Where to go in Santorini. Thera (Fira), Oia, Imerovigli, Kamari beach, Pyrgos are excellent choices. Named after Saint Irene (Santa Irini). I recommend staying in the town of Thera (Fira, 5-kms) or Imerovigli village (8-kms) from the airport. These are more central locations and slightly cheaper. Also, you do not have to climb a lot to get to your hotel. You do sacrifice the gorgeous views but trust me, you won’t just sit in your hotel the whole day and just keep looking at the view. Arrange for your hotel to pick you up from the airport or ferry-port. On the island, travel by public transit, way cheaper and safer. Bottled water is recommended for drinking. Purchase all your needs from the bigger grocery stores in Thera, much much cheaper. If planning on Island-hopping by Ferry, check the weather as Ferries get cancelled if the wind is too choppy.
Where To Go In Santorini
1. Thera (Fira)
Thera town is perched 220 meters on the mountain overlooking the Caldera. It has a central Bus station that services the entire island. The walkways, hotels and shopping right on the edge of the cliff offers a stunning view of the Caldera (cauldron). Cruise ships anchor out here as the Old Port isn’t deep enough. Passengers are ferried by little boats to the island and back.
The Caldera of Santori busy with Cruise Ships
There is a walkway (587 steps) connecting the town on the mountain to the Old Port. It is a very scenic but tiring walk both ways. The steps aren’t evenly spaced and the cobblestones are slippery. There is donkey dung along most of the way.
The steps (donkey path) down the mountain-side from Thera town to the old port (cruise ship port)
The donkey ride is the traditional way up and down but I don’t recommend it. It is extremely cruel to the animals and they sometimes slip getting hurt or causing injury.
The 3-minute 220 meter ride in the cable car is very pleasant and comfortable. Lines are long especially if too many cruise ships dock on the same day. The cable car begins and ends almost near where the walkway does.
The cable-car from Thera town to the Old Port, Thera, Santorini
The Old Port has a small market place and the views are worth the trip down. You can get cruises round the island from here. This ISN’T the inter-island Ferry terminal.
The Old Port (Cruise Ship terminal), Thera, Santorini
The town of Thera offers a safe environment for shopping, you can rent bikes, cars, buggies here. There is a wide variety of food and drink at reasonable prices compared to the restaurants on the cliff-side.
A cobble-stoned street in Thera, Santorini
Typical street in Thera with bars, restaurants, souvenir shops and safe walking spaces. Thera, Santorini
You can get reservations on the day itself at one of these cliff-side restaurants. The ambience is awesome in most of them. They are over-priced, but the view is phenomenal and breathtaking.
View of the caldera and hill-side restaurants at dusk, Thera, Santorini
Sunsets are an unforgettable memory here.
Glorious sunset overlooking the Caldera, Thera, Santorini
Glorious Dusk dining overlooking the Caldera in Thera, Santorini
Thera Central Bus station is right in the middle of town. There are bus schedules and they do their best to observe them. Keep exact fare ready, they do give change but the buses are usually full to capacity. The station is pretty chaotic and you have to watch out for reversing buses, The drivers are good but they do not use spotters.
Central Bus station, Thera, Santorini
2. Oia
Although like a small town, Oia is a village perched high on the mountains in the north of Santorini. Connected by public transit via Thera, it is a beautiful place to stay in. Little bit on the expensive side, it does have a charm of its own.
The cliffs facing the Caldera at Oia, Santorini
This beautiful Greek Orthodox Church dedicated to the Virgin Mary stands in the large main square of Oia village. With its white-washed walls and blue cupola, it is a hotspot for photoshoots.
Virgin Mary Church in Oia, Santorini
For a panoramic view of the Caldera, walk up to the viewing platform. Here, you will also find the ruins of the byzantine castle of Oia,
Steps leading to the ruins of Oia Castle, Oia Santorini
There isn’t much left of the castle, but all the same, it is ancient history.
Part of the ruins of the Byzantine castle, Oia, Santorini
From the viewing platform, you can see the island of Thirasia and all along the Caldera cliff-line.
Viewing platform at the Byzantine Castle ruins in Oia, Santorini
On the other side overlooking Ammoudi Bay, are the Oia Windmills nestled among the old village houses on the cliff.
The Windmills of Oia above Ammoudi Bay, Oia, Santorini
You can drive, walk or ride a donkey down to Ammoudi Bay (around 200-steps). There are a few good restaurants here serving fresh fish fare. You can swim here and there is a diving area. There is no beach here.
The cliff above Ammoudi Bay, Oia, Santorini
From Ammoudi village you can take a boat to the beautiful, idyllic Armeni Pier (about 2-kms).
Ammoudi Bay Jetty in Oia, Santorini
The Old Port of Armeni, Oia, Santorini
From the bottom of Oia village, you can swim 20-meters across to this tiny island. Make sure you can swim well, the current is very strong.You can also boat here. There is a ledge that you can jump off into the water.
