The charm of Santorini

07/12/2022
The island of Santorini has impressive beauty with stunning sunsets, seaside villages and delicious food.
Share this

Thira, better known as Santorini, is an island that fascinates tourists from around the world. It is vivid and full of life 12 months a year, mainly because of its impressive beauty. It is a destination that manages to be both simple and cosmopolitan at the same time. In recent years, the rapid tourist development and remote working have increased Santorini's population. Many digital nomads choose to live on this magical island and work remotely.

Santorini is divided into two sides: The western side which is mountainous and has a view of the Caldera and Thirasia, and the eastern side, where most of its famous seaside villages are located. The map of Santorini will help you organize your visits and Let's Ferry will help you find ferries to Santorini.

View of Santorini

View of Santorini

Sights in Santorini

The volcano plays a leading role in Santorini, as it has created the famous Caldera, the only inhabited one in the world. You will be able to see up close one of the 13 wineries in Santorini that are open to visitors, and taste the famous Santorini wine whose fame travels all over the world. Other attractions are:
• The Ancient Thera in Kamari.
• The Archaeological Museum, the Folk Museum and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira.
• The Venetian Castle "Kastelli" and the Goulas Tower in Emporio.
• The Tomato Industrial Museum D. Nomikos in Vlyhada.
• The Museum of Minerals and Fossils in Perissa.
• Pyrgos Kallistis is a village-jewel. It is built on underground arcades that formerly functioned as shelters.
• The Maritime Museum and the stone windmills in Oia.

Santorini is distinguished by its beautiful Cycladic architecture

Santorini is distinguished by its beautiful Cycladic architecture

The villages of Santorini

Fira, Santorini: It is the capital of the island, full of stone alleys and shops with local and ethnic cuisine. You will find the largest shopping centers here and it is the place where summer never sleeps. Fira is one of the most popular options in Santorini for accommodation. You will find from hostels and rooms to 5-star hotels and villas with a private pool and butler.

Oia, Santorini: It is one of the most photographed parts of the island and the ultimate spot to enjoy the sunset. To comfortably see the sun in all its glory, especially in the summer months, arrive at the spot 2 hours earlier in order to find a table in a restaurant or to get a drink and find a spot with a good view.

The Amoudi Bay in Oia

The Amoudi Bay in Oia

Pyrgos, Santorini: This is a traditional village and an alternative location to see the sunset in Santorini without the crowds of Oia. Here you will find the most mystical atmosphere on Good Friday, before Easter, when the whole village is lit up by small lanterns.

Imerovigli, Santorini: It is a smaller village than Fira and much quieter. Here you will find some of the best restaurants in Santorini and several accommodation suggestions.

Akrotiri, Santorini: One of the most important archaeological sites, not only in Santorini, but in the Cyclades in general, is the Akrotiri Archaeological Site. The path to the Red Beach in Santorini starts here.

The Red beach in Santorini

The Red beach in Santorini

What are the best beaches in Santorini?

Perissa, Santorini: Here you will find the famous black sand beach. The waters are deep and along the beach there are many beach bars and cafes. Some charge for sunbeds, others do not, while there are also quite a few free spots to put on your towel. Many visitors who arrive in Santorini, choose hotels in Perissa in order to be close to the sea. It has good and frequent transportation to Fira and Oia, as well as several car or motorbike rental services. Finally, you can rent a boat and explore the volcano on an organized tour or sail the Mediterranean while the sun slowly disappears into the Aegean.

View of Imerovigli

View of Imerovigli

Perivolos, Santorini: It is the natural continuation of Perissa with many beach bars, restaurants, cafes and shops to buy souvenirs or local products. Here you will also find several low budget accommodation ideas and off season offers. It's the ideal place to do water sports, since you'll find everything that's hot now.

Vlyhada, Santorini: It is one of the largest and quietest beaches on the island. The waters are deep and the scenery lunar, since it has white, towering rocks as a background. Vlychada has small caves and you will often see nudists. The sunset from this beach is an unforgettable experience. The canteen located there will give you the necessary supplies to spend the whole day on the beach.

View of endless blue in Santorini

View of endless blue in Santorini

What to eat in Santorini

There are countless restaurants in Santorini showcasing both local and international cuisines. The traditional dishes and products of the island include Santorini salad, fish pie, Santorini fava, tomato meatballs, sfougato omelette, bradada cod, etc. Ask which of the wines is the best to pair with your dish. For dessert, try the Santorini pudding, the kopania and the coufeto.

The island's traditional dishes - Santorini fava and salad

The island's traditional dishes - Santorini fava and salad

The weather in Santorini

The island has mild weather almost all year round. If you are a low budget traveler, you should know that you can swim here from May to October when prices are off-season. Santorini is also ideal in the spring, which makes it a popular destination for Easter.

How will I get to and around Santorini?

You can reach Santorini by air and ferry. The flight from Athens takes less than 1 hour. The journey Piraeus - Santorini by speedboat is 5.5 hours and about 8 hours by conventional ship. While there are local buses and taxis in Santorini to help you get around, in many areas, both mountainous and coastal, access is difficult. Renting a car in Santorini is essential, if you don't have your own, so that you don't miss any of the interesting spots. In Fira and Oia, you can park your car in public and private parking lots outside the center.

View from Oia, Santorini

View from Oia, Santorini

The charm of Santorini remains unforgettable, whether you are a party animal, a lonely traveler or a romantic soul, that chases orange sunsets. Make your dreams come true and travel with ferry tickets that you can easily book at Let's Ferry.