Travel to Santorini

Travel to Santorini

Santorini has plenty to offer all types of tourist. The biggest attraction on the island are the famous black sandy beaches, but there are also plenty of options for those who want to explore some of Greeces ancient culture. The volcano on the island is the most visited of its attractions, while Santorini also has a lively nightlife scene with some great bars and restaurants.

Transportation to Santorini

As one of the most popular islands in the Cyclades, transport links to Santorini are good. There are two airlines currently providing flights to Santorini from Athens; Olympic and Aegean. Flying time is around 45 minutes. The island is relatively small and the airport is only a short 15-minute drive from the most popular tourist resorts. Many of the hotels provide transfers to and from the airport. It is also possible to fly with Aegean to Thessaloniki and with Olympic to Mykonos. During the summer months, the number of flights increase, with some direct charters from a number of European cities becoming available.

There are daily ferries to Santorini from Athens Piraeus and Rafina. From the port at Santorini, there are buses to the capital and major tourist destinations. There are plenty of options for island hopping, with regular ferries to other islands in the Cyclades.

To get around the island, there is a small bus service linking the capital, Fira, with the major beaches and sites. In the summer, there are more frequent services. It is also possible to hire cars, motorbikes and bicycles on Santorini, and all these modes of transport are popular with visitors.

What to see

Santorini offers some of the finest archaeological sites in Greece and these are well worth a visit when you want a break from the beach. The ruins of Akrotiri are one of the most famous attractions, with the ancient city of Akrotiri preserved by volcanic ash. The houses here are well preserved and date to the 16th century BC.

The ruins of Thira are not quite as stunning as Akrotiri, but they are still worth visiting. The site has remains from Roman, Hellensitic and Byzantine periods, and its positioning allows for some stunning views of the sea. Many of the finds from both these sites are displayed in the archaeological museum in Fira.

The monastery of Profitis Ilias on the top of the mountain by the same name and the Megaro Gyzi Museum are also very popular with visitors to the island.

Daytrips

The most popular daytrip here is to take a boat to the Volcano of Santorini. The two small volcanic islands are the youngest in the eastern Mediterranean region. Boats bring you to Nea Kameni, from where a short walk takes you to the volcanos crater, where you can see sulphur steam rising. At Palia Kamenis, you can enjoy a plunge in the hot volcanic springs.

Activities and leisure

The most popular activities here focus on the islands superb beaches and for many, this includes sunbathing on the famous black sandy beaches and swimming in the deep blue waters. For the more active, there are plenty of water sports on offer here. Jet-skiing, waterskiing and windsurfing are just some of the options.

Safety issues

Most tourists enjoy a trouble-free holiday here, but there are a few things to take note of. Tap water on the island is not drinkable and the sun can be very strong between midday and 15:00, so make sure you take precautions and drink lots of water. As with all travel, beware of pickpockets in busy areas and make sure you have a comprehensive insurance policy.