Is Serifos expensive? What things really cost in 2026
Short answer
Serifos is one of the more affordable Cyclades: cheaper than Mykonos, Santorini or Milos, though not as cheap as mainland Greece. In July and August expect about €70 a day per person on a tight budget, about €150 mid-range and €310 or more for comfort. Rooms and car hire take most of the money; beaches are free and simple taverna meals are fair.
Daily budget: backpacker, mid-range, luxury
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing) | €35 | €65 | €150 |
| Food & drink | €25 | €45 | €80 |
| Sights & tickets | €5 | €15 | €40 |
| Local transport | €6 | €25 | €40 |
| Per person, per day | €71 | €150 | €310 |
Approximate 2026 prices, two people sharing a room. From our Serifos day-cost table.
What things cost
| Item | Typical price* |
|---|---|
| Freddo espresso at a Livadi seafront café | €3–4 |
| Gyros pitta in Livadi | about €4 |
| Taverna main course in Chora | €12–18 |
| Taverna dinner with house wine, per person | about €20–30 |
| Grilled fresh fish | often €50–80 per kilo |
| Island bus Livadi–Chora | about €2 |
| Taxi Chora–Livadi | about €10–15 |
| Car hire in summer | from about €40–60 a day |
| Ferry from Piraeus, one way | roughly €40–75 |
| Mid-range double room, high season | €90–180 a night |
* Approximate prices, October 2026. They change with season and exchange rates.
Where the money goes
Accommodation is the biggest cost: simple rooms to let in Livadi run about €50–90 a night for a double, studios at Livadakia or in Chora €90–180, and pool villas €200–450. Transport comes next, because the bus mainly links Livadi and Chora; to reach the mining coast, the monastery and the north-coast coves most visitors rent a car, scooter or ATV for a few days. The ferry from Piraeus is also a real line in the budget. Food is reasonable for the Cyclades, but fresh fish sold by the kilo can double a dinner bill if you do not ask the price first. Sights cost little: the Kastro, Chora's lanes and the beaches are free.
When it is cheaper
June and September are often about 20–30% cheaper than July–August, and late May or early October cheaper again, though some places are closed and boats are fewer. The first three weeks of August, especially around 15 August, are the most expensive.
How to spend less
- Travel in June or September rather than July–August to save roughly a fifth to a third on rooms.
- Base yourself in Livadi or Livadakia, where you can walk to the port, the bus and a beach without a car.
- Rent a car only for two days in the middle of your stay for the mining coast and the north, and use the bus the rest of the time.
- Always ask the price per kilo, and the weight, before fresh fish is cooked.
- Book the slower conventional ferry from Piraeus if time allows; it is usually cheaper than the fast boats.
- Buy local cheese, honey and fruit in Chora and Livadi shops for beach picnics, since several coves have no facilities anyway.
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Common questions
Is Serifos cheaper than Mykonos or Santorini?
Yes, generally much cheaper for rooms and meals. Expect about €70 a day on a budget and about €150 mid-range in high season.
How much is a meal on Serifos?
A taverna dinner with house wine costs about €20–30 per person, a gyros pitta about €4. Fresh fish sold by the kilo costs more.
Do I need to rent a car on Serifos?
Not for Livadi, Chora and nearby beaches. For the mining coast and the north, a car from about €40–60 a day in summer saves time.