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SANTORINI CITY CAR RENTAL |
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Santorini City car rental - Travel Guide |
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Santorini is a volcanic island in the Cyclades group of the Greek islands. It is famous for dramatic views, stunning sunsets from Oia town, the strange white aubergine, the town of Thira and naturally its very own active volcano. There are naturally fantastic beaches such as the beach of Perissa, maybe the best beach in Santorini, the black pebble beach of Kamari, white beach and red beach.
Understand
The official name of Santorini Island is Thira. Santorini is also a name for the family of islands surrounding Thira--once forming a whole one island.
The small island cradles a rich variety of landscapes and villages. Visit traditional architecture in the small village of Mesa Gonia containing a mixture of ruins from the 1956 earthquake and restored villas as well as a winery at the foot of the settlement. Pyrgos is another notable village set inland with its grand old houses, remains of a Venetian castle and several Byzantine churches.
Fira is the fiery capital clinging to the rim of the caldera. Nine hundred feet above the port town, you can take a mule or a cable car up the zigzagging steps. A marriage of Venetian and Cycladic architecture, the white cobblestone streets bustle with shops, tavernas, hotels and cafes.
Walking along a path about 20 minutes will bring you to Imerovigli where you can take in the magnificent views of the island’s unique scenery from the tiny town.
Just above Fira at the highest point of the island is the quintessentially Santorininian town of Ia, also sometimes spelled Oia, with its whitewashed walls sunk into the volcanic rock and it’s blue domes rising above the sterling beauty of the stunning russet Ammoudi Bay. At dusk, the town attracts crowds of people venturing to see the sunset. Santorini's sunsets, as viewed from Oia, are reputed to be among the worlds most beautiful.
Climate
The season starts on March 1 -- recommended by locals, as it's not too hot and not crowded at all.
Cities
There are a total of 13 towns on Santorini Island.
Thira -- The main stunning cliff perched town. Featuring all that Oia has, but much more overcrowded.
Oia -- For unforgettable sunsets. Probably the most charming place on the island.
Kamari -- Of the black pebble beach
Thirasis -- For less tourists
Pyrgos -- for highest point on the island; picteresque monastery and streets -- can compete with Oia.
Get in
By air
The fastest and most comfortable way is by air. Santorini has its own airport (pretty small one), with regular flights from Athens and charters from many European towns.
By sea
Take the ferry from Piraeus past Paros and Naxos to the new port on Santorini. More details in Cyclades.
If you prefer sea, most popular and recommended transport is high-speed catamarans, like Hellenic Seaways Highspeed (bright-red Vodaphone-logo boats). Pireaus-to-Santorini trip takes only 3.5hrs, which time is comparable to air, and is more stress-free.
After disembarking in Santorini, the ideal way to travel up to the bustling town of Thira is by donkey. This experience will surely leave you with lasting memories.
Get around
The island is amply serviced by independent buses. Boats also run between major coastal towns on the island. Cars can be rented from about 8 Euros a day.
Some hotels advise to book a taxi in advance, as there are not enough available taxi cars on the island during high season.
It takes about 50min to drive the island from end to end (from Vlichada to Ia).
See
The main attraction of Santorini is the volcano. The caldera was flooded during a cataclysmic event thousands of years ago, leaving the cliffs of Santorini surrounding a lake of ocean and newly upthrust lava in the center. The towns of Thira, Oia and Thirasis cling to the steep cliffs facing into the caldera bay. Tours to the volcano center are plentiful and one can see and feel steam vents and recent (1950s) lava flows.
Another popular reason for coming to Santorini is the legend that its sunsets are one of the most spectacular in the world. Ia is one of the few places on the island which is both close to a sea and offers a good view to a sunset over the sea: in other towns, sun disappears behind a volcano.
Additionally the towns of Thira and Oia are stunning.
Santorini ranks among top destinations for wedding celebrations for at least 4 years -- primarily for sunset and peace, like those in Ia. Couples often arrive with few friends, stay in Ia (places like Fanari Villas). Groups often arrive in the beginning of the week -- judging by demand for cabrios and number of corteges seen on Mon compared to weekend.
While the island is full of medium- and top-cost hotels and villas, there are still lots of abandoned caves and modest private houses where no one seems to live for a long time -- even in western Ia where every inch seems to be occupied by some villa. And this doesn't seem to change for years, judging by 2001-2005.
Thirassia: Small Island near Santorini; place for more authentic villages, buildings and even churches. Take a look at hymnasia: in the yard, pupil painted children on the walls.
Boat excursion: volcano island (Nea Kameni) - hot springs (Palia Kameni) - Thirassia
From Ia: departure from Ammoudi bay at 10:50 (starting point and final end); bit later from Armeni bay. 1hr 30min at volcano island; 45min for hot springs; 2hrs for Thirassia (incl. time for lunch). Meals are not included, normally the guide advises you to visit Captain Jack self-service tavern, which is so-so; it's smarter to wait half an hour and have your meal on Santorini where competition is higher and choice is better. Expect to pay around 15 Euro for the excursion.
