After many years I was able to set foot in Greece, and before coming to Santorini, I was in Athens, 3 days, which I will tell about in another post.
I think Santorini is one of those places that everyone should see once in their life. And if they have that possibility, what better way to go well prepared knowing what to visit and what we are going to find, it has a perfect combination of archaeological sites, exotic beaches, an active volcano and spectacular sunsets; all of this is part of its romantic and picturesque landscape. Santorini is one of the most famous islands in the world, I think everyone will have seen the typical photo of its houses with blue domes that look out to the Aegean Sea. Just by stepping there you will fall in love with its beauty. But not everything is so good, depending on what time you travel, the island can be considered too touristy, and very crowded, I think they have to visit it at least once.
How to get to Santorini
Depending on where we are, you can get there by sea or air, we were in Athens, and the plane became more comfortable and faster. I will still explain the two alternatives.
By sea
If you are in Athens, one of the most used alternatives is to go by ferry. Several companies leave from the port of Piraeus, which is about 40 minutes by subway from the center.
The passages for people can go from 40 to 70 euros depending on the time in which they travel. In the next photo I show you the prices and time that the boats take. All information and reservations can be made from the following page https://www.directferries.es/
Once we arrive in Santorini, the port is located a few kilometers from the capital Thira, and since it is at the mouth of a large cliff, they will have to climb a super-slope, which cannot be done on foot, so if They did not rent a car to go to your hotel or move around the island, you can manage it directly here in one of the places, or take a taxi, a bus that takes you to your accommodation.
By air
As I told you before, it is the means that I used, there are direct flights to Santorini, from many European cities, I recommend that you book as far in advance as possible if you arrive in high season.
The airline used is Volotea, with a flight of just 55 minutes from Athens. Once you arrive in Santorini (JTR) the airport is also close to Thira, but it is not in the city, therefore you will have to move by van, micro or taxi.
Recommended season to travel to Santorini
It is a super important point if you are going to organize the trip, the island is one of the most visited places in all of Greece, so the choice of the season to visit it can make a big difference in how much you can enjoy it to the fullest.
Santorini can be visited throughout the year, I went at the end of September and I would say that it is ideal. Really the two seasons are very marked on the island and they have a direct relationship with prices, hotel occupancy, activities and much more.
High Season: It goes from the end of May to the beginning of September, with July and August being the months of most tourism. If you are going to travel in these months, I advise you to book your hotel well in advance. Like flights. The weather is perfect, you are really going to meet an impressive amount of people and cruise ships that arrive every day.
Low Season: It runs from mid-September to early April. During these months, visitors drop a lot as well as prices. And if you go on the dates that I went, you can continue enjoying hot days and beach. And speaking of hotels, prices also drop quite a bit.
Island division and where to stay
Something very important to keep in mind when traveling to Santorini is to know well how the island is divided, which is the most expensive area, where the beaches are, how to get around, where to stay, etc. That’s why I made a map for you, so you have an idea where everything is. The main areas are:
Oía: It is pronounced “Ia”. It is the best known town on the island thanks to its sunsets. Here you have to come to see the sunset, it is located well to the west and with its spectacular cliffs make it ideal to watch the sunset show, having a drink or having dinner for others. Being so popular the prices of bars and restaurants tend to be higher. Oia is famous for its typical white houses, with a square plan and the dome-shaped ceilings painted in blue. You will have seen it in thousands of photos.
Fira: Center of the island, administrative capital and headquarters of all the main services such as banks, post office, the main shops, etc. Also in its square and historic center we are going to find hundreds of bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs. Most of the hotels are also in the capital, and this is where I stayed. Here we will also be able to see beautiful sunsets, and we will have a view of the caldera and the volcano.
Firostefani: Two kilometers north of Fira this small town can be easily visited on foot. It is ideal to walk through its streets full of the buildings that so distinguish Santorini, its white and brightly painted houses. The views towards the caldera are the other great attraction of the town.
Imerovigli: Three kilometers from Fira, today Imerovigli has joined the capital and forms with them the balcony of Santorini. It is located at the highest point of the island, and also offers a viewpoint also towards the caldera of the ancient volcano. It is a bit quieter than the capital and has the typical island architecture and many classical Greek churches.
Perissa and Kamari: If you want a little beach, you are going to have to head this way. We are going to find an extensive black sand beach, an area where we can spend our holidays lying in the sun.
Pyrgos: It is an area of the island that is best preserved, where you will hardly find tourists and it is well worth visiting, it is a much more “real” area
Emporio: 8 kilometers south of Fira, Emporio is a small town that has maintained its medieval air. Typical architecture of the island, small streets, and at the top a medieval castle. In the surroundings, the vineyards that produce the famous Vinsanto (Santorini Wine) and also windmills grow, giving this beautiful town a special charm. As always spectacular views guaranteed.
What to see and what to do
Santorini is a very particular island, with its crescent shape, with that large bay and the islets in the middle. It is very easy to navigate and it has beautiful beaches, but it is not its strong point, we will also find archaeological sites, museums, cities with their beautiful white houses with blue roofs. There are hundreds of things you can see on this dream island while on vacation. The first thing that I am going to recommend you to see is Fira.
