Koufonissi and Sifnos sit at opposite ends of the Cyclades' character spectrum -- one a low-lying, laid-back cluster of beaches and bicycles, the other a hillside island of pottery workshops, monasteries and some of the best home cooking in the islands -- and the ferry between them covers a proper stretch of open Aegean to get you from one to the other. This is a long-haul crossing rather than a short hop, so it suits travellers building a slower, more deliberate island-hopping route through the Cyclades rather than those trying to bounce between neighbours in an afternoon.
Boarding at Koufonissi is straightforward: the port sits right at the edge of the main village, so there's no need for a taxi or bus transfer, and the whole place has the feel of a working quay rather than a terminal. At the Sifnos end you'll come into Kamares, the island's main port, a few kilometres below Apollonia and the hill villages -- buses meet arriving ferries in season, though it's worth confirming timings locally if you're travelling outside peak weeks. Because the route runs across open water for several hours, expect some swell if the meltemi is blowing in July and August; it's usually a smooth if long crossing outside those windy spells.
Useful Resources for Your Greek Island Trip
- Find accommodation in Greece – hotels, apartments and villas on Booking.com
- Book tours and activities in Greece via Viator
- Find guided experiences and day trips via GetYourGuide
- Compare car hire prices in Greece via DiscoverCars