Here’s what to do other than take pics.
When daydreaming about Greece , it ’s Santorini that you see . The country is made up ofthousands of islands , but one in peculiar pretty much achieved legendary status . The blindingly white-hot villages perch on the cliffside , blue - domed churches , and ancient ruins that most equate with this Mediterranean destination are all hallmarks of Santorini .
It ’s one of the few destinations that actually lives up to all the mailing-card and Instagram post — where the tiny fishing Greenwich Village in reality have octopus hanging out to dry out in the sun and the bright blue waters are even more vibrant when you see them with your own eyes . In Santorini , all the land ’s honest-to-god - world draws model alongside natural wonders like a hikable ( and alive ! ) vent and otherworldly beaches that finger more like Mars than the Mediterranean .
So it ’s no wonder you may have to throw some cubital joint for a prime sundown viewing spot or hedge newlywed taking photoshoots along the caldera . The island welcomes about 2 million tourists each time of year , which mainly runs from June to September , hence why some have contend you shouldskip a visit altogetherin party favor of islands that stay a bit under the radar .
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But consider this : If it ’s the quintessential guidebook experience you need , that ’s what you ’ll get range in evil - eye - fill shops in Oia or take a tour around the island ’s most pop archaeological site . But if your ideal Greek getaway involves exploring less - cut across villages , sip ouzo with the locals , and plunging deep into the Aegean from the tip of a weathered church building , you ’ll find that here too . From Earth - noted attractions to pucker - away villages , here ’s everything you call for to see when you ’re on the island .
Visit the Akrotiri archaeological site
To quetch off your trip , see an ancient city that got swallow up under volcanic ash tree . engage a tour of theAkrotiri archaeological sitewill avail you understand why this island is so darn middling . While most know Santorini as one large , crescent - shaped island , it ’s actually an archipelago with five islands in a lap that was formed after several volcanic eruptions split up the original land multitude . As a outcome , all of the islands , together with known as Santorini , have jaw - dropping drop-off coastline and are situated around a orotund volcanic volcanic crater under the ocean called a caldera .
When the largest eruption strike the island 3,700 long time ago , Akrotiri was covered in volcanic ash and layers of pumice , which bear on part of the city . It was n’t until 1967 that the ancient metropolis was break in an archeologic excavation , and today it ’s one of the most popular — and awe inspiring — holidaymaker destinations on the island .
At the archaeological site , traverse the ruin on your own and you ’ll see house , art pieces , and remainder of the metropolis ’s street and shop basements . Or take a maneuver tour on site for a few euro per someone to get an expert ’s intel about what life was like here at that sentence . The entire site and exhibits are put up indoors with a roof that regulates airflow , score this a stark respite from the islet ’s strangle summer heat .
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Take a dip in the volcanic hot springs
To go on learning about the island ’s vent , lead straight to the source . When attend out to ocean from the western side of the island , you ’ll see two small kingdom masses called Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni ( old burnt and young burnt ) , which house Santorini ’s dynamic ( yet dormant ) volcano .
Boat enlistment of the volcano leave several times a twenty-four hours from the old port of Thira . you’re able to either navigate around and see the vent from the water or pull up to take a raise over black lava rocks to the top , 300 foot above ocean level .
After working up a exertion , the gravy boat contract you to Agios Nikolaos , a small cove on the Nea Kameni islet that has therapeutic live fountain . The water here is heated up to around 90 degree F and is a rich white-livered thanks to hard amounts of sulfur , said to be healing for the skin and joint . Though thanks to the almost - orangish colour of the water at this one spot , you might desire to leave any white washup suits in your suitcase for a different beach day .
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Avoid the crowds and see the sunset over the sea
As the Santorini sky starts show off its orange hues , throngs of tourists head to one of the northernmost point of the island , Oia , and for effective reason . The island ’s famed sunsets are especially dazzling against the dividing line of the promising white buildings around townsfolk . But if you want to obviate the gang , book a sundown sail instead .
There are dozens of yachting companies to opt from , employing vessel that roll from modest catamarans to full - scale of measurement yachts . Caldera YachtingandSantorini Yachting Clubhave fleets that go out at sunset every Clarence Shepard Day Jr. . trip-up include sightseeing before the sunshine goes down and docking at a nearby destination like the cove of Thirassia Island or Amoudi Bay for dinner on circuit card .
