Platys Gialos beach
Platys Gialos is the most beautiful beach in Sifnos, and also one of the largest on the island. This wonderful place is located in the arms of the bay, which protects the beach from strong winds. Every year, Gialos is awarded the Blue Flag of the European Union, while meeting its strict criteria (cleanliness, organization, water quality, safety, lifeboats, first aid, services, facilities, etc.).
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Beach description
Yalos Beach is situated in the southern part of Sifnos island, 12 km away from Apollonia. Platis Aigialos means "wide", or "spacious beach" in Greek. That is true: this beach stretches for tens of kilometers along Aegean Sea. Moreover, Yalos is one of the most visited and comfortable beaches of Sifnos. Its left side has a modern quay where guests can lash their boats, and the largest port shelter is located in this part of the island.
The beach is covered with fine golden sand that sparkels and plays with silver shades in sunlight. And this is not an optical illusion: Yalos sand has minerals creating the shining effect. Water is crystal clear with the incredible dark blue shade. The water entry is smooth, with clear bottom. Swimming is comfortable in Yalos due to temperate depth. This is the reason of this beach popularity among families with children.
And in the evening, right before the sunset, when all the visitors quit the beach, magical twilight covers Yalos, and the last sun rays fade above the sea. The feeling of calmness on these hours allows not only having a rest but also charging the surprising energy of this magnificent and beautiful place.
Yalos is a beautiful combination of picturesque sea, unique architecture, and traditional taverns. Comfort and safety became the motto of this place at Sifnos island.
When is the best time to go?
Greece - a country with a long length from north to south, so the recommendations will vary depending on the place where you are going. The holiday season begins in May and reaches a peak in July-August: there are too many tourists, and the temperature on the southern islands reaches 40 degrees, which may still not play a role on the beach, but certainly not suitable for sightseeing. So the best time to relax in Greece is the end of spring-beginning of summer or September-October.
Video: Beach Platys Gialos
Infrastructure
Near the beach of Gialos, there is an excellent selection of hotels, guest houses, apartments, rooms, traditional Greek taverns, grocery stores, cafe bars, car rental agencies and pottery workshops where you can find Sifnos pottery and watch how they are made. One of the most popular hotels – Alexandros Hotel Platys Gialos: it is an excellent place with good infrastructure and beautiful views from the balconies of the rooms. Well-kept gardens surround the hotel, creating a pleasant shade for walking. Alexandros also has its own restaurant and pool.
In addition to the many taverns on Yialos available:
- Diving;
- Snorkeling;
- Boat rental to swim in the area;
- Fishing, etc.
The local fishing boats port with its spacious marina in the summer is used to organize cultural events, turning into a small theater on the beach. Many vineyards and olive groves also grow in this area. There are also pottery workshops on Sifnos, whose craftsmen are pleased to share the secrets of this art. By the way, the most popular souvenir from this Greek island are ceramic products.
Weather in Platys Gialos
Best hotels of Platys Gialos
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Greece is rich in unique historical monuments and Sifnos is no exception. The most popular and picturesque sights of the island are:
- The monastery of Panagia tou Vounou (Our Lady of the Mountain): this architectural monument was built in 1813. The temple is located on a high hill, which offers a magical panoramic view of Platis Gialos;
- Aspros Pyrgos (translated from Greek means "white tower") - the most famous lighthouse of the island;
- A small private uninhabited island of Kitriani, on which the only building is the church of Panagia Kipriani, built in the 10-11th century;
And not so long ago, in the south of the island, on a small edge of Gialos, a prehistoric cemetery was discovered, whose age has not yet been determined.