Traditional Island Cottage for Rent in Exambela Village, Sifnos Island, Cyclades, Greece

Restored Stone Thimonia(Small Barn)/Cottage

Sifnos is not at all a "tourist island" (like Hydra, Santorini or Mykonos), but it does get its share in July and August. It has a year-round population of about 2,000 -- mostly farmers & fishermen. There is a small ex-pat communiuty of artists, writers, academics, & a few idle types, who own houses(Europeans & Americans some of whom stay-on year round) scattered throughout the island's ten or so villages. Although the island still remains unspoiled, it does have the essentials: two banks, a post office, open-year-round supermarkets, excellent restaurants and sea-side tavernas. Sinfos is known for it's chefs and is also called the Potter's Island. It has an active nightlife "in season" with bars and discos. Cars and moter bikes can be rented and there are buses to the various beaches--10 minutes by car or bus from my house.

Exambela is a small, quiet village on one of the island's higher peaks and the house, situated on its edge, looks with an unobstructed view down terraced fields towards the ancient walled village of Kastro and the expanse of the Aegean sea. The island's most prominent mountain, Profeti Elias, is the view behind the house--making for excellent Feng Shui. It is less than a five minute walk from the house to the local Mini-market for a quart of milk, but the property is so situated that it provides privacy and serenity along with panoramic views.

The "Thimonia" (small barn) was rebuilt and designed like the island's traditional whitewashed stone cottages, but with all the modern conveniences, to be a comfortable year-round retreat for my husband (who has since died), my son (who has since married and has his own vacation house), and myself--still a pottter and still an artist. As much as I love both the island and the house, I now find it a bit lonely and an nuisance to travel alone.

The house, and its two fields of olive trees, terraces and gardens, is on three terraced levels. The house itself, which comes completly furnished, consists of a large living room with 2 single beds/couchs (for very short-term visting guests), a kitchen, a bath and one bedroom with double bed. It has traditional Siphnian stone floors and wood-beamed ceilings throughout. There is an attached "apothiki" (little storage room)which I was hoping to have as my studio, but it's been taken over by the year-round gardener and also houses the machinery (oil burner, water tank, gas bottles for stove, etc.).

I should also mention that there is a resident cat, named KAYTO, who guards the house and grounds from all other four legged--or more--creatures. He goes with the house and only cat lovers should apply. I have a woman, Evdokia who is our manager/caretaker and she will meet you at the ferry, bring you to the house and show you around. For further information, call or email me OR, You can find AVAILABLE RENTAL DATES,PRICES and more INFORMATION for my listing on another web site to be found under "Contact"--PLEASE GO SEE IT.