Santorini Island is a picturesque archipelago formed by five islands in the Aegean Sea. Once on the main island of Santorini – Thira – you find yourself in a completely different Greece – well-groomed, aristocratic, but at the same time homely. If you describe the island, you will have to use only superlatives.
General information
The island has been accumulating traces of ancient civilizations for over 5,000 years, and they have survived to this day. However, in such an environment – surrounded by the purest, azure sea, volcanic landscapes – time loses its relevance, you simply forget about it. Once you get to a well-kept beach, see the snow-white houses, as if from a postcard, harmony, serenity and absolute happiness will return to your heart. According to scientists, Santorini is the lost part of the lost Atlantis.Geographic data
This island of Greece occupies only 76 km², the length of the coast is approximately 70 km. The island has a population of approximately 15 thousand. In the past, Santorini was round in shape and was called Kallista.
After the volcanic eruption (even before Christ), the outlines of the island changed. Now the wild landscape prevails here. And the newly built white houses seem to hang over the sea surface, on steep slopes of an unusual dark color. Only the bizarre relief, solidified lava and multi-colored sand remind us of the eruption. The island of Santorini in Greece acquires a special attraction at night. The stairs in the lanterns, illuminated by the moonlight, look like stairs in a fairy tale.
There are many legends associated with this Greek island. According to one of them, Santorini is part of the sunken Atlantis, according to another, it is called the Pompeii of the Aegean Sea.
Resorts
The capital of Santorini, the resort of Fira, is of greatest interest to tourists. This small town is known for its tragic history. In 1956, the settlement (like others on the island) was completely destroyed by an earthquake. Another famous Greek resort on Santorini is Oia, where, according to travelers, the most magical sunsets in the world are. If you are interested in a beach holiday, pay attention to Kamari and Perissa. Here you can enjoy comfortable beaches with black sand and high-level service.
Fira
Fira (or Tira) was founded in the second half of the 18th century. The settlement repeatedly experienced terrible earthquakes, which almost completely wiped it off the face of the earth.
Fira is located in terraces on the rocks, decorated with domes, snow-white houses and skaftas (austere cave houses). Today, many hotels, bars, and restaurants have been built here. The town has a port – Skala Fira, located 270 meters below the city level. You can get from the port to the city by stairs, but you will have to walk 580 steps. Fira is a pedestrian resort area, the cobbled streets give a feeling of bygone eras.
Fira is also a place for lovers of nightlife. There are many restaurants, discos, bars that welcome guests around the clock.
Oia
Oia is the most famous town on Santorini. It is most often depicted in photos of the island – white houses with blue shutters are its calling card. There are no beaches in the settlement, people come here for sunsets and dinners in a pleasant atmosphere with beautiful views.
After the devastating earthquake of 1956, the village was completely restored and is now very popular. Oya is called the city of newlyweds – couples from all over the world come here to spend their honeymoon. And it is not surprising – the atmosphere here is filled with romance and luxury.
Firostefani and Imerovigli
Small, cozy villages, located near Fira, in the north-west direction. The road from Fira will take only a quarter of an hour on foot. The resorts are relatively calm and quiet, located somewhat remote from the noisier capital city. Interestingly, the permanent population of Imerovigli is less than 500 people, but due to its compact size and large number of tourists, the village looks lively.
It makes sense to settle here if you want to save a little money, but still have the necessary benefits of civilization within walking distance. There are ATMs, shops, restaurants in the settlements.
Kamari and Perissa
Kamari is the main beach area in Santorini, Greece. The beach here is mixed – pebbles and dark sand prevail. There are bars and hotels behind the beach line.
Perissa is a quiet resort, suitable for people who want to enjoy the silence. The beach is 8 km long, covered with volcanic sand, located at the foot of Mesa Vouna. All possible water activities are provided for vacationers.
Kammeni
This is not just a resort area, but a landmark on the Santorini archipelago. New and Old Kammeni are small islands where local religious festivals are held, and on the top is the male temple of Prophet Elijah. The islands are uninhabited, as there is no fresh water on them. To tell the truth, if you do not plan to delve into Greek culture, then there is no point in visiting these places.
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Attractions and entertainment
Excavations of Akrotiri
If a quiet beach holiday is too boring for you, take some time to see the sights. Connoisseurs of the history of Ancient Greece will be interested in looking at the excavations of the ancient city of Akrotiri. The ruins are located in the southern part of Santorini.
What name the settlement had in ancient times is unknown. During excavations it was called Akrotiri – like the nearest village. Scientists have established that the settlement was destroyed as a result of a volcanic eruption about 3.5 thousand years ago. The exhibits found are mainly works of ancient art, of jewelry – only one ash object. Excavations are still ongoing, perhaps the most interesting things are still underground.
Entrance to the territory of the landmark is paid. Those who wish are given the opportunity to walk along the ancient cobbled street and look at the frescoes.
Ancient Thera
The city of Fira (Thira) is located in the western part of Santorini, the population is just over 1.5 thousand people. Here are preserved buildings of the Doric era, tombs built in the 9th century and incredibly beautiful buildings of the Byzantine period.
Be sure to visit the sanctuary built in honor of the god Apollo in the 8th century BC. You can only get to this place on foot, from Perissa in the direction of Kamari or rent a taxi to the mountain Mesa Vouna.
From Thira you can walk to the port, descending to it on foot along the stone stairs. Another option to get to the pier is a kind of attraction and unusual entertainment – to overcome the path on a donkey, which you will meet at the stairs.
