Jan
10
Santorini Travel & Sightseeing Guide
Filed Under Greece
A trip to Santorini
The Greek island of Santorini is one of the most dramatically beautiful islands in the world. Famous for its villages perched atop steep and jagged cliffs, the island is a favourite vacation spot for Europeans. Not primarily known as a beach vacation spot, partly because of its black sand beaches, Santorini nonetheless has some beautiful places to sunbathe. There is one small airport on the island, Santorini National Airport, which is serviced by many charter flights and small airlines.
Flights to Santorini
Santorini National Airport is both a military and civilian airport. Although small, the airport services both international and domestic flights. There are direct flights to most major European cities, such as Frankfurt, London, Milan and Vienna. The Greek national carrier Olympic Airlines offers connections to Santorini from Athens, Thessaloniki and Rhodes. The airport is only a few miles from Fira and transfers are primarily made by taxi or hotel shuttle. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Santorini try Ebookers.
Travel around the island is easy either by taxi, hire car or motorbike. The roads are curvy, but driving is fairly straightforward. There are local buses, but they tend to be unreliable.
Santorini
Sightseeing in Santorini
Many of the attractions on Santorini are either nature or archeologically-based. The island has a long history and there are many archeological sites to be explored. Legends linking Santorini with Atlantis abound, although there is no hard evidence to suggest this - just popular debate.
There are two main towns on Santorini, Fira and Oia. Both towns offer plenty in terms of sightseeing, shopping and restaurants. The Archeological Museum in Fira is well worth a visit and has a stunning collection of artefacts, while the Prehistoric Museum outlines the history of the island. The Maritime Museum in Oia is fun for those interested in the seafaring history of the area.
Santorini is not the place to go if you like white sandy beaches. The island is volcanic and the beaches here consist of either black or red sand. The most popular beaches are Kamari, Perissa and Monolithos.
Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
The biggest selection in restaurants and bars can be found in Fira. Here visitors can find local fare as well as international cuisine. Many bars and restaurants are strategically located on the cliff side, so that visitors can enjoy dramatic views and beautiful sunsets while dining. The main spot for nightlife is the Town square, where people commonly meet up to go eating or drinking nearby.
Seek out local restaurants and enjoy Greek hospitality and entertainment. Most of the Greek restaurants tend to be inexpensive and thus are very popular among young travellers. Make sure you try the sweet Visanto vine as well as the fava bean, which is grown locally.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Fira is your best bet for the best in range of shops and shopping centres. Gold jewellery is one of the main sellers on the island, as the quality and workmanship here are excellent. There are many replicas of Minoan and Greek artefacts, some of which are one of a kind. There are plenty of shops ranging from cheap to boutique. Handicrafts and folk art are popular souvenirs, but international brands are also available. Oia is popular with those looking for good quality handicrafts.
Daytrips
Unfortunately, Santorini’s daytrip options are limited because of its ferry schedules, but its neighbouring islands are certainly worth exploring for those with extra free time in their schedules.
Young visitors once slept on Mylopotas Beach on the island of Ios during the 1970s after a long night of partying at this still-popular resort. The restaurants, shops, and bars along the narrow paths of the village of Chora are completely inaccessible to cars.
Another nearby island, Paros, uniquely combines ancient Greek architecture with luxury beach resorts which wouldn’t look out of place in Florida or Cancun. The strait between Paros and the island of Naxos is an ideal windsurfing spot.
Naxos is a throwback to ancient Greece. Olive and fruit trees, ancient ruins, and several beaches considered to be among Greece’s most beautiful are just a few scenic Naxos sites. Many Naxos villagers still live off the land and wear the same traditional costumes as their ancestors did centuries ago.
Must-see attractions
Santorini’s spectacular sunsets, clear blue sky, picturesque white seaside houses, and lemon and orange trees as far as the eye can see make it easy to understand why this island’s scenery ranks among the most photographed in the world.
Like the more famous town of Pompeii, the ancient Minoan settlement of Akrotiri has been carefully preserved in volcanic ash for approximately 3,500 years. Unfortunately, Akrotiri’s impressive excavation site has been closed since a September 2005 accident and isn’t expected to reopen until summer 2010, but Akrotiri is still highly recommended to visitors wishing to transport themselves back to ancient Greece.
Several well-preserved ruins and Minoan pottery are still easily seen throughout the town. Another ancient city, Thera, located on Mesa Vouno, was originally founded in 9th century BC and features both ancient Greek and Roman ruins.
Santorini may not have many classic white sandy beaches, but its Red Beach is still crowded nonetheless. The red sand and towering cliffs make an unconventionally stunning scenic view, especially at sunset. Red Beach has become a popular snorkelling spot thanks to its variety of marine life. Vlichada and Amoudi are more secluded, although Amoudi doesn’t have a beach.
Best time to go
Santorini’s climate is very similar to California’s San Francisco Bay Area. Winters are typically mild and wet while over 12 hours of sunshine a day are enjoyed during the dry, hot summers. Summer temperatures often rise above 28°C, but the hot weather is offset by cool sea breezes from waters warm enough for swimming between April and October. Locals recommend early spring as the best time to visit Santorini, when the weather is comfortably warm and crowds are manageable.
Rainy day suggestions
The traditional white churches of Megalochori, the fully restored 19th century Argiros Estate in Mesaria, the island’s many renowned wineries, and the artefacts at Fira’s Archeological Museum are the most fascinating things to do on a Santorini rainy day. Exo Gonia’s Art Space Gallery and Winery, originally founded in 1830, offers a unique opportunity to see work from both local and international artists. Atlantis Books is Santorini’s largest English language bookstore and makes a great wet weather escape for bookworms.
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