Santorini

The arrival in Santorini is unique and is without doubt one of the highlights of the visit: the spectacular view of the cliffs and the villages clinging as if by miracle to the summits.

There are thirteen villages on the island of Santorini. The most typical of them are found on the edge of the cliffs. Their houses are attached to each other on the sides of the rock in a true balancing act. It is a sight you can contemplate for hours.
The typical houses are troglodytic type dwellings, "scafta" tunnels dug into the rock.
The typical house consists of a floor which runs its length and is covered by an archway. It is closed at the front by a stone wall with gaps in it to let the light through. The dwelling is separated into two rooms by a partition parallel to the entrance wall. This has also been pierced with holes. The back room is used for sleeping and the one at the front is the living room. A part of the house sticks out and built on top of this protrusion is a terrace where a water tank is placed to catch the rainwater. Depending on the need, other rooms, such as a kitchen or bathroom, can be added on the terrace.

The donkey still occupies an essential place in the life of the villages. It is used to take tourists and their bags to the hotel or simply on an excursion. At times, donkeys transport building materials through the little lanes of the villages, carrying them in two baskets on their backs. Sometimes they are used for collecting garbage.

Oia
The visit to Oia is a very special experience. Its stepped lanes tumbling the length of the rocks, its troglodytic dwellings and its dazzling domes are unique.
Little trails zigzag across the red-coloured cliffs, leading to Ammoudi, a charming fishing port surrounded by taverns. It is a lovely place in which to rest and have a meal, amidst the comings and goings of the local fishermen. It is also the departure point for caïque excursions which cross the bay.
A coastal path leads to Armeni, very picturesque with its chapel clinging to a rock. There are very pretty rocky creeks where you can go for a swim. If you want a ride back up to Oia with "local colour", you can hire the services of a mule-driver.
Hikers can take a beautiful 3-hour walk on the path running along the cliff from Oia to Thira. There are superb vantage points for spectacular views.

Pyrgos
The village of Pyrgos rests on the summit of a hill that has been cut into terraces and planted with vineyards. It is a fortified medieval town.
It remains authentic despite the opening of a large luxury hotel and the great number of tourists filling its streets all day long.
You can also discover there the ruins of an old fortress, beautiful neoclassical residences, an incalculable number of churches, most of them very beautiful, as well as a maze of lanes lined with traditional houses.
You can continue your walk right up to the Monastery of Profitis Elias, situated at the highest point of the island, at 567 metres. This monastery includes a church and a museum, and is open to visitors. The view over Santorini there is fabulous.
Hikers can follow the path which leads to Messa Vouno, to go either to Perissa or to Kamari.

Megalochori
This village is located in the middle of a wine-growing region. It is characterized by very pretty churches and residences along traditional little lanes.

Messa Gonia
This village is among the oldest found anywhere on the island. The atmosphere is intense -- there are houses in ruin, but a few of the inhabitants have found the courage to rebuild some of the walls here and there.
Not far away is the island's oldest church, Episcopi Gonias (11th century), which has undergone some architectural modifications. Inside there are some very beautiful icons and a superb templar, carved out of marble.

There are many churches and they are generally imposing and completely disproportionate compared to traditional houses. But they have beautiful two- or three-storey church towers that are true works of art. The towers are a striking sight outlined against the blue sky.

Kamari
It is a large summer resort that is quaint but very touristy. An immense beach of black sand runs along its edge, all set up with parasols and deckchairs. Be careful - the beach is a bit dangerous for small children as the water gets deep very abruptly.

Perivolos-Aï Giorgis

These beautiful beaches of black sand are found very close to Perissa, another great holiday resort, but one that is unfortunately spoilt by hybrid over-construction.

Vlychada
In a Far-West type setting of magnificent cliffs, Vlychada is a very beautiful and picturesque beach of black sand with a charming fishing port.

The volcanic soils are fertile. Being dark in colour, they absorb the sun's rays during the day and give off the heat at night.
This explains why Santorini was an agricultural island before it became a popular tourist destination. It was renowned for its tiny tomatoes, which were used for the production of concentrated tomato puree. A few factories with their chimneys can still be seen. But only one is still working today, and only for six days per year!
The island also produced split peas, white aubergines and water melons with white flesh and black pips.
Be sure to taste the "domatokeftedes", mint-flavoured tomato fritters and "fava", split pea puree served warm with chopped onions and olives a real treat!
Speaking of gastronomy, Santorini is well-known mostly for its wine, particularly white wine - the "Nikteri", produced during the night, which is where its name originates. The grapes are stored all night in a press and are pressed the following morning. The weight of the grapes on top of each other causes them to lose half of their original volume. This juice alone, the juice thus collected in a tank placed outside the press, is used to make this famous wine.
Another typical feature is the vine shoots, rolled up like baskets so that the vines are protected from the winds, which can often be very violent.
A visit to the cellars is almost compulsory, in particular the "Canava Roussos", at the entrance to the village of Messa Gonia. It is the oldest cellar on the island and has been operated from father to son since 1836.
A museum dedicated to the stages of wine-making can be seen there.

Old Thera
Situated in the south-east of the island, Thera was the island's capital from the 9th century BC to the 3rd century AD and is located on a rocky spur, the Messa Vouno, which rises to an altitude of 387 metres.
The two most popular beaches of Santorini, Kamari and Perissa, are found on either side of this rocky headland and used to be the place where boats could berth. It was a true eagle's nest allowing the inhabitants to survey the south-east of the Aegean Sea.
The city measures 800 metres in length and 150 metres in width; this elongated shape results from the way the land lies. The main road runs along the mountain's crest and crosses the entire length of Thera. Public buildings line the main street, whilst the side streets are used for residential districts.

Old Akrotiri
Situated in the east of the island, Akrotiri is still known as the "Pompeii of the Cyclades" and is a site of great importance. Archaeological excavations have revealed the life of this city during the Minoan period, that is, the 14th century BC.
Archaeologists have patiently excavated the ruins buried under ashes and several layers of pumice, and have uncovered some of the districts of this immense city. The high level of civilization the city enjoyed can be seen in its two- to three-storey houses, its fine accurately laid out roads, and its shops full of thousands of vases and ceramics. Archaeologists also discovered superb frescos, exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Athens, representing the daily life of the inhabitants. They are the oldest traces of painting in Greece.

Santorini : Overview - Where to stay ? - Excursions - Photo gallery