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Santorini Travel & Sightseeing Guide

January 10, 2008 |

A trip to Santorini

The Greek island of Santorini is one of the most dramatically beautiful islands in the world. Famous for its villages perched atop steep and jagged cliffs, the island is a favourite vacation spot for Europeans. Not primarily known as a beach vacation spot, partly because of its black sand beaches, Santorini nonetheless has some beautiful places to sunbathe. There is one small airport on the island, Santorini National Airport, which is serviced by many charter flights and small airlines.

Flights to Santorini
Santorini National Airport is both a military and civilian airport. Although small, the airport services both international and domestic flights. There are direct flights to most major European cities, such as Frankfurt, London, Milan and Vienna. The Greek national carrier Olympic Airlines offers connections to Santorini from Athens, Thessaloniki and Rhodes. The airport is only a few miles from Fira and transfers are primarily made by taxi or hotel shuttle. If you are looking for a cheap flight to Santorini try Ebookers.

Travel around the island is easy either by taxi, hire car or motorbike. The roads are curvy, but driving is fairly straightforward. There are local buses, but they tend to be unreliable.
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Sightseeing in Santorini
Many of the attractions on Santorini are either nature or archeologically-based. The island has a long history and there are many archeological sites to be explored. Legends linking Santorini with Atlantis abound, although there is no hard evidence to suggest this - just popular debate.

There are two main towns on Santorini, Fira and Oia. Both towns offer plenty in terms of sightseeing, shopping and restaurants. The Archeological Museum in Fira is well worth a visit and has a stunning collection of artefacts, while the Prehistoric Museum outlines the history of the island. The Maritime Museum in Oia is fun for those interested in the seafaring history of the area.

Santorini is not the place to go if you like white sandy beaches. The island is volcanic and the beaches here consist of either black or red sand. The most popular beaches are Kamari, Perissa and Monolithos.

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Fun by night – eating drinking and partying
The biggest selection in restaurants and bars can be found in Fira. Here visitors can find local fare as well as international cuisine. Many bars and restaurants are strategically located on the cliff side, so that visitors can enjoy dramatic views and beautiful sunsets while dining. The main spot for nightlife is the Town square, where people commonly meet up to go eating or drinking nearby.
Seek out local restaurants and enjoy Greek hospitality and entertainment. Most of the Greek restaurants tend to be inexpensive and thus are very popular among young travellers. Make sure you try the sweet Visanto vine as well as the fava bean, which is grown locally.
Fun by day - shopping and activities
Fira is your best bet for the best in range of shops and shopping centres. Gold jewellery is one of the main sellers on the island, as the quality and workmanship here are excellent. There are many replicas of Minoan and Greek artefacts, some of which are one of a kind. There are plenty of shops ranging from cheap to boutique. Handicrafts and folk art are popular souvenirs, but international brands are also available. Oia is popular with those looking for good quality handicrafts.


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