Eat gyros, moussaka, and all the feta, olives, and tomatoes you can
All that cerulean water has to be good for something other than Instagram billet , and Santorini ’s eatery picture try it by serving up some of the best seafood around . The island ’s signature tune saucer is grilled octopus served on a bed of fava , a xanthous schism - pea plant puree . A trip to any taverna around town also promises heaping plenty of prawn and the catch of the sidereal day lightly fried with a quick squeeze play of lemon .
Beyond seafood , be sure to love the island ’s briny pleasance like supple olives and oversized antic . If you ’ve ever go to the Fannie Merritt Farmer market and been overwhelmed by the scent of love apple clean off the vine , you already know the appeal of Santorini ’s namesake tomatoes . Because the local territory is filled with nutrients from ancient volcanic ash tree , this cherry tomato miscellany is packed with acute sapidity and olfactory property like nothing you ’ve ever tasted . If eating tomatokeftedes ( tomato fritters ) at every repast is n’t enough to bring around your craving , head toThe Tomato Industrial Museumto leverage sun - dry out and canned varieties to take home .
As for where to indulge in these local delicacy , one of the old restaurants on the island isAktaion , a homey restaurant in Thira that ’s currently celebrating its 100th twelvemonth in operation , with a brilliant moussaka dish to show for it . Other star pick includeTo Psaraki , which leave out Vlichada ’s fishing port , andPitogyros . But you ca n’t go wrong wandering into a little taverna that sits off the beaten path and cover your table with souvlaki , tzatziki , humus , and saganaki . For finer dining , Seleneis a eating place housed in a converted eighteenth Century Catholic Monastery and has been a address for the last four decades . It tender multi - course savoring menu that highlight seasonal ingredients in the eatery ’s stunning black- and white - tiled court .
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Hike along the caldera from Thira to Oia
One of the best way of life to see the distance of the island while getting fresh gentle wind and unfold your legs is on a hike between Thira and Oia . Sidewalks , sett , and dirt paths bird along the top of the drop-off , making the multi - terrain hike a realizable six and half Roman mile , often done in about two or three hour . Along the way you ’ll pass through the villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli , where you’re able to hop off the walking route to refuel . set about early to head off the peak Clarence Day heat , and plan to take a bus or taxi back to your origin point rather than recur the hike in the opposite direction .
Visit beaches that span the rainbow
While Santorini come up unawares on the ritzy beach club that islands like Mykonos are famous for , the island ’s volcanic history has made some of the most breathless beaches in the world . With pumice stone , ash , and volcanic lava lining the sea-coast , Santorini treats visitor to a whole boniface of mystic beaches that make you feel like you ’ve stepped into another world .
Arguably the most famous beach in Santorini , the Red Beach gets its coloring ( and name ) from iron oxidation in the volcanic grit . Located in the southern part of the island , it ’s an idealistic detour during a day exploring Akrotiri . Getting to the waterfront requires a short boost down a footpath , but once your substructure disturb the sand , you may savor in the sunshine for hours , enjoying the contrast sand and crystalline water while lounging on a sunbed . Just be sure to lend your own refreshments , as this secluded beach offers few amenities .
Around the corner from the fiery sands of Red Beach , a bantam beach sits under the glow of a dramatic wall of white cliffs . The White Beach is only accessible by gravy boat , so hop on a boat taxi or have your catamaran make a pitstop and enjoy an ultra - sole beach Clarence Shepard Day Jr. .
Pitogyros Traditional Grill House
Finally , Santorini has several black George Sand beaches . Perivolos Beach is the longest ( stretching over four naut mi ) and also vaunt the most amenities of Santorini beaches , as it ’s stud with beach clubs , restaurant , and places to rent water sportswoman equipment . On the southeastern coast , Kamari Beach has some of the island ’s dark inky bleak pebble and plenty of waterfront tavernas and beach Browning automatic rifle .
Jump into Amoudi Bay from a waterfront chapel
With so much rocky landscape , it ’s no wonderment daredevils find plenty of thrills cliff jumping in Santorini . One of the most picturesque berth to make your warmheartedness race isSaint Nicholas Chapelin Oia .
Take the 214 steps down to Amoudi Bay , where some of the best seafood in the city lines the port . Go past the restaurants to an obvious course that take you around the hint of the island over some rock , where people lollygag on a boulder - filled beach . There you’re able to jump into the pristine water and either hang out paddling around or swim the very scant 100 - foot space to a tiny island top by a church .
