Crescent-shaped Santorini (or Thíra), the precious gem of the Aegean, is actually a group of islands consisting of Thíra, Thirassiá, Asproníssi, Palea and Nea Kaméni in the southernmost part of Cyclades.Did you know that the whole complex of Santorini islands is still an active volcano (the same as Méthana, Mílos and Nísiros) and probably the only volcano in the world whose crater is in the sea? The islands that form Santorini came into existence as a result of intensive volcanic activity; twelve huge eruptions occurred, one every 20,000 years approximately, and each violent eruption caused the collapse of the volcano’s central part creating a large crater (caldera). The volcano, however, managed to recreate itself over and over again.The last big eruption occurred 3,600 years ago (during the Minoan Age), when igneous material (mainly ash, pumice and lava stones) covered the three islands (Thíra, Thirassiá and Asproníssi). The eruption destroyed the thriving local prehistoric civilization, evidence of which was found during the excavations of a settlement at Akrotíri. The solid material and gases emerging from the volcano’s interior created a huge “vacuum” underneath, causing the collapse of the central part and the creation of an enormous “pot” –today’s Caldera– with a size of 8x4 km and a depth of up to 400m below sea level.The eruption of the submarine volcano Kolúmbo, located 6.5 km. NE of Santorini, on 27th September 1650, was actually the largest recorded in Eastern Mediterranean during the past millennium! The most recent volcanic activity on the island occurred in 1950. The whole island is actually a huge natural geological/volcanological museum where you can observe a wide range of geological structures and forms
Santorini is considered to be the most sought after place for a romantic getaway in Greece, since there are not many places in the world where you can enjoy exquisitely clear waters while perched on the rim of a massive active volcano in the middle of the sea! The island has a growing reputation as a “wedding destination” for couples not only from Greece but from all over the world. A trip to Santorini with the other half is a dream for anyone who has seen at least one photo of the island’s famous Caldera and exchanging kisses beneath Santorini’s famous sunset is the ultimate romantic experience!
Firá is the picturesque capital of the island; perched high up on the edge of the Caldera, it looks like a marvellous painting. Firá, together with Oia, Imerovígli and Firostefáni located high above on a cliff, make up the so-called “Caldera’s eyebrow”, the balcony of Santorini, which offers an amazing view of the volcano. Other famous smaller villages are Akrotíri and Méssa Vounó, with their famous archaeological sites, Pýrgos, Karterádes, Emporió, Ammoúdi, Finikiá, Períssa, Perívolos, Megalohóri, Kamári, Messariá and Monólithos: some of the villages are cosmopolitan some more peaceful; they are surrounded by vast vineyards; whitewashed cliff-top towns with castles affording amazing views out over the Aegean. Soaking up the villages’ distinctive traditional atmosphere is a very rewarding experience. A visit to Santorini is the ultimate gastronomic experience, as the island is a true culinary paradise! Treat your taste buds to some famous traditional products like cherry tomatoes, white egg plants, fava, caper and “hloró tyrí”, a special kind of fresh goat cheese found on the island, or why not try some of the exceptional wines produced from grapes grown in the volcanic soil of the island! Assyrtiko, Athyri, Aidani, Mantilaria and Mavrotragano are just some of the distinctive varieties that you can taste at the island’s famous wineries (some of them operate as a museum as well) or at restaurants.
Escape into Santorini’s seaside treasures and enjoy deep blue waters and beaches with white, red or black sand or volcanic pebbles, spectacular rock formations and impressive lunar landscapes. Santorini, the youngest volcanic land in the Eastern Mediterranean, is waiting for you! You can reach it by plane or by ship from Piraeus. Don’t think twice! Experience for yourself the once-in-a-lifetime romance and charm of this pearl of the Aegean.
Best Places for Sunset in Santorini
The town of Oia is know as the best place for sunset. Located at the tip of the island it is a great place for views of the caldera and turns the white-washed town a hazy shade of pink.
