The Greek island of Santorini is breathtaking
The small Greek island is even prettier than the photos make it look! Santorini is known for its cave-like buildings that are whitewashed and glowing in the sun. Although the town of Oia is the hot spot on the island, there is a ton to do and see outside of town. This is the perfect location for honeymooners, families, or a girls trip! I went with 5 of my closest girlfriends and it was paradise!
I put together my top 8 recommendations for travelers to Santorini:
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Watch a sunset in Oia
The sunsets here are world renowned. People truly travel from across the globe to witness the sun dipping below the Aegean Sea. If you plan to go, try to go before June or after August. We went at the end of May and the crowds were definitely building but all of the locals said things got really crazy in July and August. As for getting a good seat to watch the sunset, they are everywhere! Just sit down wherever you are and take in the view.
2. Go on a private boat tour around the island
Santorini’s stunning cliffside views are thanks to volcanic eruptions over time that have created their famous caldera. Seeing this from a boat is so much fun! It is also a great way to see White Beach, Red Beach, and Black Beach. These beaches are not your typical sandy beaches so it is just fine to see them from the water and appreciate the beautiful landscape they create. On our tour, we were able to swim in a couple of different spots and we were served a delicious lunch aboard the boat. Plan on spending $100-$150 depending on how long your boat tour lasts.
3. Get a gyro from The Grill in Karterados
Gyros are a part of everyday Greek life and at The Grill, they are done right! For under 3 euro you will sink your teeth into the best gyro on the island! We stayed a short 5-minute walk from The Grill and made an almost daily stop for one of their gyro’s. They are the perfect mix of spiced meat, fresh pita, and crunchy veggies!
4. Walk through the winding streets of Oia at night and wander through the shops
Oia is just about as charming as you can get. From the doorstep views to the ocean views, it is so much fun to walk around the town and take it all in. We had one of the best dinners EVER at Roka in Oia. Finding it is one of the craziest treasure hunts you will ever do, but it is completely worth your time. You must get the mushroom toast! It comes with a bearnaise sauce that will send your tastebuds soaring. The prices are very reasonable, I recommend sharing dishes so that you can try a variety of entrees! After dinner, you have to stop for some gelato at Lolita’s! The coconut and Nutella flavors are divine with the smoothest consistency. We tried a lot of different gelato places and this was the best, hands down!
5. Go to Akrotiri
The ancient city of Akrotiri was a complete surprise to us. Once we arrived in Santorini some locals told us about the ancient seaside town that was covered by volcanic ash in 1600 B.C. Because it has been buried in the ash for so long it is incredibly well preserved. We were all blown away to see that the inhabitants there had built a plumbing system and beautiful artwork for their homes more than 3,600 years ago! Mind-blowing for sure and a great history lesson at the same time.
6. Check out the views from the oldest monastery on the island
The monastery happens to be located on top of the tallest hill on Santorini. It offers gorgeous sweeping views of the caldera. They still perform religious services at the monastery but you need to be Greek Orthodox to participate in them fully. Be warned: the ride up is very windy with steep cliffs on either side of you so if that makes you queasy, you may want to skip this outing.
7. Have dinner in Fira
If you want to get away from the crowds in Oia go to dinner in Fira. We happened to be able to save a kitten thanks to some local girls who were extra vigilant of their surroundings! (long story, with a happy ending) In Fira they have plentiful restaurants that offer authentic Greek favorites. It is a slower pace than the rest of the island and can be fun to stroll around.
8. Stay in a beautiful Airbnb
Our FAVORITE part of the trip was the Airbnb that we were able to snatch up. Described as a NeoClassical Mansion it fit all six of us comfortably. A housekeeper visited daily to keep things tidy and the friendly staff sent us to the best restaurants on the island. The home is impeccably designed and decorated and the pool and patio area make it so you don’t even need to leave the place for a relaxing vacation. I would recommend this spot for families or for groups of 4 to 6 people. It was spectacular and I hope to return again soon!
A few other tips for travelers to Santorini:
- Make sure you rent a car. The island is large and things are very spread out. Having a car is very convenient and helps you see more in less time. Be warned that most rental cars on the island are manual transmission and the streets and alleyways are VERY narrow!
- When in doubt – ask a local! The Greek people are so hospitable and warm. Thanks to the locals we were able to see and do more than we would have ever done on our own.
- Bring light, breathable clothes. The island gets hot in the summer months so make sure you bring items that you will be comfortable in.
Enjoy your time on this beautiful Greek island! Make sure to check out our other recommendations for the Best Authentic Food To Try In Greece and the 7 Things To Know If You Are An American Travelling To Greece.
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