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How to go:
Plane: You can easily take Ryanair, Sky Express, Aegean airlines from Athens International Airport Eleftherios Venizelos to Santorini Airport, it’s only 45-50 minutes and not expensive. That’s what I did and I found it ideal: it’s fast and there are flights at all hours of the day, so you don’t waste much time.
Ferry: You can take a ferry from Piraeus, which is only 15 min car ride or a 20 minutes bus ride. The fastest one is from Seajets and is about 5h long. You can check Ferryhopper if you want to take the ferry. Contrary to what you might think, the ferry can be more expensive than the plane. Also, note that on the more windy day, some people can because see sick. Honestly, I don’t see why choose a ferry over the plane, unless you’re afraid of flying.
When to go:
I recommend avoiding the peak tourist season, which is usually July and August, which are also the hottest months. If you want to fully enjoy the beautiful scenery and hiking trails, opt for April to June or September and October. For the most pleasant swimming experience possible, September is the best. I personally went in September and it was perfect. Not too much people everywhere (but still a lot so I can’t imagine peek season!), beautiful views and great temperature to spend all day outside.
Where to stay:
Honestly, unless you’re traveling primarily for Instagram views, I recommend avoiding Oia. It’s extremely touristy. Beautiful! But packed with tourists. I choose to stay in Fira, it’s also really beautiful, with white houses, some blue domes, full of little shops and restaurants. Fira is also connected to Oia by magnificent hiking trails, and is close to several places to visit. It’s also where you’ll find to central station for the local buses. However, Fira is noisy; there’s a lot of action in the evenings and at night, so it’s definitely not for everyone! If you’re a night owl and want a more local and festive experience, then Fira could be a good option for you.
If I had to choose again, I would definitely chose a hotel near Fira, but located further away from the action and noise, with a view of the sea. During my hikes along the seafront, we passed by several magnificent hotels with stunning views and swimming pools; I couldn’t help but think that I absolutely had to come back and spend a couple of days there. So, if you can splurge, absolutely go for one of those.
How to get around:
Car/Scooter/Quad/ATV: You can easily rent some all around Santorini, but mainly in the more touristy cities like Fira and Oia. I didn’t rent any, because I like a more stress free visit, so I tend to go more for taxis and tours, but There’s was rental shop everywhere, parking and people on ATV all around.
Taxis: You can easily take a taxi or an Uber, but be warned, it’s very expensive! During rush hour, the price can easily double! Once, we were visiting Oia and looking for a taxi to get back to Fira, but we decided to check one last thing. Thirty minutes later, the fare had doubled, but we had no choice! It was mid-afternoon, so I imagine many people return to their hotels just before sunset, which explains the price increase. So, I suggest you keep the use of taxis to the minimum.
Bus: There local buses going all around Santorini, called KTEL Santorini Buses. There are available all year round and it is the least expensive mode of transport. There’s more routes in summer time (June to September) and only a few in winter, but it is more enjoyable and comfortable in winter time since there are fewer tourists. The central station is located in Fira. You can buy you tickets cash directly on the bus.
Tours: If you know me, you know I love tours. It’s just overall so easy, you can just relax, listen to the guide tell you about the different important events and local culture. I think it’s a good combination of relaxation and culture. It often includes no hassle transport.
What to do:
Katamaran tour at sunset
THIS IS A MUST!! IT SHOULD ABSOLUTELY BE ON YOUR BUCKETLIST! It’s in fact one of my best memory of my honeymoon. Santorini’s sunsets are renowned for a reason, it’s breathtaking, and so romantic. Just imagine yourself with fresh food, a glass of wine and a amazing view while relaxing on catamaran. This is what dreams are made of. The tour I chose also include swimming stops and had snorkeling equipment for those who wanted. Truly a memorable experience, I can’t recommend it enough.
Also, note that this tour includes transport from and to your habitation.
This is the tour you need to do:
Santorini Gold Catamaran Cruise with Snorkel, BBQ & Open Bar
Visit Oia for some iconic viewpoints:
Oia is the most popular town on Santorini. You’ll find luxury hotels and shops, and delicious restaurants. As usual in Santorini, take you time to stroll the narrow cobbled streets and stop at every viewpoint to stumbled upon. Go see The Virgin Mary of the Akathist Hymn Church, the Iconic Picturesque Blue Dome of Santorini, the viewpoint of the Caldera (see Views of Santorini & Caldera on google maps), the view from the ruins of Oia Castle and the beautiful Windmills.
Oia is well known for its breathtaking views of Santorini’s absolutely stunning sunsets. HOWEVER, this is also why it’s the most touristy, the busiest, and the most expensive town. Don’t get me wrong, you have to go see Oia and take some pictures of the stunnings views, but I honestly not recommend that you base your entire sunset experience on your visit to Oia. I’ve seen many sunsets on Santorini, and the one I saw from Oia is probably my least favorite (As I already said, my favorite is on the catamaran cruise). Yes your angle of view is great, but this is if you manage to weave your way through the dense crowd of tourists, who all came for the same show. People plan their experience well in advance and arrive early to secure a prime spot. If you want to do that, then go for it; you’ll have an absolutely unforgettable view of one of the most beautiful sunsets imaginable.
Visit the Baie d’Ammoudi for a charming port:
This small fishing port is located at the foot of Oia, connected by approximately 300 steps. You could walk back up or opt to use the donkeys. You will have access to magnificent views along your way, before arriving at this charming bay of crystal-clear blue water. There’s some good restaurant, but it’s obviously expensive.
