Places You Must Visit Before You Die! #3 (Santorini Island, Greece)

Santorini Island, Greece

About Santorini Island

Holidays in Santorini is the dream of a lifetime for many people. As this is the top tourist destination in Greece, the island is famous for the impressive caldera, the volcano and the romantic sunset. In fact, it is frequently included among the best destinations in the world. Over the last years, tourist season has extended in Santorini, from early April until early November due to the many cruise ships that dock there. Due to the good ferry connection with other Greek islands, holidays in Santorini can easily be combined with holidays in other islands. There are also many charter flights to Santorini from abroad, making it easy to come to this small paradise on Earth.

History

According to searches and excavations on Santorini, the first human presence on the island is situated back to the Neolithic Period. Santorini hosted an important civilization around 3600 BC. Discoveries made in an important city near Akrotiri and the famous Red Beach show the existence of an ancient Minoan colony. The city was very similar to those found in the island of Crete, with many wall ornaments and pottery showing naturalistic landscapes of animals and humans of the same ancient Minoan style.

In Ancient times, Santorini Island was known as Stongili, which means round in Greek. Strongili was the victim of an enormous volcano eruption in 1,500 BC. The eruption was so huge that many consider it to be the main cause of the destruction of the great Minoan civilization on the island of Crete, situated 70 nautical miles away.

The specialists believe that the explosion was so strong that it created gigantic waves that reached the shores of the surrounding islands and Crete. After the explosion, the centre of Santorini sank, and the many earthquakes that followed destroyed a big part of the rest of the island. Many studies and researches have been presented in our days about the volcano of Santorini, including a series of documentaries in the National Geographic.

From 1579 to 1821 the island was under the Turkish rule and the Turks named it Dermetzik, which means small mill, probably because of the numerous windmills on the island. Santorinians were given a fair amount of autonomy but they had to pay a tax. During the Ottoman rule the piracy ceased and as a result the merchant navy developed when the island acquired its own fleet. The general prosperity of Santorini was evident from the impressive manor houses that still exist today. In the Greek War of Independence the fleet of Santorini was very powerful. Santorini was finally annexed to Greece in 1912.

Things To Do In Santorini Island

.Amoudi Bay

For beautiful views of the caldera, descend the 300 steps from the northern city of Oia to the charming port of Amoudi Bay. Surrounded by striking red cliffs and dotted with white-washed buildings typical to Santorini, this little village features several quaint tavernas serving up the catch of the day. Aside from digging in the bounty of the sea, visitors can enjoy some swimming here, though the beach is rocky so you should bring appropriate footwear, especially if you plan on cliff diving (a popular activity in Amoudi Bay). On the small island of Saint Nicholas, seen from Amoudi Bay's beach, visitors can climb up stairs from the water onto the small, rocky island and jump from a designated point.

.Ancient Thera

Separating Kamari from Perissa on top of Mesa Vouna is Ancient Thira. This archaeological site, which was first claimed by the Dorians (ancient Greeks) in the 9th century B.C., is home to ruins from the Hellenistic (Greek empire built by Alexander the Great), Roman and Byzantine (eastern Roman empire) eras. Stroll through Ancient Thira and you'll find ruins of ancient religious sites, a theater, old city administrative buildings and even a gym for military trainees.

.Fira to Oia Hike

The best way to take in Santorini is to walk, and there is no better route than the one from Fira to Oia. This hike is 6 miles one-way and passes through four towns, including Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia. It's important to know that there is no marked trail or pathway for this hike (aside from a couple signs, according to recent travelers), but a matter of following the roads closest to the caldera. Along the way, travelers will find numerous sites worth stopping for, in addition to spectacular ocean views and picturesque towns. One of these is Skaros Rock. Today, this headland is a popular vantage point for watching sunsets, but in yesteryears it housed a castle that served as the prime meeting place for Christians during the 1800s. There's also numerous churches dotted throughout, including the blue-domed St. Gerasimos Church, which offers excellent views of the volcano. Once you hit Oia, you'll find Byzantine castle ruins open for exploration.

.Kamari Beach

Santorini's volcanic history has led to the formation of some of the more unique beaches in the Greek Isles, and Kamari is no exception. Sitting about 4 miles southeast of Fira on the island's east coast, this stretch of black sand is one of the largest in Santorini. The beach is backed by the town of its namesake, a popular resort area where you'll find numerous hotels, restaurants, beachside bars and shops. On the beach, visitors can take advantage of the available lounge chairs and umbrellas.

.Red Beach

Located less than a mile southwest of Ancient Akrotiri, this beach earns its name from its towering red cliffs and dark sand. Travelers say the scenery is stunning – be sure to bring a camera to take photos of the stark contrast between the brick red cliffs and the aquamarine water. While the water may look tempting to dip your toes in, travelers strongly suggest choosing a different shoreline as the site of your beach day. Some even suggest skipping this spot entirely for a number of reasons. Travelers have said that there is no paved path to get to the beach. Visitors must park at a parking lot nearby then traverse a rocky pathway to the beach. Some said they didn't know how rugged the path would be prior to visiting and had great trouble making it to the beach without sneakers. Travelers were also keen to point out that the beach is small and unless you get there early or are traveling in the offseason, it can get very crowded very quickly. What's more, the rough, rocky sand made it hard for a lot of visitors to really kick back and relax. On the other hand, those who did enjoy their experience at Red Beach suggested hiking to the beach (with the proper footwear) to get a look at its incredibly unique geography and leave it at that.

Best Food To Eat In Santorini Island

Fava me Koukia (Mashed up fava beans) - Fava is probably the most famous dish in Santorini, and while its name might suggest fava beans, it is actually a yellow split pea purée. The creamy dish is usually served warm with olive oil and lemon and sometimes topped with chopped onions or capers. For many people, it is the ultimate comfort food, perfect as a healthy main meal or side dish.

Tomato Gefthedes (Tomato fritters) - The island is home to a specific variety of tomatoes called Santorini tomatoes, which are the size of cherries. Sweet and with an intense red colour, they are at the centre of the ntomatokeftedes (or tomato fritters) dish. A vegetarian appetiser fried in hot olive oil, it also includes peppers and onions, mint, and other aromatic herbs in a thick batter. Make sure to try them the next time you are visiting the island.

White eggplant - he volcanic soil of the island makes a perfect breeding ground for another rare product: the white eggplant. It is a unique variety that has fewer seeds than its purple counterpart, plus it has a sweet taste. Many dishes involving the vegetable, such as white eggplant purée, are available in several restaurants. Don’t miss your chance to try it.

Melitinia - A traditional sweet you can find around Easter time, melitinia is a delicious sweet cheese pie made with fresh mizithra cheese, sugar, and mastiha powder. While talented home bakers have mastered these little treats over the past decades, traditional bakeries on the island bake them as well.

Chlorotyri - Made in limited quantities, chlorotyri is a local cheese that you can only find on the island. Slightly sour yet creamy, this white cheese is made from goat’s milk. Use it as a spread on bread or mix it in a Santorini salad, a local variant of the Greek salad, which also includes the local cherry tomatoes.

Best Hotels

1. Villa Manos
   

2. Heliotopos Hotel
   

3. Alexander's Boutique Hotel of Oia
   

4. Antonia Hotel
   

5. Suites of the Gods Spa Hotel
   

Map Of Santorini Island

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