The ancient, prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri is one of the most important archaeological discoveries of the past decades. It was built in the Neolithic era and was considered a very important city in the Aegean, until it was destroyed by the volcanic eruption that also brought down the Minoan civilization. You can also visit the archaeological site of ancient Thira at Mesa Vouno that was built in the 9th century BC and was inhabited until the Byzantine era.
There are many picturesque Santorini villages to visit: Megalochori in the west plain that overlooks the caldera, Pyrgos, at the highest point of Santorini, that naturally offers magnificent views, Emporio, the largest village with a beautiful castle, Kamari, a sought after destination for travelers from all over the world, and Firostefani, quite close to the capital, at the edge of the caldera, an essential destination in Santorini.
Santorini is also famous for its colorful beaches, due to the volcano. Perissa hosts the famous black beach, which is also the longest beach on the island, fully organized with umbrellas, beach chairs and shops (among which is a beach bar). Adjacent Perivolos’ beach is also black. Of special interest is the red beach, that is a bit harder to get to. Admittedly, the best beach of Santorini is Vlichada, a very organized beach with red cliffs looming over the swimmers.
Another famous village of Santorini is Imerovigli. Its highlight is the Castle of Skaros, that was built in the early thirteenth century and offers amazing views, as it is the topmost point of the caldera. Imerovigli has been declared a traditional settlement and it is indeed a marvel to walk through its cobblestone pathways and just take in the beauty of the Aegean islands. A visit to Imerovigli and Skaros is definitely a must.
Good climate, good soil and a centuries-old tradition are responsible for the excellent wines of Santorini, another source of pride for the people of the island. Dandelion Travel can take you on a wine tour of Santorini to taste Vinsanto and Assyrtiko, as well as some of the local delicacies. Santorini has a lot of traditional wineries to choose from, as well as some new, boutique wineries, that can show you a new twist on the wine experience.
Santorini used to be circular (which is why it was called Στρογγύλη, Greek for ‘Circular’). The various parts of the volcano, such as Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, the Christiana islands, are places to visit. You can easily arrange a trip there by boat, but you can still enjoy these places from afar, as Fira offers magnificent views. Sadly, you can’t visit the underwater volcano of Columbo, unless you have scuba gear.
Santorini is essentially what remains after an enormous volcanic eruption that destroyed the earliest settlements on a formerly single island, and created the current geological caldera. A giant central, rectangular lagoon, which measures about 12 by 7 km (7.5 by 4.3 mi), is surrounded by 300 m (980 ft) high, steep cliffs on three sides.
Fira, the capital of Santorini, is the best way to explore Santorini’s volcanic origins. Built on top of the caldera, with the port at the bottom, it is a wonderful experience just to reach it, either by donkey or by cable car. The people of Santorini are very proud of their volcano and Fira will let you discover why. When you’re having a drink or a meal with unparalleled views, allowed by the caldera, you’ll know why they love it.
Oia, perhaps the most beautiful village in Santorini, is perched on a steep cliff. It should be part of any trip to the island. Ideally, you’ll visit it during the sunset, as it is famous all over the world. The picturesque village, the whitewashed houses are all bathed in the light of the setting sun, creating a spectacle to remember. There is a reason couples choose Oia to stay when at the island, as it is considered the most romantic location of Santorini.
The Ancient Greek Oia was one of the two harbours of ancient Thera and was located in the southeast of the island, where Kamari is now.Oia reached the peak of prosperity in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Its economic prosperity was based on its merchant fleet, which plied trade in the Eastern Mediterranean, especially from Alexandria to Russia. The two-story captains’ houses built on the highest part of the village are a reminder of the village’s former affluence. Part of the town was destroyed by the 1956 earthquake.
Oia typifies the white-painted houses of the Cyclades, in many cases built directly into niches which are cave houses used by crew of the ships, on the lip of the volcanic crater, between which are narrow alleys and blue-roofed churches with cupolas. The wealthy ship captains of the late 19th century built neo-classical mansions. These houses are seen built in succession one above the other
Dandelion Travel offers customized, personalized Santorini private tours. We can help you choose, but feel free to shape and form the tour the way you want it. We provide the guidelines about the best ways to explore Santorini, its villages and beaches, its natural beauty and its archaeological sites; use these recommendations to build your own experience and enjoy Santorini.
The guided private tours offered by Dandelion Travel are as follows:
- Half-day tour: Enjoy the best the island has to offer; a quick way to discover some of the most important Santorini attractions, such as Oia and the Black Beach.
- Full-day tour: If you have more time, the full-day tour will be a more thorough Santorini sightseeing experience. Visit more places or enjoy the island in a more relaxed pace.
- Wine tour: Visit Santorini’s traditional wineries and taste the famous Santorini wines, along with local delicacies.
- Custom tour: If you know exactly what you want to see or if you want an itinerary based on your preferences, the custom tour is for you.