Fira: white houses and blue roofs, shopping and nightlife
In this area is where I stayed, therefore I walked it every day, it is beautiful to walk around here whatever time it is, it is located on the edge of a cliff, at a height of 260 meters, and for this reason we It offers spectacular views of the sea as well as the submerged volcano. If we go for a walk we are going to want to take photos of everything, because we are going to find those charming white houses with doors, and blue windows, and churches with round blue domes -symbol of Santorini-. It is a pleasure to walk through the cobbled streets or sit on any terrace where the sun sets, from which you can see a beautiful panoramic view of the volcano and, of course, some impressive sunsets.
While we are walking we will find many gastronomic places, jewelry, artisan products, etc. No matter the time, there will always be people walking, and if we go during the night, good music and bars occupy the center of everything, depending on the season, it can cool a bit and the wind can be felt. Dining in this area is ideal, we went to a restaurant where there was a typical Greek show.
A donkey ride
One of the activities they can do in this area of the typical tourist circuit is to get on a donkey and take a tour, many use it when they are in the port area, and instead of climbing hundreds of steps, they use this transport. It is quite an adventure for some, since the slope is enormous. I honestly did not get on and there are people who are against it because they think that animals are abused. Others prefer to reach the capital simply by foot and enjoy the beautiful views as I did. I simply limited myself to photographing them and voila.
Archaeological sites, monuments and museums
In Santorini, if you have enough time, you can change the landscape a bit to visit the magnificent archaeological sites, which are scattered among the villages of Arhea Thira, Profitis Elias, Pyrgos, Thermi and Vlihada. Among them is the Akrotiri site, from the Minoan period. And, if you want to complete your knowledge of the island, visit the many museums that are especially in Fira, such as the Museum of Prehistory, the Megaron Gyzi, the Archaeological Museum, the Prehistoric Museum, the Bellonio Cultural Center, the Wine Museum or the Maritime Museum (located in Oia) among many others. And, of course, discover the beautiful monuments, among which the hundreds of Orthodox and Catholic churches stand out, and the famous Byzantine churches with blue roofs that are very typical here.
Taverns in the Armeni Fishing Port
The port of Armeni is very close to Oia, and it is reached by a very narrow route, there is an ideal place to taste the excellent charcoal fish or grilled octopus; all washed down with a good dry white wine or a vinsanto, Santorini specialties. Do not hesitate to stop by for lunch, it is a few small fishermen’s taverns not very touristy and at good prices.
Beaches
On the other hand, what you cannot miss in Santorini are its beaches that open to the Aegean Sea. Like Kamari, the most famous beach, with black sand, with the vertical walls of volcanic stone on which the white village sits, with its zigzag streets, which lead to the top from where you can enjoy beautiful panoramic views .
Baxedes Beach: One of those with the best sand, black and volcanic but fine. A wide and pleasant beach, with spectacular rock cliffs. Baxedes beach is north of Santorini and looks out over the other Cyclades islands.
Playa Blanca, Aspri: It is next to the Red Beach, standing out for the pale color of the rocks on which it rests and from which it is formed. Small and not too easy to access.
Red Beach: I could say that this is the most touristy and best-known beach in Santorini, as well as being the most curious, because it is red. The color of its sand is red, like the wall that protects it, making it a truly unique image that contrasts with the blue of its waters and that has made it one of the most visited places to see in Santorini.
Excursions and boat cruises
The only excursion I have booked in Santorini is the one on the boat. Although there are many options that take you to the caldera of the volcano, others to the island of Thirassia, others to dine on the boat and watch the sunsets, you will want to get on all of them, there is also the possibility of going on sailboats, small yachts , or catamarans. The excursions have different starting points and different times, and can be a whole day or half a day.
The boat trip to the volcano is one of the activities that you cannot stop doing in Santorini, did you know that Santorini is not just one island? It is actually an archipelago made up of five islands. They were formed as the result of a huge volcanic explosion in 1600 BC. The two volcanic islands in the middle of the caldera were formed after several eruptions and volcanic activity. Technically the volcano is still active, although it only emits fumaroles from time to time and we can see that when we step there.
For this excursion, they pick us up in a bus at our hotel, and then take us to take the boat that leaves the port. I estimate that in these boats we will be about 50 people or more, and we left for the famous volcano. Once we arrive we can choose to do it on our own or have a guide take us for an extra money, I chose to do it alone. When we walk we go through some paths of solidified black lava from the volcano, it is all uphill and if it is very hot like that day, we will perspire a lot, on the way we will notice that smell of sulfur that comes out from between the rocks and a small very hot steam, meters later we will discover the crater. Here is like seeing a lunar-like landscape. If you prefer not to go up, and stay down, you can enjoy a quiet bath in the hot springs that are around you.
