Places you must not miss when you visit Santorini
Most people say that Santorini sunsets are the most beautiful in the world and that everyone who reach that place, falls in love with the view offered by caldera.
Located in the southern Aegean Sea, Santorini is a small, circular archipelago of volcanic islands, about 200 km southeast from Greece’s mainland. Santorini, also known as Thera (Thira in Greek), deserve all the superlatives in the world. If you go there you will understand why I said that. Even the most tired traveler would wake up in front of its surreal landscape – according to some theories – a remnant of an enormous volcanic explosion, which destroyed the earliest settlements on what was formerly a single island and led to the creation of the current geological caldera.
The sun offers a unique spectacle when sinking beyond the horizon,
beginning to descend in south, from the edge of caldera, and disappearing across the Nea Kameni and Thirasia islands. Famous sunsets are best seen from Oia, the northernmost point of the island, although the place is crowded. But if you want more privacy, you can enjoy the sunset from any part of the caldera.
Situated on a cliff, Athinios, the main port in Santorini, is a major tourist destination, so don’t be surprised by the crowd when you arrive there. Ferryboats and big cruise boats arriving from the other ports of Greece; also, buses, taxis, passengers, tourists, local people, all going to the capital Fira. Moreover, there are boat tours that will take you to the small volcanic islands Nea Kameni and Paleo Kameni.
If you have enough energy, climb to the top of Nea Kameni active volcano, to see the smoke coming out of the mountain walls, don’t worry it is presently an “dormant” volcano. Here you can, indeed,have one of the most beautiful views of Santorini. At way back to Athinios port, another temptation is waiting: a donkey trip to Fira, it is the most fun!
Located on the west part of the island, Fira is perched on the edge of a 260 meter cliff, no wonder that the view from the edge of the cliff is breathtaking. Being a famous tourist place and the main activity center of the island, Fira is full of souvenir shops, exclusive restaurants, bars, luxury hotels and pricy shops.
If you are interested in the history of the archipelago, a visit to the
Archaeological Museum of Fira can illuminate you… is located on the main road, opposite the funicular station. It contains artifacts from excavations on the island, early Cycladic figurines, impressive frescoes as well as sculptures of the Hellenistic period, vases from Ancient Thira, some interesting Dionysiac figures, and finds from Akrotiri.
And if you want to learn more about the lives of those who lived on the island before the volcanic disaster of 3500 years ago, visit the Ancient Akrotiri, an important archaeological site on the south coast of the island. Note for travelers: the site has been closed to visitors for repair work since 2005 and it is not clear when it will reopen.
In the eastern island, in a spectacular location, on a high rocky headland called Mesa Vouna, are the fascinating ruins of Ancient Thira. It was inhabited from the 9th century BC until 726 AD.
Santorini is also famous for its wines, and most vineyards offer wine tasting tours in exchange for a tiny amount of money. On the way to Kamari beach, you will see a fascinating natural cave, a Wine Museum called “Volcano”; it presents the history and life of wine from 1660 to 1970.
For the best beaches in Santorini check Perivolos, Perissa, Kamari,
Vlihada and Red beach.
