Serifos Island and Exclusive Interview: NŌSTOS Hotel Story, Sustainability Initiatives & Travel Guide
What is NŌSTOS Story?
Nefelie (Eco Travel Inspo): Very lovely to meet you, Eva. Please, could you introduce yourself, talk a little bit about the founders of Nostos and I’d also love to hear about the story here?
Eva Karmiri (Nostos, Serifos): Nostos was founded three years ago by Mr. Spiridakos and his wife, Bianca. They wanted to create a place where people would feel at home.
Mr. Spiridakos he’s from Serifos - he’s a Serifian himself - and they put a lot of effort into creating this place in the middle of the Livadi area. I joined as the hotel manager while it was still under construction, and for the last three years, it has truly felt like my home.
Nefelie (Eco Travel Inspo): You found it by visiting Serifos?
Eva Karmiri (Nostos, Serifos): No, it was just a coincidence. I had never been to this sector before. When I met Bianca and Paris, it felt right - this was the reason I decided to go for it. It’s a new sector, and something I wanted to try. Having a good synergy with the people you work with is extremely important to me, and when you want to cooperate, it’s an even bigger plus.
Eva Karmiri (Nostos, Serifos): And then the hotel. First of all, consider the space where you can work without feeling tired. You feel very calm here, and the vibe is nice. Of course, we also realised this from the guests who come to visit us, and that is a very important thing.
The good energy. Absolutely. Yeah, definitely. It’s the first thing my sister and I noticed when we first came. Especially with you, Eva - very friendly and full of energy - you feel the connection. Thank you. So we thank you for that.
Eva Karmiri (Nostos, Serifos): Nostos means nostalgia. The name comes from the period when Odysseus was on the island and people ate the Lotus and forgot… so this is where we first see the meaning.
For the hotel in particular, in the past, it was the property of the grandfather of Harris, Mr. Spiridakos. He called it Nostos, after this meaning. Over time, the hotel became someone else’s property, but in the end, Harris decided to get it back, refurbish it, and put the same name as the grandfather’s.
Mission and Ethos at NŌSTOS
Nefelie (Eco Travel Inspo): We’ve spoken briefly about the mission and ethos of Nostos. But is there anything more that the founders wanted to bring out from Nostos, or why this project as well?
Eva Karmiri (Nostos, Serifos): First of all, because he’s from here. It’s a basis for him - he knows the island. Of course, it’s a beautiful island and still feels like a virgin place. That’s why he wanted to create something where people would feel at home, as I mentioned before. But he also wanted to create something that could be a little sustainable, in order to make it a win-win process.
Yes, the mission was that, and I think it’s being accomplished slowly, step by step. They continue developing the hotel, creating new projects and improvements each year. Yes, this is the target - every year there’s something new.
Sustainability at NŌSTOS: Thoughtful Design and Responsible Practices
Nefelie (Eco Travel Inspo): On the note of sustainability, can we talk about Nostos as a whole? What should conscious travellers know?
Eva Karmiri (Nostos, Serifos): As a hotel, we produce our own electricity because of the terra on the roof - it’s full of solar panels. Plus, we use heat pumps instead of electric heaters. We also have a water filter system. From this year, we started to completely reduce plastic consumption, which wasn’t easy, especially since the island is a bit isolated.
Also, Mr. Spiridakos invests part of the hotel’s profits into Climeworks, a really innovative company that removes carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. They create large units that absorb CO₂, which can be used both as a business and as a personal environmental contribution.
Yes, we are trying many things. Now that I’m here too, I’m thinking about what else could be possible. It’s not easy - the process is still developing. Serifos is not yet like some other islands in terms of infrastructure, but that’s also its beauty. There’s still a lot of space to do good things, and we hope to continue improving.
Thankfully, the local people are very invested in this too. They don’t want the island to be destroyed, even though, naturally, some have different perspectives.
What Guests Love Most About NŌSTOS?
Nefelie (Eco Travel Inspo): Let’s talk about the guests. Why do they come to Nostos, and what do you think they love most about it?
Eva Karmiri (Nostos, Serifos): I think initially they notice the atmosphere. I believe the design also plays a role - very simple lines, very simple. It embodies a little bit of what Serifos looks like - the colors, the textures, yes, definitely.
