Those who felt in love with Santorini, did so forever!
It is the island of the authentic wild beauty, of the best Aegean sunset! Santorini the volcanic island, the black diamond of the Aegean is one of the most beautiful, cosmopolitan and photographed places of international fame. It has a magnificent mystic aura and characteristics that are stunning and unique.
Santorini is concluded at world’s top 10 tourism destinations due to its magnificent landscape. It is well known all around the world for its volcano, its special history, its picturesque settlements and churches, its magic beaches with colorful sands and crystal waters, its excellent tourist infrastructure and its exciting nightlife.
But, among all these, Santorini gives to its visitors something special: its Caldera magic.
FIRA: the capital
The capital of the island is Thira, also called FIRA. It is built almost in the middle of the curve of the bay, above the volcanic caldera, at a height of 260 meters. The view of Kameni islands created by volcanic activity, is spectacular and unique. The site of Fira, on the brow of the grey, volcanic rock gives it an arresting quality which not found in any other settlement in the Cyclades.
From the old harbor of Skala Firon, the steps leading up to Fira town, may be climbed by foot, by donkey, or by cable-car. There are excursions by boat from Skala Firon to Palia and Nea Kameni, where the active center of the volcano can be seen, with steam still issuing from the rock, which has a golden appearance.
The Archaeological Museum (tel. 22860 22217) houses finds from the excavations on the island.
The Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral built in 1827 is located in Fira center overlooking the volcano and the Aegean Sea. It was rebuilt after the earthquake of 1956.
In the center of the capital is the baroque style Catholic Cathedral with an elegant bell tower, which is also rebuilt after the earthquake of 1956. It is dedicated to St. John the Baptist and is part of the Catholic Quarter in the center of the capital. In the Catholic Quarter is also the Dominican Convert named Rozaria with 12 nuns from different countries.
As you walk around the paved roads in Fira you will be impressed from the characteristic Cycladic architecture and you will find numerous shops, art galleries, tourist shops, travel agencies etc.
The capital is well known for its excellent tourist infrastructure. Here are some of the most luxurious hotel units of Greece, villas, apartments and rooms to let providing all comforts.
In Fira you can enjoy almost everything. There are numerous restaurants offering Greek and international specialties, taverns and coffee shops. Fira hold the scepters in nightlife and offer you nights full of rhythm, music and dance.
The settlements or FIROSTEFANI and IMEROVIGLI are almost merged into Fira and have views over the caldera.
Imerovigli impresses thousands visitors every year with its traditional Cycladic architecture of its houses and churches, and with the magnificent view of the Caldera and the volcano.
It is situated at the highest point of the rocks, at a height of 300 meters. In the village there are numerous hotel units and apartments for rent.
Firostefani is a traditional village with a superb view. From here you will admire one of the most idyllic sunsets. In the village you will find luxurious hotels, apartments and rooms to let.
Between Firostefani and Imerovigli is located Agios Nikolaos Monastery. It was founded in 1651 and is dedicated to three saints, St. Panteleimon, Zoodohos Pigi, and St. Nicholas. The monastery houses a fine Byzantine icon of Saint Nicholas.
The village of VOURVOULOS is 2,5 kilometers from Fira. Here, the visitor can enjoy the tranquillity of the island and the unique view to the sea and the plain. It has a fine, quiet beach with a traditional fish tavern where you will taste fresh fish and local recipes.
The village of KARTERADOS impresses every visitor for its architecture. The ancient settlement is carved in rocks. The new houses although are built on hillside.
In the center of the island is the traditional village of MESSARIA in area full of vineyards. The village is famous for the excellent wine that produces of fine quality. There are two distilleries that you can visit. In the village you will find hotels and rooms to let.
IA
As the road continues northwards parallel with the west coast of the island, we come to the traditional settlement of Finikia, followed by the beautiful village of IA 11 kilometers north-west of Fira, with its unique houses dug into the vertical face of the soft rock. Ia with its authentic beauty is built on a height if 350 meters above the sea level and is famous for its romantic and magic sunset all around the world.
The most popular spot to watch sunset is by the Kastro walls. The central square called Nikolaou Nomikou, skirts the caldera.
Walking through the picturesque paths, you will find a lot of tourist shops, art galleries, jewelries, coffee houses, cocktail bars and restaurants of Greek and international cuisine.
In this village is the Nautical Museum. It houses seamen’s chests, old maritime equipment, models of old and new Theran ships etc.
For swimming, 214 steps lead down to the beaches of ARMENAKI, AMMOUDI and KATHAROS. Southeast of Ia you will find the quiet pebbly beach of Kouloumbos with crystal waters. In Ammoudi you will find numerous fish taverns.
Ia is one of the most cosmopolitan tourist resorts of Santorini. There are numerous hotels, villas, apartments and studios to let providing all comforts.
