Santorini: travel tips

Santorini, the queen of the Cyclades islands in Greece, is one of the most sought after and popular tourist destinations in the world. Its sunsets overlooking the sea, the steep cliffs on which graceful villages with an unmistakable style rise, the luxury hotels with their infinity pools on the caldera, have made Santorini (Thira in Greek) one of the most successful destinations of the last years.

Here are some travel tips for those who are preparing to get to know this paradise where nature has shaped unique and extreme scenarios in which man has been able to adapt with recklessness.

General Informations

The southernmost island of the Cyclades archipelago in the southern Aegean, Santorini has an extension of 79.19 km2. Volcanic island, initially it had a circular shape and a large crater. Following various volcanic eruptions, the island took on its current “croissant” shape, also forming other islets in its vicinity: Therasia, Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni and Aspronisi. The capital of the island is Fira but other famous villages of Santorini are Oia (to read ìa), Imerovigli, Megalochori, Perissa, etc. The island is well connected to the rest of Greece and Europe by a small international airport and a port which guarantees daily sea connections with Athens, Crete and other Greek islands. Santorini is also one of the obligatory stops on numerous cruises that ply the seas of the eastern Mediterranean.

The island is small enough to visit, the roads are quite winding and busy in the summer. One of the most popular ways to get around it is by renting a quad, scooter or car. However, the large turnout in the summer months, the shape of the roads sometimes makes it difficult and dangerous to drive if you are not a local. In addition to the problem of parking in the main centers. For the bravest, the island can also be toured on foot using the scenic routes well identified for tourists and for longer journeys use taxis, Uber and private transfers.

Villages not to be missed

One of the peculiarities of Santorini are its villages of white houses built overlooking the sea in the caldera. One wonders how the inhabitants of Santorini managed to adapt to such an inaccessible territory by building postcard villages that make this island unique.

Not to be missed on a trip to Santorini are the visit of the capital Fira, of the nearby agglomeration of Firostefani which continues almost without interruption in the fascinating Imerovigli. We are in the center of the island on the western side, the same side where you can admire breathtaking sunsets. Sunset in Santorini is a real institution. An event that is celebrated every day and that attracts thousands of people in search of the perfect shot.

One of the most popular and suggestive places to admire the sunset is the other famous center of Santorini, Oia. In the far north of the island, from the old castle of the town, thousands of people admire the sunset every day in a growing of emotions until the sun disappears behind the islands of Sikinos and Ios, culminating in the applause of the crowd that greets the sun and the past day.

For those who love a little more calm without giving up the unmistakable style of the Greek villages, Megalochori and Pyrgos Kallistis in the center of the island, in an area surrounded by vineyards and barren volcanic hills, will do for you. In the south of the island Akrotiri is also home to the vestiges of an ancient city of the Minoan era, which reached its splendor until its destruction following the volcanic eruption. A sort of Pompeii to which many also attribute the myth of Atlantis.

What to do in Santorini

Santorini offers numerous opportunities to its visitors. For beach lovers it is right to specify that Santorini is not exactly the ideal destination. If you are looking for wide white sand beaches, it is better to opt for other Greek islands. Santorini is a volcanic island, the beaches (except White Beach and rare other locations) are dark sand beaches (black or red) and are mostly located on the east coast of the island. Definitely noteworthy is the Red Beach for its red color of the sand and the enchanting view of the red cliffs it offers to visitors. The beach is very busy in high season and can be reached in about 10 minutes on foot from the beach car park.

For wine lovers, Santorini holds considerable winemaking experience and history. Most of the vineyards are located in the center of the island and so are the wineries to visit for tastings. My choice fell on the Gavalas winery, in the center of Megalochori. Not to be missed!

Santorini is a perfect destination for couples in love and honeymooners. Indeed, it offers breathtaking hotels among the most luxurious in the world. A private infinity pool on the caldera is a must to enjoy an island vacation to the fullest.

One of the most frequent activities on the island is the boat tour of the other islets of the Santorini archipelago where you can navigate there where the crater of the volcano that made the island what it is today stands. Numerous companies offer tours from both Fira and Oia. You will be spoiled for choice.

Donkeys are one of the symbols of the island. These are also used to transport tourists in the steep climbs of the towns of Santorini. For those who love such an experience, the ideal is to use this original means of transport to go up from Ammoudi (the old port of Oia) because the ascent with its 300 steps can be very demanding (personal experience)!

Inevitable on a holiday in Greece is to take advantage of it to delight the palate! From moussaka to pitta, passing through fava beans, the numerous restaurants on the island will satisfy your every desire. Some advices? In Oia: Roka, Oia Gefsis, Thalami and Katina, In Imerovigli: Dear Elie. In Megalochori: Alisachni art & wine gallery and Raki.

Where to sleep

Santorini offers a wide selection of hotels of the highest standard. Choosing where to stay can be difficult. In my case I opted to spend a few days in the center of Oia to be able to enjoy the mythical sunset from the private terrace of my room without incurring the chaos that arises in the evening in the village, being able to visit the city and enjoy it at its best even at times different like at dawn or late in the evening when Oia empties of tourists and cruise passengers. If you want to do the same, the choice can only fall on the Old Castle Oia, a small hotel with some highly prestigious suites (some with jacuzzi, others with real private infinity pools) that offer an impeccable service combined with a unique location. Find out more here.

Instead, I decided to spend the rest of my vacation in another prestigious location in Megalochori, to be able to visit the central-southern part of the island and enjoy greater relaxation and privacy. The choice fell on the Alti Santorini Suites. High-level suites (such as the honeymoon suites) combined with a 5-star service to make your holiday unique and unforgettable. In addition to a unique view of the caldera from a different perspective from Oia, Alti Santorini suites made a splash in my heart for the unique treatment offered by the staff, among the most attentive and professional I have ever encountered in my holidays.

Find out more here.

TheDocTraveler