For those of you who have limited vacation days, we have prepared a small and very useful guide with what you should not miss while visiting the most beautiful island in the world, Santorini!
The distances are short, so you can see a lot, even if your vacation does not exceed 3-4 days. Besides, as you will see, the sights are so many and interesting, that you will definitely want to go again! The island is ideal for newlyweds and tourists visiting Greece for the first time. The view over the Santorini caldera is a romantic, enchanting , breathtaking point.
Beaches of Santorini
The most famous volcanic beaches of the island are Kamari, Perivolos and Perissa, Vlyhada with its sculpted volcanic rocks, Kokkini and Aspri beach, in Akrotiri. Of course there are others, less famous, but very impressive. Such as Kouloumpos and Pori, Monolithos, Baxedes-Paradisos, Kantharos in Oia, Almyra, Exo Gialos, Gialos, Balos, Kampia, Mesa Pigadia in Akrotiri.
Enjoy your lounger by the pool with a view of the volcano, then plan your excursions to the beaches. Most of them are easily accessible and have sunbeds, beach bars, restaurants, etc.
Excursion to the volcano
The boats depart from Gialos (old port of Fira), the port of Athens and Ammoudi below Oia. The visit to the volcanoes Nea Kameni and Palaia Kameni with the thermal springs will bring you closer to the myth of the Lost Atlantis and the beginning of the creation of today’s Santorini.
Museums in Santorini
The most important museum of the island is that of Prehistoric Thira, in Fira. In Fira it is also worth seeing the Archaeological museum and the Santozeum, with its copies of the frescoes of Akrotiri. In Oia there is the Naval Museum, in Pyrgos the Ecclesiastical Collection and the Cultural Village “Santorini that is gone”. In Kontohori is the Folklore Museum of Emm. Lignou.
Santorini’s vineyard and wineries to visit
The Santorini vineyard is ancient, with authentic varieties. The finds in the excavations of the prehistoric city of Akrotiri suggest that there was vine cultivation on the island at least since the 17th century BC. The volcanic land did its miracle and the island’s wineries did theirs, offering better and better quality wines every year. Top among others, Vinsanto, the award-winning “wine of the sun.” All wineries can be visited and you can do tastings.
Food in Santorini
Dehydrated tomatoes, fava beans, capers, katsouni, white eggplant are the products that stand out in Santorini. In Santorini’s homes and restaurants you will taste the delicious products of the volcanic land and try traditional cuisine recipes such as tomato meatballs, fava beans, white eggplants, tomatoes and others.
In the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri
It holds the scepter among the attractions of Santorini and is one of the most important archaeological sites in the Aegean. From the first moment you enter the archaeological site of Akrotiri, which is now housed in a new and innovative bioclimatic canopy, you will feel emotion just thinking that in this area, in the Middle and Early Late Bronze Age (20th-17th century BC) was one of the most important urban centers of the Aegean. It is located at the southwestern end of the island and is 15 km from Fira.
In ancient Thera
Climbing Mesa Vounos, which rises above Kamari and Perissa, you will find yourself in ancient Thira. It was founded in the 9th century BC. by Dorian settlers, led by Thera and was inhabited until the early Byzantine times. The Hellenistic and Roman phases of the city have mainly been revealed. The view from up there is breathtaking.
Walking on the rim of the Caldera
The old path that connects Fira with Firostefani and Imerovigli and from there continues to Oia, it is the most beautiful on the island. Even if you don’t have much time, it is worth walking even a small part of it (Fira-Firostefani, or Firostefani-Imerovigli and vice versa). It is a unique experience and you will remember it for a long time. You can come early in the morning, or at sunset. You can take a tour of Santorini!
Santorini’s unique and rugged landscape was shaped by a catastrophic volcanic eruption some 3,500 years ago. There are much to do in Santorini but trust us it is worth lying all day on one of the island’s impressive beaches if it is what you want.
