Santorini Island - tourist pearl of Greece

The romantic island of Santorini, lost in the middle of the Aegean Sea, attracts travelers thanks to its distinctive architecture - quaint little houses painted in white and blue tones, and preserved old windmills. The settlements on the island are completely unlike other Greek settlements, there are no noisy motorways and wide streets, and from the small quiet port to the island capital there is only a narrow staircase.

History : Offering trips to the island of Santorini, Greece and its travel agencies actively promote the identity of this scrap of drying that has risen from the sea, and guides tell travelers an amazing history of its settlements that intertwines with numerous ancient Greek legends. Local residents claim that Santorini created the mighty Poseidon, and the legend says how an angry god turned a guilty seahorse into a small island.

Scientists testify that the first people settled here about five millennia ago, but the ancient civilization was destroyed because of the strongest eruption of the volcano. It is still operational, and the last time the eruption occurred in 1956, which is still remembered by some Greek settlers.

How to get there : Travelers can get to Santorini island in two ways - by air or by water. From the Greek port of Piraeus, located in the vicinity of Athens, high-speed boats are sent regularly, however, it is recommended to book tickets for them in advance, as the legendary island is eager to visit a large number of adventurers. The boat is on the road for about four hours, so the road to Santorini resembles a sea voyage, and if you want, you can fly to Athens from a small plane.

Entertainment : An unforgettable holiday in Santorini is a visit to unique beaches covered with red or black volcanic ash instead of golden sand. However, the water in the Aegean Sea remains cool even in summer heat, as it does not warm up well due to considerable depth. The program of obligatory entertainments includes photography of a romantic sunset, riding on donkeys, able to climb up the mountain paths, and tasting the "Vinsanto" wines produced on the island.

Coming to the island of Santorini to combine bathing in the Aegean Sea with nightly entertainment, it is advisable to settle in the city of Fira. Towards midnight, many local taverns turn into ordinary nightclubs, whose main visitors are local Greeks and European tourists.

Sightseeing : The main sights of Santorini are scattered all over the island, so it is recommended to rent a motorcycle or moped for their inspection, since it is not easy to drive along narrow winding streets by car. You can go to the archaeological site, where the ruins of the ancient city of Akrotiri are cleared of volcanic ash, visit the sanctuary of Apollo in the middle of the ruins of ancient Fira, look at the fortress Imerovigli and the monastery of Elijah the Prophet.

Cities : The administrative center of Santorini is the city of Fira, built up with white houses, between which the blue domes rise. Here are concentrated small hotels, Greek taverns, boutiques with clothes and numerous jewelry shops, unusual museums, and among the monuments of architecture stands the Cathedral.

The town of Oia is located in the north of the unique Greek island, in the shape of a crescent moon. There are no ancient buildings here, since the village was destroyed after a massive earthquake in 1956, but the locals rebuilt their houses, and they look like the buildings erected centuries ago. However, now many buildings have become small private hotels, waiting for travelers to the island of Santorini travelers.