Santorini Key Attractions

Santorini is typical of many islands of the Cyclades, with something to offer all types of visitors. The island's beautiful black sandy beaches are a big attraction, but there are also opportunities to explore ancient Greek culture with some fine archaeological sites. The island is most famous for its volcano and boat trips here are a must.

Santorini Volcano

The volcano here is the most popular attraction on the island and is a must-visit for anyone holidaying here. The two small islands of Palia Kameni and Nea Kameni are the youngest islands in the eastern Mediterranean and both are the results of volcanic eruptions, with Nea Kameni being only around 400 years old. The volcanic eruption, dated around 1500 BC, is said to have been one of the biggest volcanic eruptions of the last few thousand years and it would have been responsible for significant climatic changes.

It is easy to take a half-day cruise here and boat trips are advertised all over the island. The boat will bring you to Nea Kameni (which means Young Burnt Island in Greek), where the most recent eruption occurred in 1950. From here, you can walk for 20 minutes to see the volanco's crater and witness sulphur steam rising. There are also great views of the Santoini mainland from here.

Boat trips will then usually take you to Palia Kamenis, where you can relax in the hot springs before returning to the mainland.

Ruins of Akrotiri

Located on the southern tip of the island, Akrotiri is an ancient city preserved by volcanic ash, making it a fascinating place to visit. The site was initially discovered by a French archaeological team in 1866, but it wasn't until 100 years later that Professor Marinatos began serious excavations. This is a live archaeological site with ongoing excavations. The houses here date back to the 16th century BC and you can clearly see well preserved staircases, huge ceramic storage containers, a mill and evidence of a complex drainage system. Professor Marinatos died after falling on the site and he is buried here. The site is covered to protect it from the elements. Phone: +30 2860 81366.

Ruins of Thira

Although not quite as impressive as Akrotiri, the 11th century BC ruins of Thira are also interesting. The site is located on a headland on the southeast coast and was discovered by a German team in the 1860s. There are remains from Roman, Hellensitic and Byzantine periods here. The ruins show temples, a gymnasium and a theatre which is well-positioned with stunning views out to sea.

To the west of the site, there are some carvings depicting the gods Zeus (an eagle), Apollo (a lion), Poseidon (a dolphin) and Dionysos (a phallus). The site is positioned about 400 metres above ground and the views from here are beautiful.

The archaeological museum of Santorini, in Fira, contains many of the finds from the Thira and Akrotiri sites. Phone: +30 22860 23 217; website: www.culture.gr/2/21/211/21121m/e211um18.html.

Monastery of Profitis Ilias

This interesting monastery, perched at 550 metres on the peak of Profitis Ilias Mountain, is situated two miles from the village of Pyrgos. Construction of the monastery began in 1771, and it has an imposing fortress-like look to it.

The monastery has an important place in the islands history. In the early 19th century, Greek literature and language were taught here and the monastery was a place of great wealth. Today, it is home to a museum displaying various books as well as some historical and cultural objects. The town of Pyrgos itself has some stunning old buildings and the remains of a Venetian castle.

Cultural Centre (Megaro Gyzi Museum)

The cultural centre was established for the cultural improvement and advancement of Thira and its residents, but it is also makes an interesting place to visit for temporary visitors to the island. The centre hosts exhibitions, plays, musical events and talks during the busy summer season and it also has some permanent exhibitions. Of these, the major displays are of old maps and historical documents from the 16th to the 19th century, relating to Santorini, and also some interesting old photographs and paintings of the island. The centre is situated opposite the Roman Catholic cathedral in Fira. Phone: +30 2860 22244; website: www.megarogyzi.gr/defaultEngl.asp.

Beaches

As with any Greek island holiday, one of the biggest attractions are the superb beaches, and Santorini is no exception. Santorini beaches are quite spectacular; the volcanic history of the island has resulted in some stunning red, black and white sandy beaches with deep blue water.

The busiest tourist beaches are the ones at Kamari and Perissa, with both having long black sandy beaches that are great for swimming and water sports. These beaches also offer excellent restaurants, tavernas, shops, bars and hotels, and this is where many visitors base themselves during a holiday here.

The red beach at Akrotiri is perhaps one of the most stunning sights on the island, surrounded by huge red lava cliffs and red-black sand. The beach does get busy and it is quite pebbly, so its more comfortable to lie on a sun lounger than on the beach itself. The beach can be reached by road and then by a short walk, or by boat.

If youre looking for a slightly quieter beach holiday, Santorini offers plenty of beaches to explore. Perivolos, Vlihada and Cape Columbo are all worth a visit if you want to get away from the crowds.