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Apollonia is the capital of Sifnos
Apollonia is the capital of Sifnos and is actually a collection of villages of which Apollonia is one. The others are Artemona, Ano Petali, Kato Petali, and the notorious Exambala, known for it's wild inhabitants and festive evenings. The name Exambala came from the Turks when they occupied the island. It means 'trouble at night'. Though it is not as wild as it once was when the Turks had to make their nightly visits, there are still some local hotspots though things seldomly get out of hand.
Most of the nightlife takes place in Apollonia which has a "backstreets of Mykonos" feel to it, without the pretension. There are bars, cafes, boutiques and restaurants along a main street that is too small for any vehicle except a slowly moving motorcycle. Apollonia is in the center of the island and with the excellent bus service, all the beaches and other villages are easily accessable. It also figures prominently in the legend of the Sifnos Monster. There is a Cycladic museum in the main square.
Many of the islands hotels are located in Apollonia including the lovely Eleonas apartments with their view of the Sifnos hills and the island of Antiparos beyond. Next door is the Mamamia Pizzaria and Italian restaurant, owned by Fillippe, who also owns the new sixties dance club near the windmills on the way to Exambala.
  There are several clubs in Apollonia including a bouzouki nightclub where Adonis Kalogeros can be seen dancing till the late hours.
There are many churches in the upper villages, some large and others very small, but all very beautiful inside and out. When you walk through the back streets you never know what may be around the next corner.
Many of the churches have panagiris, religious festivals, commemorating the particular saint of that church. And with 365 churches, that is a lot of panagiris. Chances are there will be one when you visit.
There are all sorts of traditional shops on the back streets, particularly in Artemona and Apollonia, but perhaps the best part of wandering these back streets is coming upon an area that makes you realize that even though this is the capital of the island of Sifnos, you are still out in the country.
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