Santorini – A Love Affair with it’s Seductive Beauty

Δημοσιογράφος, φωτογράφος, δημιουργός εικαστικών έργων.

An island with a unique personality and explosive beauty! Its snow-white villages, built high above, embrace the endless blue in a single glimpse. Higher above the water and closer to the sky… Santorini is not for the faint hearted. You can’t easily find words to express it; all you can do is feel it with all of your senses.

Its beauty stems from the union of the most intense contrasts. Built higher than the sea, on the vertical red-black cliffs, it gazes from a vantage point at the deep blue waters of the Caldera. It earned global recognition for its stunning sunsets, remarkable architecture, and centuries-old nautical heritage.

You can experience this distinct beauty by strolling along its cobblestone lanes and drinking a glass of superb “Vinsanto.” To truly experience its hidden charm, we must walk along its old paths, climb to the crater of its volcano, canoe on the serene waters of the Caldera, swim in crystal-clear seas and beaches with gray and red sand, or arrange a day trip by boat on the Caldera’s tranquil waters, stopping at the volcano, the islets of Palaia and Nea Kameni, and Thirasia.

Every village in Santorini has a unique beauty. Some villages, such as Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani, and Fira (the capital), have stunning views of the Caldera. Others, like Finikia, Mesaria, Emporio, Karterados, and Pyrgos, are known for their grapes and drought-resistant vegetables (cherry tomatoes, white eggplants, cucumbers, and fava beans).

Discover Fira
Santorini’s capital, Fira (Thira), is home to excellent restaurants and a shopping area. But what draws the eye are the winding back lanes and secret chapels to be explored, such as the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist and the Saint Minas Holy Orthodox Church. A cable car from the historic harbor travels up the cliffside. This is where the cruise ships dock. Fortunately, donkeys don’t continue to carry cruise passengers up, 500 steps.

Stroll in romantic Oia…
You enjoy its charm walking along its caldera cliffs. Its most powerful hour is twilight, when we watch the sun sink into the sea, casting the most exquisite hues across the horizon, as we lean against the battlements of its castle or at the picturesque windmill…

Its houses, painted in white, pink, turquoise, and yellow, cling to the cliff’s edge, so close together that it’s impossible to distinguish where one starts and the other ends. Two-story captain’s houses on the main streets of Marmara and Sidera show the maritime state’s wealth. The sailors of Oia, rooted in their homeland but with an unwavering love for the sea, plowed the Mediterranean, Black Sea, Red Sea, and Atlantic with their ships. Theraic’s fleet peaked in the 1880s, with 170 sailing vessels. They loaded the renowned sweet wine of Santorini, Vin Santo, as well as Theraic earth, a pumice-porcelain mixture. We begin our tour at the village entrance in Perivola, where St. George is located.

The main marble-paved road goes to the Castle and the Windmill, with views of Ammoudi’s little port and the sunset. The churches of Panagia Platsani, which dominates the vast square, St. Spyridon, and the Church of the Resurrection all have distinctive iconography. The churches of Finikia, Oia’s next settlement, are also worth seeing. Of course, there are occasions for celebrations and festivities. Every saint’s feast day is celebrated with food, drink, and dancing, as the people of Santorini are upbeat, joyous, and festive! As we say in our country, it’s “what their heart desires”! Attending one of their festivals is an unforgettable experience. The area known as “Monastiri” is the most beautiful neighborhood, showcasing the famous three blue domes that dominate the landscape, together with St. Spyridon and the Church of the Resurrection. Located just below is the little harbor of Armenaki, with its fishing boats and the chapel of St. Nicholas Peramatari situated on the cliff, greeting ships.

Numerous wide staircases descend in its two ports, Armeni and Ammoudi. Ammoudi also has a road that is accessible by car. It’s worth going there for ouzo and freshly caught seafood. Across from Goula, the neighborhood that enjoys Oia’s spectacular sunset, sits Therasia, a sheer cliff that gently descends to the sea with a tiny strip of ground called Riva. The Church of Saint Irene, from which Santorini derives its name, was initially discovered by Venetian sailors. Amidst the narrow streets of Oia, you’ll also find the fascinating Maritime Museum of Thera, a true ode to Aegean maritime traditions.

Santorini Volcano and Therapeutic Hot Springs
Santorini Island had a massive volcanic eruption in the distant past. The island eventually became a crescent because of the center sinking. This explains the island’s extreme cliffs. You can take a day trip by boat to see the volcano near Santorini. As a result of the volcano, there are nearby natural hot springs. The waters will be muddy, dark, and reddish because of manganese, iron, and sulfur. People suffering from rheumatism, arthritis, muscle stiffness, or skin conditions like psoriasis and dermatitis benefit greatly from the hot springs.

