Santorini is an enchanting and magical Greek island with a mass of attractions, a trip to which will give a lot of pleasant emotions and delightful moments. Traditionally, newlyweds and couples in love come here, but holidays with children will be very interesting.
Top 5 Sightseeing Sites in Santorini
Consider the most interesting sights of Santorini, which is worth seeing a tourist. We offer you a description of the best places on the island with photos.
Volcanoes
Undoubtedly, these volcanoes Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni are considered the main attractions of the island. Two small uninhabited islands formed by volcanic explosions are strikingly picturesque and unusual. The volcano on the island of Nea Kameni is active. Its last eruption was half a century ago, and hydrogen sulfide is still erupting from the crater.
You can get to the volcano by boat from the island’s marina. During the trip, tourists climb to the very vent, which offers a magnificent view of the entire island.
Prehistoric Fira Museum
The museum is a repository of unique artifacts found during the excavations of Akrotiti. One of the most notable exhibits is the golden urchin. Pottery, frescoes, and marble figurines are also of archaeological value. Until 2000, the artifacts were stored in Athens, but after the museum opened, part of the unique collection was returned to Santorini.
Today, the prehistoric museum of Fira is one of the main attractions of the island, and its collection is unparalleled in the world. A visit to the museum will be interesting for both adults and children.
Venetian Fortress in Ia
Among the attractions of the island of Santorini a special place belongs to the town of Iya, which is located in the north-west of the island. In ancient times, the settlement served as an observation point, and when other people’s ships approached too close to the hulk, the other villages were immediately alerted. To observe the sea and was built Venetian fortress, today, it is one of the main attractions of Santorini.
The best time to visit the fortress is in the evening. At this time, you can observe amazing sunsets, which have become the hallmark of Iya.
The Monastery of Elijah the Prophet
If you do not know what else to see in Santorini on your own, feel free to go to the monastery of Elijah the Prophet. It is located at the highest point of the island, and from here you have a beautiful view of the sea and neighboring islands. Today there is a museum in the monastery, where unique ancient items of church utensils and chronicles are exhibited. There is a legend that in the monastery is hidden untold treasure, which can not be found even if you destroy the monastery to its foundations.
Fira Archaeological Museum
The museum is rightly considered one of the most interesting in the world. The museum collection consists of unique exhibits from the excavations of ancient Fira and Acropolis. Here you can see unique items dating back to the 7th century BC, found during the excavations of the ancient cemetery of the city. The vase with geometric ornamentation, which is considered to be the only one in the world that shows the skills of local craftsmen, attracts special attention.
When and for how long to go to Santorini?
The best time to travel to Santorini is from September to October. This is the time when the velvet season begins. The air temperature is no longer high, but the sea is still warm enough for comfortable bathing. At the same time in September, the outflow of tourists begins. It is also good to come to the island at the beginning of bathing season. In May it’s just beautiful, there are few tourists, but it’s already warm and gentle sea. During these months, you can enjoy relaxing on the black, red and pink beaches, which are always crowded during the peak season.
How long to go to Santorini depends on how closely you want to explore the island. Experienced tourists are advised to stay here at least a week to see all the famous sights and enjoy a beach holiday.
As part of a tour of the Greek islands on the trip should be allocated at least 3 days. In this case, it is better to rent a car to be able to get to the most interesting places.
Where to stay in Santorini?
There are many hotels in Santorini. You can choose a hotel according to your budget and taste. Family hotels are especially popular among tourists traveling on their own. The most expensive housing is located near the famous attractions in the cities of Fira, Iya and Imerovigle, on the west coast.
If you want to save money on accommodation, choose the eastern shore, in Kamara and Perisa accommodation prices are much, much lower, but it is not convenient to get to excursions.
According to tourist reviews, if you go to Santorini for 2-3 days, it is better to book a hotel in the west, because this is where all the attractions are concentrated and you do not have to spend a lot of time on the road. If the vacation is supposed to be long and measured, the eastern shore is just for you.
During the high season is not worth counting on a cheap hotel, but until June and late September you can rent a room for quite a reasonable amount. It is better to book a hotel in advance, then you will not be left without a night in a cozy and clean room. It is worth noting that even the most budget rooms on the island are striking for their cleanliness. The owners of hotels make sure the improvement and service, and therefore every tourist is welcomed here as a dear guest.
Moves around Santorini
The most convenient way to get around the island is by car. You can rent it at any rental shop, and even hotels offer this service. You will be asked for your bank card information when you rent, and that’s fine. This is how vehicle owners are insured, in case you get into an accident or you get a fine, and you don’t pay it. When renting a car, be sure to ask about insurance coverage and take a car with full insurance.
The distances in Santorini are quite short. The trip from one end of the island to the other takes no more than an hour, and from one attraction to another no more than 15-20 minutes. Thus, for 2-3 days you can travel around the entire island and see all the interesting places on it.
If hiring a car is not in your plans, you can travel by public transport. From the central bus station in Fira, buses leave for all sights. All you have to do is choose a destination and buy a ticket. The only inconvenience with this kind of travel is the abundance of locals, behaving though friendly, but noisy enough.