The little island 20-meters off Oia, Santorini
3. Imerovigli
The village of Imerovigli is the highest point (300 meters) on the Cadera cliffs. The views from here are stunning and among the best you see of the Caldera. To the south you can see as far as Mount Prophet Elias (565-meters), the highest point on Santorini.
View from Imerovigli overlooking the Caldera and cliffs of Thera, Santorini
You can see both North and South coastlines from Imerovigli. To the north you can see Oia village.
View from Imerovigli of the Oia cliffs, Santorini
An attraction in Imerovigli is Skaros Rock. The ruins of the byzantine fortress are a good place to hike to and for photography. There is a trail connecting Imerovigli to Skaros. It is a tiring hike but well worth it.
Ruins of Skaros (Skaros Rock), a medieval fortress town in Imerovigli, Santorini
Walk in the direction of Thera and you will come upon this lovely windmill. It makes for a good photo backdrop and you also have a fantastic view of the Caldera from here.
Windmill, Imerovigli, Santorini
Walk a little further to the small church of the Honest Cross. From here you can see both the East and West coast of Santorini. You can see Sunrise and Sunset.
Church of the Honest Cross, Imerovigli, Santorini
4. Kamari Beach
This beautiful crescent shaped beach with volcanic black-sand and pebbles has deep and blue water. 8-kms from Thera, it is a 20-minute bus ride.
There are plenty of sun-beds, umbrellas and showers on the beach. You can also go windsurfing, water-skiing, surfing and paddle boating here.
A boardwalk runs through most of the beach. Lifeguard stations are spaced frequently along the beach as well.
Overshadowed by Mesa Vouno, the south side of Kamari beach, Santorini
Hike up Mesa Vouno (369- meters) to visit the archaeological excavations of the Ancient city of Thera from the Hellenic and Roman age.
Mesa Vouno, Kamari beach, Santorini
Stroll along the beautiful waterfront promenade. The atmosphere is lively and festive.
Beachfront promenade of Kamari beach, Santorini
You will find numerous bars, restaurants, night-clubs and souvenir shops to satisfy your holiday experience.
Restaurants and Bars on the beachfront promenade of Kamari, Santorini
Or just relax and watch the world go by!
The beautiful beachfront of Kamari beach, Santorini
At the foot of Mesa Vouno is the pretty twin blue-domed church of Saint Nicholas. It is partly up the cliff-side. From here you get a panoramic view of Kamari beach.
St. Nicholas church on the hillside at Kamari beach, Santorini
5. Pyrgos Town
Pyrgos Kallistis meaning Beautiful Tower is the perfect name for this hilltop village. 5-kms (20-minute) bus ride from Thera to the main square of Pyrgos. There is no vehicular traffic in the old village. Stroll through the pretty, narrow, cobble-stoned alley-ways.
An alleyway outside the castle walls in Pyrgos, Santorini
Alleyway in Pyrgos, Santorini
There are plenty of souvenir shops and restaurants available in the village
An alleyway souvenir shop, Pyrgos, Santorini
We came across this very charming street musician playing a lyre and singing lilting tunes in the most soothing voice.
The impossible to miss, beautiful church of Saint Theodosia, considered to be the Protector Saint of all castles. There is a church dedicated to her at the entrance of every castle.
St. Theodosia church, Pyrgos, Santorini
The church of Christos Metamorfosi Tou Sotiros with its noticeable bell-tower. It is the only church on the island with an octagonal cupola internally and externally.
Magnificent bell tower of the blue-domed church of the Transformation of God, Pyrgos, Santorini
The basilica of St. Nicholas located outside the entrance of the castle was built in 1660.
Basilica of St. Nicholas, Pyrgos, Santorini
The interior of the church is adorned with huge candelabra.
Altar of St. Nicholas Church, Pyrgos, Santorini
The museum of Icons and Ecclesiastical artefacts is rather inconspicuous and with poor directions to it. On exhibition are icons of local and Cretan icon painters, wood-carvings and metal-works, ceramics, ecclesiastical embroideries, vestments, liturgical books and other objects of ecclesiastical use. Most date mainly from the 17th-18th century.
Museum of icons and Ecclesiastical artefacts, Pyrgos, Santorini
There isn’t much left of the 15th-century Venetian castle. All of the old houses are within the settlement fortification.
Ruins of Castle in Pyrgos, Santorini – image credit-tripadvisor.com
You get beautiful panoramic views of Santorini from Pyrgos. You can see Skaros Rock in Imerovigli to the north.
View of the countryside all the way to Thera and Skaros Rock from Pyrgos, Santorini
You can see the village of Kamari and Mesa Vouno to the south.
Kamari and Mesa Vouno as seen from Pyrgos, Santorini
View southeast between the bell-towers of the church of the Transformation of God and Saint Averkios, Pyrgos, Santorini
For info on the inter-island Ferry Terminal, click here.
Allocate traveling time of 1-hour from Thera. The Ferry Port of Athinios is only 8 kms away from Thera but can be backed-up with traffic.
You should also visit Mykonos, Athens, Meteora Monasteries
