Mare Nostrum

Mare Nostrum is a small apartment complex in Kamares, the main port village of Sifnos, sitting close to the beach and the ferry quay. The property runs five self-catering units finished in whitewashed Cycladic style — clean lines, modest but considered decoration, and the kind of calm that makes sense when the Aegean is a few minutes on foot.

The name translates from Latin as "our sea," and the location earns it. Kamares bay curves around a sheltered inlet on the west coast of Sifnos, and the apartments on the first floor look directly out over that water. For travellers who arrive by ferry and want somewhere genuinely close to the port without sacrificing character, Mare Nostrum sits at a practical midpoint: you can walk to Kamares's tavernas and cafés, collect your luggage from the dock, and still feel removed from the mid-summer port bustle once you're on your balcony.

With just five units and a 4.7 rating across 23 Google reviews, the property operates at a scale where personal service is possible. Reception hours run daily from 8:30 AM to 11:00 PM.

What to Expect

Mare Nostrum's five apartments divide across two levels, and the difference between floors is worth knowing before you book.

The two first-floor apartments (Apartments 1 and 2) sleep two to four people each and come with sea views and sunset-facing balconies. These are the units to request if outlook matters to you more than level access. The three ground-floor apartments (3, 4, and 5) each sleep two to three people and open onto private verandas — useful if you have young children or prefer step-free entry.

All five units are equipped with a kitchen, which changes the economics of a stay considerably on Sifnos. The island's restaurants in Apollonia and Artemonas are excellent, but having a kitchen means you can shop at Kamares's small harbour-side market stalls, pick up local cheeses or revithia (chickpeas, a Sifnos staple), and eat at your own pace. Free WiFi and free parking outside the property are included with every unit — both worth noting on an island where car rental is common and parking in peak July and August can be tight.

The aesthetic is deliberately restrained: whitewashed walls, simple furnishings, and the kind of Cycladic minimalism that ages well. The property describes its own approach as "unpretentious luxury" — which in practice means the rooms are well-maintained and thoughtfully finished rather than loaded with extras.

How to Get There

Mare Nostrum is in Kamares, the ferry port of Sifnos on the island's west coast. The address is Καμάρες, Sifnos 840 03.

If you arrive by ferry, the apartments are within easy walking distance of the port — Kamares is a compact village and the waterfront is the main reference point. Ferries to Sifnos run from Piraeus (Athens) and connect with several other Cycladic islands including Serifos, Milos, and Folegandros; journey times from Piraeus vary from around two hours on a high-speed service to four or five hours on conventional ferries.

If you fly into Athens and travel onward the same day, allow time for the Piraeus port transfer. Sifnos does not have its own airport; the nearest is Milos, which has limited seasonal connections.

For those driving to Piraeus or renting a car on the island: free parking is available directly outside the apartments, which is a practical advantage in high season when Kamares can fill quickly.

By bus, the Sifnos KTEL network connects Kamares with Apollonia (the island's main town) and other villages. The bus stop in Kamares is near the port, within a short walk of the property.

Best Time to Visit

Sifnos has a long season compared with many Cycladic islands. The island's reputation for food, pottery, and walking trails draws visitors from late spring through mid-autumn, and Kamares functions as an active village rather than a purely seasonal resort.

July and August are the busiest months. Kamares fills with arriving and departing ferry passengers, and the village's tavernas and cafés run at full capacity. If you prefer quieter surroundings and more flexibility with ferry times and accommodation availability, late May through June or September through early October offer better conditions. Temperatures in September in particular remain warm enough for swimming while the heat of August has eased.

The west-facing position of Mare Nostrum's first-floor units means the sunset views are best experienced in summer when the sun sets over the open sea rather than behind the hills. Wind in the Cyclades — the meltemi — typically picks up in July and August; Kamares bay offers some shelter, but expect afternoon breezes.

The property's listed reception hours (8:30 AM – 11:00 PM daily) suggest it operates on a broadly seasonal basis consistent with the main Greek island tourist calendar. Contact ahead of travel in shoulder months to confirm availability.

Tips for Visiting

• Book the first-floor units early if sea views matter. There are only two apartments on the upper floor (Apartments 1 and 2), and they're the ones with the direct water outlook and sunset balconies.
• Use the kitchen to explore local ingredients. Sifnos is one of the few Greek islands with a genuine culinary tradition — revithia soup, local honey, and loukoumades are all worth seeking out in Kamares's small shops and stalls.
• Rent a car or scooter to reach the rest of the island. Kamares is the port, not the island's centre. Apollonia is a 15-minute drive uphill, and villages like Kastro, Artemonas, and Faros require transport or the bus network.
• The KTEL bus is reliable and inexpensive. The main bus route connects Kamares with Apollonia frequently in summer. If you'd rather not drive on narrow Cycladic roads, the bus covers most of the island's key stops.
• Confirm check-in and arrival time by phone or email in advance. For a five-unit property, early communication avoids any mismatch if your ferry arrives outside normal reception hours. Phone: +30 2284 031402, email: [email protected].
• Free parking simplifies car rental logistics. If you pick up a car at the port, you won't need to factor in daily parking costs — useful for multi-day island exploration.
• Pack for variable ferry conditions. Even in summer, Aegean ferries can be delayed or rescheduled due to wind. Build flexibility into your arrival day rather than scheduling an activity immediately after landing.
• Ground-floor apartments suit travellers with mobility needs or young children. The three ground-level units open directly onto terraces, removing stair access to the main living space.

Facilities and Location

Mare Nostrum's feature set is straightforward and well-suited to independent travellers. Every apartment includes a fitted kitchen — stovetop, refrigerator, and basic cooking equipment — which supports longer stays or families who prefer not to eat every meal in a restaurant. Free WiFi covers all five units.

Free private parking outside the property is included with each booking, which is genuinely useful given Kamares's limited on-street space during peak season. The proximity to the ferry port means that early ferry departures — Piraeus boats sometimes leave before 8 AM — are manageable without needing an early taxi from elsewhere on the island.

Kamares itself provides everything needed for a comfortable base: several tavernas and cafés along the waterfront, a small supermarket, a bakery, and summer-season tourist services including car and scooter rental agencies. The beach at Kamares is walkable from the property and is one of the wider, more sheltered sandy beaches on the island's west coast.

For excursions, the walking trails that connect Sifnos's villages follow ancient kalderimi (stone paths) and are accessible from both Kamares and Apollonia. The trail to Kastro, the medieval hilltop capital of the island, is among the most-walked routes.