“Santorini is a dazzling star of the Greek Islands.” Lonely Planet
Famous for its whitewashed buildings and blue domes, Santorini has so much more to offer the inquisitive traveller than just the cliche, over-populated tourist spots.
Along with Mykonos, Santorini is one of the more popular Cyclades islands located in the Aegean Sea. Visitors flock to the little rugged island that was devastated by a volcanic eruption thousands of years ago leaving behind its now famous caldera (crater). The towns on the elevated West coast overlook the caldera offering fantastic sea views especially at sunset. Oia is a crowded sightseeing hotspot and I, like many others, queued to get that blue dome ‘shot’ but beyond Oia and the capital, Fira (Thira) that’s much more to discover.
On the East coast there’s the volcanic black beaches of Perissa and Kamari plus the small coves in the South that are home to the red and white beaches. There’s numerous wineries to visit, a micro brewery, traditional villages and an open-air cinema. The 10K caldera edge hike from Fira to Oia is a must-do as is a sunset catamaran cruise around the island. Visit Imerovigil, the highest point on the caldera with the best panoramic views and down the 278 steps from Oia to Ammoudi Bay for dinner.
Santorini is definitely a place for your travel bucket list.
