Santorini is one of Greece’s most visited and popular islands. It is a favorite destination for marriages and honeymooners. Many believe that Santorini was once Atlantis, the lost city. Such is the charm of this city that you are bound to fall in love with it and one can truly say it is one of the real tourist hotspots of Europe. With a vibrant night life, Santorini is a must-see destination for the merry maker.

The present city was formed by a huge volcanic explosion sometime around 1630BC. Santorini, also known as Thira, is considered as one of the marvelous natural wonders of the world. Rugged in its beauty, it is a brave heart’s vacation place. Its stunning sunsets, best seen from the caldera side and alluring beaches will hold you spell-bound.

It’s just not the breathtaking views of the sunset or the brilliant beaches that will attract you but also the ancient and pre-historic sites that are truly awe inspiring. On the western side of the Santorini Island, you will see the amazing sights of town houses on cliffs bathed in dazzling white. You would need really strong legs to stay in this area as there are many steps to climb the cliffs.

Donkeys have a special place in the Santorini life. In the early days when its inhabitants were poor and led a simple life, their mode of transport was the donkey. Donkey transport still exists alongside cable cars but the experience of traveling on a donkey is worth the ride.

Life in Santorini is not rushed. It just ambles along. You just sit back and relax and that is what a holiday should be. The Santorini is a simple, fun loving and hospitable person. For him life is a celebration and that is why meal times are not just for eating but also for chatting, laughing, drinking and merry making.

What to see

There are a lot of things to see in Santorini. Volcanic sites (some of the small islands still have active volcanoes), its brilliant black, red and white beaches, cave houses, hot springs, small churches, vineyards and gardens. Go for a boat excursion or take a water taxi. A visit to the Minoan settlement in Akrotiri is a must and so is the sunset view from Oia, breathtakingly beautiful and has no parallel anywhere else.

When to visit

Santorini has a mild and typically Mediterranean climate. April to October, it is generally warm and dry. November to March, it is cold and rainy but the rains are not heavy or long lasting. Rain clouds do not hang around for more than a few days at a stretch.

Even during the dry summer season, the evenings are generally cool. Light jackets or windcheaters are recommended.

Where to stay

There are many hotels, hotel apartments and traditional houses where you can stay. The type of accommodation will depend on your budget but be sure to book in advance during the summer season when the tourists swarm the place. There are good quality places to stay at most places that you would want to visit. Fira, the capital of Santorini is generally crowded during the tourist season and so is Oia, which has the most chic hotels, restaurants and bars. You could head to Akrotiri or the other beautifully peaceful villages of Pyrgos, Firostefani or Megalochori which are well connected to most of the larger towns.

Where to shop

Shopping is an integral part of a tourist. There are many places to shop in Fira and Perissa for souvenirs and locally made items. Shopping for jewelry seems to be top of the agenda and you can find a great many designs that are of typically Greek origin and quite moderately priced. If your bargaining skills are polished you might be able to get a good deal. Besides, souvenirs and global branded products, you would be well advised to shop for local wines (they are of good quality), white aubergine, cherry tomatoes, processed local food: fava made from chickpeas, capers (kapari) and the sweet cherry tomatoes (tomatahla) that are specialties of Santorini.

Food

While Greek cuisine is largely Mediterranean, it has also been influenced by the Turkish and Byzantine invaders. Try the typical Santorini dishes of fava, caper and the tomato keftedes. Don’t miss the grilled fresh fish served in tavernas close to the sea, not just for its taste but also for the superb view. What an ambience!

If money is not a problem for you, there are expensive restaurants with exquisite global cuisine, otherwise stick to family run small establishments.

The Gyros, the Greek version of the Middle Eastern Shawarma is widely available and is a meal by itself. The local Santorini wines are very famous and you could try the Santo, Boutari and the Cavan Roussos; both red and white.

For dessert you can try the local sweet made from whole cherry tomatoes with almonds and cinnamon.

What to wear

The Greeks dress casually unless they are to attend a formal engagement. As a holidayer, light cottons for summer are recommended for daytime wear. Pack cardigans or light woolen sweaters for the evening. Winters are not severe unlike many countries in Europe, so light woolens are okay. Dress modestly when visiting churches. Avoid high heels and formal footwear, unless to have to attend a business meeting. Do not forget to pack in your walking shoes since you will be walking a lot on uneven and rugged terrain at many places of sight-seeing.

Transport

Getting to Santorini is best by air from Athens. Regular flights operated by Aegean, Olympic and some private carriers are available. There are other modes of transport, if you are adventurous enough.

There are high speed boats available on the sea route but make sure you check the departure time during rainy weather and the winter months.

For travel within the island, public bus services that run every 30 minutes to an hour are available and may cost anything from Euros 1.60 to 2.20. Besides, private ‘hop on / hop off’ bus services that sell ticket for the whole day for unlimited travel, are also available.

If you prefer individual travel then rent-a-car service is also available starting from Euros 45 per day, provided you have an international driving license.

Other means of traveling are by bicycle or walking. Most tourists opt to walk the island from Fira to Oia as it can be covered in around three hours on foot. Renting cycles are not easy. The walk, however, is through rough roads and uphill and downhill climbs. There are other routes also that one can explore.

Money

Greece being a member of the Schengen countries uses the Euro as its official currency. You can exchange your US or Canadian dollars at banks, bureau de change offices, hotels or travel agencies. ATMs are widely available in most busy tourist areas. If you are changing money, make sure you go to a recommended agency and also check out the rates with a few bureaus.

Santorini businesses normally have a five-day week. They work from 0800 hours to 1500 hours Monday to Friday.
Shops: Monday / Wednesday / Friday – 0900 – 1500 hours
Tuesday / Thursday – 0900 – 2200 hours (open on weekends also – check timings
locally)
Banks: Monday / Thursday – 0800 – 1400 hours
Friday – 0800 – 1330 hours

Medical

There are no special health requirements for travel to Santorini. However, it is recommended to take anti-hepatitis vaccinations prior to travel. Drink only bottled water. The hospital in Thira town is very good and so are a number of clinics in Thira.

Santorini medical Centre can be contacted by phone: +30 22860 23333

Visa and Passport

US and Canadian citizens can get a visa on arrival for a stay of 90 days provided their passports are valid for a minimum of three months beyond their stay of 90 days. Citizens of the European Union countries do not need a visa.

Contact the nearest Greek Embassy or Consular Office for any further details.

Tourist office contact

Santorini does not have any official tourist information offices neither do they have any tourist police. Tourist information can generally be had from local travel agencies or from the Santorini National Airport at Thira
Call: +30 2310 471170; +30 2310 985215 or check the Greek National Tourism Organization website (www.eot.gr) or call +30 210 8707000.

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