After a short boat transportation, your guide will meet you at the port of Sikinos to assist you with instruction of your tour. The bus will also meet you at the port and once you are settled you will start with a visit to the "Hora" of Sikinos.
The settlement of Hora is the capital of Sikinos located on the southeast side of the island. Concidered as one of the most authentic villages of the Aegean. There you will visit the Church of Panagia Pantanassa which is the cathedral of the island, located at the central square of Hora.Inside the church one can admire the girded wood carved iconostasis and the beautiful icons that belong to the Cretan school. Kastro is the fortified settlement of the main village that was built on the edge of a high cliff which is called Paraporti. Here you will also visit the Folklore Museum which is housed in an old olive oil press. The museum exhibits a private collection of old agricultural objects, household utensils and traditional media for the processing of olive oil.
The Monastery of Zoodohos Pigi stands on the edge of a cliff on the southwest side of Hora. It is a Female Monastery that was built in 1690 , as evidenced from the fortified architecture, the battlements and the murder holes. The Monastery stays open in public and here one can enjoy the panoramic views of the surrounding areas.
On the way you will stop on a traditional coffee shop to rest. Then you will visit the Temple of Episcopi which is the most important monument of Sikinos located on the southwest side of Hora. The temple was constructed on the 3rd century AD as a Roman burial monument, becoming the temple of Apollo Pythius and finally converted into an Orthodox Christian Church dedicated to the Dormition of Virgin Mary. The temple of Episcopi is surrounded from a complex of a byzantine chapels, ancient ruins, wall stones and fragments of marble sculptures. To get to the Temple there is a one hour hiking trail.
Last you will visit the Manali’s Winery organic vineyard to learn about the process of wine making, the sovinos, the island grape and the Sikinos terroir. Enjoy a wine tasting with sea views, on the atmospheric terrace of the winery. Optional, you can enjoy a plateau of Cycladic cheese and traditional delicacies with a glass of your favorite wine overlooking the Cycladic islands of Folegandros, mill, kimolos, poligos, dothrotikos, Antiparos.
At the end of the bus tour you will be tranfered back the the port to meet your speed boat captain and return to Ios at 17:30 in the afternoon.