Santorini Travel Guide
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Top Attractions
Cheap Flying Tips
Where to Stay
Things to Do
Your Guide to Santorini
If your idea of a perfect vacation involves miles of beaches on a volcanic island and spectacular views of the Aegean Sea, then Santorini is your spot. Planning this vacation will be a breeze, especially if you use some of the tips and information present in this guide.
Top Attractions in Santorini
Santorini is a small island group located in southern Greece. Santorini has a rich history with plenty of things to see and do throughout. Here are our top three must-sees for your Santorini itinerary.
Firá
Being the capital of Santorini makes this a great attraction to visit while you are on your vacation. Its whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches that sit high on top of the cliffs make this town a beautiful place to see.
This town thrives on tourism, so finding a place to stay shouldn’t be very difficult. There are also tons of restaurants, souvenir shops, and cafes to choose from.
There is a small port called Skala that is reachable by walking or riding mules up a winding but steep path. If neither of these can be an option for you, a cable car is available to take you up. You can also reach Skala by taking the more scenic Fira to Oia route starting at another neighboring town. This scenic route will take you along the beautiful caldera cliffs.
Oia
Oia is a town that is located on the north tip of Santorini. Oia offers excellent sunsets, a sight that’s an attraction all on its own. This quaint little town is home to little boutique hotels and fun eateries.
Reaching Oia can be done via the KTEL bus or by walking an outstanding trail that goes along the high cliffs that overlook the caldera. The walk or ride to the top is another attraction to add to the list.
Caldera
Over 3,600 years ago, a volcano exploded, creating a crater that is now known as a caldera. This sea-filed crater is still home to volcanic activity, and its center houses hot springs. One-Day excursions are offered by multiple agencies that take passengers by boat to bathe in the hot springs.
After your bath in the hot springs and boat ride, you can get lunch on the Thirassia. Thirassia is a tiny island that offers amazing views of Santorini.
The Experience Flying into Santorini Airport
While Santorini offers beautiful views and unique attractions, the flight experiences may differ. Flight plans can include a final stop to Athens, Greece, with a ferry ride into Santorini. However, there are flights available to take from Athens to Santorini.
Top 3 Tips to Fly Cheap to Santorini
Depending on where you are flying from can influence your travel or flight costs. If you are traveling from the United States, your flight plan and cost can differ from flying from Athens to Santorini. There are some tips that you can use to make your flight cheaper.
1. Book from best
Use a booking site like pigsflycheap.com to find flights to Greece.
2. Book in advance
Book flights at least four months in advance.
3. Mid-week departure
If your travel dates are flexible, aim for a mid-week departure.
Popular Areas of the City to Stay
There are four areas in Santorini that have fantastic accommodations. These towns offer great options not only for hotels but also for attractions as well. The four towns to stay in are:
- Oia
- Imerovigli
- Fira
- Firostefani
Popular Hotels in Those Areas
Each of the hotels in these areas has something unique to offer. Some have great views while others are closer to the busy city with its abundant nightlife. The choice is yours, but here are a few favorites to get your search started:
Oia
Since Oia offers the best views in Santorini, it’s no surprise that there will be excellent places to stay. This is one of the other towns that offer romantic settings but can also be a family-friendly place.
Fira
This is the place to be if you like clubs and nightlife. There are going to be some places that offer great access to this area. Since it is also one of the best family-friendly places, the hotels will make an excellent place for families to stay.
Imerovigli
Imerovigli: Staying in this more romantic and quiet place has many attributes. There are many hotels that are available for you to choose from. Some of these offer more amenities, of course, than others. However, they all should give you the beautiful view that you are looking for.
Popular AirBnBs in Those Areas
AirBnBs offer a great home-like feel while you are on vacation. However, there are some things to consider when looking for an AirBnB in Santorini.
- To ensure that the AirBnB you want to rent isn’t just pictures, make sure you visit the actual site or a well-known site.
- Remember that there are going to be quite a few AirBnBs that will not have that fantastic caldera views; however, there are some located along the beaches.
