Santorini island is one of several beautiful islands in Greece, which is known as a luxury and romantic destination in the world. Every year, many couples travel to this dreamy island to celebrate their wedding or honeymoon. Santorini has beautiful villages with white houses, churches with blue domes, sandy beaches with clear water and a rich history, all of which make this island a full-fledged tourist destination. But what to do in Santorini? In the rest of this article from tourism magazine fly today We will introduce you to the attractions of Santorini.
Where is Santorini?
Santorini is an island in Greece, located in the Aegean Sea, 200 km southeast of Athens, 150 km south of Mykonos and 140 km north of Crete. This island is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and popular destinations for tourists Travel to Greece They don’t miss it. You can travel to this beautiful island by flying from Tehran to Santorini, but you should know that there is no direct flight to Santorini and you will have at least one stopover. Read our travel guide to Santorini and put this beautiful island on your next destination list.
What is the size and population of Santorini?
Santorini has a population of about 15,500 people and its area is about 76 square kilometers. The length of the island is 16 km and its width is 1 to 5 km. You can go from one side of Santorini to the other with a 45-minute drive.
What is the currency of Santorini?
Greece is part of the European Union, so Santorini’s currency is the Euro. Many shops and restaurants in Santorini accept credit cards, but it’s best to carry cash for small purchases like water and snacks. You can also find an ATM in all the towns of Santorini.
What is the best season to travel to Santorini?
Santorini’s winters are very cold, making it difficult to visit the beach. Many people prefer to travel to Santorini in summer, from June to September, to enjoy swimming, boating, and sunbathing on Santorini’s beaches. But if you are running away from the heat, you can choose the autumn season and the months of March, April, May, October and early November to travel to Santorini.
Santorini’s natural and historical attractions
With the information we have given so far about this island, if you are still looking for answers to the question of what to do in Santorini, stay tuned. In the following, we will introduce you to the best sights and entertainment in Santorini.
Walking in the traditional neighborhoods of Santorini From Fira to Oia
If you want to see the beauty of Santorini’s landscape, the best thing to do is to walk the distance between the two cities of Fira and Oia. This 9 km route is so attractive and its views are so stunning that you don’t notice the passage of time and keep stopping to take pictures of these views.
Walking on this route is not difficult even on hot and sunny days. But the best time to walk between Fira and Oia is early morning or late at night, and you can plan to catch the sunset in Oia. Every day, many people climb the cliffs of Oia to watch the beautiful sunset through the landscape of whitewashed houses, windmills and blue-domed churches.
Along the way, you will pass the villages of Imerovigli and Firostefani. For this three-hour walk, be sure to bring suitable shoes, a sun hat and a water bottle.
Stop at Amodi Bay Amoudi Bay
Amoudi Bay is one of the old regions of Greece; A small fishing village located below the town of Oia. To reach this village, you have to go down almost 300 steps starting from Oya. You can also go to Amudi Bay by car, but you shouldn’t go all the way to the end of the road, because it’s hard to turn back; Park the car on the side of the road and walk.
The restaurants in Amoudi Bay serve wonderful dishes such as fresh local fish. The calm and romantic atmosphere of this bay is always full of families and couples. With a short stop at Amodi Bay and having lunch, you will enjoy various pleasures, including a beautiful view, traditional foods and a happy and lively atmosphere of tourists. After the restaurants, you can also find a suitable space for diving and swimming in the water.
A tour of the prehistoric museum of Tira Thira
This prehistoric museum, which is located in Fira, is one of the must-see places in Santorini. In this museum, you can see a collection of artifacts that are mostly related to Akrotiri explorations. Some of the oldest objects in this museum date back to the Neolithic and early Cycladic periods. If you love history or want to escape from the hot Santorini heat, visit this museum.
Kamari beach Kamari Beach
The volcanoes of the Santorini area have led to the formation of unique beaches, of which Kamari is one. Kamari Beach is about 4 miles southeast of Fira and is one of the largest black sand beaches in Santorini. This beach is located in a town with the same name and is an entertainment complex with various hotels, restaurants, bars and shops.
Tourists enjoy walking along Kamari beach and watching the azure waters of the sea. From this beach, the ancient region of Thira can be seen. To walk on Kamari beach, you must have proper shoes, because the sandy and rocky surface of the beach gets hot from the sun.
In addition, one of the most attractive pastimes in Kamari is watching movies in its outdoor cinema. At night, under the light of the moon and stars, you can watch movies in the open-air cinema.
Exploration in Akrotiri archaeological site
If you want to delve into the history of Santorini, be sure to visit the Akrotiri archaeological site. This archaeological site is compared to Pompeii in Italy. Akrotiri is an ancient city associated with the Minoan tribes, which was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1613 BC. In 1967, this site was rediscovered during a series of archaeological excavations. Today, these excavations continue and many historical works and remains remain undiscovered in this area.
