Information when traveling to Santorini as a tourist

Santorini is one of the most popular Greek islands for tourists and there are many reasons for this.  Visitors are able to spend time relaxing on the beach, indulging in water sports or spend time in one of the many restaurants or tavernas.  A holiday in Santorini can be as tailored to the needs of the individual.

Santorini is part of the Cyclades islands.  Islands which are close include Ios, Folegandros and Anafi, as well as Crete.   Santorini is actually one of five islands and it is the main one which is referred to as Santorini.  The others are Thirasia, Aspronisi, Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni.  These were one island until 1645 BC, when a volcanic eruption led to the separate islands.    

With around 60,000 tourists on the island at any time during the summer months, transportation can sometimes be an issue.  The entire island has just 32 taxis, and while most places are within easy reach if you are fairly active, if you prefer to be driven then you need to be patient.  It can be a good idea to ensure that you have a transfer arranged to your hotel or apartment when you arrive on the island, as they can be hard to find otherwise.  Buildings in Santorini have no numbers and the streets have no name.   

For some of the best views on the island head to places such as Fira, Oia, Firostefani and Akrotiri where you can capture a few snapshots to remind yourself of the beautiful scenery in Santorini.   The beaches which are among the most popular on the island include Perissa, Vlihada and Kamari and these are the best places to go for sporting activities as well as to spend time relaxing.

Getting to Santorini is easy as there are flights from most of the main airports in Europe and those who want to travel by boat can connect from another Greek island such as Crete, Kos, Mykonos, Paros, Naxos and Milos.  Sailing is a big part of life on the island and tourists can also opt to take one of the many boat trips which run at all times of the day.

Santorini is filled with small villages and towns which are great for exploring.  Fira is the capital of the island and this is a traditional image of a Greek town.  The houses are whitewashed and the streets are narrow.  The town has plenty of tourist attractions such as churches, arcades and marketplaces.  Those who want to find out more about the history of the town and the island can go to the Museum which is filled with a variety of finds dating back to prehistoric times.

Alternatively, villages such as Oia are ideal for seeing the traditional side of island life.  This is just 12 km away from Fira and this is the place to go to watch the sunset.  It is also ideal for visitors who want to sample traditional Greek cuisine.  The village boasts a number of art galleries where tourists can see and purchase works which have been produced by local artists.