Santorini for first timers

Santorini is the supermodel of the Greek islands, whose head is instantly recognizable around the world: colorful rocks unfold from a caldera drowning in the sea, full of deformations of whitewashed buildings. See the island with Santorini private tour. Find Santorinitours.org at Emporio 847 03 and call us on 694 457 7918. With its reputation for dazzling panoramas, romantic sunsets and volcanic beaches, it’s no surprise that the island features features in many travelers’ box lists.

There is no doubt about the uniqueness of this destination or its enormous charm – Santorini hosts 1.5 million tourists annually. Here’s everything you need to know if you plan to join this crowd.

Volcanic history

Part of the Cyclades archipelago, Santorini (known as Thira, a name that includes the volcanic islets in the orbit of Santorini), is located in the Aegean Sea about halfway through Athens and Crete.

The island has the shape of a croissant and the neighboring islands imply that Santorini was once circular. It was known as Round. Tousands of years ago a colossal volcanic eruption caused the center of the Round to sink, leaving a caldera (or crater) with towering cliffs along the east side – now the Santorini trademark landscape.

The settlements of the Caldera

The commercial development of Santorini is concentrated on the shores of the Caldera in the western part of the island, with large clusters of whitewashed buildings nesting in the heights, pouring under the hideouts and offering views that explode from the sea or the sea.

Fira, the lively capital of the island, crosses the villages of Firostefani (about 15 minutes walk from Fira) and Imerovigli (the highest point of the caldera coast, about half an hour walk from Fira) to the north. A trail that crosses these villages is full of luxury hotels, restaurants and endless photos.

These three settlements attract most visitors, along with the stunning and quite exclusive village of Oia in the north of Santorini. There are a growing number of hotels on the south island, offering views of the caldera to the north and northeast. The views of Akrotiri arrive cheaper than Oia, but it is a good way from the action of Fira.

Away from the edge of the caldera

The east coast of Santorini is less well known than the famous, elevated west coast. Here, the caldera heights have reached sea level, and the volcanic beaches and resorts offer a very different card. East seaside resorts such as Kamari and Perissa have a more traditional (and more affordable) appeal for holiday islands: beaches full of sunbathing, water sports, bars and taverns with taverns.

The beaches of the east coast are lined with black sand. on the south coast, there are a number of beaches known for their colorful sand – the dramatic Red Beach is a favorite traveler.

The interior of the island is built with vineyards and traditional villages that allow you to see beyond the tourist traffic. Stop at Pyrgos for great food and wander the charming alleys.

When to go

The maximum travel time is in July and August, when prices go up and hotels, beaches and beaches are full of tourists. The months of April, May, early June, late September and October are good times to visit – things are marginally quieter on the caldera edge and significantly quieter on the east coast (where accommodation opportunities abound).

Do not miss a winter break when the crowds are few (and prices are low) while the scenery is still breathtaking. Santorini deals with the placement as a destination all year round.

Where to stay

If they can afford it, the first timers in Santorini will have to stay on the edge of the caldera to experience the full “wow” factor. Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia have hotels and villas with whitewashed interiors, terraces and swimming pools that have inspired wedding proposals, high fashion cameras and many Instagram posts. Unfortunately, there are not many budget-conscious travelers in these enjoyable locations: accommodation with caldera views is premium and is in hot demand.

There are decent middle options in Fira and Firostefani (less in Imerovigli and Oia), away from the panoramas of the front line. There is also a large guest house and a welcoming camp (with rooms) on the outskirts of Fira.

If you are more interested in holidays or activities on the beach, stay in Perissa or Kamari (and take the bus to Fira). The advantage of this is some break from the caldera camera crowds and more reasonable prices.