At the Akrotiri site, you can walk through the middle of the city using wooden bridges and enjoy watching the old buildings, streets and ceramics. Unlike Pompeii in Italy, the city of Akrotiri was uninhabited when it was destroyed by a volcanic eruption. Therefore, no human remains and valuable objects were found in this site. No one knows what happened to the people of this city, have they moved somewhere else?
Visit Terra Thera
Terra is also an archaeological site and one of the other attractions of Santorini. In fact, Terra is the old name of Santorini, which is located on the hills of Mesa Vouno and dates back to the 9th century BC. In your visit to this site, you can see remains from the Greek, Roman and Byzantine eras. You can also enjoy seeing the remains of temples, theaters and stadiums.
Red Beach A place for photography and walking
Undoubtedly, the beaches are among the best places to visit in Santorini. Not far from the site of Akrotiri is one of the most stunning and unique beaches of Santorini. Red Beach, which got its name because of its red rocks, is one of the popular beaches of many tourists. Like other tourist areas of Santorini, there are buses and other means of transportation for this beach to bring tourists to this area.
Skaros rock Skaros Rock
Skaros Rock is one of the five castles of Santorini that were occupied in the Middle Ages. Above the azure waters of the sea and the small towns, the cliffs of Scaros are located and offer a view of the beauty of the island as well as the history of this land. If you don’t mind walking, you will enjoy walking in this area.
Lighthouse of Santorini Faros Akrotiri
Santorini Lighthouse, also known as Faros Akrotiri, is located in the southern part of Santorini. This lighthouse is considered one of the most popular sights in Santorini, and it has gained this popularity mostly because of the history of the area and nearby areas such as the Red Beach. The best time to visit the lighthouse is at sunset, when you can see the sun hiding behind the volcano and turning the sky into a beautiful pink.
The complete guide to visiting Santorini
Knowing the brief information about Santorini and finally the sights of this island, let’s know a little more about the hotels, vehicles, food, etc. in one of the most beautiful Greek islands.
Recommended hotels and accommodations in Santorini
The best areas to book a Santorini hotel are along the caldera in the villages of Fira, Oia, Imerovigli and Firostefani. These areas have a wonderful view of the volcano, the sea and the sunset. All these cities are located on the western side of Santorini. reservation Santorini hotels You can do it online at reasonable prices in different parts of the island.
Some of the best hotels in Santorini are:
Five-star Andronis Boutique Hotel: Andronis Hotel It is located in Oya. In this hotel, you can enjoy large suites with Vivi Caldera, private balcony, private pool and jacuzzi with breakfast. Relaxation and wonderful view are the advantages of staying in this hotel.
Katikies Hotel (Katikies Santorini – The Leading Hotels Of The World): Katikis Hotel It is one of the luxury hotels in Oia, with rooms and suites with great views, bathtubs and spas.
Four-star Atrina Hotel (Atrina Canava 1894): Atrina Hotel It is located near Oya Castle and has a wonderful view. Swimming pool, delicatessen, airport shuttle, breakfast and the possibility of babysitting are among the facilities of this hotel.
Means of transport in Santorini
Frequent boats and ferries connect Santorini to the main port of Athens, Crete and various Cycladic islands. Buses are always available on the island for transportation. In addition, cars, motorcycles, bicycles and quadricycles are also available for transportation.
Famous restaurants and local dishes of Santorini
Santorini has traditional foods and delicious foods that you can order in different cities of the island and in old restaurants. If you wish, you can use food tours. Try a variety of local dishes, cheese, seafood, olives and baklava in Santorini. In Santorini you will find the best restaurants with the most delicious food, because the local cuisine of this area is so delicious that it will captivate everyone. Next, we will introduce the most famous restaurants and cafes in Santorini.
Selene restaurant
Selen Restaurant is one of the Santorini restaurants in Fira, which creates the most delicious combinations with fresh food such as octopus and tomatoes. This restaurant is one of the typical restaurants of Santorini, which prepares the appropriate food for the guests in each season. Do not miss the fish stew at this restaurant.
KouKoumavlos restaurant
Kokoumaulos restaurant is one of the luxury restaurants with high quality food located in Fira, the capital of Santorini. Beautiful design, eye-catching environment, romantic atmosphere and experienced and trained personnel have distinguished this restaurant from other environments. If you are looking for a restaurant for a romantic date, put Kokomavolos restaurant on your priority list.
Jaipur Palace Santorini Restaurant
Jaipur Palace restaurant in Santorini is one of the popular restaurants with Indian cuisine, whose exotic atmosphere has created a unique place. In the Jaipur Palace, you can try the most delicious traditional Indian food and enjoy its taste endlessly.
Ginger Sushi Restaurant
If you like sushi, choose Ginger restaurant, in this restaurant you can enjoy a unique version of your favorite maki and sashimi. This restaurant is perfect for romantic dinners and with its minimal and attractive environment, it allows you to watch the production process from zero to one hundred while preparing the food.