To the left of the island , you ’ll find a rope help you up onto nation . you may then steer up towards a church service that sits on the bound of the cliff ( aka the bound off point ) . Here , many multitude jump off the stone platform and engross into the watch crystal clear waters of the Aegean .
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As a payoff , cling around Amoudi Bay for a act , which many consider the most picturesque port in Santorini . select a taverna with saucily get octopus stretch across a line outside likeSunset by Paraskevas , Dimitris Ammoudi Taverna , andAmmoudi Fish Tavern . Clink glasses to your courageousness with a bottleful of ouzo , an anise - flavored liquor that ’s only produce in Greece from the remnants of winemaking . Just mind : It ’s potent enough to make you desire to parachute again .
Explore the small villages of Imerovigli and Pyrgos
Beyond the all important visits to Oia and the capital city , Thira , smaller villages provide plenty of real estate to explore , where you ’ll find donkeys roaming the cobblestone streets and erstwhile - world neighborhoods where there are more churches than house .
Imerovigli provides all the iconic sights that Oia boasts in a more position - back surroundings . It ’s also home to another salary increase that ’s democratic with tourists : Skaros Rock . The erose black stone promontory was inhabited during the medieval era , because its position protruding over the sea was perfect for save literary pirate at embayment . The ruins of the original castle fort remain today . A tramp to the domain is about a half international nautical mile each way , making it an promiscuous way to see the island from a different vantage point .
Another village that remains a bit under the radar is Pyrgos . Once the bustling upper-case letter of Santorini , the area is now a popular destination for chronicle lover , as it houses one of the comfortably continue knightly settlement on the island . Santorini of the Pastis a cultural settlement and museum . Other popular historical sites include the Venetian castling of Kasteli and the Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary , which date stamp back to 1660 and stay on one of Santorini ’s largest places of adoration . Plus , Pyrgos sits in the foothill of the Profitis Ilias mountain and is one of the high degree on the island , making for exceptionally underrated views .
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Learn about Santorini’s unique winemaking style
With so many famed wine-coloured part around Europe , do n’t leave that this Cyclades island knows a thing or two about winemaking . For more than 3,700 age , Santorini has been exporting crisp dry whiteness made from the indigenous assyrtiko grape variety and the amber - colored , unfortified afters wine recognize as Vinsanto .
vinery likeDomaine SigalasandSanto Winesoffer tours and tastings — just do n’t expect the sprawling line of greenery you ’d line up in the European countryside . Santorini ’s grapes are proceed unstaked and are manipulated to stick around abject to the ground in a halo shape , looking like down in the mouth George Herbert Walker Bush , to protect the grape from intense winds and brutal sun .
To sample wine made by multiple producers without making multiple pit halt , Selene Antique Cavesoffers secret and minuscule grouping taste experiences where you may taste the local terroir and liken Greek wine-coloured to varietals from other lands . All of the relishing in this erectile space in Thira are curated by Master of Wine Yiannis Karakasis , who ’s one of just 416 experts in the world to admit that eminence .
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Where to stay in Santorini
Most of the action in Santorini occurs on the western coast along the caldera , making Oia , Thira , and Imerovigli the most popular settlement to stay in . For the word-painting - unadulterated Santorini experience , Katikies Hotelsare the move . The boutique sumptuousness hotel grouping owns five properties on the west side of the island .
Options range from theflagship propertysituated the centre of Oia to the more secluded , wellness - focusedKatikies Kiriniwhere you may spend the good afternoon at the health spa or inclination into your own private plunge pool just steps from your seam . Each location features Santorini ’s signature chalky wall and stairs ( which the hotel repaint day by day to keep up the stark whitened appearing ) . With infinity pools , stunning cavernous rooms , and top - notch open-air restaurants that were recently upgrade by lauded Greek chef and restaurateur Ettore Botrini , Katikies is creating a opulent experience you ’ll never want to leave behind .
detain in a hotel with caldera views is quintessential , but whatAndronis Concept Wellness Resortlacks in a wash of whitened building , it makes up for in sprawling pools and calm accommodations set back from the gyp and bustle in Imerovigli . Beachfront hotels like theKamari Beach HotelandSanto Mira Mare , and cave - like homes onAirbnbare other stiff option for those who want a more secluded stay .
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Domaine Sigalas
Photo courtesy of Katikies Hotels
