Sifnos

Map of Sifnos

Sifnos is the 14th bigger island of Cyclades with 74km² extension and 2.625 population. It's a pretty, tidy and cultivated island and its size makes it easily explorable. Sifnos has a strong tradition of pottery(as early as the third century BC) and has long been esteemed for its distinctive cuisine, with sophisticated casseroles baked in the clay-fired gastres (pots), from the word gastronomy derives. The island is perhaps best appreciated today, however, for its many beautifully situated churches and monasteries, and for the beautiful scenery around Vathy in the far Southwest.

The areas to head for are the port, Kamares, the island's capital Apollonia, as well as the East and South coasts. There is nothing in the North worth peek, except maybe the small fishing village of Herronisos, but even that is too far and offers too little for the first-time visitor.

Generally the climate of the island is mild and healthy as all the Cyclades, and the ground is fertile enough. Main products produced are cereals, oil, wine, legumes, fruits, cotton textiles, pottery, and poultry and livestock products.

Salamina

Map of Salamina

Salamina is the largest island of Argosaronic islands, 95km² extension and 39.000 population, and the quickest possible island-hop from Pireas. The island itself is highly developed, has few tourist facilities and is close enough to the Athenian dockyards to make swimming unappealing. The island's port is at Paloukia, facing the mainland, just a short hop across a narrow, built-up isthmus to Salamina Town, the capital, on the West coast. Five kilometers or so beyond Salamina Town, Eandio has the island's cleanest and most attractive beaches. A similar distance from Salamina Town to the North, the monastery of Faneromeni is a working nunnery with impressive frescoes, beautifully sited amid pine woods overlooking the mainland. Salamina is well-known by one of the most significant sea battles of ancient times.

Poros

Map of Poros

Poros is an Argosaronic island. It has 4.010 residents and 22,600 km² extension. Popular with Brits and Scandinavians more than any other Argosaronic island- it is also busy with weekending Athenians, who can get there by road(via Galatas) or on cheap ferries from Pireas. There are in fact two islands, Sferia(Poros Town) - for food, nightlife and shopping- and the far larger Kalavria-a little more peace-, separated from each other by a small canal spanned by a bridge. The Town is a busy place, with constant traffic of shipping and people.