Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Greece / Cycladic Islands / Santorini
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| | | | Review by Annette Mitchell from Dunbogan, NSW Australia
Santorini is a lovely island, the people were mostly friendly and helpful. Had fun.
Review by Doug Barile from Ridgefield, CT, USA
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful spots in the world.
Plenty to see on this breath-taking island
Breath-taking, beautiful, awe-inspiring - these are just a few words to describe Santorini. I had a most marvellous, self-catering holiday at Kamari last Sept/Oct.
The weather was ideal, the people were so friendly, the restaurants were reasonably priced, the public transport was very good and there was plenty to see.
You should go to the volcano, and the sunset cruise is a must. We intend to go back.
Travel guide: Santorini
A beautiful island
The first time I saw Santorini was four years ago on a day cruise from Crete. We sailed out at sunrise and sailed back at sunset. It was a truly spectacular trip.
I could not wait to see this beautiful island chain again, so two years ago I went to stay for a week and looked around at the sights.
It was still magnificent, a really special place which I would recommend to anyone.
Travel guide: Santorini
Wonderful beaches
I went to Santorini last year. It was truly splendid, with fantastic, friendly people, wonderful beaches and food.
My only problem was it was too hot. I didn't believe it when people said it was about 30C. I thought the temperatures were nearer 40C.
Perissa is a bit of a one horse town but you have everything you need and it's so peaceful.
I am going to Santorini again in September. I can't wait.
Travel guide: Santorini
Volcanic splendours
Santorini is one of the prettiest Greek islands. The capital Fira has the most spectacular views.
Hire a car and see the sights. Book to visit the volcano from the harbour. You can catch the local bus to the capital and it runs until very early in the morning.
Travel guide: Santorini
Heaven on earth
Santorini is heaven on earth. We stayed at the Blacksand Appartments in Karmari which is ideal for couples and young families.
The people are so friendly and welcoming. If you enjoy good food and wine, this is the place for you.
An outing not to be missed is the sunset in Oia. We sat there with a glass of wine. It's a truly remarkable experience, just breathtaking.
We enjoyed it so much we are returning to Santorini this year.
Travel guide: Santorini
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| | Destination Guide : Santorini |
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| | | Crystal clear water |  | Why go on holiday to Santorini?
Santorini's beauty is legendary, yet you'll find holiday prices here much less dramatic than the views. Its breathtaking submerged volcanic crater (caldera) is an unforgettable spectacle, as is capital Fira which sits precariously on its lip. Beaches offer crystal clear waters for swimming and resorts typically attract families on package holidays. There's enough activity and nightlife about though to suit couples and groups as well.
How much?
Expect to pay from about £200 for a week's self-catering package and £70 per night for a double room in a hotel overlooking the caldera. Return flights to Santorini via Athens start at about £200.
When should I go?
The main tourist season runs from May to October but many hotels stay open year-round. June, July and August are the hottest months, with average daily highs of around 27-30C/80-86F. The temperature seldom dips below about 22C year-round.
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| | | Capital and cliff top villages | | Where is it?
Santorini, officially known as Thira, is the southernmost of the Aegean Sea's Cyclades islands, between mainland Greece and Turkey.
Describe it for me
Whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches overlook a vivid turquoise sea, while black sand beaches, steep lava cliffs and buildings damaged in a devastating 1956 earthquake point to Santorini's violent volcanic past. Capital Fira has a central square, but the village is dominated by the sunken caldera crater, fringed by cliffs 1,000 feet high. A walk to its edge offers unmissable views of multicoloured layers of lava and pumice. There's also a cable car from little Fira Skala port up to Fira.
After Fira?
Visit clifftop villages Firostefani and Imerovigli, at the highest point of the caldera, or soak up more spectacular panoramic views from Ypapantis. Interesting Oia village is a perfect place to pull up a chair at a taverna, sample some excellent locally produced wine and gape at jaw-dropping sunsets over the crater.
Places to stay?
Kamari, a few miles from Fira, is Santorini's most-visited coastal resort, with black sand beaches and turquoise waters for swimming. It's also very touristy, so expect water sports at the beach, busy nightlife provided by lots of tavernas and bars and a bustling high street. Perissa is a quieter alternative, although nightlife here is far from dead in high season. Messaria village has four-star accommodation and specialty shopping.
Best beaches?
The east coast promises the best beaches. Perissa's get fairly busy, while Perivolos and Agios Georgios are quieter. Red Beach near Ancient Akrotiri is spectacular with rust-coloured cliffs and large pebbles under clear water. Vlihada, also on the south coast, is recommended, and at Armeni and Ammoudi below Oia village you can jump right into the caldera.
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| | | History and culture | | Sample the local tipple
Santorini's wines have an excellent reputation and you can go on leisurely tasting tours at wineries in Antoniou and Bouutari in Megalochori, at Canava Roussos in Mesa Gonia, Koutsoyannopoulos in Messaria and at Santo Wines in Pyrgos.
Much for culture vultures?
