Authentically Aegean, Sikinos remains one of the least explored destinations in the Cyclades. Nestled between the busier islands of Ios and Folegandros, Sikinos has managed to retain its small island lifestyle. Sparsely populated, it has a traditional charm and natural beauty. Natural and unpretentious, It was the last major island where passengers were taken ashore in small boats from the ferries, and tourist development has been kept at arms length.
In ancient times Sikinos was known as Oenoe, a name deriving from Oinos, the word for wine. According to Solon, the island was famous for its vineyards and winemaking. The name Sikinos comes from Sikinus, the son of King Thoas of Lemnos. The first inhabitants are thought to have been Mycenean, followed by Ionians, but the small societies that lived on Sikinos were always vulnerable to the buccaneers that thrived in the South Aegean. During the Venetian occupation it was part of the archipelago ruled by the Duchy of Naxos, and it fell to the Ottomans in 1537. It was sacked by pirates in 1774, causing much suffering, and it joined the newly formed Greek state in 1829.
Today, visitors come to wander the beautiful streets of Chora, to hike the rugged, hilly landscape, and to swim in the bright seas off the uncrowded beaches. Dancing to a quieter rhythm than its neighbours, it is a beguiling island that remains a haven of authenticity that shines in its simplicity.
