Walking Food Tour in Sifnos – Cultural & Culinary Experience
We walk through Apollonia and Artemonas, tasting and talking about everyday food.
Besides private tours, on a few dates each season I also offer a shared small-group version of this walking food tour (see below)
During this walking food tour in Sifnos we move slowly through the central villages of Apollonia and Artemonas. We stop often to taste local specialties and real Greek flavours, and we talk about agriculture, recipes that are linked to customs and religious beliefs, everyday cooking and simple ways people used to preserve fresh products.
On the way we meet pastry men and women, bakers, cooks and cheesemakers in their own places of work. We listen to their stories and see how much care goes into what they make. You can feel the difference in quality, understand why the choice of ingredients matters and how food still affects health, mentality and social life on the island.
What we do during the walking food tour
The guided tour includes some walking (and steps) through the central villages, with many stops in places that locals use in their everyday life. We taste different snacks and sweets, drink small things along the way and talk about food, cooking and local habits.
You will have the chance to taste for free, and also to buy local products to take home if you wish. At the beginning of the tour you receive a traditional handmade cotton bag. You can fill it with the different local snacks and small items you are offered, and with any extra products you decide to buy.
At the end of the full tour we sit down for lunch or dinner with a Greek “meze” menu, served the Greek way, with plates to share on the table. If you choose the shorter version without the meal, we simply end the tour after the last tasting stop.
Who this tour is for (and who it is not for)
The walking food tour is designed for small groups who enjoy walking, tasting and talking. It is not a fast “sightseeing” tour. We move slowly, use steps between the upper and lower parts of the villages and spend time in each place we visit.
The tour is not suitable for:
- People with serious difficulties in walking or climbing steps
- Prams, strollers and toddlers (because of the many steps and narrow passages)
- Gluten-free guests
- Guests with diabetes or anyone who cannot eat any sweets at all
The tour is not available on Sundays, because many of the shops we visit are closed on that day.
Start times, weather & practical notes
You can choose between two start times:
- Morning tour: Starts around 11:00 and ends around 15:00, with lunch at the end.
- Evening tour: Starts around 18:00 and ends around 22:00, with dinner at the end.
The tour is subject to weather conditions. It may be cancelled or rescheduled because of rain or very high temperatures, as this would make the walk unpleasant or unsafe. Strong winds are common in the islands and are not a reason to cancel the tour.
Comfortable walking shoes, a hat and a light bottle of water are good ideas, especially in the warmer months.
Practical details
- Area: Central villages of Apollonia & Artemonas, Sifnos
- Type of experience: Small-group walking food tour with a local host
- Guide: Experienced English-speaking local guide on all tours
- Group audio: For larger groups I use a small portable speaker and microphone so everyone can hear comfortably during the walk.
- Duration: Approx. 4 hours including the meal, or about 2.5 hours without the meal
- Start times: 11:00 (with lunch) or 18:00 (with dinner)
- Group size: 2–7 people
- Included: Multiple tastings, traditional cotton bag, guiding and, if chosen, a Greek meze meal at the end
- Transfers: Transfers to and from the meeting point can be arranged on request with an extra cost, if needed.
To ask about dates, starting times or to plan a private version of the tour, please send me a request with your preferred day (except Sunday), the number of people and any dietary notes you think I should know about.
Shared Walking Food Tour – fixed dates & prices
Most of the time this walking food tour is private. For this season I also offer a few shared small-group dates, where guests who do not know each other share the same tour.
Group size for the shared option: 4–7 participants
Versions & prices (per person, including VAT)
- Short version (without meal at the end): 124,00 € per person – duration about 2.5 hours
- Full version (with meal & drinks at the end): 161,20 € per person – duration about 4 hours
See available dates & starting time of this activity (shared version)
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Which villages do we visit and how much walking is involved?
We walk through the central villages of Apollonia and Artemonas, using the main paths and some side streets with steps. The pace is relaxed and we stop often for tastings and conversations, but there are several up and down sections. The tour is not suitable for people with serious walking difficulties or for prams and strollers.
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What kind of food do we taste during the tour?
We taste a variety of local specialties that may include pastries, sweets, savoury snacks, cheeses and small bites from bakeries, pastry shops and other food places. The exact tastings can change depending on the season and on what is best on the day, but the idea is always to show real everyday flavours from Sifnos, not a fixed “tourist menu”.
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Is the tour suitable for gluten-free or diabetic guests?
No. The walking food tour is not suitable for guests who must follow a strict gluten-free diet or for guests with diabetes who cannot eat any sweets. Many of the tastings include bread, pastry and desserts, and it is not possible to adapt the whole route and all stops for these needs.
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Is the tour family-friendly? Can I bring a stroller?
Older children who enjoy walking and trying different foods are welcome, but the tour is not suitable for toddlers, prams or strollers. There are many steps and narrow passages in the villages, which makes it difficult and tiring to push a stroller along the whole route.
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On which days and times does the walking food tour run?
The tour usually starts either at 11:00 and ends around 15:00 with lunch, or at 18:00 and ends around 22:00 with dinner. It is not available on Sundays, because many of the shops we visit are closed. When you contact me, please tell me which day and start time you prefer and I will reply with availability.
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What happens if the weather is bad on the day of the tour?
The tour is subject to weather conditions. It may be cancelled or rescheduled if there is rain or very high temperature, as this makes the walk uncomfortable or unsafe. Strong winds are common in Sifnos and are not a reason to cancel the tour. If we need to cancel because of weather, we will discuss another day or the best solution for you.
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Do I need to bring money for extra purchases during the tour?
Many small tastings are included in the tour. If you wish, you can also buy extra products to take home, such as sweets, cheeses or other local items from the shops we visit. For this it is useful to have some cash or a card with you. At the beginning of the tour you receive a traditional cotton bag, which you can use to carry your snacks and any extra purchases.
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How can I book the walking food tour in Sifnos?
To book, please send me a request through the contact page with your preferred date (except Sunday), the number of people in your group, whether you would like the full tour with the meze meal or the shorter version without the meal, and any dietary information I should know. I will answer personally with availability, meeting point and all practical details.