Religious festivals and events are staged monthly throughout Greece. The Feast of Profitis Ilias on July 20 is particularly celebrated in Santorini, at hilltop churches and monasteries dedicated to the prophet, such as Moni Profiti Ilia, which sits on Santorni's highest peak Mount Profitis Ilias. In the summer months, the Santorini Jazz Festival is staged at the Open Air Cinema in Kamari.
Learn about the past
The ruins of ancient Minoan town Akrotiri make a worthwhile stop. The settlement was buried in ash during a volcano and has ruins of buildings dating to the late 16th century BC. Ancient Thira, alternatively, has temples, houses with mosaics, a square, baths and a gymnasium from the Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine periods.
That's it?
The Museum of Prehistoric Thera is fairly new and has finds excavated from Akrotiri. Most stunning is a gold figure of an ibex, dated to the 17th century BC, and excavated in perfect condition in 1999. Megaron Gyzi Museum has photos of Fira before and after the 1956 earthquake.
Fancy a daytrip?
Go by boat to unspoilt Thirasia, cut off from Santorini by an eruption in 236BC, then swim in hot sulphur springs on tiny Palia Kameni island and visit volcanically active Nea Kameni. Glass-bottom boats also tour the caldera.
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| | | Wine and honey | | Will children get bored?
Not if they like being outdoors. Perissa has a water park with slides, three swimming pools and a restaurant, and beaches in tourist areas have fun watersports, glass bottom boat tours and snorkelling.
Quiet nights?
Not at all if you'd rather go out. A variety of bars and a handful of clubs to suit all tastes open until late, so if you want to dance to Greek hits in the open air or to mainstream pop in a hip setting, it's possible.
Is the food good?
Santorini has around 300 restaurants, tavernas and eateries and on the whole cuisine is delicious. Split pea puree (fava), fish with capers seasoned with native herbs and spices, seafood, white eggplant, figs, goat cheese and tomato balls (tomatokeftedes) made with cherry tomatoes are local specialities. Another plus is that many tavernas are perched overlooking the caldera or coast, so you can dine well with wonderful views. Locally produced dry white and red wines and sweet dessert wines (vinsanto) are highly commended.
What should I buy?
Local wines sold in Fira and elsewhere, thyme honey, capers and fava beans grown on the island.
More information:
Hellenic Tourism Organisation, 4 Conduit Street, London, W1R 0DJ. Telephone: 020 7499 9758.
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| | Fact File : Santorini |
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| | | Santorini | | Did you know?
Santorini's official name is Thira, but foreigners refer to it by the name given in honor of the island's patron saint, St Irene of Thessaloniki, who died there in exile in 304 AD.
Language
Greek.
Visas
None required for EU residents.
Getting there
Direct charter flights from the UK between May and October, otherwise scheduled services via Athens year-round.
Flying time from London
Three hours 45 minutes direct from London.
Getting around
Regular buses between Fira, Akrotiri, Oia, Monolithos, Kamari and Perissa. Boats go from the seafront at Ancient Akrotiri to Red Beach, White Beach and Black Beach and between Perissa and Red Beach. Car and motorcycle hire is recommended in busy periods, when buses are jam-packed and more infrequent.
Currency
Euro.
Costs
Prices vary but as a rough guide: litre of petrol 55p, moderately-priced restaurant meal with wine and salad £7, 24-exposure camera film £2.50, bottle of beer £1.40, four-mile taxi ride £6.
Weather
The Cyclades enjoy hot dry summers when temperatures can climb to 35C/95F, and mild winters with highs of no less than 10C/50F.
Time difference
Three hours ahead of GMT
International dialling code from the UK
00 30 2.
Voltage
220V. Plugs are the Continental two-pin type, so take an adaptor.
Opening hours
Banks open 8am-2pm Monday to Thursday and 8am-1.30pm Friday. Post offices open 7.30am-8pm Monday to Friday and 7.30am-2pm Saturday in larger towns. In summer, shops open 8am-1.30pm and 5.30pm-8.30pm Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and 8am-2.30pm Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Health – before you go
No jabs are required for Santorini. Codeine, commonly found in headache treatments, is banned in Greece so check labels carefully or risk prosecution. Free treatment at public hospitals is available with a Form EHIC but conditions are better in private hospitals. Treatment bills can be pricey and a good travel insurance policy is recommended.
Health – When you are there
Tap water is safe to drink throughout Greece but bottled water is widely available. Remember to use suncream regularly as Santorini's sun can be intense.
Warnings
In July and August strong northerly winds can disrupt ferry schedules.
Emergency
Police: (00 30) 2 2860 22649.
Customs
If you go into a taverna or shop it's customary to greet staff with "kalimera" (good day) or "kalispera" (good evening).
Pets
Dogs and cats can visit Greece, including its islands, under the PET Travel Scheme. No quarantine is necessary upon their return to the UK. See your vet for further information.
Tipping
Service is included on restaurant bills but it's usual to leave a small tip, similarly with taxis.
Tourist office
Hellenic Tourism Organisation, 4 Conduit Street, London, W1R 0DJ. Tel. 020 7495 9300. Tourism information in Santorini: (0030) 22860 22220.
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| | Available rental properties in Santorini |
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