Island of Santorini – Greece is perhaps the most popular island in the country

The Island of Santorini – Greece is perhaps the most popular island in the country; offering romantic getaways for couples, beach holidays for the entire family and idyllic settings for those looking to get a bit of rest and relaxation.

Location

The Island of Santorini – Greece sits along the southern shores of the Aegean Sea, lying between the islands of Ios and Anafi.

Getting There

Flying in is via the international airport located in Athens, the Athens Eleftherios Venizelos International Airport – a newly-constructed airport opened in 2001.

From Athens, the easiest and fastest way to reach the Island of Santorini – Greece is via a local flight into the Santorini National Airport. The flight will take about 30 minutes.

However, if you will be flying in between the months of May and October, there are direct flights going to Santorini, from a good number of airports around Europe such as Germany, London, Zurich, Milan and Brussels.

You can also arrive at the Santorini port via cruise ships. Ferries are also available from other islands in Greece.

What to See and Do

The Island of Santorini – Greece has a good number of villages and towns, each offering something special for tourists. Oia or Ia for instance, is very famous for its beautiful sunset views.

This picturesque, quaint town has served as an inspiration for a good many artists. There are restaurants around the Caldera where you can watch the sunset as you enjoy your favorite local drink.

If you would like to see the Black Pebble Beach, then head off to Kamari; and if you want to visit a beach that is ideal for both kids and adults, then you should head to Monolithos as the waters here are relatively shallow.

There are plenty of other beaches around the island and you can go scuba diving or snorkeling in these beaches during your holiday here.

The island is also famous for its wines and you can visit some of the wineries here and even taste a few samples.

You can likewise visit the Museum of Pre-Historic Thira as well as the Archeological Museum, which are both located in Fira.

Brief History

The Island of Santorini – Greece, also known as Thira, has an estimated area of 96 square kilometers and 69 kilometers of coastline. In earlier times, prior to the volcanic eruption, the island was circular in shape.

A volcanic eruption however completely destroyed the core of the island, causing it to sink under the sea. This in turn resulted in the now famous caldera of the island.

The first volcanic eruption occurred some time in 1500 BC. This particular eruption is believed to have been the cause of the destruction of Crete’s Minoan civilization.

The volcano hasn’t erupted since its last activity in the year 1956.

Cost

Public buses around the island cost between 1.40 and 2 Euros. If you would like to rent a car, this costs about 45 Euros per day. Bikes can also be rented and these cost about 7 Euros per day.

For diving and snorkeling, dive centers offer two dives for around 80 Euros inclusive of dive equipment.

On the other hand, if you would like to purchase snorkeling gear, you can get a mask for around 10 Euros and fins for about 20 Euros.

Other Information

The Island of Santorini – Greece does not have its own water source hence; it is important to remember to drink bottled water at all times. Also, wear sunscreen when going out as the sun can be pretty hot in these parts of Greece.