I also like to spend sunset at the equally as picturesque town of Fira. Here, you can see Oia and feel like you're in the middle of the caldera. I recommend heading toward the edge of town to avoid crowds.
If you're looking for a great restaurant view you might pay the price, but you'll get a stellar lookout. Franco's is the quintessential restaurant in Fira for a terrific view. I also like to include Franco's in some of my pictures since it's such an iconic Santorini location. Opt for a cocktail and get there early to snag a seat outside.
Either place, get there a few minutes before the sun sets to get a good view point.
If you want to avoid crowds entirely one of the best places for sunset in Santorini is to drive near the coast. We found a lovely spot near Taxiarhis Church where we had the whole place to ourselves, save for a friendly dog.
We had permission to go on this church to take this photo- make sure to respect the signs and get permission!
I suggest staying around this part of the coast, bring a bottle of wine, and you'll have tourist-free views of the beautiful caldera.
Another great spot is the Akrotiri lighthouse where you can get a unique sunset view of Santorini and the surrounding islands.
Lastly, check out a winery for unparalleled views and a breathtaking landsca
Explore the Town of Fira
Fira is the largest town in Santorini and also offers some of the best views of the caldera. There are loads of souvenir shops, restaurants, bars, and, of course, white washed houses. It's very easy to get here and I suggest parking in the lot just before the main artery of the town.
The best thing to do is to just walk the streets. If you feel it's getting too crowded just take a turn and discover a new path or wander near a church. Be careful not to walk on top of churches as there are signs that say not to do so.
Make sure to spot the cable car and the old cruise port below.
For great views head into the center of town near the church. Then go down. You'll avoid the main street and be able to walk amoungst the villas. It's a lot of strenuous walking up and down so wear comfortable shoes.
Another great place to get views of the city is walking to the nearby town of Firostefani, just a short walk (about 10 minutes) which will still be beautiful views of the white washed cliffs.
Explore the Town of Oia
Oia is Santorini's second biggest town and is similar to Fira with many shops and restaurants. However, I do love Oia for it's iconic windmill and bright yellow church. Take a walking tour of the town and pop into the shops or grab a frozen yogurt with drizzled honey.
A great place for pictures and views is from the Oia Castle. Also, make sure you check out the Atlantis bookstore nestled slightly below the main street.
You can also hike down to Amoudi Bay for some swimming and a great place for fresh seafood. You can also watch the cliff jumpers!
Best Beaches in Santorini
Many of the beaches in Santorini are named based on the color of the sand. My favorites are very easily accessible and aren't too crowded. Santorini isn't exactly known for it's beaches. You're not going to find pristine white, soft sand. But they are still a wonderful spot to relax and enjoy a pina colada.
Perissa “black sand” beach – This is my favorite beach on the island. This long stretch of sand is dotted with great bars and restaurants.
Red Beach – It's a steep and somewhat challenging path to make it down to the red beach, but it's one of the best in Santorini. The sand is a rusty red color because of the cliffs that surround it.
Kamari Beach – This lively pebble beach is a great hangout with a few bars and restaurants. Also a good spot for a swim and snorkeling.
Monolithos Beach – If you really want to get away from the crowds and have a nice view of the ocean then this might just be the beach for you.
White Beach – Only accessible by boat this beach isn't very “white” but is a nice spot to swim.
Walk from Fira to Oia
If you're up for a hike, you can walk from the town of Fira over to Oia. It's a strenuous walk of about two and half hours that takes you along the caldera cliff. Worth it for the views.
Take a boat around the Caldera
The best way to see the whole island and the surrounding caldera is to hop on a boat. This way you can explore the active volcano and go swimming in the crystal clear water. There are a few beaches and areas near the coast that are only accessible by boat. We particularly like the boat tours because they are fun, informative, and many include food.
