Santorini

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Santorini is a volcanic island in the Cyclades group of the Greek islands. It is famous for dramatic views, stunning sunsets from Oia town, the strange white aubergine, the town of Thira and naturally its very own active volcano. There are naturally fantastic beaches such as the black pebble beach of Kamari, white beach and red beach.

Official name of Santorini island is Thira.

Santorini is also a name for the family of islands surrounding Thira--once forming a whole one island.

Table of contents
	santorini Travel Guide : 1 Cities 2 Understand 2.1 Climate 3 Get in 3.1 By air 3.2 By sea 4 Get around 5 See 5.1 Beaches 5.2 Wineries 6 Do 7 Eat 7.1 Vlichada 8 Radio 9 Get out 10 External link

Cities

• Thira -- The main stunning cliff perched town. Featuring all the Oia have, but much more overcrowded.
• Ia -- For unforgettable sunsets. Probably the most charming place on the island.
• Kamari -- Of the black pebble beach
• Thirasis -- For less tourists
• Pyrgos -- for highest point on the island; picteresque monastery and streets -- can compete with Ia.

There is a total of 13 towns on Santorini Island.

Understand

The main attraction of Santorini is the volcano. The caldera was flooded during a cataclysmic event thousands of years ago, leaving the cliffs of Santorini surrounding a lake of ocean and newly upthrust lava in the center. The towns of Thira, Oia and Thirasis cling to the steep cliffs facing into the caldera bay. Tours to the volcano center are plentiful and one can see and feel steam vents and recent (1950s) lava flows.

Another popular reason for coming to Santorini is the legend that its sunsets are one of the most spectacular in the world. Ia is one of the few places on the island which is both close to a sea and offers a good view to a sunset over the sea: in other towns, sun disappears behind a volcano.

Additionally the towns of Thira and Oia are stunning.

Santorini ranks among top destinations for wedding celebrations for at least 4 years -- primarily for sunset and peace, like those in Ia. Couples often arrive with few friends, stay in Ia (places like Fanari Villas). Groups often arrive in the beginning of the week -- judging by demand for cabrios and number of corteges seen on Mon compared to weekend.

While the island is full of medium- and top-cost hotels and villas, there are still lots of abandoned caves and modest private houses where noone seems to live for a long time -- even in western Ia where every inch seems to be occupied by some villa. And this doesn't seem to change for years, judging by 2001-2005.

Climate

The season starts on March 1 -- recommended by locals, as it's not too hot and not crowded at all.

Get in

By air

The fastest and most comfortable way is by air. Santorini has its own airport (pretty small one), with regular flights from Athens and charters from many european towns.

By sea

Take the ferry from Piraeus past Paros and Naxos to the new port on Santorini. More details in Cyclades.

If you prefer sea, most popular and recommended transport are high-speed catamarans, like Hellenic Seaways Highspeed (bright-red Vodaphone-logo boats). Pireaus-to-Santorini trip takes only 3.5hrs, which time is comparable to air, and is more stress-free.

After disembarking in Santorini, the ideal way to travel up to the bustling town of Thira is by donkey. This experience will surely leave you with lasting memories.

Get around

The island is amply serviced by independent buses. Boats also run between major coastal towns on the island. Cars can be rented from about 8 Euros a day.

Some hotels advise to book a taxi in advance, as there is not enough taxi cars on the island for existing demand in a high season.

It takes about 50min to drive the island from end to end (from Vlichada to Ia).

See

• The Volcano -- Surrounded by the flooded caldera.
• Thirassia: small island near Santorini; place for more authentic villages, buildings and even churches. Take a look at hymnasia: in the yard, pupil painted children on the walls.

• Boat excursion: volcano island (Nea Kameni) - hot springs (Palia Kameni) - Thirassia

From Ia: departure from Ammoudi bay at 10:50 (starting point and final end); bit later from Armeni bay. 1hr 30min at volcano island; 45min for hot springs; 2hrs for Thirassia (incl. time for lunch). Meals are not included, normally the guide advises you to visit Captain Jack self-service tavern, which is so-so; it's smarter to wait half an hour and have your meal on Santorini where competition is higher and choice is better.

• Faros -- a lighthouse, west of the southern part of the island. Rocky cliff, interesting for making photos.

• a viewpoint behind Iris hotel (close to center of the island): great for making sunset photos with a sea and palm trees.

Beaches

Public beaches does not seem to have shower or places for changing your wear.

• Black Beach: see Kamari
• Red Beach: quite crowded; free umbrellas and chaise longues. First few meters of the water near the shore are quite dirty. Be cautious bringing children to the beach: women are frequently topless. Many yachts in the distant see can be seen from the beach -- and it looks really romantic at sunset time.
• White Beach: available only from the sea; get there by boat from Red Beach.
• Vlichada: relatively uncrowded. An umbrella with 2 chaise longues cost ?10.

Wineries

• Volcan Wines Museum & Winery: +30 0286 31322; open 12pm-8pm
• Santo Wines: www.santowines.gr; open 9am-sunset

Do

• Horseback riding in Exo Gonia

• Scuba diving

Eat

Santorini specials include: the white aubergine; fava; sutsukaki (slices of tomatoes fried in batter). Another must-try is fresh fish grilled in tavernas, esp. those close to a sea.

If you decide to eat or drink in a taverna overlooking the caldera or having a good view to a sunset, expect prices to be higher than a similar establishment in one of the many side-streets as you are charged extra for the view ?- but what a view!

Vlichada

• Limanaki: next to Vlichada beach. One of the best low-end taverns on the island for traditional local dishes and seafood. Shrimps are fresh (which can't be found far from sea); great taramasalata. Sutsukaki: tomato is thinner, lacks herbs, rich in batter -- still great. Souvlaki is the same as elsewhere.

Radio

There's a local radio station in English, 106.4 MHz.

Get out

Move on to Crete or Ios.

External link

• Santorini (http://www.santorini.net/home.html)
• Travel-to-Santorini (http://www.travel-to-santorini.com)

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