Ilyinsky Monastery
The temple was built in honor of the ancient prophet Elijah and is located on the top of the island, at an altitude of 560 meters. From here, a fabulous view of the entire archipelago opens up. A school was secretly located within the walls of the monastery, where children were taught literacy, which was prohibited during the period of Turkish rule. Today, a museum has been organized on the territory of the museum, where a school classroom, a cell, a carpenter’s workshop and a forge have been restored. In total, there are more than 300 temples on the island.
The town of Oia
Looking at the photos of Santorini in Greece, you are convinced that this is a real pearl of the island. But the photos do not convey the whole atmosphere that reigns here. Experienced travelers strongly recommend taking a boat tour or renting a yacht. The ship offers an incredible view of the blood-red cliffs rising right out of the water, and the snow-white houses are connected by an intricate staircase and quaint walking paths.
All buildings are made of volcanic rock, there are no cars or industrial enterprises, so many people note the cleanest air. The atmosphere is complemented by buildings from the Venetian period.
Iya is also known as the city of Captains, as it resembles a museum dedicated to the art of navigation. The exhibits of the Maritime Museum are presented in a mansion from the last century, there are projects and models of ships of different years of construction, old photographs and a selection of valuable books on shipping.
Of particular interest are the windmills in Oia – not just technical structures, but fabulous white towers with wooden blades.
The streets of Oia are narrow and cozy, but there are a sufficient number of hotels with swimming pools, restaurants and cafes. It is here that tourists take panoramic photos during sunset.
Volcano Novaya Kameni
This volcano cannot be called truly active, but even the smoldering of the giant is noticeable. Here they offer an original excursion program, during which you can climb to the very top and even walk along the crater.
Shopping
Most souvenir shops are concentrated in Kamari. You can buy goods of famous brands at quite democratic prices. Silver jewelry is in the greatest demand, and rare items can be found in the shops. Leather and wood goods are in demand among vacationers. Pay special attention to the local wine – it makes sense not only to try it in Santorini, but also to bring a couple of bottles home.
Festival period
Most of the island’s festivals are timed to coincide with specific dates in the religious calendar. In midsummer, Agios Ionnis is celebrated, at the end of July there are events in honor of the patron saint Profitis Ilias, and in mid-August, the day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is celebrated. The Jazz Festival is very popular.
Weather and climate
Taking into account the weather and climate conditions, there are several tourist seasons on the island. What is the weather like in Santorini by month is described below. In addition, see the charts.
Weather during the high tourist season
It starts in May and lasts until October. At this time, you can fully enjoy the wild inaccessibility of the rocks, neat, white houses decorated with bright flowers and unusual volcanic beaches.
The peak period for visiting Santorini is during the hot summer months. Despite the fact that the air temperature rises to +35 degrees, the heat is easily tolerated, as a refreshing wind blows from the sea. At this time, the number of guests on the island is so great that a hotel room must be booked several months in advance.
Low season
From November to March, the tourist season in Santorini, Greece, is not so active. The weather becomes less pleasant – winds blow on the island, rains become frequent, the number of ferry trips to the island decreases.
Beach season
Beach holidays attract many tourists to the island, namely the opportunity to relax on the sand of the most unusual shades. You can swim here from the second half of May, when the water warms up to +21 degrees. At this time, there are not so many vacationers, and mainly residents decide to swim in the sea. The season ends in September.
Velvet season
It comes in the second half of September, when the total number of guests to the island decreases, but the air and water temperatures remain quite comfortable.
In general, the climate of Santorini is Mediterranean and in many ways similar to the climate of another popular Greek island – Crete. The warmest weather is in the southern and central parts of Santorini, in the northern part the average temperature is lower throughout the year.
Cuisine and Wine
What to try
If you remember where Santorini is located, the culinary preferences and features of the local menu become clear. Agricultural products prevail here, which are distinguished by their rich taste.
The most interesting for tourists are the Santorini tomatoes, a special variety of cherry tomatoes. The legume variety is Santorini fava, goat cheese Chloro with an unusual creamy texture and sour taste. In Santorini, capers kappari are produced from wild plants. Vegetables that deserve special attention are white eggplants, katsuni cucumbers and round zucchini. For dessert, try small watermelons with a very rich taste.
Winemaking
The secret of the wines’ success is in the island’s special ecosystem, thanks to which the grapevines receive the necessary amount of moisture. The grape bushes grow chaotically and resemble round baskets in appearance – this is a necessary measure to protect the plants from the winds.
On the island of Satorini in Greece, more than 10 varieties of grapes are grown, from which mainly white wines with a fairly dense structure are produced.
The most popular variety is Assyrtiko. It produces 80% of all local wines. The drink has a special flavor bouquet with a light citrus aroma.
Another popular wine is Vinsanto. This is a sweet wine made from Assyrtiko grapes, but dried in the sun. The drink acquires a more concentrated taste, velvetiness. It is served to the Vatican cardinals and the Pope himself.
Athiri and Aidani are two grape varieties used to produce white wine, which is then blended with Assyrtiko. The drink has a rich palette of flavors, in which honey, floral and citrus notes intertwine.
The island offers fascinating excursions to wine factories.
Interesting facts
- The permanent population of the island is just over 15 thousand people, while Santorini is visited annually by more than 1.5 million tourists.
- There are more churches in Santorini than private houses. They are mostly small and private.
- Only 380 mm of precipitation falls on this Greek island per year. More than half of this falls in the winter months. For comparison, the average annual precipitation in Moscow is 700-800 mm.
- The Santorini caldera is the only inhabited one in the world.
- Until 1960, there was no electricity on the island of Santorini in Greece.
- Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt have visited the island several times. Their total stay on Santorini is more than a year.
The island of Santorini is an amazing place where you will find everything that tourists expect to find at a resort – unique, inimitable nature, high-level service, comfortable beaches and many attractions.
