Walk from Oia to Fira late in the day when it's cooling down. Get the bus to Oia, spend some time in this beautiful jewel of a place, then walk the six miles or so back along the cliffs to Fira as the sun is setting - magical! Not forgetting the comfy shoes!

Oia is on the end of the island - a 20 minute bus ride from Fira.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

If you open any Santorini travel guide, you will read that Santorini is an amazing island, of sublime beauty, with unique natural scenery. This is absolutely true. They also mention the wonderful sunset and the romantic atmosphere. This is absolutely true as well. Santorini, however, offers many more options and this makes it ideal not only for couples but also for solo travelers. Being a solo traveler myself, I always want to find activities that will give me the opportunity to explore and discover new things. As I was staying at Kamari, I decided to do a hiking from there to Ancient Thera.

I started rather early in the morning in order to avoid the sun and the heat. I took the paved, winding road that goes uphill. It was not very easy, but I had the chance to see parts of the ancient cemetery and a panoramic view of Kamari. The pine trees at the side of the road provided me with a few shady places where I could catch my breath. Plus, I was not the only one following this route and this gave me more courage! As I was not in a hurry, I did a detour and went to the chapel of Zoodochos Pigi, too, where I relaxed for a while on its cemented benches, as the shade of the huge tree keeps the place cool. Right next to the chapel, there is a small cave, but you will need extra light if you want to see it. After that, I returned to the main path and headed towards the archaeological site of ancient Thera, the main settlement of the island from the 12th century BC until the first centuries AD. It did not take me a long time to see it all, but it was one of the most interesting places on Santorini.

Totally, it took me about 2.5 hours and I admit it was tiring at some points, however I think it was one of the most interesting and original things I did while being on Santorini. I enjoyed the open, panoramic view of Kamari and the Aegean Sea -a totally different sight from the caldera but equally beautiful- and though I did not walk on volcanic ground, the thought that I was walking on the oldest part of the island charmed me. I recommend this route to everyone and I hope you will find it as interesting as I did.

I found all the info I needed at this site:
www.santorini-hotels.info/things-to-do/

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Melenio cafe is a great place in the centre of Oia. It is on a little terrace and has the best views over Santorini. Very different to the rest of the restaurants/cafes in the village, very relaxed with amazing cakes and fresh juices.

Oia hostel is a great, clean and cheap place to stay (and Santorini certainly isn't cheap). It's very un-hostel like in a positive way and in an excellent location.

Ammoudi port is the best place for a swim in Oia; however the climb back up to the village is pure torture. It is a rocky cove with the clearest water I have ever seen, but space is limited so get there early.

Visiting vineyards is a must, especially as most have small restaurants attached.

Also, Atlantis Books is a rare find of a bookshop anywhere in the world. It is in Oia centre and must be visited, international literature, and the shop is a delight.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Katharos Beach - one of the best beaches in Santorini. Follow signs out of Oia village and it is a 15 minute walk.

It is hidden away between rocksides and cliffs of the island, with some amazing layers of stones acting as your backdrop. Never crowded and no annoying umbrellas/deckchairs to rent. Black sand and amazing waves.

On the way down to the beach there is the Katharos bar, a great relaxed and unpretentious place. Not tacky, not commercial or overstyled (unlike the rest of the island) - open bar, canvas roof, lots of cushions and chilled music. Again, I've never seen it crowded. Great place to have a drink after the beach.

The whole area makes a great change from the rest of Santorini - busy, busy, busy. Those famed sunsets of Santorini refer in fact to those at Katharos beach.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This is a lovely hotel where you don't pay over the odds for the spectacular view of the Caldera.

It is one of the most spellbinding places I have ever stayed and a very romantic spot for couples.

Rooms have their own whitewashed patios outside, layered like massive steps cut into the cliff where you can sit and enjoy a glass of wine or two before heading into town for the evening. It is also just minutes from the action, yet off the beaten track enough to be quiet and private.

Fira 84700, Santorini
www.hotelketi.gr

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The old port of Santorini originally could only be reached by the long winding set of steps down from Thira. All 888 of them, or 588, but lots! The locals came up with an easy way for seafarers to go up to the town of Fira: use mules to carry people up and down. Today the tourist and charter boats bring tourists in who ride the mules up to Fira for their short stay on Santorini.

One can get to the old port (it is worth a visit) by walking down (which we did). The choice is then to either take a mule ride back up or take its modern equivalent, the cable car. We chose the cable car for the views, speed and smoothness. Both the mules and the cable car cost. One can also think about walking back up... but I recommend against it.

Follow the signs to the steps or the cable car station in Fira. The cable car is 3.50 euro per person each way;
www.theplaka.com/thira/oldport.htm

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

This island is great because it is on top of a mountain and you can see the great volcano.

From Fraser Mycroft (age 9).

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The main Volcanic eruption in Santorini which is disputed to be some time around 1630 BC, is said to have been the downfall of the Minoan civilisation flourishing at that point upon the island. The ruins of this fascinating society can be seen at Akrotiri, which is on the south side of the island.

The capital, Fira, sits above the caldera, which was produced by this eruption, a sheer drop of between 500 and 900 ft. At the very edge of the caldera are a number of cafes and restaurants, some of which serve cake as lovely as the view.

From this location one attempts to visualise the way in which Santorini appeared prior to the main eruption, when it was one large island, as opposed to it’s present form of two main islands, a volcanic island, and a number of smaller ones in between.

The view from the top of the caldera is unquestionably breathtaking, yet serene in its beauty. Not recommended for those who have other things to do that day, as you will probably want to stay for seconds, and possibly thirds.

Boats sail daily from Piraeus to the port at Fira;
www.santorini.com;
www.travel-to-santorini.com;
www.santorini.net;

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

The sunsets viewed from Santorini are reputed to be the best in the world. I won't argue with that...and I have seen lots of sunsets around the world. The best places to see them are Oia (which is very crowded), Thira (also crowded with tourists), Ammoudi and the edge of the caldera between the port of Santorini and Thira. Just pull off the road (we hired a car to drive around) and watch the spectacle ...awesome.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends

Take the bus from the main town of Fira to Imerovigli (about a 5 minute ride). Then walk along the rim of the caldera - it's about a 2-3 hour walk with spectacular views of the caldera the whole way. Ia is a great place too, and you can catch the bus from there back to Fira.

The bus station in Fira is located just south of Platia Theotokopoulou. The path from Imerovigli is clearly marked all the way to Ia.

I agreeI disagree

1.  
2. Send to friends