But it’s simple. There are no extra things inside the place or in the rooms. Even the rooms are carefully considered, designed to be easy and comfortable. After that, they feel, which is quite impressive for me in the three years I’ve been here, like they’re at home and operate as if they’re at home.
It’s amazing. I’ve never seen anything like it in any other hotel. Guests are very happy because this is our target - people come here to feel completely comfortable. Most of the guests are on holiday and carrying stress from work, so this comfort is important.
Nefelie (Eco Travel Inspo): I believe we help with that for sure. Many choose Nostos because it’s untamed, less commercialised - that’s exactly what they’re looking for. They come for that experience. The vast majority, yes, definitely.
Eva Karmiri (Nostos, Serifos): Of course, there are people who prefer the style of other islands. Sometimes, because things are less organised here, it can be tricky for them. But most guests know what they’re coming for and love the island because of it. Many say, when you come to Serifos, you either love it or hate it. Most people love it.
It’s impressive, especially when taking the bus up to Chora. The landscape, the mountains - it makes you feel so small. It’s vast, huge, empty. And we hope guests remember this feeling.
Serifos Island: History, Culture & Background
Nefelie (Eco Travel Inspo): On the topic of Serifos, I would love to hear more about the history and the location.
Eva Karmiri (Nostos, Serifos): Serifos isn’t just about ancient history. We have myths here too, about Perseus and Medusa, but more importantly, it’s about the recent history of the mining areas in the southwest part of the island. This was the first place in Greece where workers, the miners, organised a strike in 1916 due to poor working conditions. They were working excessively long hours in dangerous environments.
The people here are very proud of that history and have preserved the mining sites. When you visit, you get the feeling of what life was like back then. Visitors can explore the area freely - see old wagons, machinery, and bridges. The landscape is quite unique, rusty from the iron, and very different from other Cycladic islands. That distinct history is a source of pride for locals, which is why they want the island to remain untouched.
There’s also Chora, the main village, which is constructed like a maze from the 14th century. This design was intentional, to make it difficult for invaders to penetrate. The village is built into the rocks in such a unique way that even today, it’s impressive to see how it was constructed. Every time I go up to Chora, I find myself saying the same thing - “Oh my God, it’s amazing.”
There’s also a white tower on the other side of the island, near the mining area, used historically to signal other islands. Most Cycladic islands have a similar structure. There’s an old fortress that has now been converted and houses two monks. Walking inside, you truly feel like you’ve stepped back in time.
In terms of archaeology, there hasn’t been much excavation. Only one statue was recently found, dating back to the Roman Empire. Otherwise, there’s little else. Who knows what might still be discovered in the future? Unlike other islands where excavations are ongoing, Serifos has remained largely untouched, preserving both its history and its natural charm.
Eva Karmiri (Nostos, Serifos): Now, about the mines. What else can I say? There are people living today who experienced this entire operation. A few days ago, I was lucky enough to meet one of these people, and I could see the history of the mines through them. How much time has passed .. They are elderly now, yet still very resilient. Beyond that… okay, your perspective also has to do with the pirates, because it is a country with a fascinating history.
The village was built in the 14th century and designed like a maze to make it difficult for invaders to penetrate, because this area, Livadi, is a very new area, but this side of the island is different. Pirates came, the Manepaïs, and it’s interesting how unique it is because it was built into the rocks.
Nefelie (Eco Travel Inspo): Sometimes you see it and don’t know how they did it, but it’s beautiful. Every time we go up to Chora, you can hear everyone on the bus. Even after three years, I say the same thing: “Oh my God, it’s amazing.”
Eva Karmiri (Nostos, Serifos): There’s also a white tower on the other side of the island, used to send signals to the other islands. All the Cycladic islands have a white tower for this specific reason.
There was also a fortress, which today is a monastery - very, very large. It was a fortress that was converted, and now we have two monks living there. When you go inside, you really feel it - it’s like stepping back in time.
But regarding archaeology, there hasn’t been much excavation here. They found only one small statue, and very recently, a very old item from the Roman era. I don’t know what it’s called in English .. I have no idea. I saw it .. really beautiful, yes.
But beyond that, nothing is known. Who knows what else exists? Like all islands, perhaps it’s too difficult to find. I think there’s not much interest in exploring it, because in places like Naxos, you have the Vortara, all the kouroi - there’s already something there. But Serifos is different.