Go to Profítis Ilías for some amazing views:
On the top of Mount Profítis Ilías, you’ll find the Profítis Ilías Monastery. It’s about a 15 minutes car ride from Fira, including a very steep zigzag slope. You could also choose to go up via the hiking trails from the village of Salakos which takes about 3 hours. This Mount is located near Pyrgos, on the souther part of Santorin Island. The Monastery is surrounded by churches and chapels which are opened to visiters. It’s 567 meters above sea lever and therefore the highest point of Santorin. Go there to find the most amazing view of the island, far from the tourists and the noise. You’ll be able to enjoy the serenity while taking memorable photos!
Visit Pyrgos for a authentic feel of Santorini:
This charming little village is central to Santorin Island, on Mount Profítis Ilías and is made up of steep and narrow maze-like cobbled streets surrounded by white walls with typical blue accents. Towards the summit, you will find the beautiful Castle of Pyrgos Kallistis where you can take pictures with a beautiful viewpoint. This is not an absolute most on your itinerary, but if you have time, allow 1 to two hours here on your way to your next visit.
Visit Emporio for some tranquility:
This picturesque village, nestled at the foot of Mount Profítis Ilías, is the largest on Santorini. Its narrow windings streets reveal well-preserved traces of its medieval origins. You can stroll the streets peacefully far from most of the tourist crowd, see classic white-washed walls, blue dome chapel and admire some lovely views. Don’t forget to explore the Venetian Fortification. Allow 1 to 2 hours for this visit.
Go Hiking for some amazing views:
There’s lots of hiking trails on the island. This is the trail I recommend, because it connects Fira to Oia, two must-visit towns and the sights along the way are absolutely breathtaking. You will walk along the crescent-shaped coast, facing Thirasia. You will see absolutely magnificent landscapes: cliffs bordering crystalline water, typical white-walled houses, dreamy luxury hotels, and picturesque chapels.
Most of the journey is fairly easy, first through the streets of Fira, then along the hillside hotels before reaching steeper slopes leading to incredible views. Allow 2 to 3 hours depending on your level AND ABOVE ALL, start early in the morning because for a good part of the walk you will be directly exposed to the sun and in hot weather it can become quite intense. Bring several bottles of water, more than you think you’ll need.
I suggest you start from the Three Bells of Fira, then reach Imerovigli viewpoint beside Saint Nikolaos Holy Convent.
From there some people choose to reach Skaros Rock, but be aware, it’s not for everyone, it includes around 100 steep concrete steps. The ground is uneven and made of loose gravel. You absolutely need good shoes, maybe even hiking shoes. If you choose to includes this hiking trail with the one from Fira to Oia, add at least an other hour.
From Imerovigli viewpoint, reach the point indicated on Google Maps as the starting point Fira to Oia walk. Then walk allong the coast, you’ll see indications along the way for Oia. You’ll pass in front on Church of Prophetes Elias, I suggest you take a pause here and take a few photos from the belvedere, it’s incredible. Continue until you reach Παρεκκλήσι Κοιμήσεως της Θεοτόκου, the church with a arch marked with the Greece flag. This is the highest and best viewpoint of all the hike in my opinion, it’s breathtaking and certainly worth all the efforts.
Go on and you’ll soon reach Oia.
Relax by the beach:
Santorini, being island surrounding by magnificent blue water, is of course not lacking in beaches. It would be sad to go to Santorini without enjoying the beach a little. So, here are some of the must known one, but you’ll find many others. The beaches around Santorini are often made of pebbles and rocks and on the darker shades which can become quite hot, so bring so water shoes to be sure.
- Perissa Black Sand Beach: The beach is known for its nice black sand with some little pebbles. It’s a very popular spot, so you’ll find lounge chair you can rent and lots of restaurants. You can also do some water sports. You’ll easily find parking near. It’s not far from Emporio.
- Perívolos : Next to Perissa, you’ll find Perivolos. You’ll also find black sand here. There’s lot of sun-beds, restaurants and beach clubs, so there’s usually music and good ambiance. If you want some quiet, it’s probably not the beach for you.
- Red Beach : This beach is quite unique with its dark red color sand and surrounding cliffs beside beautifully transparent water. The sand is more like small pebbles. Also, it’s quite small, so it can become crowded. You don’t have direct access, you’ll need to park near and walk for a few minutes along an uneven path. You can sometime find the beach in the itinerary of some tours if you don’t want to reach this beach but still want to see the peculiar color.
- Paralia Vlichada: This distinctive beach is surrounded by beautiful white sand cliffs. It’s also more composed of pebbles. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas, and enjoy the usually quiet atmosphere of this less crowded. There’s some restaurants nearby.
- Kamari beach: This beach is also covered with black pebbles. It’s on a calmer less crowded side of the island. You ‘ll find lots of sunbeds, restaurants and bar.
Enjoy a wine tasting:
There’s many vineyards on Santorini. You can either visit a winery by itself or include it in a tour. We did both and enjoy both experiences!
For the Winery, we went to Santos Wines, because what a view ! We did a 4 wines tasting with some delicious seafood appetizer platter in front of a breathtaking view, and I could not ask for a more romantic moment! We went in the afternoon for a aperitif, and as a bonus got an amazing sunset on our way back. I highly recommend!
For an even more complete wine tasting, opt for this amazing wine tour that includes three wineries:
Small-Group Sunset Wine Tour with Santo Winery
Do a tour of Santorini for a complete experience:
If you want to see different sides of Santorini but don’t have much time, then I highly recommend a tour! Like us, you’ll see Santorini’s authentic and calm side, but also its vibrant and flamboyant side. The tour I took and recommend also includes time on the beach, a local wine tasting, and a typical moment in Oia to admire the sunset.
So this is the tour recommend! Book it now you’ll create memorable memories!
Santorini: Top Sights Day Trip, Wine Tasting, & Oia Sunset
I hope you now have more inspiration for your next Italy trip!
If you have some time, help me improve my articles with comments! Thank you in advance!
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