- Unlike a hotel, checking into an AirBnB in Santorini may not be as fast when dealing personally with the owners.
This information was gathered from a website called Santorini Dave.
Oia
Imerovigli
Top Things to do in Santorini
From relaxing to going on blissful adventures, you can find it here in Santorini. Since it is an island, everything can be accessed within short minutes to a couple of hours depending, of course, if you are taking transportation or simply walking along the trails.
Relaxing Sunsets
- Santorini is well known for its amazing sunsets and picture-perfect views that are along the caldera cliffs.
- Some restaurants offer spaces outside to relax as well as plenty of areas in town.
- Watching sunsets in Oia is often busy and crowded.
If you rather skip the crowded streets, there is the Monastery of Profitis Illias located on the other end of the island. Here you can see the sunset over the entire island.
The Real Atlantis
- Over 3000 years ago, the middle of the island disappeared due to a volcano eruption creating what was believed to be the Real Atlantis.
- Akrotiri Archaeological Site is where archeologists found proof of the volcanic eruption and the ancient settlements.
Hiking in Santorini , Santorini Volcano
- Taken by boat, you will get a chance to hike to the top of the active but sleeping volcano. After your hike, you can swim in one of the geothermal spots along the edges of the island.
- One of the best hiking trails is the Caldera Trail that runs between Fira and Oia.
- The Fira to Oia hike takes you along the caldera cliff and through different villages.
- There is also a side trail that leads to Skaros Rock.
Akrotiri Lighthouse
- Taking a small car or quad bike, you can visit one of the lighthouses in Santorini.
- The Lighthouse offers beautiful breathtaking views of the island.
- The Akrotiri Lighthouse will give you the full effect of the dramatic coastline that makes up Santorini.
Coolest AirBnB Experiences in Santorini
AirBnB experiences are a great way to see a new city from a local perspective. These excursions are typically guided by people who have called the city, in this case, Santorini, home for quite some time.
From horseback riding to photoshoots, the choices are endless. In the table below are some different types of AirBnB experiences that are available for booking in Santorini:
| AirBnB Experience | Description |
|---|---|
| Forest Garden Walking Tour | ● Guided by stone markers, you will walk down narrow farm roads that pass orchards, vineyards, and stone walls that are full of agriculture. ● Touring 9 Hector of the property, you will see how using a Permaculture design is good for the planet's future. ● During this tour, you will get to sample some authentic and fresh Greek cuisine. |
| Atv Quad Tour | ● Starting from the black beach, Perivolos, you will soon come to the Venetian castle. ● Leaving your ATV behind, you will navigate the narrow labyrinth streets where you can enjoy Greek coffee or juice at a traditional coffee shop. ● Passing windmills and going through vineyards will take you to the most traditional village of the island, Megalochori. ● Taking a short break at the caldera, you can enjoy the oldest winery of Santorini while enjoying the breathtaking views below. |
| Cycling and exploring Mykonos | ● Starting from a vineyard in Ano Mera, you will meet friendly animals located on a farm in Mykonos. ● During this adventure, you will be taken to a family church where you will learn about the history, traditions, and some religious rituals about the Mykonos heritage. ● With the final destination ending with the immaculate beach of Fokos. ● Fokos beach is an excellent spot for underwater photographs and amazing panoramic pictures. ● During the beach break, you will be offered organic lemonade with a Mykonos traditional dessert before your bike back to the vineyard. |
For more AirBnB experiences, visit AirBnB Experiences in Santorini.
Outro
Santorini is a great place to visit. Not only are the shops lined throughout the whole island, but also the spectacular views and things to do. One of which is catching as many sunsets as possible. Several hikes can be taken, such as the one from Fira to Oia along the caldera cliff or the hike to the volcano’s top.
Besides the rich history of the massive volcano eruption, there is also the history of ancient settlements once thought to be part of Atlantis. There are many landscapes to see that help make up the entire island of Santorini. This makes it one of the best places to visit in Greece.
