Greek isles: Santorini

02 Jan 2014

Santorini really is exactly like the pictures. It’s the place you’ve always dreamed of going to.

It’s the white walls and the blue domes, the buildings carved into the mountainside and the quaint shops lining the streets. It’s the volcanic beaches and the donkeys ambling up the winding mountain. It’s the sun beating down as you wander through the cobble stone pathways. It’s the vast stretch of ocean surrounding you, no matter which way you look.

A little bit of history

Santorini is home to the most active volcanic centre in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc and is the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history, occurring some 3600 years ago. All that remains after the volcanic explosion is the lagoon-like caldera. Fira, the island’s capital, clings to the top of the cliff overlooking the caldera.

Beaches

If you’re dreaming of white sandy beaches, Santorini is not the place to go.

Due to the volcanic activity, the sand is actually black. And hot.

On a summer’s day, there’s no point even attempting to walk to the water’s edge without thongs.

In the tourist areas, beaches are lined with beds and umbrellas to protect you from the beating sun and cafes have laid down wooden sidewalks to transport you from the road to the sea and onto your umbrella, without your feet even touching the scorching ground.

The two main beach towns, Perissa and Kamari, are full of restaurants, cafes and shops. If you want to stay near a beach, these are the towns to visit.

If you have a car, it’s best to stay in Fira and drive around the island.

Red beach is definitely a site worth seeing. Even if you’re not keen on going to the beach, there is a lookout point at the top so you can see the full effect. The beach has fine red sand and rocks, and is surrounded by a wall of red stone. There are umbrellas and chairs to rent here as well.

Of course, there are plenty of other beaches that line the island, it’s just a matter of hopping in the car and taking a drive.

Fira

The main town of Santorini, Fira, is a bustling metropolis in summer as cruise ships anchor and tourists descend on the island.

There are plenty of things to do in Fira including museums, arts and craft studios, where you can pick up some beautiful artworks, wineries, and plenty of shops to satisfy the shopper in you.

Just a couple of minutes outside of the main tourist area, things become a lot quieter. The architecture, while not fabulous, is very different to anything you’ll see anywhere else.

The ports

Santorini has two ports – the old and the new. Both are still servicing ports, just used for different reasons.

If you arrive on a cruise ship, you’ll dock in the water a few kilometres offshore, and then you’ll tender in to the old port, Skala.

Skala has duty-free stores, restaurants, taverns and plenty of small shops where you can buy souvenirs. From the bottom, you can reach the top of the cliff via cable car or donkeys, or you can attempt the rough 580-step hike.

If you’re arriving from one of the other islands, you’ll likely dock at Athinios.

Oia

Want to experience the most spectacular sunset you’ll ever see?

Oia is famous for its sunset. So famous that people line the streets just to get a glimpse of the sun going down. Situated in the north of the island, the views are breathtaking. Restaurants are built into niches carved into the rock, white houses decorate the cliffs and there are beautiful shops that you can pop into as you stroll the area.