Santorini cafes and restaurants
There are many beautiful and attractive cafes and restaurants in Santorini, where you can often enjoy delicious food in addition to drinking a delicious coffee. Next, know some of the best cafes in Santorini.
Island Cafe
If you are looking for a good cafe to drink coffee in Santorini, Island Cafe will host you with professional baristas. In this cafe, all kinds of coffee are served to you in the best way in a very attractive environment.
Franco’s Cafe
Franco’s Cafe is one of the best cafes in Santorini that you can go to at the beginning of the morning and start your morning with an attractive coffee and breakfast.
How much does a trip to Santorini cost?
In fact, the most important part of any trip is its expenses. When traveling to this Greek island, you should consider paying the price of the Santorini ticket, booking a hotel, and doing entertainment and food. Learn more about the cost of traveling to Santorini, Greece.
Hostel cost in Santorini
During the peak travel season, the prices of Santorini hostels increase significantly compared to other parts of Greece. One night stay in Fira costs about 45 euros. If you want to stay somewhere further away from Fira, you have to spend 25 euros per night for a 10-bed dormitory. In off-peak seasons, accommodation in Fira costs 35 euros per night, and around Fira costs 20 euros per night.
During the peak season, in areas outside Fira, a double room with shared service costs 45 euros per night. Prices are significantly higher in Fira. (€95 or more)
The cost of staying in Santorini hotels
Santorini hotels are more expensive than other Greek regions. The price of a two-star hotel anywhere except Oia starts from 60 euros, but in Oia the cost of a night’s stay is around 100 euros. In the off-season, prices are reduced by 30-40%. Therefore, to travel cheaply to Santorini, you should avoid the high season.
Cost of food in Santorini
Traditional Greek food is very healthy with lots of fresh vegetables, olive oil, lamb, fish, cheese and yogurt. You can buy street food like gyros for less than 5 euros. Pita or Greek salad also costs about 7.5 euros, and for fast food like McDonald’s, you have to pay 8 euros.
Santorini restaurants are very expensive especially in Fira or Oia. A breakfast with eggs and coffee costs about 11 euros, a main course costs about 10 euros, and a Greek salad costs 7 to 9 euros. A fish dinner costs about 20 to 25 euros. Santorini has a few supermarkets. If you want to cook yourself, you have to spend 55 euros a week on supermarket shopping.
Santorini shopping and souvenirs
The most attractive part of a trip is shopping and souvenirs. Greece and Santorini with all its wonders is one of the places where shopping and choosing souvenirs will give you the best feelings. Because Santorini is full of a good sense of freshness and life.
In Santorini you will find any souvenir you want. From buying books from “Atlantis Books Bookstore” to the Good Heart restaurant with various products such as homemade jam and marmalade, etc., along with buying authentic candles from the lava candle workshop and leather sandals, which is very famous in Greece.
Things not to be missed in Santorini!
- Get up early in Santorini to make the most of your trip to Santorini. On this trip, explore the island in the morning from 7 am to 9 am. This time is considered the quietest time in Santorini.
- Plan ahead for the famous sunset in Oia. In fact, never miss the Oya sunset. It is better to book a restaurant with a good view in Oia a few days in advance, as Oia will be very busy in the evening.
- Don’t miss out on the view while dining in Santorini.
- Amoudi Bay is one of the most heavenly areas in Oia, Santorini, which is a very attractive destination for both professional and non-professional swimmers. Take cool water with you to go to Amoudi Bay, avoid wearing fancy and fingerless sandals. Never carry money or valuables with you.
A memorable trip to Santorini
Santorini will be an island of pure experiences for tourists. A sense of relaxation on the beaches along with exploring history, experiencing new tastes and watching amazing views is the gift of a trip to Santorini for tourists. You can hotel and plane ticket Get Santorini at a reasonable price and travel safely with the help of 24-hour support and share your travel experience with us.
Frequently asked questions about traveling to Santorini
Where are the best places to watch the sunset in Santorini?
One of the most famous places to watch the sunset in Santorini is Oia. But Imerovigli, Fira and Akrotiri are also considered to be suitable places to watch the sunset.
What are the recreational activities on the beaches of Santorini?
Among the recreational activities on the beaches of Santorini, we can mention horse riding, watching the sunrise and sunset, and water games.
Where are the historical attractions of Santorini?
The historical attractions of Santorini include visiting Akrotiri Archaeological Site, Akrotiri Lighthouse, Ancient Thera, Fira Archaeological Museum, Prehistoric Museum of Thera, Elias the Prophet Monastery, etc.
Where are the boat tours and water sports in Santorini?
There are boat tours in Caldera Volcano, Kamari Beach and Catamaran Sunset Boat Tour.
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