Things to do in Santorini
Discussion
There are a few things to keep you occupied!
You can do a winery tour, they will pick you up from your accommodation and take you to 4 or 5 different vineyards where you will taste wine and you will taste some local cuisine. We did this one and were very happy with it... https://amazing-santorini.rezdy.com/25184/day-tour...
There is evening sunset boat trips which are good fun.
You walk the edge of the caldera, it is pretty good path most of the way and some great views, but plan carefully if it is a hot day!
You can do a winery tour, they will pick you up from your accommodation and take you to 4 or 5 different vineyards where you will taste wine and you will taste some local cuisine. We did this one and were very happy with it... https://amazing-santorini.rezdy.com/25184/day-tour...
There is evening sunset boat trips which are good fun.
You walk the edge of the caldera, it is pretty good path most of the way and some great views, but plan carefully if it is a hot day!
matt3001 said:
I've also got a keen interest in this thread as I have a week there in August staying at Firostefani.
What's generally the best way to get around the island?
Hire car, unless you have time to share taxis with people staying in completely different locations to yourself. A simple 4km taxi ride can easily turn out to take an hour or more.What's generally the best way to get around the island?
matt3001 said:
What's generally the best way to get around the island?
Join the masses, (locals & tourists) and hire a quad!Even on a, wheezy, chinese quad it won't take more than an hour and half to drive around the whole island!
Don't imaginge you can enjoy the sunset at Oia, on your own, the place is rammed every night!
Thanks to its stunning beauty, you can go and look at a lot of blue domed buildings stuck to the larva and imagine your in a cover photo for a greek island , Santorini is not all plain sailing it has a problem too many visitors during the summer when tempetures can get up to 38c and cruise lines pull in the roads are blocked and hotels/restaurants are full and prices increase, best going now to June and after September.
CypSIdders said:
Join the masses, (locals & tourists) and hire a quad!
Even on a, wheezy, chinese quad it won't take more than an hour and half to drive around the whole island!
Don't imaginge you can enjoy the sunset at Oia, on your own, the place is rammed every night!
Check your travel insurance if you are going to get on quad! Even on a, wheezy, chinese quad it won't take more than an hour and half to drive around the whole island!
Don't imaginge you can enjoy the sunset at Oia, on your own, the place is rammed every night!
I don't think the sunset in Oia is actually that good, it is better further down the island with Oia in the distance.
Oceanic said:
There is evening sunset boat trips which are good fun.
Second this. There is one which visits the Caldera, stops at the mud pools & for a swim then heads out to see the sunset. There is food on board and a wee shindig which is fun, particularly after the seemingly limitless wine !Walking around the Fira in the evening is nice so long as a cruise liner isnt in.
The archaeological dig at Akrotiri if its opened up again.
Wine tours as stated, the quality is pretty good.
Oia along with everyone else...
Across to Volcano for a dander.
I also found the bus service really good and it drops you off really conveniently in Fira; so don't discount that.
The archaeological dig at Akrotiri if its opened up again.
Wine tours as stated, the quality is pretty good.
Oia along with everyone else...
Across to Volcano for a dander.
I also found the bus service really good and it drops you off really conveniently in Fira; so don't discount that.
HI DaveH23, have been to Santorini many times , its a totaly one off place. Agree with all the other comments but have to add my own words of caution. Some wont like what i have to say but take advice. Watch your meal bill, make sure you check it as they add things to it and change prices charging you a few more euros than what you asked for. It happened to me 5 times out of 7. If you hire a car take photos as they made out I marked the car, it was on there when i hired it. DO NOT go the very end of Perissa beach, there is Romanian/Albanian man who is robbing innocent tourists. I left my wife on the beach to walk along the sea, to see this man hanging around in the bushes behind her. He was getting ready to rob us, but i stopped him by chasing him off with a big stick, took his photo and warned i would show police. He off'd on his moped and he went to another part. BE careful. BUT ENJOY !!!!!!!
Was there last month, stayed for a week in Fira - http://www.volcano-view.com/
Stunning views over the Caldera and great service from the Hotel, and they provided a handy shuttle bus into town (takes around 5 mins) and then from there you can get a bus to Oia (take around 20mins) and only costs a few £ - very easy, so easy we didn't bother with car hire...
