This wonderful Greek island usually comes with a one-day excursion around the Greek islands, but in reality it deserves much more attention. Even a week is not enough for unraveling all its mysteries, and to imbue with its spirit. Especially if you are planning to meet the sunset here or simply to take pictures of Fira and Santorini. Just go through the tips that are required to be learned before visiting the place.
Do not take the tour
Excursions to Santorini offers a great set of: tour the volcanoes, a tour to the hot springs, various cruises. But in fact it turns out that the source is not hot enough, and the volcano from a distance looks much more picturesque than when having a closer look. The island has so many good points that none of tours is able to adequately show its beauty. To evaluate it, you’ll have to do your own research.
It is better to rent a quad bike, scooter or car and just do it all yourself, aimlessly, stopping wherever you like. The only way you get the pleasure of unexpected discoveries that are simply impossible in organized tourist groups.
Explore the string of tiny beaches just outside the port of Amoudi, under a rock, where stretches Oia. Stroll along the trail to a small chapel, located on the top of the mountain that separates Camiri and Perissa. Get to the picturesque perched on the hillside village of Emporio with its narrow streets, ancient cave houses and dilapidated windmills. Look for sheltered from prying eyes beaches near the airport and appreciate the opportunity to go on a scooter more than an hour without encountering a single living soul which seems to be non-real for a European shore.
Do not hope for a long night partying
Santorini in any case is not a rave venue. Of course, you can find a number of clubs in Fira and Kamari, and even on the beaches which are occasionally holding parties. Still, this island is famous for not around the clock entertainment that are so well known for Ios or Mykonos.
It is better to just accept this fact, even if you were not warned about it beforehand. Relax, forget about everything and just enjoy the viscous flow of time on the island. Perissa, village, standing on black sand beach – the best place for this. During the day you can cool off in the shade by the pool with a glass of strawberry Coladas at Soul Bar or enjoy the melodious live music at the beach cafe Yazz. If you want to dance and do not plan to leave early, go around two o’clock to the Beach Bar, which is considered to be the best spot for that time.
Do not think that Santorini is only Oia and Fira
Favorite photos of the village of Oia and Fira, of course, are doubtly the most popular representations of the territory. Blue and white houses clinging to cliffs, decorated with blooming bougainvillea in the background of endless Aegean Sea, has always obtained an excellent reputation. Fortunately, on the island you can see much more than beautiful buildings and cliffs. Colors of Santorini are not exhausted by the white and blue.
To see the Yew with an unusual hand, it’s better to go closer to dusk in Imerovigli. This is the highest point on the caldera and from here you can see even more spectacular sunset than from AI. Yes, and it looks almost magically , especially in the looming dusk. Look to the bay of Akrotiri which has settled at the foot of the red-brown rocks. The cute and small beach is always full of people, and tanned bodies seem even darker in the dark-red sand. Do not forget about black and white beaches of Perissa – Vlychada.Extended along the last fancy yellow rock conjures up thoughts about the alien landscape, but still, this place was chosen by nudists.
Do not spend extra money on restaurants with views
As usual, closer is the spot located to the tourist institution, the higher is the price. For example, a meal in Fira will cost you almost twice as expensive than, let’s say, in Perissa. In addition, for the opportunity to admire a beautiful view during your meal with actually cost you the same as for the food itself. However, Santorini itself is so unusual and beautiful that no matter where you are located at the dinner, you will still be happy to look around.
Better find out where locals prefer to dine, and go there. For example, in Perissa for very funny money you can taste the best on the island of moussaka, looking into the place called God’s Garden. And if the soul asks meat, go to the central street of the village, where the restaurant Xani’s foronly 5 euros a square serves delicious lamb. Seafood lovers should look into the tavern, located in Vlychada Dimiti’s. No great surprises of the form are offered, but marine reptiles served are the freshest on the island and are perfectly cooked.
Do not expect perfect service
In the end, you’re in Greece and, therefore, time does not matter here. If something in your room is broke, it necessarily gets fixed.Tomorrow or the day after. The main thing that is mandatory. The same applies to water supplies. Water on the island is little and therefore a wash in the shower does not always succeed. For those who want to have something longer can swim, the salt water perfectly clean and disinfect the skin.
Better not to worry because of some difficulties and or that your plans do not succeed. Soak up the local way of life and no matter what do not pay attention. Just go to small cafes and be treated with frappe, which is so pleasant to drink in hot weather, lying on the beach or poolside, try new foods, trying to remember their taste, as though each of them is the latest in life, or try the taste of local wines, which on Santorini is said to be more than the usual fresh water.
Visiting Santorini I really enjoyed the place but was disgusted the way the mules, and donkeys are being treated. I appeal to the visitors not to ride on these mules because nothing is well organised. The mules suffers alot especially in the hot season with all the weight on them and going uphill. This is shame to the government, those who regulate thgis type of transport and also the owners. The visiting tourists are to blame too because they make use of this transport. Since there is a market the cruel does on.