Farmakeio Fotiadis Ioakeim

Farmakeio Fotiadis Ioakeim is the pharmacy serving Livadi, the port village of Serifos, operated as part of a small Cycladic chain that also has branches on Sifnos and Folegandros. For visitors arriving by ferry at Livadi — whether for a day trip or a longer stay — this is the closest and most accessible pharmacy on the island, stocking prescription medications, over-the-counter remedies, sunscreen, insect repellents, and everyday health products.

The pharmacy is run under the Fotiadis name, which has established a presence across several western Cyclades islands. The Serifos branch carries a 3.7-star rating from 68 Google reviews, suggesting it is functional and reliable for most everyday needs, though service experiences appear to vary — worth keeping in mind if you have a complex or urgent prescription request.

What to Expect

The pharmacy is located in Livadi at the address registered as Livadi 840 05. Livadi is the flat coastal settlement at the bottom of the hill below Chora, and it is where most ferry arrivals, accommodation, and practical services on Serifos are concentrated. The pharmacy should be reachable on foot from the port and the main strip of Livadi without needing a vehicle.

As with most Greek island pharmacies, you can expect the standard range of travel health supplies: antihistamines, antidiarrheals, wound-care items, motion-sickness tablets, paracetamol and ibuprofen, sun and after-sun products, and basic first aid. The website domain fotiadis.gr suggests some degree of chain organization, which may mean a more consistent stock level than a purely independent island pharmacy.

The split-hours schedule — morning and evening sessions on weekdays — is standard across Greece and reflects the siesta pattern common in the Cyclades. Plan your visit accordingly: if you arrive mid-afternoon between roughly 2:30 PM and 5:00 PM, the pharmacy will be closed.

How to Get There

Livadi is the first settlement you reach when arriving by ferry to Serifos. The port is compact and walkable. From the ferry landing, follow the waterfront road into the village; most services in Livadi, including the pharmacy, are within a 5–10 minute walk of the dock.

If you are staying in Chora (the hilltop capital), you will need to descend to Livadi by car, taxi, or the local bus that connects the two. The bus service between Chora and Livadi runs regularly in summer but less frequently in the shoulder season; check local schedules on arrival. Taxis are also available from Livadi port.

There is no dedicated parking lot noted for this location, but Livadi has general parking areas near the port that serve the whole village.

Best Time to Visit

The pharmacy follows split-hour weekday schedules: 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM and 5:00 to 9:00 PM Monday through Friday. Saturday hours are 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM and 5:00 to 9:00 PM. Sunday hours are reduced to 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM only, with no evening session.

If you have a non-urgent need, the morning session on a weekday is generally the most reliable time to visit any Greek island pharmacy — staff are fresh, stock has typically been sorted, and you avoid the end-of-day rush that can occur during the evening session in summer. If you need something on a Sunday, arrive before 2:00 PM as there is no evening opening.

Serifos is busiest with tourists in July and August, and the pharmacy will see higher footfall during this period. Outside of peak summer, visitor numbers drop significantly, and some island services adjust their hours accordingly. If you are visiting in May, June, September, or October, it is worth calling ahead to confirm current hours: +30 2281 051700.

Tips for Visiting

• Check hours before you go. The midday closure applies every day. Arriving at 3:00 PM means waiting until 5:00 PM when the pharmacy reopens.
• Sundays are morning-only. The pharmacy closes at 2:00 PM on Sundays with no evening session, so plan any Sunday needs accordingly.
• Call ahead for specific prescriptions. Serifos is a small island, and certain medications may need to be ordered or may not be in stock. Phone ahead at +30 2281 051700 to check availability.
• Bring your prescription in writing. EU prescriptions are generally honored at Greek pharmacies, but having a written copy — not just a digital one — is advisable.
• The website is fotiadis.gr. It is primarily in Greek, but the contact numbers for all three island branches (Sifnos, Serifos, Folegandros) are listed there for reference.
• Stock up before arriving. If you have regular medications or know you will need specific items, consider bringing sufficient supplies from home or picking them up in Athens or Piraeus before boarding the ferry. Island pharmacy stock, while generally adequate, is more limited than a mainland city pharmacy.
• Emergency health care on Serifos is limited. The island has a small health center (agrotiko iatreio) for medical emergencies, but serious cases are transferred off-island. The pharmacy is not a substitute for urgent medical care — seek the health center if you have a medical emergency.
• Greek pharmacists can advise on minor ailments. As in the rest of Greece, pharmacists here are licensed to provide guidance on common symptoms and can recommend appropriate over-the-counter treatments, which is useful if seeing a doctor is not practical.

Practical Information

Address: Livadi, Serifos 840 05, Greece

Phone: +30 2281 051700

Website: fotiadis.gr

Opening Hours:

• Monday–Friday: 8:30 AM – 2:30 PM / 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Saturday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM / 5:00 PM – 9:00 PM
• Sunday: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (morning only)

The Fotiadis group also operates pharmacies on Sifnos (Apollonia, tel. 22840 33033) and Folegandros (Chora, tel. 22860 27640), which may be useful if you are island-hopping across the western Cyclades.