Ammoudi
Nestled under Oia, this tiny harbor offers several excellent seafood restaurants by the crystal-clear waters. In addition to being the starting point for numerous boat cruises that visit the volcano and hot springs, it is well-known for romantic sunset dinners. You can take a car or taxi to go to Ammoudi, or you can walk the more than 280 steps alongside Oia’s Castle.

Imerovigli
Imerovigli is a peaceful village perched on the highest point of the cliffside on Santorini Island. It has blue-domed churches and white-chalked houses, just like Oia. It provides never-ending views of the volcano, the massive Skaros rock, and the shimmering sea. It also has a ton of mouthwatering restaurants with breathtaking sunset views.

Hike up Skaros Rock
Overlooking the whole area is a massive rock formation called Skaros. It just takes fifteen minutes to trek up to Skaros Rock when visiting Imerovigli. There, you’ll discover the remnants of what was once thought to be Santorini’s capital—an ancient Venetian fortress.

Megalochori
Wandering in the alleyways of Megalochori, which is famous for its beautiful architecture, mansions, cave houses, and blue-domed churches! Numerous authentic taverns and cafes may be found in the village’s main square.

Pyrgos
Pyrgos is the highest point on the island, and it offers an amazing view of both sides of Santorini. It is located about 8 kilometers from Fira and here you will find a magnificent castle, winding, picturesque streets, and panoramic views.

The Prehistoric City of Akrotiri
It is the most significant discovery found on the island and in the entire Eastern Mediterranean. The site preserves, almost untouched by time, three-story houses, the city walls, and the steps of its streets, frescoes, and hundreds of objects.

For dives and enjoyment by the sea…
We’ll swim at some of the island’s most distinctive beaches, like Perissa, Perivolos, Kamari, Vlychada, White Beach (reachable only by boat from Akrotiri), Red Beach (reachable on foot or by boat from Akrotiri), and Monolithos, which have gray sand or red and black pebbles.

From Strategy to Art – The vibrant world of KATJA NAGEL

Adventurers seeking an alternate form of transportation can hike the island’s trails, dive, ride horses, participate in water sports, and much more. No matter how we choose to spend our time, we’ll inevitably end up at a little seaside taverna or a small restaurant with a view of the sea, where we can savor exceptional flavors created with local, fresh ingredients and the care of the people who prepared them. As we leave, let’s hold onto this unique beauty like a well-guarded secret, so it may forever accompany our minds and hearts…

Yacht cruising

Trekking

Diving

Windsurfing

Gastronomy of Santorini
Santorini’s volcanic soil yields unique agricultural products.

*The famous Santorini tomato, a PDO product, is small yet rich in flavor and antioxidants.*

Unique in the world, Santorini capers are a small Greek treasure that grows on the picturesque and famous island of Santorini, in the Cyclades. They are particularly flavorful and provide unique culinary moments!

*Fava beans, cultivated for over 3,500 years, are another PDO product, rich in protein and nutrients.*

*The white aubergine, unique to the island, has a sweet taste and high antioxidant content.*

*The Chloro cheese is a rare fresh goat cheese, is rich in vitamins and minerals, enhancing the island’s distinctive culinary landscape.*

Vineyards of Santorini
Santorini’s vineyards, the world’s oldest under continuous cultivation, thrives due to its unique volcanic ecosystem. The soil, rich in porcelain and pumice, coupled with the island’s microclimate, provides exceptional conditions for grape growing.

The vines, pruned in a basket shape (kouloura) to protect them from wind and sun, survive in extremely dry conditions. Remarkably, Santorini’s vines are free from phylloxera, maintaining their primary characteristics.

The island’s signature grape, Assyrtiko is used in both dry and sweet PDO wines like Santorini and Vinsanto. White grapes Athiri and Aidani, the red Mandilaria are popular in Aegean Cyclades islands.

Mavrotragano, another indigenous red grape, is also gaining popularity. It is imperative to visit one of the island’s many wineries, including Koutsoyannopoulos, Roussos, Sigalas, Argyros, Boutari, Artemis Karamolegos, Gavalas, Hatzidakis, Venetsanos, Gaia Wines, Vassaltis Vineyards, and others, as the island produces an abundance of fine wines. We will discover a great deal about the local wine culture there.

Our gratitude to the Municipality of Thira.