Santorini offers one of the most spectacular landscapes in the world.
The villages are situated on cliffs and offer breathtaking view over
the submerged volcano. The traditional villages of the island are beautiful:
the beautiful cliche of Greece you have always dreamed about! Among
these villages is Oia where you can enjoy one of Greece and world’s
most famous sunset. The island also has impressive beaches with the
sand of your choice: black, red or white!
View a list of
Hotels in Santorini Island
SANTORINI ISLAND SIGHTSEEING
The Old City of Akrotiri
Excavations
on the Akrotiri site were begun in 1967 by Professor Spyros Marinatos,
in the hopes of proving a theory of his that the destruction of Minoan
Civilization in Crete was actually caused by the eruption of the volcano
of Santorini. The site dates back to approximately 1500 BC and includes
virtually intact walls and houses and interesting architectural subtleties
such as examples of ancient drainage systems. Objects which have been
discovered at the site include: whole frescoes, pottery, furniture,
remnants of food, the majority of which have been removed from the actual
site to be placed in museums (many of which may be viewed at the Museum
of Prehistoric Thera in Fira town) all of the above have allowed archaeologists
to visualize and put together a picture of the everyday lives of the
people of these times. The town was abandoned by these settlers before
the eruption of the volcano, and it is suggested that an earthquake
preceding this catastrophic event might have been the warning that caused
these people of ancient times to abandon their settlement.
Ancient Thira
Founded
on the mountain of Mesa Vouno (Middle Mountain) between the modern day
beach towns of Kamari and Perissa. The position was chosen because of
its strategic protective position. It's first inhabitants were the Dorians
in the 9th century B.C. It has also been inhabited throughout the ages
by Ptolemites, Romans, Christians and Venetians. Here you can view architectural
contributions from all of these tribes in the remaining foundations
of this city.
Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni
Nea
Kameni (Volcano to the locals) and Palea Kameni volcanic islands in
the middle of the caldera formed from the Kameni volcanic centers beneath
the surface at a depth of two to four kilometers. These centers maintain
a temperature of approximately 950-1000 degrees centigrade and are concentrated
in small pockets (magma chambers) feed from deeper layers of molten
rock. The colors of the islands vary because of different cooling rates.
The more rapid cooling of Nea Kameni (New Burnt) formed mostly dark,
more fragmented lava formations, while the mostly lighter ashen color
of Palea kameni (Old Burnt) shows the effect of a slower cooling rate.
The two islands were formed centuries after the immense volcanic eruption
of around 1450 B.C.
Pyrgos
Built
around a small hump in the landscape, once again for reasons of protection
wind you way to the top of this picturesque little village for a magnificent
view from the top of the remains of a fortress from ancient times. Here
you can also visit the Museum of Byzantine art.
WINERIES OF SANTORINI
Wines
famous since antiquity are today bottled by 8 wineries on the island
the dry white Nikteri and the sweet white Visanto are two of the best
known types of Santorini wine.
The wine produced in Santorini is world known. It is one of the most
famous local products of the island. It is made in the traditional way.
The wine is strong and tasty. The wines are stored in - kanaves - (cellars).
You can test wines in different wineries:
Boutari (Megalochori)
Antoniou (Megalochori)
Canava Roussos
(Mesa Gonia)
Koutsoyannopoulos
(Messaria)
Santo Wines
(Pyrgos)
Sigalas (Ia)
SANTORINI ISLAND MUSEUMS
-The Megaron Gyzi
The Museum is located in Thira, behind the Catholic cathedral. It exhibits
engravings of the 16th through the 19th centuries with dresses, views
and maps of the Cycladic islands as well as fascinating photographs
of Fira before and after the earthquake of 1956.
It is one of the most beautiful santorini museums.
- The Museum of Prehistoric Thera
Located in Fira, the island's capital, it is one of the most interesting
santorini museums. You will find special contents, masterpieces of art
in the prehistoric Cyclades.
- The Archaeological Museum
The museum is located in Fira, the island's capital, opposite of
the cable car station You will find housed finds representing the island's
long history. It is the only of all museums where you can find collections
of Hellenistic and Roman sculpture (from the Archaic to the Roman period),
vases and clay figurines (dating from the Feometric to the Hellenistic
periods).
- The Folklore Museum
The Folklore Museum of Santorini is located in Kontohori, Fira.
It was built in a cave house in 1861. You can find diverse things: barrel
and shoe makers, an old traditional winery and also the work of local
artists.
- The Naval Museum
Located in Oia, the picturesque traditional town on the north of Santorini,
it is the only of Santorini museums which houses all kinds of marine
objects tracing the maritime history of the island.
HOW TO GET TO SANTORINI ISLAND
From Athens
When flying from International airports, Santorini can be reached via
the Athens (Eleftherios Venizelos) airport. The flight duration is 45 minutes. During the summer months there are
direct charter flights to Santorini from several European cities. The
airport is situated 7 klms from Fira Town
Several ferry boats and catamarans (Highspeeds) leave daily from the
port of Piraeus (Athens Port) in the morning and afternoon. The journey
lasts approximately 9 hours(ferry) or 4,5 hours(Highspeed).
CONNECTIONS WITH OTHER ISLANDS
Santorini is connected with the most of Cyclades
islands, such as Paros, Naxos,
Mykonos, Ios,
Milos, Sifnos, even with Crete (Heraklion).
From Heraklion Town, there is a ferry daily to Santorini (3 hours journey)
and Highspeed (2 hours journey)
OTHER USEFUL TRAVEL INFORMATION
Banks:
The most popular Banks have branches on Santorini Island.
Telecommunications:
The O.T.E branch of Santorini Island ( National Telecommunications Co.)
Is open Daily ( except weekends) from 08:00 to 14:00
Bus & Taxi Services:
There are frequent buses all over the islands and there are also taxis.
In summer, buses leave Fira's central station every hour for Akrotiri
and every 30 min for Oia, Monolithos,
Kamari and Perissa. Buses leave Fira, Kamari and Perissa for Athinios
Port 1 ½ hours before most ferry departures. Buses for fira leaves
from Athinios Port after every ferry arrival, even late at night.
Home
"Santorini is one of the most beautiful and unique islands
in the world. Intriguing history, awesome volcanic landscape, cosmopolitan
atmosphere, breathtaking sunsets, deep blue sea, the volcano, are
just some of the reasons that make Santorini the most popular holiday
destination in Greece!!" 