Faros -- a lighthouse, west of the southern part of the island. Rocky cliff, interesting for making photos.
A viewpoint behind Iris hotel (close to center of the island): great for making sunset photos with a sea and palm trees.
Beaches
Public beaches does not seem to have shower or places for changing your wear.
Black Beach: see Kamari and Perissa
Red Beach: quite crowded; free umbrellas and chaise longues. First few meters of the water near the shore are quite dirty. Women are frequently topless. Many yachts in the distant see can be seen from the beach -- and it looks really romantic at sunset time.
White Beach: available only from the sea; get there by boat from Red Beach.
Vlichada: relatively uncrowned. An umbrella with 2 chaise longues cost €10.
Wineries
Volcan Wines Museum & Winery: +30 0286 31322; open 12pm-8pm
Santo Wines: www.santowines.gr; open 9am-sunset
Do
Horseback riding in Exo Gonia
Scuba diving
Caldera Cruise and Oia Sunset
History
Akrotiri, in the south, a 2,000 year old Minoan town preserved in volcanic ash like Pompeii, is one of Santorini's "must -sees". The excavation site is covered by a roofing system, which makes it something that you can comfortably visit no matter what time of year. The ruins are extremely well preserved. Streets, buildings, stairs and even second floors of buildings are still visible. Visitors can stand in the ruins and look at Minoan pottery and frescoes, and with a little imagination, feel what it would have been like to live in ancient Greece.
Architecture
Thera has the Archeological Museum that contains some of the artifacts, which were found in the ruins of Akrotiri. So first visit Akrotini, where the items came from and then Thera to understand what the items are. The museum has more pots, pottery and other household items than you can shake an antique stick at, but the highlight is the frescoes of the blue monkeys -- a mystery since historians say there is no evidence that there were every monkey on Santorini.
The arts
While Santorini cannot claim a prominent art collection, why not see some local and international artists work by visitng the Art Space Gallery and Winery in the small village of Exo Gonia, on the way between Fira and Kamari. Art Space is a winery built in 1830, an old canava. Owned by the same family (Argyros) for three generations, it is now a gallery as well as a winery.
Scenery and nature
The landscape here --the blue sky, the little white houses perched on gigantic rocks on hills that plummet to the sea, the lemon and orange groves, the pink and white churches that look like pastrycakes, the faces and warmth and expressiveness of the Greek people -- little wonder this may be the most photographed scenery in the world.
Buy
Atlantis Books. The largest selection of English language books on the island. Also stocks Greek, German, French, Italian, Spanish, and Dutch.
Eat
Santorini specials include: the white aubergine; fava; sutsukaki (slices of tomatoes fried in batter). Another must-try is fresh fish grilled in tavernas, esp. those close to a sea.
If you decide to eat or drink in a taverna overlooking the caldera or having a good view to a sunset, expect prices to be higher than a similar establishment in one of the many side-streets as you are charged extra for the view –- but what a view!
Try Senor Zorba's. It's a mexican restaurant on Santorini, excellent margaritas.
Vlichada
Limanaki: next to Vlichada beach. One of the best low-end taverns on the island for traditional local dishes and seafood. Shrimps are fresh (which can't be found far from sea); great taramasalata. Sutsukaki: tomato is thinner, lacks herbs, rich in batter -- still great. Souvlaki is the same as elsewhere.
Gyros here are reported to be 10 times better than in the US and half the price. For those who enjoy the Mediterranean diet-- fresh fish, vegetables, and meat dishes can be found at several moderately priced restaurants (average $50 for two) in Imerovigli, Oia, and Fira. Tour local wineries and enjoy the local wines, well thought of, if not world famous. A combination of climatic factors and the tastes of those who have occupied and lived on the island have formed an eclectic cuisine. To save money, stay away from places that are overtly commercial and go to the family run fish taverns located nearby the smaller beaches and communities. Don’t' miss the fried tomato balls of keftades and be sure to ask for local tomatoes in your salad. They may be the best tasting you have ever had. Santorinia is particularly well known for its cherry tomatoes.
Drink
Sleep
Athina Deluxe Santorini Suites in Fira
Short-term apartments rent vacation rental apartments in villages and on the Caldera $909/week, per apartment and up. The American agency listing this apartment has been in business since 1975, gives its profits away to charity, and looks particularly for apartments of good value.
Astarte Suites along the coast of Akrotiri, with one of the most magical views of the caldera, as well as of Fira and Oia hugging the sun-drenched cliffs of the island, this intimate and luxurious small resort will certainly make you feel special.
Tamarix Del Mar Suites luxury hotel in Santorini providing the convenience of modern amenities balanced perfectly with the charm of traditional Greece.
Contact
There's a local radio station in English, 106.4 MHz.
Get out
Move on to Crete, Naxos or Ios.
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