PYRGOS, a beautiful inland village south-east of Fira, spreading around the slopes of Profitis Elias, was one of the medieval fortified settlements of Santorini, the remains of which are still preserved. Pyrgos was the capital of the island until 1800.
The village offers a good selection of hotels and apartments that provide a lovely view of the island and the Aegean Sea.
A short distance to the west is the harbor of Athinios.
The first village that you will see after the port is MEGALOCHORI.
It is a very beautiful village that combines in a unique way the traditional Cycladic architecture with the nobility of the neoclassic residences. In this village it is worth to visit the church of the Virgin Mary that houses the famous Kalentario with its miniature icons. In Megalochori you will find a lot of hotels and rooms for rent.
South-west of Fira, near the village AKROTIRI, is the archaeological site of the same name, one of the most important sites not only in the Cyclades, but in the entire Aegean. The excavations that began in 1967 have brought to light an entire, flourishing prehistoric city. An enormous eruption of the volcano, about 1500 BC , destroyed this city and buried it beneath the lava, covering it with a thick layer of volcanic ash that preserved it over the centuries almost exactly as it was the day destroyed. This magnificent wall-paintings from the houses of Akrotiri are displayed in a special room in the National Archaeological Museum in Athens.
A few minutes hike from Akrotiri will take you to the famous Red Beach widely known as an extraordinary physical phenomenon. Huge red rocks and reddish pebbles compose an unforgettable scenery.
To the east of Akrotiri lies EMPORIO a big and picturesque village 11 kilometers from the capital with characteristic local architecture.
The village had a fortified castle during the medieval years built by the Venetians and was called Casteli, vestiges of which are still visible. In Emporio is one of the oldest churches of the island, Palia Panagia which is famous for the ornately carved wooden dome on its bell-tower.
PERISSA – PERIVOLOS
PERISSA, close by, is a seaside cosmopolitan settlement that attracts many visitors. It has a wonderful and fully organized beach with superb, black sand.
In the area are the remains of the Byzantine church of Santa Irini that has given its name to the island (Santa Irini = Santorini). Around the coast there are a lot of hotels and rooms to let of all categories.
PERIVOLOS and Perissa are the most famous and cosmopolitan beaches of Santorini. The endless beach of Perivolos is also fully organized, it has black sand and crystal waters and it provides all comforts for all water sports. Perivolos is the right place to have fun in the beach bars. In the region there are hotels, rooms to let, taverns, coffee shops and bars.
VLYCHADA is the last village in the row of Perissa before Akrotiri and the perfect place to relax.
Before to reach its fine beach, you will pass from the small harbor. The stone hills just behind the beach keep it calm. In the village you will find some rooms to let and fish taverns.
KAMARI
KAMARI is one of the most popular holiday resorts of the island. It is located 10 kilometers from the capital and has an excellent tourist infrastructure with numerous hotels, apartments and rooms to let for all tastes. Along the coastline you will find many restaurants, taverns, coffee shops and bars. The beautiful black sandy and fully organized beach of Kamari is one of the most cosmopolitan of the island.
At Kamari are preserved the ruins of the Ancient Thira, the capital of the island during the 8th c.
MONOLITHOS is a small seaside settlement very close to Kamari.
In this area is the airport of Santorini.
The main attraction of Monolithos is the amazing sandy beach with its crystal clear waters. It is well organized and it is ideal for families.
NEARBY ISLETS
Opposite Santorini there are 3 small volcanic islets: Thirasia, Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni (the Volcano). Thirasia is the only inhabited of the three with a few settlements and a picturesque port. Its capital is Manolas.
Tour boats depart from the port just below Ia for cruises to the islands and swim in the hot springs of Palea Kameni.
TRADITION – EVENTS
A music festival is held every summer, and there are many religious festivals throughout the year at the churches and chapels on the island. Food and wine are offered at most of them, followed by local celebrations. The most popular religious festivals are: of Prophet Elias on July 20 in the capital, Metamorfosi Sotiros on August 6 ,of the Virgin Mary on August 15 in Akrotiri and of Saint John on August 29 in Perissa.
The Ifestia Cultural festival is held to Fira in August.
The Festival of Episkopi in Mesa Gonia takes place on August 15. The traditional fava dish is served to all participants.
LOCAL PRODUCTS – CUISINE
Santorini is well known for its agricultural products. The most famous of them are: fava, tomatoes, katsouni (kind of cucumber) and wine of fine quality. The most known varieties of the local wine are asyrtiko, visanto, and nikteri a white dry wine.
One of the most famous features of Santorini nightlife and entertainment is its delicious cuisine.
Santorini’s cuisine is primarily based on the island’s own agricultural products. Visitors can choose from a wide selection of traditional taverns and gourmet restaurants located throughout the island. The most famous dishes of the traditional local cuisine are the tomato balls, squash balls, fava, fresh cheese, many seafood dishes and of course fresh fish. Your meal will be more delicious when it is accompanied by a bottle of the famous wine of Santorini. Don’ t miss to taste melitinia sweets.
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