Santorini: The Absolute Romantic Getaway

Santorini is one of the most popular islands in Greece and around the world, attracting visitors throughout the year. It is known for its volcano whose eruption created the Caldera, the central part of the ancient island Strongyli which sank into the sea. Santorini is famous for its beautiful sunset but also for various rumors linking it with the mythical city of Atlantis.

How to Get? Fly to Santorini Airport “Makedonia” (JTR) or Take a ferry to Athinios Port (from Athens or some greek islands).

Beaches

White beach

It is a small beach known for its white rocks and its white pebbles. The sand is black, however, the water is crystal clear. Access to the White Beach is either by boat from Akrotiri or through a path from the neighboring Red Beach and Kambia beach.

Vlyhada

With fine black sand and dark pebbles, Vlyhada beach is best known for the volcanic rocks. The small harbor gathers fishing boats and yachts, where there are small taverns for food and ouzo.

Gialos

It is an easily accessible beach by car, although it requires a short walk from the end of the road. The Caldera view is amazing in combination with the red rocks of the beach.

Kamari

This is one of the most popular and organized beaches of Santorini. Just above it rises the mountain, where it was built the ancient city of Thira. On the promenade there are cafes, restaurants, shops and hotels.

Red Beach

The name comes from the vertical red volcanic rocks and red pebbles along the coast. It is an organized beach with umbrellas, beach bar and water activities and one of the most beautiful beaches of Santorini. 

Monolithos

It is the ideal beach for family vacations. It has lifeguards, games for children, sport activities, cafes, taverns and shops. Monolithos has black sand and clear shallow waters.

Perivolos-Perissa

With its black sand Perissa beach is quite long and is joined by Perivolos beach. The two beaches are full of life thanks to the many beach bars and restaurants. There are also facilities for water sports and diving.

Activities

Diving

Divers will find in Santorini many highlights below sea level. Ideal spot for underwater exploration is the cape Tripiti at Therassia, the wreck of Taxiarchis at Palea Kameni and the reef within the Caldera. There are also caves in Mesa Pigadia and at the Indian’s rock.

Boat tour at Caldera

The boat trip at Caldera offers breathtaking view. Combined with the amazing sunset colors the boat tours can be even more impressive.

Sightseeing

Ancient Thera

At an altitude of 396m on Mesa Vouno stands the ancient city of Thera, founded in the 9th century BC. Among the places worth seeing is the Sanctuary of Artemidoros (late 4th century BC), the Agora, the Royal Stoa (1st century AD), the temple of Dionysus (3rd century AD), the Sanctuary of Apollo Karneios (6th century BC) and the theater (3rd century BC).

Museum of prehistoric Thera

The museum is located in Fira and hosts finds from the excavations at Akrotiri through the Neolithic era to the volcano disaster. It is considered as one of the most important museums in Greece.

Archaeological museum

This museum is also in Fira and hosts sculptures and inscriptions from the Archaic to the Roman period, together with figurines and artifacts from the Geometric to the Hellenistic period.

The Volcano

Santorini beside its beautiful sunset is internationally known for its volcano. The shape of the island was sculptured through time in a series of eruptions, from a round island to the size of today’s Thera, Therassia and Aspronisi. According to geologists, the last 200,000 years were 12 cycles of volcanic activity. 100,000 years ago an eruption created the southern part of Caldera while the north part took shape in 1600 BC. The small island of Palea Kameni was created in 46-47 AD and the Mikri Kameni in 1570 AD. In 1707 the volcano woke up again with explosions that lasted four years. Then emerged the Nea Kameni which took its present form in activities from 1866 to 1950. Known in history is the so-called “Minoan eruption” in 1500 BC, which was rumored to caused the destruction of the Minoan civilization with a tsunami that hit Crete. Another famous theory is the one that links Santorini with the legendary Atlantis. The city which sank in the sea about 9,500 years ago and still remains lost was mentioned by Plato in his works. Recent researches into the bottom of the Caldera, in 2003, showed geometric features in depth of 115 meters. Even if Atlantis was destroyed by a volcanic eruption at Santorini, is particularly difficult to find evidence due to the thickness of volcanic deposits.

Religious monuments

Santorini has many churches and chapels, most of which were built after the earthquake of 1956. Worth visiting are the Monastery of St Nicholas in Imerovigli and the Monastery of Prophet Elias at an altitude of 567m.