Santorini
Any mention of Greece conjures up a myriad
of images - deep-blue seas and stunning beaches, olive
groves and stony hillsides, ancient cities and white-washed
houses. History, landscape, and culture have intertwined
in this corner of the western Mediterranean to create
a nation with a unique identity - a land straddling
the modern and ancient worlds. Santorini, the southernmost
island of the Cycladic archipelago, offers a taste
of all of these attributes, and is also one of Greece's
most popular island destinations.
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Looming hundreds of feet above the blue waters of
the harbour, the sheer volcanic cliffs of Santorini
provide an unforgettable introduction for visitors
to this beautiful island. Above the harbour, the brilliant
white cliff-top communities speak of islander's
determination to co-exist with this landscape shaped
by dramatic forces, and written of in legend. The
unique combination of red-black volcanic sand beaches,
stunning white towns tumbling precariously from the
cliff edges, and the archaeological remnants of the
long-vanished Minoan civilisation draw an endless
stream of visitors for much of the year. Few leave
disappointed.
Inhabited for thousands of years, Santorini was
an important outpost of the Minoan civilisation.
By about 1500 B.C. however, the volcano-island had
become dangerously unstable, causing most of the Minoans
to abandon their towns. When the volcano eventually
erupted, it was one of the most cataclysmic events
in history - earthquakes reverberated across the Aegean,
ash and debris buried neighbouring islands, and half
of the island sank below the sea. The Minoan
civilisation was dealt a mortal blow, and the
sophisticated communities that had prospered on Santorini
for so long were no more.
The ancient site of Akrotiri provides the
modern visitor with a tangible link to these historic
upheavals, with a succession of excavated structures
open to the public. The lavish frescoes and pottery
unearthed at Akrotiri provided exquisite evidence
of the Minoan way of life, and of a rich artistic
culture.
A few miles north of Akrotiri is Fira, the
modern capital of Santorini. This picture-postcard
town of white houses and winding alleyways is the
most popular destination for visitors to the island,
and deservedly so. Hanging between the ocean and the
sky, Fira's precarious location is a remarkable testament
to island ingenuity, and a singular Greek island experience.
Fira has expanded in recent years to cater for the
tourist trade, but can be very busy in the peak season.
There are numerous tavernas and restaurants
around the town to meet this demand - a number possessing
spectacular cliff-top locations and views to match.
Directly below Fira is the old harbour, the departure
point for many of the island's boating excursions,
including those to the two volcanic islands in
the harbour. Formed by continuing underwater eruptions,
both islands can be visited, and at one it's possible
to swim in sulphurous hot springs that have
formed at the sea edge.
The pristine white houses, blue-domed churches,
and stunning vistas of Ia provide a tranquil
alternative to Fira. Formerly a prosperous fishing
village, tourist development is yet to encroach too
noticeably on the life of Ia, although busloads from
throughout the island journey here in the evening
for the often memorable sunsets.
For those visitors who arrive in search of sand and
sun, Santorini can come as a surprise. Long red-black
volcanic sand beaches are the norm, and these
can get very hot and crowded in summer. There are
also a number of more remote beaches for those that
want to escape the crowds.
No visit to Santorini would be complete without a
journey to the interior, with its sleepy villages
and terraced fields. Pyrgos, a small village
8 km south of Fira, was once the island's capital,
and the remnants of a large Venetian fortress overlooking
the village testifies to its former status. Further
inland is the monastery of Profitis Ilias, now ome
to just one solitary monk, and commanding fine views
over the island.
Santorini - Fact File
Getting There - Island ferries arrive at the
small port of Ormos Athinios, 6 km south of Fira.
Numerous ferry services operate to and from a number
of other islands and Athens. The airport is on the
far side of the island, and connected to Fira by a
regular shuttle bus service during the day.
Accommodation - With accommodation difficult
to find during the peak season, arriving a few weeks
either side of mid-summer can make all the difference.
From May the sunshine is consistent, with temperatures
regularly above 20C, and the climate remains benevolent
well into October. Accommodation prices also tumble
in these 'shoulder' periods. Hotel touts meet all
incoming ferries, and it may be worth checking what's
on offer, as they will normally transport you to the
hotel themselves free of charge. Prices and availability
out of Fira may also be worth investigating.
More Information
Check out Go
Greece or (for ferry information) the useful
Ferries
portal.
Also visit our Greek
Island guide.
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