Serifos is raw, sunbaked, and beautifully unpolished. This is one of the few Cycladic islands that still feels like a secret. You won’t find cruise ships or club promoters here — just winding stone paths, dramatic coastlines, empty beaches, and a sleepy whitewashed town perched high on a hill. It’s Greece at its most elemental.

While neighboring islands like Santorini and Mykonos have been swept up by cruise ships and curated selfies, Serifos remains untamed — with windswept cliffs, long empty beaches, and the quiet rhythm of village life. The whitewashed Cycladic architecture is as dreamy as ever, but here it’s lived-in and real.

We’ll be staying at a boutique hillside retreat with panoramic sea views, a pool, and a yoga shala built into the cliff. Tucked into the landscape, it’s just far enough away to feel like a secret — but close enough to dip into the chora for a gorgeous meal.

This is an island where you actually rest. Where long lunches melt into golden hour swims. Where saltwater, wind, and wine shape your days. Serifos is what the Cyclades used to be — and what life feels just as it should.

We’ve taken over a cluster of stone-clad villas at our favorite boutique property on the island of Serifos, each one spilling out onto terraces with uninterrupted Aegean views. The heart of it all is our shaded yoga shala built directly into the stone hillside, open to the breeze and the sound of cicadas in the hills. Set on a quiet rise above the island’s coastline, it feels blissfully removed from everything, yet just minutes from the best beaches and the charm of Chora. With a mix of suites and simpler rooms, there’s space here for everyone—whether you’re after a touch of luxury or something more pared-back and effortless.

τα δωμάτια. (The Rooms) The rooms blend minimalist Cycladic design—stone walls, beamed ceilings, built‑in beds and benches—with modern convenience. Each includes a queen bed and two twin or sofa beds, a modern clean bathroom, air conditioning, and terrace with sweeping views of Serifos harbor and Chora. 

το φαγητό. (The Food) Two meals per day are included in the retreat. Breakfasts are easy - local eggs, local fresh yoga, summer ripened fruits. For lunch, you're on your own!  Most people like to pop into a local beach taverna (at your own expense). We specifically planned for lunches out, that way you can enjoy the charm of the family run tavernas and experience Greek culture through their cuisine and hospitality. For dinner, we work with what is locally available to create a feast for us!  If you like early morning coffee before meditation, each room is equipped to make coffee. After morning asana, there's always coffee along with breakfast for everyone to enjoy.  

How To Arrive. Fly into Athens and then take the ferry. High-speed ferries from Athens’ main port, Piraeus, make the crossing in just over two hours. Book on ferryhopper.com two weeks prior. Serifos is also connected to nearby islands like Mykonos, Sifnos, and Milos, so you could also island hop before or after retreat. 

Ferries dock at Livadi, the island’s small, sunlit port. From there, it’s a quick 5-minute drive up the hillside to our property. Even though distances are short, we recommend renting a car (or sharing a car with another retreater) - it’s the easiest way to explore Serifos’ tucked-away beaches, winding hilltop villages, and hidden tavernas at your own pace. 

Activities. Our property is a 3 minute drive to the nearest beach, and 10 minute drive to the chora (main hillside town).  There's sandy beaches, rocky beaches, nudist beaches, cliff jumping… something for everyone! We'll hop on a boat one day, we'll explore the chora at night, and find local tavernas for long seaside lunches.

What's Not Included? Lunch, massage & boats.