How I fell in love with Santorini

Santorini is one of the world’s best known Greek Islands. Before visiting Santorini I was slightly apprehensive that it was going to be a honeymooners destination, touristy, expensive and crowded. I was also under the impression that the only way to travel around the island was by sitting on a donkey!

Santorini charmed me with its imposing cliff tops, stunning scenery and friendly locals. I slowly began to fall hard and fast for Santorini. I was so enamoured that I even broke my travel itinerary to stay an extra night there!

Six Santorini Must Do Activities


  1. Hike around the volcano

1.

The island of Santorini was formed by a volcanic eruption. A caldera was created and the volcano itself has been inactive since the 1950s. Having never hiked around a volcano before I was expecting to see molten lava in the crater! My naivete was soon dispelled when all I could see were black rocks. These ‘hot rocks’ in the crater reach temperatures of 40-80 degrees Celsius.

Our cheerful guide led our tour group of 40 in a work appropriate uniform comprised of a yellow bikini top, denim shorts and hiking boots. We nicknamed her ‘Volcano Barbie’!

The hike to the volcano takes about 40 minutes, make sure you wear closed shoes as the rocks can be unstable.

2.     2. Watch the sunset 

I blogged about this in an earlier post, but it is a must do. Most cynics say that you see the sunset everyday, truth be told you don’t see it in Santorini every day!

I was on a cruise around the caldera bay on one evening to watch the sunset. It was a less crowded viewpoint in comparison to being in Oia where masses congregate for sunset. 

3.     3. Clamber over rocks on Red Beach

Red beach is a rocky beach so don’t expect to walk on red sand. A 1.30 Euro busride takes you to the outskirts of the beach and from there it’s a ten minute walk. The beach is framed by huge red cliffs and it’s a short hike to get down there. Once I navigated my way to the water in my thongs (flip flops) I didn’t really want to take them off ! The pebbles are very slippery so I’d recommend wearing reef shoes in the water and taking a beach mat if you’re not hiring a sun lounge.

4.    4.  Sip Iced Coffee at Kastro Café by day

Greek iced coffee is always beautifully presented in layers of milk and coffee. It’s a great pick me up on a sweltering summer’s day. Kastro Café has three levels with fantastic views down to the old port and over the caldera.

5.    5.  Drink a cocktail at Tango Bar at night

In the evening, the lights of the town cast reflections on the water. It’s a peaceful view and on one particular night a ghostly pirate ship was docked in the harbour.

Tango Bar has reasonably priced cocktails for 10 Euro and comfy lounges for you to recline on and gaze over the water.

6.     6. Party at Murphy's

“If you want to get crazy, go to Murphy's!” Our rather enthusiastic waitress at dinner advised us when my travel buddy and I asked for directions to a bar. I think our Aussie accents were suggestive that we were looking to get crazy. Murphy's is a typical Irish tourist bar with all the important facets – cute bartenders and great music. The DJ was playing RnB hits all night and the dance floor was absolutely packed.

It’s rather hot and steamy inside so once you’ve had you’ve danced your heart out the only way to end a great night in Santorini is by eating a gyros. Somehow it seems nicer than ending a night out with a ‘kebab’ which is what usually happens back in Australia...  

Best Budget Hotel:

I can’t recommend the family-run Hotel Antonia highly enough. It’s in a great location being only a five minute walk into the heart of Fira town, yet it's quiet enough for a good night’s sleep. The owner was very accommodating and provided a free transfer to the new port when we left. Also very importantly, it has super fast free wifi.