Things you have to do when you visit Santorini
We present you experiences you can live only in Santorini. If you miss those, then you have definitely missed a big part of the Santorinian culture.
Try the local cuisine with Santorini products
Looking at the volcano, escaping in the caldera. So what? What is the importance of all this if you cannot feel it deeply inside yourself? And how is it possible to feel the power of this land, unless you sense its aromas through the products of its earth, cooked by a chef who really loves it? And , of course, by accompanying them with a bottle of “Santorini”, the assyrtiko wine of our island with its metallic acidity and unique features.
Ηorse Riding
Setting off from the farm, you can have a wonderful horse ride on the beach of Exo Gonia or of Monolithos-Karterados. The school has a 20-year experience, so in case you do not know how to ride, do not hesitate to ask for lessons.
Visiting Museums
Visiting the Museum of Prehistoric Thera and the Archaeological Museum is as if plunging into the long and rich history of the island. The Museum of Prehistoric Thera hosts the important findings that were brought into light with the excavations in Akrotiri. Impressive plaster furniture mouldings, bronze pottery items and the unique golden statuette of the wild goat. The Archaeological Museum exhibits collections of sculptures and inscriptions from the Archaic to the Roman Era. Museum of Prehistoric Thera, tel: 22860 23217. Archaeological Museum, open daily except Monday Opening hours 8.30-15.00. Tel. 22860 22217
Visit a winery
The uniqueness of Santorini derives mainly from the volcano and the caldera. But this multidimensional island has also many other things to experience. The volcanic soil gives to the Santorinian wines a variety of special characteristics. Visit a winery to see the traditional cultivation of a vineyard and the winemaking process. Also take the chance to taste some of the extraordinary wines (with Appellation of Controlled Origin).
Go up the caldera on a mule ride
One of the most authentic experiences is going up from the Old Harbour (or Ammoudi) on a mule. These friendly animals carry you through the 587-step winding path on the steep slope that designates the shortcut to Fira. The itinerary begins in a relaxing way with the orders given in the mule drivers’ language but soon enough, when the distance from the sea level becomes higher and higher and, the donkey gets closer and closer to the edge of the cliff, the adventure is on!
Romantic dinner on the rim of the caldera
The feelings you get from the beautiful sceneries, the atmosphere and the view should be completed with a delicious and elegant meal. Let alone if you decide to eat in one of the most beautiful places in the world: on the rim of caldera. Even though Santorini has numerous remarkable restaurants outside caldera, a romantic evening there is worth spending.
Dive into the sunset
The caldera, generously embracing the Aegean, is the spot where the silence of the East meets the serenity of the West and creates a divine melody of colours. Colour nuances alternate so harmoniously as if overflown from the palette of the volcano. You needn’t run to Oia in the jam of people. Wherever you are in the caldera, the sunset is magical!
Go to Ammoudi
...for swimming and eating among my most favourite moments on the island: walking along the dust road to reach the small beach with the cliffs, diving into the deep waters and swimming below the caldera, above the sea bottom chaos (here there are no sunbathing comforts etc). Then going to the taverna with the yellowish colours on the walls for fish and sea dishes and waiting for the sunset. The sun vanishes behind Thirasia and from this spot you have the sunset with the longest duration!
“THE” walk!
It is imperative to do at least once the amazing itinerary from Fira to Oia on foot following the brow of the caldera. Only in this way will you have experienced the absolute grandeur of the island. In Fira you should ask for the old path leading to Oia. Make sure you set off early in the morning to avoid the big heat or in the evening so that you reach Oia in time for the sunset. It will take you about two hours to get there. You will pass by Katholika of Fira with the beautiful mansions at the tip of the brow. Walking down to the caldera you will meet the Catholic Cathedral. Going on towards Firostefani-Imerovigli, you will see Aghios Nikolaos and get to Skaros. Walk up to Theoskepasti, a picturesque little church. When getting to the asphalted road, there is an uphill leading to the Profitis Elias chapel. From here you have the best view to the caldera and the plain of Oia.