This is our favorite tour: www.dph-world.com/lobster-champagne-sunset-cruise
Go to the highest peak at Mesa Vouno Mountain
If you want to get a good look at the island, take a drive up to the highest peak, at Mesa Vouno. It's best to drive up here and as you do, look at your window to see how the rocks and climate change as you go up. At the top of Mesa Vouno is the first settlement of the island after the last volcano eruption and was said to be used by the Spartans.
Winery
There are a few wineries in Santorini and I highly recommend that you head over there for lovely views and delicious wine. Venetsanos Winery is really good and needless to say it was one of the most beautiful places for a wedding in the world. It is breathtaking!
Some other wineries with views are the Santos Wines Winery or you can also go to Megalochori Winery.
These are our favorite ones: www.dph-world.com/santorini-wine-tastings
Horseback ride along the beach
If you want a memorable experience, take a horseback ride on the Santorini coast while you watch the sun set. You'll having stunning views of the canyons and sand formations that line the coast while riding a beautiful horse. This is a laid back and relaxing activity and a great way to see more of Santorini.
Tours last for about an hour and a half and you can choose your time and sightseeing options.
These are our favorite ones: www.dph-world.com/santorini-horse-riding
Tour the ancient village of Akrotiri
Here, you can peer into the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri and learn about the past settlers who lived here. There is a museum as well as ruins you can walk through.
Our favorite tour: www.dph-world.com/santorini-tour
WHERE TO EAT IN SANTORINI
It's not hard to find delicious, fresh Greek food in Santorini. It's also easy to find relatively inexpensive, good food. Especially if you're out of the touristy cities of Oia and Fira, you'll find cheap food. We had a meal with 6 people and we ordered a few appetizers, drinks, and an entree each, and our total came to about €37. If you're on a budget in Santorini, or even if you just want to save a bit of cash, it can definitely be done.
BREAKFAST
Many hotels offer breakfast but my favorite thing to do for breakfast is head to a local bakery. Often, the bakeries stay open 24-hours a day. One of my favorites that we went back to again and again was Family Bakery. They make delicious pastries and also specialize in wedding cakes and even make homemade gelato. They stay open late for the late night clubbers so I recommend going here for a late night treat.
LUNCH
SEASIDE since 2004 is the most stylish beach bar restaurant in the iconic Greek island of Santorini. Located at Perivolos / Ag. Georgios Beach, the Cosmopolitan ambiance of the restaurant appeals to distinguished guests, offering a delicious culinary experience based on great food as well as signature cocktails and a vast selection of top-class spirits and wines. Friendly and experienced staff provide services that exceed expectation, either in the restaurant area or in the beachfront comfy sunbeds and VIP Cabanas allowing guests to spoil themselves and disconnect. Our guests arriving from all over the world enjoy a lifestyle beach true relaxing scenery along with a culinary experience through a selection of exquisite dishes and drinks.SEASIDE is also the ideal beachfront place in Santorini to organize any of your intimate and special occasion events like, private dinners, wedding receptions etc and anything else demanding lovely surroundings superb service and great food.
Tucked away from the crowds and off the beaten path, you will be amazed by the stunning views of the ocean and surrounding villages this restaurant offers. Dimitri and his brother Kosta have been delighting customers with their twist on traditional Greek food for over 20 years. All ingredients used are carefully selected giving you the highest quality and consistency every time you dine here. Considering this, it is very affordable for what you get. The menu is mainly fusion Greek food. Plenty of seafood, meat and vegetarian options available. The kadaifi stuffed with cheese and a berry compote is an absolute must! The staff is very friendly and knowledgeable about the food and wine and happy to explain or suggest what to eat or drink. An excellent place for a romantic dinner or a casual one. A dressier sort of place, but not formal by any means. Reservations are a must and better to make days in advance, especially for larger groups. There is almost always a line of people waiting to dine here.
