Santorini is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful Greek islands and one of the most important tourist attractions of our country, with its photographs traveling across the length and breadth of the universe. You can explore Santorini in 2022 with the help of Santorini Tours. The uniqueness of the Caldera, the whitewashed houses that seem to hang on the cliff, the donkeys that roam the cobbled streets, and the magical Mediterranean sunsets make it special and differentiate it from the rest of the Cyclades.
In the summer months the island is “sunk” by visitors, who come to experience the authentic Greek summer. But, how authentic is the reality they face when arriving on the island? The truth is that both Fira and Oia are the most popular destinations on the island, as a result of which they gather the most people. Most hotels and nightclubs are located there.
Finikia
Finikia is a small, but very well preserved traditional village of Santorini, just a few kilometers outside Oia. At the time when the city of Oia experienced great prosperity with shipping, in Finikia lived the farmers who worked in the plain and the vineyards. This picturesque village is a beautiful alternative and a quiet place to spend the night, if you live in Oia.
While there, you can walk from the beach of Baxedon to the settlement, and take the road that leads to the valley with the vineyards and the beautiful churches of Agia Kyriaki and Agios Konstantinos. From the small church of Kyra Panagia you can enjoy the sunset calmly. On the left side of the road that leads from Baxedes beach to Finikia, you will find the famous winery “Sigala”, the only one in this area of the island.
Monolithos
Monolithos is a coastal village of Santorini, on the east side of the island, 8 km east of Fira and is home to 405 people. It belongs administratively to the Local Department of Messaria of the Municipality of Thira. The village got its name from the big rock, Monolithos, on which the church of Agios Ioannis has been built.
In Monolithos is the State Airport of Santorini, and the only tomato factory that operates today and belongs to the Union of Thera Products Cooperatives.
On the beaches of Monolithos you will find the famous black sand of Santorini, which is really fine sand and not pebbles, as in most beaches of the island. In fact, in winter the sand fills the whole area and the road.
The beach of Monolithos was very popular at the time when there was the only beach bar in Santorini. Now there is an organized piece with sunbeds and umbrellas and it is considered an ideal beach for families with children. In the left part of the beach of Monolithos called “Wild”, the landscape will remind you of the beach of Vlychada. It is the part of the beach that is most affected by the weather and has no type of organization.
Thirasia
The last place we suggest is not located on Santorini, but opposite it. And the reason for the small island of Thirasia. Until the Minoan eruption of prehistoric times that created the Caldera, Thirasia was part of the island of Strongyli, which today completes the circular outline along with the islands of Thira and Aspronisi, with which it belongs to the same island group. Thirasia was separated from Strongyli during the catastrophic eruption of the volcano in 1600 BC.
This island is located in the west of Santorini and is about one mile from Ammoudi of Oia. It has an area of 9,246 sq.km. and a population of 319 inhabitants according to the 2011 census. According to mythology, the island was named after the youngest daughter of King Thira, Thirasia, to whom he had given it to build a majestic palace.
The island was a small part of the west coast of prehistoric Round and is considered to have been cut off and created during the great eruption of 1600 BC. The historian Pliny mentions that in 237 BC. Thirasia had seceded from Thira after an earthquake. Ptolemy mentions that Thirasia was a city, in which important prehistoric relics of the Cycladic civilization were found and that in all historical times it followed the fate of Thera. In 1397, the Duke of Naxos, Francesco I Crispo, is considered to have granted it to his son Marco I along with Ios.
Due to the action of the volcano in the period 1866-1870, scientists from all over the world had arrived in the area. Among them was the French volcanologist Ferdinand Fouquet, who in 1867 proceeded with excavations in Thirasia and studied the remains of buildings and various other finds. The settlement in Thirasia dates back to the Late Bronze Age and these findings gave rise to excavations in Akrotiri and other parts of Thira.
Korfos, which is the port of the island, is connected to Manolas, the capital of Thirasia, by a winding path. On the island there are a total of 21 churches and chapels, often in privileged places, while in addition to Korfos and Manolas, there are three other settlements: Agia Irini, Agrilia and Potamos. Wander the walking paths of the island, swim in the turquoise waters and eat your fish in one of the picturesque taverns by the sea.