Spent a day or so generally site seeing around Fira / Oia, couple days soaking up some sun and then went on a day trip / tour around Akrotiri / Thira which included a stop off at the winery and general wandering around through the towns.
Then finished off with a boat trip which stopped at the Volcano / hot springs / finished back in Oia for sunset..
Had a fantastic, chilled out break..nothing earth shattering to see but a good break during the start of the season...
The area around the sunset view in Oia was already pretty busy and we were there at the start of the season, so I can imagine it'll be pretty hectic during the peak season, i'd def recommend booking your restaurant before hand if you want to guarantee a spot, or pack a picnic / wine and ignore the crowd and just find a spot overlooking the sea, there's plenty of nooks and crany's to get happily lost in!
Food wise - the two that we tried and enjoyed -
Salt and Pepper - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g4...
5 mins walk up, further up the road to Firostefani -
The Bone - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g6...
Enjoy your trip
Stunning views over the Caldera and great service from the Hotel, and they provided a handy shuttle bus into town (takes around 5 mins) and then from there you can get a bus to Oia (take around 20mins) and only costs a few £ - very easy, so easy we didn't bother with car hire...
Spent a day or so generally site seeing around Fira / Oia, couple days soaking up some sun and then went on a day trip / tour around Akrotiri / Thira which included a stop off at the winery and general wandering around through the towns.
Then finished off with a boat trip which stopped at the Volcano / hot springs / finished back in Oia for sunset..
Had a fantastic, chilled out break..nothing earth shattering to see but a good break during the start of the season...
The area around the sunset view in Oia was already pretty busy and we were there at the start of the season, so I can imagine it'll be pretty hectic during the peak season, i'd def recommend booking your restaurant before hand if you want to guarantee a spot, or pack a picnic / wine and ignore the crowd and just find a spot overlooking the sea, there's plenty of nooks and crany's to get happily lost in!
Food wise - the two that we tried and enjoyed -
Salt and Pepper - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g4...
5 mins walk up, further up the road to Firostefani -
The Bone - https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Restaurant_Review-g6...
Enjoy your trip
Walked the Caldera today.
Walking the Caldera by Kenny Drew, on Flickr
I'm enjoying the walking and taking photos while the place isn't that busy. Some great restaurants, interesting food and cold beers. Tomorrow I'm doing nothing!
Walking the Caldera by Kenny Drew, on FlickrI'm enjoying the walking and taking photos while the place isn't that busy. Some great restaurants, interesting food and cold beers. Tomorrow I'm doing nothing!
Barbarossa boat trip with mario was amazing. We had the boat to ourselves :-) 4pm-~10pm. Such a brilliant day. Proper yacht, and used the sails a few times.
We have been here all week. We hired a car for a few days and did all the dashing around. Did the boat trip in Wednesday as mentioned above and have spent the last 3 days gettingsun tan sunburn on the beach in perissa. Literally perfect.
We have been here all week. We hired a car for a few days and did all the dashing around. Did the boat trip in Wednesday as mentioned above and have spent the last 3 days getting
Just got back Last week, that was our 7th visit in 25 years, although this was a first time we arrived on a cruise ship, and it will be the last... there were 5 ships in that day and the only way up from the port is the cable car, the donkeys, or the steps, so there are big queues to go up, and even bigger ones to come down.
But back to the questions...
Plan your days carefully... find out when the cruise ships are due to be in, and on those days do something where the ships dont affect... and stay out of Thira until early evening where most of the ships will have gone.
the bus service is a great way to get around, and in September it will be less busy than main season. there is always a queue for the taxis from Thira late at night, but in the day they are OK.
Some great places to eat... one of our favourites is avocado in imerovigli... its run by an ex Greek army fighter pilot. you will need to book though.
walk the coastal path from imerovigli to Thira late afternoon, takes about an hour, spectacular views,
Wine tours are interesting... pick a day or a winery that are not affected by the cruise ships.
akrotiri is definitely worth a visit, one of the worlds most important archaeological sites. We first visited 25 years ago, and they have come a long way since then uncovering the site. It closed for many years as the roof collapsed, but its open again now and well organised. the bus stops there as well.
