Santorini tips - by travel authority Howard Hillman

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I hope my pointers on Santorini in Greece prove useful to you.

Akrotiri Islands

Akrotiri (see Santorini Island map below) is an archaeological and tourist site in southern Santorini.

A visitor path takes you through the partially restored ruins of a town that was buried under ash by the famous volcanic eruption of 3600 years ago. Excavations began in the 1960s.

Click the button below for the interesting background of the Santorini (Thera) volcano.

Kameni Islands

The two are volcano islets. They sit near the middle of the caldera bay (see map).

Nea (new) Kameni
It reached above the water surface about 300 years ago. New Kameni last erupted in the 1950s and remains modestly active with rising sulfuric steam plumes. You can take a tour to that islet and walk on its lunar-like terrain.

Palia (old) Kameni
This islet is about two millennia old. You can visit Palia Kameni and take a mud bath heated by underground volcanic activity.

Santorini Islands Map

Both the island group and its largest island are named Santorini.

Beaches

They play an important part in the life of many Santorini vacationers. Red Beach, back dropped with high reddish cliffs, is the most stunning. See map above for its location.

The beaches of the Perissa and Kamari sea resort areas (see map) on the east coast of Santorini are the most popular in terms of tourist count. Be aware that their black volcanic sands (though visually interesting) readily absorb solar rays. That's why they can get foot-burning hot under a blazing midday sun.

Santorini accommodation areas

Some visitors choose the east coast sea resorts on the non-crater side of Santorini Island. After lounging on the beach in the afternoon, they take an evening outing to Fira for its terraced restaurants and spirited nightlife.

Others prefer to stay in caldera-rim villages like Fira and make daytrips to the beaches.

The first option (east coast) is usually best for families and beach worshipers, the second (on the rim) for nightlife enthusiasts and adventurous travelers. For me, I like the second option because it provides a better strategic base for exploring all of Santorini.

Before booking a cliff-village hotel, make sure your room isn't too far down the slope. Otherwise, you may have to walk up 50 to 100 steps each time you want to go the village's main drag.

Transportation

You can fly to Santorini from Athens, Greece. You can do the same from Mykonos and a few other Greek Islands.

Santorini is well-connected by scheduled ferries from the mainland of Greece and from major nearby Greek Islands. But keep double checking the latest departure and arrival times because some operators are notorious for not adhering to their printed schedules.

Santorini has a decent public bus system for getting around the island. You also have the taxi and rental (car, bicycle, motorbike) options.

More Santorini tips & insights

Museum
Fira has an archaeological museum with a worthy selection of local ancient artifacts, some dating back to the historic volcanic eruption.

Wine
Santorini exports wine to countries around the globe. Its best known wine is a dry white made with the indigenous Assyrtiko grape. Though unremarkable, it becomes special when sipped in Santorini.

Wine grapes are grown in volcanic soil. The vines have to rely mainly on morning dew for its watering needs (Santorini has limited rain, spring, and other fresh water sources).

My other

Santorini web pages

I have two other web pages on Santorini. Click the blue buttons below to view them.