Date of travel: Apr 10, 2023
Santorini is not only one of Greece’s most treasured islands, it is one of the most famous islands in the world. Picturesque whitewashed houses, towering cliffs and spectacular sunsets make Santorini a standout destination.
Geographical Highlights:
Santorini is an archipelago in the south Aegean Sea, situated at a distance of 300 km from Athens.
Belonging to Cyclades group of islands, this archipelago is made of five islands of which Thira and Thirassia are inhabited, Aspronissi, Palea and Nea Kameni are not and total land area is 91 sq km.
The biggest island is called Santorini, but officially both the island and the archipelago are called Thira.
Volcanic Activity:
Santorini is situated in the active portion of South Aegean Volcanic arc which is active since 2 million years. One of the largest volcanic eruptions occurred at around 1600 BCE, which destroyed Minoan civilisation in the region and also left a large water filled caldera. Today this caldera measures 12 km by 7 km, with 1000 ft high stiff cliffs on three sides and has two active volcanic islands at the centre, Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni.
Present day crescent shape of the archipelago is due to multiple volcanic eruptions and continuous volcanic activity. Although dormant, Santorini is an active volcano and a major devastating earthquake occurred in 1956.
Present Day:
At the beginning of February 2025, hundreds of tremors and earthquakes up to 5.2 magnitude in Richter scale happened due to which many local inhabitants and tourists had left the island.
Later is was found the tremors were due to movements of tectonic plate rather than volcanic activity.
According to Municipality of Thira, as of April 2025, the island is safe, serene and completely open for travel. Enhanced safety measures are at place and scientific teams are keeping close eye on the situation.
Visiting Santorini:
Arrival:
We arrived in Santorini in April 2023, taking a six-hour speed ferry ride from Athens to Athinios, the new port. A scenic 40-minute drive brought us to our boutique hotel in Oia.
Exploring Oia:
The whole village looks like a work of art as the houses are carved in to the lava rock along the border of the caldera. Buildings have typical Cycladic architecture, features being white washed exterior, cubic or rectangular shape, flat roofs and small balconies. It is said that an outbreak of Cholera in 1932 compelled inhabitants of these islands use lime washed paintings as lime is an effective disinfectant.
The main street of Oia is a walkway along the top edge of the rim of the volcano overlooking the caldera and offering breath taking views of azure sea, deep blue sky and spectacular caldera rim. This is a spotlessly clean pathway lined by marbles and stretches from St. George Church to the stairs leading to Amoudi bay. The walking street is vibrant with many boutiques, jewellery shops, hotels, restaurants and souvenir shops.
The village is located on top of a hill at an elevation of 500 ft and is a photographers’
paradise. We strolled along the walking street soaking in the vivid atmosphere and reached
Main Square. A short walk later amazing views of three iconic blue domes of Oia appeared.
They are domes of two churches, Church of Resurrection and Church of St. Spyridon, situated
on the cliff next to each other and symbolise island’s unique architectural heritage and
religious tradition.
Now time to watch famous sunset of Santorini. While you can gaze at amazing sunset from all over the village of Oia, location of the churches and ruins of the Venetian castle offer the best view. As time approached, crowd swelled but we got a vantage point to admire heavenly view. Admiring post sunset hues all over the sky and changing colours over cute white washed houses, we walked back to a lively restaurant near our hotel.
Exploring Fira and volcanic island Nea Kameni:
The beautiful Fira town, capital of Santorini with the white washed houses built on caldera cliff is very impressive and welcomes everyone with stunning views and great cuisine. The town is perched at a 400- meter altitude on the enormous cliffs of caldera and offers magnificent views of deep blue azure sea and two other islands, Nea and Palea Kameni.
We took a 20-minute morning bus ride from Oia to Fira, paying 2 Euro per person and headed to cable car station to reach the old Port town for our pre booked volcano tours.
The best way to reach the old port town is by scenic cable car ride which starts near Firostefani village at the top. We paid 10 Euro one way per person and reached the port in 5 minutes while admiring amazing views of the sea and islands. Other ways to reach the port is to use mule ride or walk down the stairs.
One useful information to share is that long queues happen when cruise ship lands and on peak seasons, so it is better to reach cable car station at least one hour before scheduled time. The old port town was crowded with tourists waiting for all different boat rides and cruises. Ours was wooden sail boat and well equipped with snack and drink bar. Listening to audio commentary we reached our first stop Nea Kameni island, the island with still active volcano. Many of us started hiking up towards the crater and few others preferred to enjoy the gentle breeze and panoramic views staying on the island.
The gradient was not steep but it was a hot afternoon and island surface was very hot too. But we were allowed enough time to reach the top at leisure to enjoy magnificent views all over. During our hike we passed through many lunar- like volcanic landscapes formed by eruptions over thousands of years.
Next stop was Palea Kameni island famous for its natural hot springs. We were provided foam pool noodles for comfort and safety. We enjoyed rejuvenating and relaxing dip in the sea and soaked in the tranquil atmosphere.
Afterwards we had a scenic sailing tour of the caldera while admiring majestic cliffs and lovely Fira town perched on the hill.
We returned to vibrant Fira by cable car and strolled along its narrow alleys dotted with many shops selling souvenirs and handcrafted materials before settling for a cozy dinner at a clifftop restaurant. Santorini’s breath taking beauty and unique architecture left a lasting impression on us.
Other Attractions:
Beaches
Santorini’s beaches are famous for their unique volcanic sand and pebbles, showcasing a variety of colours due to volcanic ash and lava. From family-friendly beach towns to upscale beaches with high-end clubs, there’s something for everyone. Some of the most popular beaches include Kamari, Perissa, Monolithos, and Red Beach. Remember beaches here are more rugged than sandy, but scenic.
Walking
For those with good fitness, an early morning or late afternoon walk from Oia to Fira can be a
delightful experience, offering breath taking views of the caldera and sea. However, be cautious of narrow paths and proximity to the rim.
How to Reach:
- By Air: The best option from Athens.
- By Sea: Ferries operate from Athens (5-6 hours for speed ferries, 8-11 hours for regular
ferries) and other Greek islands.
Local Transport:
- Bus Services: Link Fira to most parts of the island, including the airport and Athinios ferry port. Ticket costs 2 Euros upwards.
- Taxis and Rentals: Cars, bikes, and scooters are available for rent.
When to Visit:
The best time to visit Santorini is from April to May and mid-September to mid-November.
Summer can be extremely hot and crowded.
Where to Stay:
- Fira: Ideal for those who want to experience the island’s lively atmosphere and nightlife.
- Oia: Perfect for those seeking a surrealist experience of nature’s beauty.
Local Cuisine:
Santorini is famous for its local cheese (Chlorotiri), white eggplants, fava beans, and tomatoes. Be sure to try these unique ingredients in traditional Greek dishes.
