There are a few things you need to know to organize your trip to Santorini properly.
Santorini is not like any other greek island but it’s without a doubt one of the most charming greek islands.
It’s the most visited island in Greece and it requires some decent preparation and analysis to get the best deals in hotels or find the most beautiful and well equipped luxury villas in Santorini, to do all the amazing stuff that the island offers, and also to make sure that your flights and ferries to Santorini are well booked.
Santorini is a small Greek island that has become one of the most attractive travel destinations all over the world.
Many celebrities visit the island every year and it has some of the most unique and luxurious hotels on the planet.
Santorini’s official name in Greek is also Thira or (Thera). In Greek it’s called Σαντορίνη or Θήρα.
You can read everything about Santorini’s interesting history through the centuries here.
Where to stay
There are hundreds of choices regarding your accommodation in Santorini.
- Hotels: there are a lot of hotels to choose from. Recommended hotel area: Oia
- Villas: if you are planning to rent a luxury villa for your family or your friends, then definitely you'll find a lot of top quality villas to choose from (eliteestatesdiamond offers a plenty of choices).
Must do's
Scuba diving
You seemingly won’t see a big deal of marine life or coral around Santorini, but the island has shipwrecks and other temptations in spades. You can get down to about 14 meters to see sunken ships, caves, and endless drop-offs around the caldera. A two-tank dive costs from €90 ($100 USD).
Museum of Prehistoric Thira
Located in Fira, this museum is home to an extensive collection of artifacts that were found in the ruins of Akrotiri. Its highlights include wall paintings, an intricately carved gold ibex figurine, and fossilized olive tree leaves dating back to 60,000 BC. My favorite are the frescoes of blue monkeys, although interestingly enough, there is no proof of monkeys ever having lived on this island. Admission is €6 ($6.65 USD).
Hiking
The caldera hike from Fira to Oia is the most popular hike you’ll do in Santorini. It follows the caldera’s edge with complete views over the island and the volcano. It’s about eight miles (13 kilometers), but you’ll want to give yourself time to stop and enjoy the perspectives. Budget at least three hours for the hike and bring sunscreen and water.
Akrotiri Lighthouse
The Akrotiri Lighthouse is at the southern end of Santorini, close to the Akrotiri ruins. It’s used by the Greek Navy so you can’t enter it but it does make for a good photo shot with its whitewashed walls and its position perched precariously on the cliff’s edge. It’s also one of the best places to enjoy the sunset.
Santorini’s praised wines are its crisp dry whites and the amber-colored, unfortified sweet wine known as Vinsanto. Both are made from the original grape variety, assyrtiko. About a lot of local vineyards host tastings (usually with a small charge) and some offer food, with scenery and local produce combining to great effect. Start your investigations at the large, smooth SantoWines.
Santorini’s intrigue reaches deep into the past, with the charming site of Akrotiri displaying a Minoan city destroyed by the volcanic eruption of 1613 BC. In Fira, the impressive Museum of Prehistoric Thera helps piece together the story of ancient Akrotiri.
SunsetsNature’s handiwork is on display from any waterfront seat come sundown, but prime sunset-viewing is in Oia, where thousands of tourists gather to admire (and applaud) nightfall.
SwimmingTake the plunge: at your hotel’s infinity pool or your suite’s private plunge pool, from the edge of a boat on a caldera cruise or on a black-sand beach on the east coast.
ToursAny tour your heart desires can be organised – there are dozens of agencies ready to help with winery visits, archaeology tours, sunset-watching and more. The most popular option is a cruise, and the classic itinerary takes in the caldera’s volcanic islands of Nea Kameni and Palia Kameni, including a stop at the former’s crater and the latter’s hot springs.
High season: From April to October
Obviously the island is extremely busy during these months but especially in July, August and September you will definitely feel the tourist masses…
Read Also: Santorini Weather Guide: What To Expect Every Month
I have visited the island in so many different periods and months within a year and I figured out what could be the best time to enjoy the most of the island:
When to visit Santorini?
The weather will still be fine and not too hot (around 25-30 C) , the sea waters will still be warm (from the summer heat) and most of the tourists would be gone! Happy Days!
That doesn’t mean there is nobody on the island.
Remember: it’s still Santorini!
June is also a very good month to visit Santorini because it’s still early summer , the weather is amazing (though it can get pretty hot with more than 35C sometimes) and the big masses of tourists haven’t arrived yet.
I wouldn’t recommend May though because even though the weather is still very good , the sea water will be a bit chilly and you may not enjoy the beach that much.
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