Santorini is a place that will mesmerize you on arrival. Typical of a volcanic location, the jagged rocks and cliffs are deep reds and blacks. The views are amazing.
The capital of Santorini is Fira and it can be found on the west side of the island on top of an 800 foot cliff. The main town can only be accessed by foot, cable car or the traditional way, donkey. There is a charming tangle of streets where tavernas, churches and cafes can be discovered there.
Santorini is regarded as an impressive place. Whilst places like Mykonos boasts white sandy beaches, Santorini has marvelous black and red sandy beaches. Santorini is a place you’ve never seen anywhere else.
Things to do
There are some beautiful sights to see in Santorini. Your first landmark should be the grand Cycladic church Profitis Elias. There are breathtaking panoramic views and it’s a great place to sit and rest.
There is an amazing hiking route to explore, not far from Megalochon village. It’s a real opportunity to pop on your walking boots and go for a long stroll.
Skaros is one of the most impressive spots of Santorini. It is a kind of conical peninsula that on top forms a huge rock, about 20m high. But Skaros is not only geologically interesting, it is also historically important, as it is the first fortress that was built on Santorini in the 15th century in order to protect from pirates’ attacks.
Shopping
There are many Shoppingplaces in Santorini. You can find a great selection of jewelry, high quality leather goods, woven goods, folk art and handicrafts. There is plenty of opportunity to pick up a variety of souvenirs.
If you’re looking for chic, there are plenty of expensive boutiques. In these shops you’ll be greeted by excellent salesmen and assurances that whatever you are looking for is the ‘best on the island.’
There are plenty of tourist shops with your box standard tee-shirts, postcards and hats. Oia is the other place on the island that is good for shopping. There are a considerable number of art shops there and a fine selection of ceramics to be purchased.
Nightlife
Santorini has a great Nightlife. Fira is the capital and also its commercial centre. It attracts a great deal of people hence the number of cafes, bars and nightclubs can be found there.
Many bars are located along the caldera and offer incredible panoramic view over the submerged volcano.
Thira has great Nightlife. After dark, the town lights up for a night of partying. However be aware that there are strict rules about noise pollution, so you’ll find the bars that stay open later are usually closed off from the wonderful views. Kamari also has many bars and clubs catering mainly for the tourist trade.
Eating out
A meal is a chance to relax, socialise and enjoy the food. Often large families will gather at a taverna for an extended dinner, accompanied by large amounts of wine and equally large amounts of talking.
Thira has eateries for all tastes, from restaurants serving excellent fresh fish and seafood to pizzerias and Chinese. Despite this, the majority serve up traditional Greek. Most of the menus will show meze, taramosalata, dolmades, and tzatziki. The obvious favourites such as moussaka, kalamari and baklava are all available too. As well as these fabulous foods, there are great Santorini wines. The volcanic explosion in the 17th century created the perfect conditions for viniculture and the result is an array of wonderful wines ranging from dry whites to the vinsanto dessert wines.