Oia is worth a visit... again avoid cruise days, or do early evening and if the budget allows, have dinner at 1800, chose a roof table. again book well in advance, I think you can Email them, ask for a sunset table.
Expect the maintenance on ANYTHING you hire to be poor... We hired a car once... he topped the brake fluid up before we left! after a few days it was low again!
Thira can be VERY busy at times, and all roads lead there. I would not advise a quad or a motorbike unless you are experienced! check you travel insurance as many policy's now exclude bikes and quads.
Take a boat tour that does the hot springs... But not if you have dyed hair... it seems to affect the dye in some peoples hair, and it also dyes your trunks if they are a pale colour! We watched a "blond" girl sobbing her heart out once as her hair had gone pale green, and her white bikini orange!
Walk down from Oia to Amoudi Bay, some great little restaurants.
Its the only place we keep going back to... a week is enough just to chill... Although last September we flew to Mykonos, got the ferry from there to Paros, then Ios, and on to Santorini and flew home afte a couple of weeks. It was a great holiday! Ios is stunning, and a third of the price to stay compared to Santorini.
have a look here... although check availability as late September is towards the end of the season.
https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Thera%2C+Santori...
and Santorini Dave gives some good advice on his site! (google it!)
But back to the questions...
Plan your days carefully... find out when the cruise ships are due to be in, and on those days do something where the ships dont affect... and stay out of Thira until early evening where most of the ships will have gone.
the bus service is a great way to get around, and in September it will be less busy than main season. there is always a queue for the taxis from Thira late at night, but in the day they are OK.
Some great places to eat... one of our favourites is avocado in imerovigli... its run by an ex Greek army fighter pilot. you will need to book though.
walk the coastal path from imerovigli to Thira late afternoon, takes about an hour, spectacular views,
Wine tours are interesting... pick a day or a winery that are not affected by the cruise ships.
akrotiri is definitely worth a visit, one of the worlds most important archaeological sites. We first visited 25 years ago, and they have come a long way since then uncovering the site. It closed for many years as the roof collapsed, but its open again now and well organised. the bus stops there as well.
Oia is worth a visit... again avoid cruise days, or do early evening and if the budget allows, have dinner at 1800, chose a roof table. again book well in advance, I think you can Email them, ask for a sunset table.
Expect the maintenance on ANYTHING you hire to be poor... We hired a car once... he topped the brake fluid up before we left! after a few days it was low again!
Thira can be VERY busy at times, and all roads lead there. I would not advise a quad or a motorbike unless you are experienced! check you travel insurance as many policy's now exclude bikes and quads.
Take a boat tour that does the hot springs... But not if you have dyed hair... it seems to affect the dye in some peoples hair, and it also dyes your trunks if they are a pale colour! We watched a "blond" girl sobbing her heart out once as her hair had gone pale green, and her white bikini orange!
Walk down from Oia to Amoudi Bay, some great little restaurants.
Its the only place we keep going back to... a week is enough just to chill... Although last September we flew to Mykonos, got the ferry from there to Paros, then Ios, and on to Santorini and flew home afte a couple of weeks. It was a great holiday! Ios is stunning, and a third of the price to stay compared to Santorini.
have a look here... although check availability as late September is towards the end of the season.
https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Thera%2C+Santori...
and Santorini Dave gives some good advice on his site! (google it!)
Edited by buzzer on Monday 20th June 09:59
.... and expect a farce at the airport on the way home too. Literally the most disorganised airport I have ever been to.
We will return thats for sure. I dont recall ever being so chilled out....
Spot on advise buzzer. Some of those restaurants/things were on our list but we didnt get chance to do them this time.
We hired a smart car cab.... the brakes were shocking. Needed new discs and pads.
It was quite fun to drive though.... apart from the aforementioned brakes and auto gearbox which actually stops for a siesta whilst shifting.
We will return thats for sure. I dont recall ever being so chilled out....
Spot on advise buzzer. Some of those restaurants/things were on our list but we didnt get chance to do them this time.
We hired a smart car cab.... the brakes were shocking. Needed new discs and pads.
It was quite fun to drive though.... apart from the aforementioned brakes and auto gearbox which actually stops for a siesta whilst shifting.
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