From breathtaking views to awe inspiring sunsets, Santorini exudes Mediterranean chic. Its white-washed buildings and candy-colored houses cascade down rugged cliffs to the azure waters of the Aegean Sea. A postcard come to life.

Santorini, A Volcanic Creation

Santorini was formed after the massive Minoan volcano eruption in 1600BC that divided Strogili, the original round island, into smaller islands. The eruption was so massive that it caused the volcano to implode, causing the center of the island to submerge into the sea. The crater is still partially visible on two small black lava islands off the coast known as Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni.

Jagged cliffs created by the volcanic eruption stand in stark contrast to the whitewash and pastel colors of Fira and Oia, the two principal towns of Santorini.

Fira

Located on the western edge of the island, Fira is the capital of Santorini and its largest town. The narrow, sometimes steep, stone-paved roads snake through the white washed buildings with their vibrant gardens and turquoise pools. The simplicity and minimalistic architectural design blends perfectly into the natural landscape.

Exploring Santorini

Exploring Santorini’s rich history and culture as well as experiencing the warm hospitality of its residences makes for an unforgettable vacation.

Santorini’s deep rooted religious heritage is clearly evident with more than 450 churches scattered across the island (not including over 800 private family churches). Although 98% of its residents identify as Greek Orthodox Christians, Santorini boasts a vibrant Catholic community as well. So, some of the first places we wanted to experience in Fira were, of course, its churches.

The Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral of Fira

Also known as the Church of Ypapantis, the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral of Fira was originally built in 1827. Severely damaged in the catastrophic earthquake of 1956, it was reopened in 1968. The impressive domed structure with its bell tower and arched portico is one of the most recognizable landmarks in the city.

The Catholic Church of the Dormition

The Catholic Church of the Dormition, more commonly referred to as The Three Bells of Fira, was built in 1757. One of the most visited sites on the island, its location on the volcano’s caldera offers a breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea.

Fira also has a number of museums that are well worth visiting. Two of the more interesting are:

The Megaro Gyzi Cultural Center

Housed in the Gyzi Manor, a 17th century mansion, the Megaro Gyzi Cultural Center is situated directly across from the Church of the Three Bells. The museum highlights Santorini’s history from its Venetian domination to the present day. The annual Gyzi Megaron Summer Festival is held each August and is free to attend.

The Museum of Prehistoric Thera

Considered one of the most important museums in Greece, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera showcases the prehistoric  settlement of Akrotiri. Often called the “Pompeii of the Aegean”, the Bronze Age settlement was completely engulfed in volcanic ash. A highlight of the museum are the excavations which are open to the public.

Shopping In Fira

Strolling though the cobblestone alleyways of Fira, we found ourselves surrounded by quaint boutiques, jewelry stores and art galleries. From handmade leather sandals to locally sourced olive oil, you can find just about anything to make your trip memorable.

Oai

Oai, pronounced eeYah, is a favorite honeymoon destination. Drenched in whites and blues that contrast perfectly with the azure of the Aegean Sea, it is the most picturesque town on the island. But, be prepared for crowds, especially when the cruise ships are in port.

Church of Panagia Platsani

The Greek Orthodox Church of Panagia is one of the most visited sites in Oai. Its pure white exterior, blue dome and impressive six bells tower sets majestically in the center of Oai Square.

Stepping inside, the interior of the Church is lavishly adorned in gold, however, our attention was immediately drawn to the fresco painting inside the dome above.

Oai Shopping

Oai provides a more upscale shopping experience than Fira. Here you will find some of the best known fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton, intermingled with local Greek designer boutiques and art galleries. Looking for something different to stand out from the logo crowd? You’ll likely find it in Oai.

Santorini Beaches

Santorini may be known for many beautiful sites, but its beaches are not one of them. The volcanic beaches are covered in course sand and pebbles ranging in color from red to dark charcoal. And, they get extremely hot during the summer. Plan on wearing water shoes or sandals if you are going to spend any time on the beach. However, the dramatic views of the sea and cliffs are amazing.

Santorini Sunsets

Santorini is known worldwide for its striking sunsets. Watching the light and shadows fall gently on the white washed buildings, blue domes and jagged cliffs accentuated by the deep azure waters of the Aegean Sea, create one of the most awe-inspiring live masterpieces imaginable. If you ever wanted that one, special photographic moment to print and place on your wall, this is it!

Santorini Night Life

Fira has the most bars and vibrant nightlife on the island while Oai has the most romantic nightlife. Whether you are seeking pulsating clubs or a more intimate vibe, you can find it in Santorini.

Santorini Wineries

Wine has been produced in Santorini since ancient times. Recognized worldwide for their superior quality, Santorini is ranked the number one wine destination in Greece. It is most famous for the white grape varieties Assyrtiko, Athiri and Aidani which are indigenous to the area.

One of the first things we noticed when visiting the vineyards were the vines themselves. Unlike other vineyards, the vines are kept low to the ground, looking almost like a small bush. This is necessary because of the strong winds coming off the Aegean Sea which otherwise would damage the vines and grapes. We also learned that Santorini has low rainfall but high humidity. The porous volcanic soil retains the humidity during the day and then releases it at night to feed the vines. With over 20 vineyards, we highly recommend using Santo Tour when visiting the island. Our driver was fantastic, knowledgeable, friendly and, most of all, made sure we had fun!

Art Space Santorini

One of the more unusual and fascinating wineries, the Art Space Winery, merges the art of wine making with, well, art! In 1861, the Argiros family began operation of the winery in the rock-hewed caves in the small village of Exo Gonia. In 1999, a new facility was built and the original cave winery was turned into a museum and art gallery. Randomly placed among the perfectly preserved original distilling equipment and ovens are contemporary works of Greek and foreign artists, thus the name Art Space Winery.

Where We Stayed

We were fortunate to be guests at the Volcano View Hotel, a Five-Star hotel in Fira elegantly perched on the cliffs overlooking the Aegean Sea and the Nea Kameni cratered island. The free hotel shuttle was available to take us between the towns of Fira and Oia. The shuttle is also available for airport or port transfer.

The terraced rooms cascade down the rugged cliffs providing breathtaking panoramic views of the port and Aegean Sea below.

All rooms have sea views, however, there are no elevators making the narrow steps difficult for those who may be physically challenged.

The pool and pool bar are exceptional. The perfect place to relax from a day of sightseeing.

Getting To Santorini

From Mykonos, we took the SeaJets High-Speed Ferry to Santorini. The 140km trip took just over 2 hours. Arriving at the port of Santorini, we were met by the Volcano View Hotel’s shuttle bus for the 25 minute ride up the cliffs to Fira. The winding two lane road with sharp curves was an experience in itself. We have to give accolades to the drivers who traverse these narrow, twisted roads every day.

If Santorini is not already on your bucket list of places to visit, it most certainly should be. Plan your trip in May, June or September to miss Santorini’s hottest weather and heaviest tourist season.