The history of Serifos starts in the prehistoric times when the Cretes discovered the island and its rich iron mining. After that the Phoenecians and the Mycenaes arrived.

The growth of Serifos comes during the 6th century bc due to its iron mining. It is already a democracy and being part of the Athenian alliance it participates in the Persian war against the Persian empire. At 146 bc the Romans conquer the island which is also being targeted by a number of pirates.

During the Byzantine empire the island is a place for political exiles and makes no progress. Its biggest growth comes during the Venetian Domination when a crowd of slaves is brought over to exploit the iron mining whose production restarted after 1000 years.

After the Venetias came the Ottoman rule during which the island is at the mercy of the pirate raids and is drawn into poverty. In its modern history, the isalnd is again linked to its iron mining until present times when it has become an tourist attraction and welcomes a number of visitors.

The "iron island" as it is known, was according to mythology inhabited by the Cyclopes sons of Zeus which were the first to exploit the iron mining wealth of the island and create a civilization which they offered to humans.

Serifos is also known because of Akrisios, king of Argos, who because of the fear of a mandane in Delphi that his grandson would kill him, he firstly imprisoned his daughter and then put the mother and her son in a basket. The basket was thrown in the Aegean and eventually came to Serifos, to the palace of Dikti, brother of the tyrrant Polidekti who fell in love with Danai.

Polidekti wanted to get rid of Perseas, the son of Danai because he was an obstacle to his love for Danai, so he sent him to kill Medusa. Perseas killed the beast using the gifts of the gods and primarly the mirroring shield of Athena. Perseas returned to the island holding the head of Medusa and by showing towards Polidekti and his accomplices took his revenge.