Reasons to explore Santorini Island

(from a different scope...)

Visit the post-minoan town of Akrotiri, with its magnificent wall drawings which used to decorate its houses.

Visit the Prehistorical Museum of Thira which hosts archaeological findings dating back to the Neolithic Age up to the 17thCentury BC – it is the second largest prehistorical museum in Greece, after the one of Vergina.

The Archaeological Museum with findings of the Geometric and Roman Years is also worth visiting.

Go around the caldera on a fisherman's boat, visit the islands New and Old Kammeni and Thirasia. It is most definitely worth walking on the crater of the volcano (only 30mins away from the port of New Kammeni where the boat drops you off). Light clothes and sunscreen are highly recommended, as well as loads of water and durable, soft shoes for this particular excursion!

Swim in the healing waters of Thermes Piges,situated at the back of Old Kammeni. where sulphur and warm air well up.

Gaze at (or even better, stay in) the “excavated” houses, the spaces which have been carved out on the vertical side of the volcano, longitudinal to the caldera.

Walk along the traditional listed houses at Imerovigli and Oia.

Photograph the exquisite re-enactment of the volcano's eruption on the 15th August, where fire and fireworks are lit on the crater itself from the close by anchored boats and offer a visual explosion, whilst lighting the caldera for over 30 minutes.

The more adventurous ones can also dive into the sea from St. Nicolas' rock, in Ammoudi.

Visit the byzantine monuments of the island, such as Panagia Mesa Gonias, St.Nicolas' women's monastery and the Prophet Ilias men's monastery with the ecclesiastical folklore museum.

Climb up the historical rock of Skaros, in Imerovigli Watch the sunset from the small Prophet Ilias (Ekso Gonia)

Enjoy wine tasting at the Rousos wine factory - Kamari Walk along the street that connects Phira and Oia (along the length of the caldera just under the busy main street) while stocking up on goods at the cantine located just where the street narrows down, between Imerovigli and Oia, on your way down to Koloumbos.

Swim in Pori and Katharos – the best beach lounge bar for sunset cocktails with impressive music. It also serves as a fantastic bar when night falls.

Enjoy the beautiful panoramic view during sunset from Faros (Akrotiri).

Take part in the festivities on the 15th August at the Panagia tou Kalou – Koloumbos Enjoy more Wine Tasting at Santo Wines factory and at Antoniou (Megalohori) where you savour both the view and the amazing Sanotirinian bites – one of Santorini's most traditional wine factories.

Visit the historical Kasteli tou Emporiou If you are there on Good Friday, enjoy the sensational epitaph (where Christ's bier is decorated with flowers and then taken out and paraded around the streets in what resembles a funeral procession) at Pirgos and the Resurrection of Christ at Prophet Ilias monastery at the total absence of electricity!

Descent and swim at the caldera under Megalohori (a road which holds many surprises as when you move closer to the beach you discover ancient tombs and a tiny church jammed in between the rocks).

Explore the road leading from Ancient Thira to Panagia Perissas (you get to meet many philhellene tourists and the hours of climbing up and descenting go by merrily, with engaging conversations and gaining more historical knowledge).

Eat 'Ksilouristos' cod, cut in strips and served as part of a delicious local recipe salad at “Paradisos” in Mpaksedes.

Also enjoy the fresh fish at “Mario” in Monolithos.

Have traditional bites at “Skaramagkas” in Monolithos.

The old “baskets” - the tallest trees (!) of the island are worth gazing at along the old vineyards (as you come out of Akrotiri, turning right towards the excavations).

A unique experience: Swimming in Mesa Pigadia / Spilia (cave) On the way to Faros Akrotiriou (Lighthouse of Akrotiri), turn left and at the end of the road there is only one tavern with a few deck-chairs laid in front of the beautifully pebbled beach. Swim east, towards the rock and follow the sign “to cave”. You are swimming in the cave by now, stepping on soft sand inside emerald waters, and once you reach the other side (about 20m) you are in Aspri Paralia !!!

GOOD LUCK IN DISCOVERING SANTORINI!!!

REASONS TO EXPLORE SANTORINI ISLAND