After the stipulated time, we get on the boat and head to the neighboring island of Palea Kameni where the famous Hot Springs are located, and its natural mud baths, which have been created after the volcanic eruptions. In the small bay of St. Nickolas the water temperature varies between 30ºC and 35ºC. There the ship remains in this bay for about 30 minutes, and for those who want to jump into the water. In the video you can see how I jump and swim a stretch of about 30 meters to the interior of the small bay of the hot springs, after bathing to return to the boat and continue traveling.
After swimming, it is normal to feel a little hungry, so the next stop is on the island of Thirasia, in front of Santorini. In particular we go to Korfos, the port of this small island with only 300 inhabitants.
On the trip the guide put a lot of emphasis on us going to eat at a particular restaurant that he said was the best on the island. The truth is that they are all very similar and each tourism company must have an agreement with each restaurant. This was noticeable when the tourists from each arriving ship went as a group to a particular restaurant.
We opted for a cheaper option and ended up eating sandwiches accompanied by a Mythos beer by the sea. After all, any meal is a delicacy with such sights.
The coast of Korfos, like all those that point to the volcano, is very stony. Anyway, it is possible to find the way to take a refreshing dip. The transparent and turquoise water like a giant swimming pool invite you to dive.
Tips on the volcano excursion
As you are going to take a walk through the volcano, such as bathing in the hot springs near the volcano, do not forget to bring flip flops, a towel and on the other, sports shoes for the walk. It is very important that they also bring water, given how hot it is usually.
See sunset in Oía
If we have to talk about sunsets, without a doubt this is the place … they consider it one of the most spectacular in the world according to National Geographic, and it may be, but you should know more about the world to tell you. Likewise, it cannot be denied that the environment that surrounds it and its beauty makes all this a great combo.
At the end of the volcano excursion, we had the option of coming to Oía by bus to see the famous sunset, so we had time to go through it and settle down to see how the sun sinks into the Mediterranean in the middle of an idyllic landscape, with the darkened blue of the sea, the shifting purple, red and yellow hues of the sky and the primeval panorama of the caldera, and the sister islands of Santorini, Thirasia and Nea Kameni.
In Oía the houses are staggered on the edges of the last land and face the sea. The vast majority have these privileged views, and they know how to make the most of it. In this area the hotels are the most expensive, and we will see that they have all their lounge chairs and private pools. Maybe at some point I can stay here.
We continue walking and we see the domes of very blue colors, which make the Oia postcard one of the references of Santorini, the bad side is that there are many people to take photos, I do not want to imagine in high season what it should be. There is still more than an hour to go until sunset, and getting to the best point costs a lot, the streets are so narrow that you don’t go any further.
In mid-September, sunset is around 7:20 pm and almost all restaurants and terraces are sold as the best place to watch the sunset and the prices of their menus are a bit exorbitant.
I think the best place to be is the ruins of the Venetian castle of Oia, which are also free. From there you can perfectly see how the sun sets on the sea while the reddish hues change on the houses and mills on the cliff. The problem is that to get a place here you have to be two hours earlier and wait quietly for that time under the heat. And to leave they will also have to wait for the tumult of people.
As I was not able to endure those many hours, I decided to see it from another point, and I was also accompanied by a musician who better adorned the place, while the sun is falling, you can see a large number of boats and sailboats approaching, without a doubt it’s quite a business.
After sunset, all the attendees milling around in any corner conclude the show and applaud all at the same time. Then it is time to stroll through the streets of Oia. It is a perfect time, because many tourists go to dinner and some alleys are deserted. Strolling during the blue hour along the main street and seeing the illuminated town and the illuminated blue pools is also very nice.
In short, a place is worth visiting, although due to its qualities it is one of the most touristic spots in Santorini. The advantage is that, like everything else, in Santorini, despite the tourism, calm and tranquility prevail.
Tips for traveling to Santorini
- One of the first tips is to schedule everything well in advance, both the airfare or boat, as well as the hotel, in this way you will be able to save a lot of money, since the closer we get to the date, the more expensive it will be.
- Hotels are much more expensive than anywhere else, if you want to have a view of the sea, be prepared to pay thousands of euros, so I recommend that you move a bit away from the downtown area and go more to the side of the route, and it is also cheaper bars, restaurants and cafes.
- Speaking of restaurants, in Santorini it is more difficult to find restaurants adjusted in price, so if you move away from the tourist area you will find better prices, I still recommend ordering the menu, since on many occasions, the appearance is deceiving.
- If you want to enjoy Oía without people, one of the essential places to see in Santorini, I recommend you start touring it around 6 in the morning, and in this way you will have 2 hours until most tourists start arriving.
- Keep in mind that currently it is forbidden to climb on the roofs and many of the paths or stair paths in Oía or Fira are private property. In some there are cartels, but in others it is left to guess. I’m not the one to tell you what to do or not do, but you have to know. We all want a photo there.
- Although Santorini is a safe island, it is advisable to be alert for belongings and bags in the places with the most crowds of tourists.
- If you want to move around the island better, I recommend that you rent a quad or motorcycle, you will be able to park it anywhere and it is super comfortable, if you rent a car, it will give you a headache, since the streets are quite narrow and in many sections full of curves, so even if you know it, it is important to drive with caution, especially at night, since they are usually poorly lit.
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