No special recommendations are needed with reference to Santorini island. The volcanic island of Cyclades is famous all over the world for its magical sunsets, breathtaking views, extraordinary beaches and hundreds of white churches with blue domes. Wherever you are on the island, you will feel as if the whole island was a postcard!
Fira Town
Fira, the capital of Santorini, is one of the best places to sightsee on the island. It is the perfect Cycladic town which someone would call a real postcard landscape. Wander around the town alleys and discover the famous white and blue houses, admire the magnificent views of the caldera and enjoy elegant boutiques and luxury hotels with magnificent infinity pools. If you are a history buff or if you want to know more about Santorini, you can visit the two museums of Fira, the Museum of Prehistoric Thira and the Archaeological Museum.
Oia
Oia is a traditional Santorini settlement and one of the most popular places in Greece and abroad. It is the best place to enjoy Santorini sunset, which is world famous and millions of visitors travel from all over the world to enjoy. If you look for the perfect sunset spot, you can either find a spot in the town itself or book a table at one of the restaurants overlooking the Aegean.
Imerovigli
Imerovigli is a village of Santorini, located 3 kilometers northwest of Fira, at the highest point of the caldera. Its name is made up of the words “day and vigla”, meaning observation point, and probably derived from the existence of a small tower there which functioned as a daytime watchtower. Imerovigli is one of the most magnificent places on the island to enjoy the sunset, away from crowd.
Archaeological site of Akrotiri
If you are interested in the history of Santorini, the ancient site of Akrotiri is one of the best places on the island to visit. Akrotiri is an ancient Minoan city that was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1613 BC. and was discovered in 1967 during an archaeological excavation. That´s why it is also known as the Greek version of Pompeii. The location is one of the most significant in the Aegean Sea and it is considered to be the “Lost Atlantis”.
Three bells of Fira
One of the most famous and most photographed spots of the island is the Three Bells of Fira, officially known as The Catholic Church of the Dormition, on the island of Santorini. The church is famed for its characteristic three bells, blue dome, and picturesque views. These bells are rightly captured in photos of thousands of magazines worldwide and in millions of posts on Instagram. The view from there is astonishing. It is the place where you can calm down at any time of the day and take photos outlooking the Aegean and the colors of the sunset. The church’s feast day is on August 15th.
Pyrgos village
Pyrgos is the highest village of Santorini, located 10 kilometers southeast of Fira, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the whole island. In the village there are 48 churches and chapels, the most important of which is Church of the Presentation of the Virgin Mary, dating from 1660. Apart from its traditional beauty and picturesque setting, Pyrgos is particularly popular for the impressive special procession of the Epitaph on the evening of Good Friday; thousands of aluminum cans, stuffed with flammable materials, are placed everywhere, creating an unforgettable picture as the entire village glows ablaze, with thousands of people, holding candles, following the procession of Epitaph through the narrow streets.
Ammoudi
Ammoudi is a small fishing village located at the bottom of the idyllic Oia village. It was formerly used as a port for merchant ships carrying products for the whole island and its buildings were mainly warehouses for storing these goods. To reach the bay, you have to descend around 300 steps that will lead you to a waterfront with traditional fish taverns and a wonderful beach, where you will find a nice place to swim and dive in the clear waters. The bay of Ammoudi extends under the impressive caldera cliffs.
Red Beach
Red Beach is without a doubt like no other. It is surrounded by impressive red rocks that lie along the black volcanic sand. It is located in Akrotiri, a short distance from the archaeological site. It is a semi-organized beach with a few umbrellas and sunbeds but without a beach bar, so make sure that you carry all the necessary equipment with you. It is just a 20-minute drive from Fira town and then there is a small footpath you need to hike on, which leads to this imposing red-colored scenery and the unique Red beach. Its rock formations and its interesting marine life make the beach also ideal for snorkeling.
Megalochori
Megalochori is another picturesque village of Santorini. You won’t find too many visitors in this little village, so it’s a great place to enjoy quietness and experience the authentic beauty of the island. It is located 10 minutes from Fira. The location of the village offers breathtaking views of the caldera on the west and of a vast valley on the east, full of vineyards which Megalochori is renowned for. It hosts three of the most important and exceptional wineries where visitors can go sightseeing and learn about the production and history of wine-making.
Emporio village
Emporio or “Niborio” is the largest village of Santorini. The village was probably named Emporio (=trade) since it used to be the center of the commerce. It is located at a distance of 12 kilometers from Fira, at the foot of Profitis Ilias Mountain and very close to the beaches of Perivolo and Perissa. Among the worth -visiting places of the village is the Tower of Nimborio (“Goulas”), a square building in the northern part of the village, which was used as a watchtower and was built during the period of Venetian rule, probably around the 15thcentury. Picturesque alleys, donkeys and traditional settlements are some of what visitors will view in this village, which will definitely capture their hearts.
