The Old Captain

The Old Captain is a bar in Kamares, the main port village of Sifnos, open daily from 10 in the morning until 3 at night. With a 4-star rating drawn from more than 360 Google reviews, it has clearly built a following among both day-trippers arriving by ferry and people staying on the island long enough to return more than once.

Kamares sits on the western coast of Sifnos, sheltered by a wide natural bay. The village is the first thing most visitors see when they arrive, and The Old Captain occupies a position squarely in that arrival zone at the harbour. The nautical theme fits: Kamares is a working port, and the bar leans into the seafaring atmosphere of the place rather than ignoring it.

The hours — 10 AM to 3 AM every day of the week — make it one of the more flexible options in Kamares. You can stop in for a coffee mid-morning after your ferry docks, return for a beer in the early evening, and still find it running well into the early hours if the night stretches on.

What to Expect

The Old Captain occupies a spot in Kamares that reflects the village's laid-back, port-town character. The nautical theme means you're looking at the kind of decor that references the sea without being kitschy about it — think anchors, ropes, old maps, and the general visual language of Greek maritime life rather than anything over-produced.

The bar has been around long enough to have its own identity in the village. One web reference places it in the landscape of Kamares as far back as the mid-1980s, which means it predates most of the island's current tourist infrastructure. That kind of staying power in a competitive, seasonal market tells you something. Regulars tend to know the place, and the bar has the comfortable, unpretentious atmosphere that comes from not needing to reinvent itself every season.

The drinks menu at a bar of this type in the Greek islands typically covers Greek spirits like ouzo and tsipouro, standard cocktails, bottled and draught beer, wine, and non-alcoholic options like coffee, fresh juices, and soft drinks. Nothing in the research bundle confirms or denies a food menu, so if you are looking for a full meal, it is worth asking when you arrive rather than assuming.

The interior fits a crowd. Reviews suggest it can get busy, particularly in the evening during July and August, when Kamares fills up with ferry arrivals and the village's own summer population.

How to Get There

The Old Captain is in Kamares, which is where the ferry from Piraeus and other Cyclades islands docks. If you are arriving by boat, you are already close — the bar is a short walk from the ferry terminal along the port road.

If you are staying elsewhere on Sifnos, the KTEL bus connects Kamares to Apollonia (the island's capital) and other villages several times a day. The bus stop in Kamares is near the port. Apollonia is about 5 kilometres inland and uphill, so most people coming from there either take the bus or drive. Taxis are also available in Kamares, particularly when ferries arrive.

Parking in Kamares is possible along the approach road and in the area around the port, though spaces fill up quickly in peak summer months. If you are driving, arriving before early evening gives you the best chance of finding a spot close by.

The address is Kamares 840 03, Greece, and the coordinates place it precisely at 36.9886°N, 24.6767°E — right in the port area.

Best Time to Visit

Kamares is a year-round village but the bar's busiest period runs from late June through August, when ferry traffic peaks and the island fills with visitors. The atmosphere in the evenings during this period is lively — ferry arrivals between 7 PM and midnight create a natural influx of people looking for a drink and somewhere to decompress after the crossing from Piraeus, which can take between four and five hours on a fast ferry.

If you prefer a quieter visit, the bar opens at 10 AM, when you are unlikely to find it packed. September is a good middle ground: the crowds thin out after mid-August, but the weather stays warm and the bar remains open. Spring arrivals (May and June) will find Sifnos more relaxed overall, and Kamares takes on a local rather than tourist character.

The bar's late closing — 3 AM every night — makes it one of the few places in Kamares where you can reliably stay out past midnight without the lights going on and chairs being stacked around you.

Tips for Visiting

• Check the ferry schedule before planning your evening. Kamares gets a surge of energy around major ferry arrivals, particularly the evening boats from Piraeus. If you want the bar at its liveliest, time your visit to coincide with one of these arrivals.
• Confirm whether food is served. The listing category is restaurants, but the source description identifies it as a bar. Ask on arrival if you want something to eat.
• Arrive before 9 PM on peak summer nights if you want a seat without waiting. The bar can fill up fast, and outdoor seating fills first.
• Use it as a starting point, not an endpoint. Kamares has a cluster of bars and tavernas along the port road, so The Old Captain works well as an opening drink before moving on or a nightcap before walking back to wherever you are staying.
• The bar is open every day. There are no days off listed in the opening hours, which makes it a reliable option even if your stay includes a Monday or Tuesday when other places might be closed.
• Call ahead for groups. The phone number is +30 2284 031990. If you are arriving with a larger group during July or August, a quick call to check on space is worth the effort.
• It is walkable from the port. You do not need a vehicle to get here if you are staying in Kamares or arriving by ferry. The village is compact and flat along the waterfront.
• Cash is useful. Many smaller bars in the Cyclades still prefer or exclusively use cash. Bringing euros is sensible even if card payment turns out to be available.

Practical Information

The Old Captain is located in Kamares, the port of Sifnos, at the address Kamares 840 03, Greece. It is open every day of the week, from 10:00 AM to 3:00 AM. The phone number is +30 2284 031990.

There is no official website listed for the bar at the time of writing. The Google Maps listing can be used to find current photos, any recent updates to hours, and additional visitor reviews.

The bar has a 4.0 rating on Google based on 362 reviews, which is a solid score for a seasonal Cyclades bar operating across a broad range of visitor types — from early-morning ferry arrivals to late-night summer crowds.