Santorini
Santorini - Introduction
Santorini is one of the prettiest islands in the Aegean Sea. Built on the thick volcanic lava of the dormant volcano, the reddish black cliffs rise out of a brilliant blue sea and the landscape is filled with the traditional white buildings with their blue doors and window frames surrounded by bougainvillea and other brightly coloured blooms. Santorini is said to be the most romantic of the Greek isles.
Why Go To Santorini?
Santorini's wild beauty attracts many visitors each year. Guaranteed hot sunshine during the summer months, ancient buildings to be explored, churches to be visited, Fira’s labyrinth of stepped, cobbled streets in which to shop are all good reasons to visit Santorini. Added to this is the renowned sunset in Oia a beautiful town in the daylight but truly glorious when the setting sun transforms it, basking as it does in a warm orange glow.
Who Is Santorini Popular With?
Santorini is very popular with couples young and old. It has become a fashionable island for weddings. Families with small children looking for 'sand castle' terrain may be a little disappointed. The beaches are obviously volcanic, grey and gritty, and become very hot underfoot in the afternoons. Water sports enthusiasts will find a large variety of activities.
When To Go To Santorini
The holiday season lasts from April until October when the temperature ranges from twenty to thirty degrees. Summer is the most popular time to visit the island.
Santorini - The Place
Santorini is a beautiful island with many incredible views. The capital town of Fira with its narrow cobbled streets stepping up the hillside are alive with activity both day and night. There are regular bus services to Fira from the various coastal resorts.
At the important archaeological site at Akroti, in the south west of the island, the ancient Minoan city, buried by the volcano's eruption in 1550BC, is being excavated.
Away from Fira the pace of life is slower with many traditional villages that have escaped development. In the coastal resorts the hotels are all built in keeping with the islands architecture and colour scheme, the very pretty white and blue. The volcanic beaches are lined with tavernas and restaurants and a wide variety of water sports are on offer.
An excursion to Oia in the north of the island is essential. Apart from the sunsets viewed from here, it is a pretty little town with its old buildings covered in blossom and its domed churches.
Other popular excursions include a boat trip to the volcano and the hot springs. One of these excursions culminates with the boat docking below Oia. Having left the boat, (the point of no return) visitors must walk up 272 steps to reach the town and the famed sunset. It is not a trip for the faint hearted, small children or anyone with walking difficulties.
Santorini Culture
Festivals are closely associated with the Orthodox Churches calendar and are celebrated with music, food and wine. In July the feast of Aghios Ionnis is celebrated at Monolithos and on August 15th the feast of the assumption of the Virgin Mary observed.
In recent years there have been jazz festivals throughout the summer months.
Santorini Nightlife
The nightlife in Santorini has something for everyone. A peaceful evening in a restaurant overlooking the sea or lively bars with music and discos, are all available in the coastal resorts. If you are looking for livelier entertainment then Fira is the place to go. It is a vibrant town very poplar with the young who wish to party through the night.
Most resorts have gift shops lining the beaches and here you can buy all your holiday souvenirs including, amongst the tat, rather tasteful ceramics, embroidered linens and leather goods.
Fira is the place to go for a real shopping experience. There are hundreds of shops in its narrow pedestrian cobbled streets and an amazing number of jewellers at the top of the town near the Church and Dominican Convent. There is a frequent bus service from most resorts.
Santorini Eating
In Santorini there are numerous tavernas, cafes, bars and restaurants which provide a wide range of food to accommodate most tastes. Traditional Greek food relies heavily on fish simply cooked and is quite delicious. Moussaka is another Greek favourite made from minced lamb and aubergines. International cuisine is also available in the larger towns.
The Santorini wines are inexpensive and very palatable.
Local Santorini Customs
The family, including the extended family, is held in high regard in Greece. Children are always given a warm welcome and restaurants are usually very child friendly.
When visiting churches and monasteries, shoulders and legs should be covered to avoid offence.
The islanders are a warm and hospitable people and warmly welcome visitors.