Argo is located on the main foot path in Fira and overlooking the caldera with gorgeous sea and sunset views from the upstairs dining area. There are 2 restaurants across the path with better caldera views but Argo has better food. The restaurant is named after one of the most famous tales in Greek mythology, Jason and the Argonauts, who sailed the seas upon the ship, Argo, in search of the Golden Fleece. A casual but trendy environment with nautical decor giving nod to the famous mythological tale it is named after. Argo serves traditional Greek and Santorinian dishes with a modern twist using fresh local ingredients, including fresh fish. Meat, seafood, pasta, and vegetarian options available. Some delish menu items include: Argo’s specialty dish, shrimp saganaki with graviera cheese from Naxos; fava puré, a Santorinian specialty, topped with grilled octopus and a moderately spicy sauce and the Santorini salad with Santorinian cherry tomatoes, arugula, spring onions, sundried tomatoes, raisins, pine nuts, and parmigiano cheese topped with a honey dressing, a nice alternative to the traditional Greek salad.
Roka is steps off of a quiet pedestrian lane a bit back from the main hustle of Oia. Through an arched doorway, you’ll enter the beautiful garden dining area up front, shaded by arbors overhead. Inside are 3 small dining rooms painted with bright colors, and a wood burning stove to keep warm on cool nights. Outback is a patio with wonderful west facing sunset vies out over the water, and a small area for children to play while parents dine close by. Staff is very friendly and welcoming. A great spot for both a relaxing lunch or romantic dinner.
Yalos is one of our favorite restaurants in Santorini, located on beautiful Exo Gialos Beach. It’s an idyllic location about a 10 minute drive directly east of Fira. A trendy environment with eclectic sculptures and decor, and the staff are very friendly and welcoming. The restaurant has its own resident DJ playing cool electro-ethnic mixes and tribal rhythms. Delicious fresh seafood includes grilled cod with olive oil, lemon and oregano, a variety of ceviches, and smoked mackerel. Santorini flavours such as homemade tomato balls (tomatokeftedes), probably the best fava in Santorini and homemade cheese fritters topped with a honey syrup. Meat, pasta and vegetarian options are also available. Their signature dessert is a broken down (spasmeno) mille-feuille with creme brûlée, vanilla and chocolate ice cream. Leave room for this delicious treat. Moderate to expensive pricing. Also a great location for weddings and special events. There’s even a dock to park your boat and food can be served on board.
For desert, the best gelato I had on the island (as well as the best priced, too) happened to be at Family Bakery!
BEST PLACES FOR PICTURES IN SANTORINI
Admit it, you've come all this way, you want to take an epic picture of your time on the island. I've mapped out the best places for pictures in Santorini.
The Three-Dome church in Oia – This iconic spot is a highlight of Santorini with the beautiful bright blue downs and stark white church.
2. Franco's – an iconic spot that you must snap a picture of, also perfect place to perch for a selfie.
3. Alleyways in Fira- Keep on wandering! It will be well worth your time to stroll the streets and find uncrowded hidden gems.
4. Loizos Santorini – This little spot of residences is overflowing with bougainvillea and crisp white walls.
5. Windmills – There are a few spots with windmills around the island. They are easy to find if you drive, especially along the coast. But there are definitely some iconic spots with windmills in Oia at the tip of the island.
6. Yellow Church in Oia – There aren't many buildings in the main towns of Fira and Oia that aren't white, but this bright, cheery yellow church is an exception.
7. Cobblestone walls near Irini Cafe – I love this spot for sunset watching. Here, the island curves around and you have the perfect view.
8. Catholic Church of Stylianos – I love this pretty little yellow and blue church that's perched right on the cliff in Fira.
There are so many lovely churches around Santorini. But make sure to be respectful of signs and be careful to not jump on rooftops.
9. Wander at night – Santorini is very well lit and is a beautiful place to wander after dusk. Here's a look at Fira at night:
10. Perissa Beach – Escape the narrow alleyways and head to the pretty black sand beach of Perissa.
