day. Trips that start on Milos itself appear on the Milos boat tours page.

What is Kimolian earth, and how did Kimolos get its names?

Kimolian earth, or Kimolia Gi, was a valuable trade good that made Kimolos a trade hub. Its source was the silver-coloured rock of the south coast. A Kimolos day trip from Sifnos visits an island with three recorded names.

The traveller Theodore Bent described a white porous stone on Kimolos. It was easy to cut and prized for building. Bent identified it with the old “terra Kimolia”. The ancients made fuller’s earth from this stone.

• Kimolos: by tradition, the name of the island’s first resident
• Echinousa: an ancient name linked to the vipers still common there
• Argentiera: a medieval name taken from the same silver-coloured rock

In ancient times Kimolos was a battlefield between Athens and Sparta. Athens ruled Kimolos, while Sparta ruled neighbouring Milos. The Ottoman Empire later held the island. Kimolos joined the Greek state with the rest of the Cyclades in the 19th century.

Which months suit a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos?

June to September suits a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos, the season of the private boat tours. Scheduled ferries between the two islands sail about twice a week in those months. From October to late spring, they sail about once a week.

Strong summer north winds in the Aegean cancel small-boat trips on rough days. Book the Kimolos day trip from Sifnos early in your stay. A wind-cancelled date then leaves room for a second try.

Small boats ride the open sea between Sifnos and Kimolos, so they feel waves more than large ferries. Message the operator the evening before if strong north winds are in the forecast.

Outside June to September, open the GetYourGuide calendar first and note any tour dates it lists. If no dates appear, build the visit around the scheduled ferry timetable between the islands.

What do you bring on a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos?

Pack swimwear, a towel, sun protection, a hat and water for a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos. Add a light layer for the open-sea ride. Snorkel gear earns a place in the bag if you own a set.

Time ashore on Kimolos needs two extra items. Carry cash for the tavernas on the island. Wear closed shoes with grip for the uphill walk on Kimolos. Keep flip-flops for the swimming stops only.

Seal phones and cash in a waterproof pouch before each swim. Pack a soft, small bag that fits under a boat seat. Leave large backpacks at your Sifnos lodging, since deck space on small boats is tight. Apply sun protection before boarding and again after every swim.

How do you book and cancel a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos?

Book a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos online through GetYourGuide, which lists three tours with free cancellation. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before the start. Each tour lasts 6 hours and runs as a private small group.

Lead times differ between the three listings. “From Sifnos: Kimolos and Poliegos Tour with Swimming” accepts bookings until 1 hour 30 minutes before the start. The North Milos speedboat tour has the same cut-off. “Sifnos: Explore Polyaigos and Kimolos on a Private Cruise” needs at least 10 hours’ notice.

• Open the tour listing on GetYourGuide.
• Pick a date for the trip.
• Set the number of travellers.
• Read the cancellation line.
• Confirm and pay online.

Check the forecast before free cancellation ends on a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos. Save the booking confirmation on your phone. Send route questions to the operator through the GetYourGuide app. Private boats for other routes around Sifnos appear on the Sifnos yacht charter page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos possible in one day?

Yes. The GetYourGuide boat tours leave Sifnos and return there the same day. The return ride is part of the tour, so no ferry ticket or overnight stay is needed. The tours last 6 hours from departure to return.

Is the Kimolos day trip from Sifnos private?

Yes. All three GetYourGuide listings run as private small groups. Only the people on your booking ride with the skipper and crew. The group size matches the number of travellers set at checkout. This differs from the scheduled ferry, which carries all ticket holders.

Does a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos include Polyaigos?

Two of the three tours include it. The Kimolos and Poliegos tour with swimming spells the island Poliegos in its title. The private cruise names Polyaigos and Kimolos in its title. The North Milos speedboat tour heads to northern Kimolos and Milos instead.

Can children join a speedboat day?

Ask the operator about age limits and child life jackets before booking. On board, seat each child next to an adult and fit a life jacket in the right size. Keep young children seated and holding on while the boat moves at speed.

How far ahead do you book a Kimolos day trip from Sifnos?

Book at least 1 hour 30 minutes ahead for the Poliegos tour and the North Milos speedboat tour. The private cruise needs at least 10 hours’ notice. Free cancellation until 24 hours before the start keeps an early booking flexible. Check the cut-off shown on each listing.