Let's Explore Santorini

The island of Santorini, the most popular of the Greek islands, is probably the only volcano in the world whose crater is in the sea. This stunning island was formed as a result of volcanic activity, which created a large crater or caldera and the crescent shaped Santorini that we know today. If you ever get a chance to visit Greece, Santorini is a beautiful place to visit and the perfect place to snap some photos that will make all your friends back home envious. You can get there by a ferry from the mainland, so after learning about the rich history of the mainland of Greece, you can come to the Greek islands to relax. Santorini is known for it’s beautiful sunsets over the cascading landscape and the blue and white colors spread around the town, which the Greek islands all have.

Sightseeing

Stop by Oia
Like all of the Greek islands, Santorini also has the iconic whitewashed homes with blue shutters and the breathtaking sea view. Looking for some great photo ops? Oia is the place to go. Filled with picturesque views of the sea and beautiful architecture, this place perfect for snapping some pictures and a must visit place if you’re visiting Santorini. This part of the island is probably the most popular among tourists and possibly even the most photographed area.

Fira
The capital of Santorini, Fira is located on the west side of the island. Fira is the largest shopping area on the island and has a plethora of choices for dining and entertainment. There are three parts to Fira, Firostefani, Kontochori, and Ormos. Firostefani is the more traditional part of Fira and is relatively quiet for the most part. It still has a stunning view as well as some shopping, restaurants, and hotels. Kontochori is about a fifteen minute walk from the main square of Fira and is a suburb of Fira. Ormos, also referred to as the old port, is located at the bottom of the Caldera cliffs in Fira. Ormos is probably the most tourist populated area in Fira, with a spectacular view, cruise ships lining the sea, small boats coming to and from the port, restaurants, taverns, and small shops.

Ancient Akrotiri
If you’re more into history than photography, Akrotiri is known as the “Pompeii of the Aegean.” Akrotiri is the earliest evidence of settlement on the island. It was a small urbanized community with advanced drainage technology (for the time period) and nicely paved streets. However, this town soon became destroyed as a result of volcanic activity. The ruins are available for tourists to see and is kept in great condition, with pottery and decorations still there to see. It is open from the month of June through October from Tuesdays to Sundays at 8am to 8pm.

Relaxation

Red Sand Beach
Located near Ancient Akrotiri, this beach actually does have red sand! This beach has impressive all red landscaping and a gorgeous view. If you're planning on visiting this beach, you might not want to pull out your flip flops just yet. In order to get to the beach, you'll have to go through the rocky terrain and be cautioned with the slope that you'll be traveling on. If you're wearing shoes without proper grip, getting to the beach could potentially be hazardous. There are no beach chairs here, so you might want to come prepared if you're planning on staying there for a while. Towels can get stained with the sand, so you might want to bring a towel that you won't mind soiling. The Red Sand Beach is more of a beach that you should visit for the view, not particularly for a swim and typical beach recreation.

Kamari (Black Sand Beach)
Kamari Beach is covered in fine black sand and is lined with deck chairs and umbrellas for a relaxing day out in the sun and various restaurants to grab a bite to eat. Personally, I believe that the Kamari beach is better for recreation than the Red Sand Beach, since it offers more dining options and commodities. If you want to sit on a chaise by the beach, you can use one for free, as long as you purchase a drink from one of the restaurants. It's a win-win situation, you get a drink and place to relax and the restaurant owners bring in some extra bucks.

Miscellaneous

The best time to visit Santorini is the summer, most of the Greek islands close up the majority of the hotels during the winter, since summer is the peak season for tourism.