santorini sightseeing
Santorini is one of the most beautiful and unique islands in the world. Intriguing history, awesome volcanic landscape, cosmopolitan atmosphere, breathtaking sunsets, deep blue sea, the volcano, are just some of the reasons that make Santorini the most popular holiday destination in Greece! There are a lot of beautiful places, impressive beaches, archaeological sights, traditional villages, you can visit. We suggest some of them below:
AKROTIRI - The Old City of Akrotiri
Excavations on the Akrotiri site were begun in 1967 by Professor Spyros Marinatos, in the hopes of proving a theory of his that the destruction of Minoan Civilization in Crete was actually caused by the eruption of the volcano of Santorini. The site dates back to approximately 1500 BC and includes virtually intact walls and houses and interesting architectural subtleties such as examples of ancient drainage systems.
Objects which have been discovered at the site include: whole frescoes, pottery, furniture, remnants of food, the majority of which have been removed from the actual site to be placed in museums (many of which may be viewed at the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira town) all of the above have allowed archaeologists to visualize and put together a picture of the everyday lives of the people of these times.
The town was abandoned by these settlers before the eruption of the volcano, and it is suggested that an earthquake preceding this catastrophic event might have been the warning that caused these people of ancient times to abandon their settlement.
OIA VILLAGE
Oia village is not over 10km from Fira. The small houses, carved into the rock, the mansions with their stairways and their neoclassical architecture, with white and ochra as their dominant colors, the walls decorated with small stones, the roads paved with flagstones, and the flowers, form a harmonious total of the impressive picture of the Oia village.
The Oia village square is a balcony looking at the caldera. The view of the volcano and the infinity of the sea take a different dimension when seen from here. The wealth of the villagers of the last century is exhibited in the Nautical museum of Oia. Oia's inhabitants were sailors, and became rich in the last century by working in the sea. They decorated their village with neoclassical buildings which today bear witness to an age that has passed.
Once the Oia had been officially listed as a protected traditional community, some sixty derelict houses, abandoned in the wake of the 1956 earthquake, were repaired and converted into hotels and rented rooms. Visitors looking for atmosphere and peace and quiet come to Oia, where they can find some of the most beautiful hotels on the island, perfectly integrated in the landscape.
As the sun descends to the horizon and the pink of the evening sky turns to mauve, the shutterbugs line the walls of the mediaeval castle, their lenses hungrily devouring the island's most famous sunset. When the last rays of the sun are gone, they pour into the tiny ethnic shops along the central street, in every respect the equal of the famous Gold Street in Fira. Here you will find Indian shawls and bedspreads, exquisitely carved silver jewellery, Venetian mirrors, antiques...
And when you have had enough of shopping you will dine to the sound of classical music and, before you return to your room or hotel, take a last stroll through the island's most enchanted village.
KAMARI
Kamari beach it's a summer resort in Santorini. So if you are looking for Summer resort then Kamari beach is the place for you. The black sandy beach, at least two kilometres in length, is the main attraction of Kamari. On the beachfront you will find hotels, restaurants, bars, discos and shops to please all tastes and budgets. The town is connected with frequent bus service from Fira. Kamari speaks perfect English, German and Swedish and has never abandoned its Northern European habits.
Also interesting in Kamari is the church of Panaghia Episkopi which was built in 1100. The best time to visit the church is on August 15th during the feast of the Virgin Mary when the church celebrates with a large festival. You are invited to join in on the marry making with plenty of food, dancing and singing taking place. If you are around on September 24th the church Panaghia Myrtidiotissa celebrates with festival where again the tourists are invited dine and wine with the inhabitants.
Unlike other beach resorts, Kamari is inhabited year round. It was designed and created to house the villagers of Messa Gonia, who lost their houses in the 1956 earthquake. Along the shore, in addition to the hotels and there are also shops, bakeries supermarkets, ATMs and a medical centre
ANCIENT THIRA
Founded on the mountain of Mesa Vouno (Middle Mountain) between the modern day beach towns of Kamari and Perissa. The position was chosen because of its strategic protective position. It's first inhabitants were the Dorians in the 9th century B.C. It has also been inhabited throughout the ages by Ptolemites, Romans, Christians and Venetians. Here you can view architectural contributions from all of these tribes in the remaining foundations of this city.
NEA KAMENI, PALEA KAMENI
Nea Kameni (Volcano to the locals) and Palea Kameni volcanic islands in the middle of the caldera formed from the Kameni volcanic centers beneath the surface at a depth of two to four kilometers. These centers maintain a temperature of approximately 950-1000 degrees centigrade and are concentrated in small pockets (magma chambers) feed from deeper layers of molten rock.
The colors of the islands vary because of different cooling rates. The more rapid cooling of Nea Kameni (New Burnt) formed mostly dark, more fragmented lava formations, while the mostly lighter ashen color of Palea kameni (Old Burnt) shows the effect of a slower cooling rate.
The two islands were formed centuries after the immense volcanic eruption of around 1450 B.C.
PYRGOS
Built around a small hump in the landscape, once again for reasons of protection wind you way to the top of this picturesque little village for a magnificent view from the top of the remains of a fortress from ancient times. Here you can also visit the Museum of Byzantine art.
WINERIES OF SANTORINI
Wines famous since antiquity are today bottled by 8 wineries on the island the dry white Nikteri and the sweet white Visanto are two of the best known types of Santorini wine.
The wine produced in Santorini is world known. It is one of the most famous local products of the island. It is made in the traditional way. The wine is strong and tasty. The wines are stored in - kanaves - (cellars). You can test wines in different wineries:
- Boutari (Megalochori)
- Antoniou (Megalochori)
- Canava Roussos (Mesa Gonia)
- Koutsoyannopoulos (Messaria)
- Santo Wines (Pyrgos)
- Sigalas (Ia)
SANTORINI ISLAND MUSEUMS
The Megaron Gyzi
The Museum is located in Thira, behind the Catholic cathedral. It exhibits engravings of the 16th through the 19th centuries with dresses, views and maps of the Cycladic islands as well as fascinating photographs of Fira before and after the earthquake of 1956.
It is one of the most beautiful santorini museums.
The Museum of Prehistoric Thera
Located in Fira, the island's capital, it is one of the most interesting santorini museums. You will find special contents, masterpieces of art in the prehistoric Cyclades.
The Archaeological Museum
The museum is located in Fira, the island's capital, opposite of the cable car station You will find housed finds representing the island's long history. It is the only of all museums where you can find collections of Hellenistic and Roman sculpture (from the Archaic to the Roman period), vases and clay figurines (dating from the Feometric to the Hellenistic periods).
The Folklore Museum
The Folklore Museum of Santorini is located in Kontohori, Fira. It was built in a cave house in 1861. You can find diverse things: barrel and shoe makers, an old traditional winery and also the work of local artists.
The Naval Museum
Located in Oia, the picturesque traditional town on the north of Santorini, it is the only of Santorini museums which houses all kinds of marine objects tracing the maritime history of the island.
