Santorini is one of the most famous greek islands worldwide, as it combines unique geological, natural and historical attractions. The island is located in the southern Aegean sea. Santorini is actually the largest of a group of islands, remnants of the disastrous volcanic eruption that happened about 3.600 years ago. The names of the smaller islands are Therasia,Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni and Aspronisi and the only inhabited of them is Therasia. In Santorini, you will find the opportunity to admire one of the most picturesque sceneries, explore one of the greatest geological phenomenons on earth, taste unique local wines and have a bunch of other exceptional traveling experiences. We understand that all of this might be a bit overwhelming for a first time visitor in Santorini. As a result, we created for you a list for the best things to do in Santorini.
Watch the Sunset in Oia
If you are not familiar with the breathtaking sunset of Santorini, you might find this suggestion quite ordinary. The Thing is that the sunset in Santorini is nothing that you would ever see in the whole world. As the sun sets and the last light of the day highlights every corner of the island along with the azure sea, the tranquil atmosphere created, will put all your worries at ease. The reason why one of the best things to do in Santorini is to watch the sunset in Oia, is because of the location of the settlement. Oia is built at the caldera cliffs, offering a panoramic view of the whole island. Furthermore, its traditional cycladic architecture fits perfectly with the sense of serenity created by the sunset. The sunset in Oia is one of the most photographed themes of Santorini as a lot of tourists choose to cherish this beautiful landscape by taking a picture of it.
Take a historical tour on the island
One of the best things to do in Santorini is to take a historical tour in order to discover the archaeological treasures of the island. Your starting point should be Akrotiri excavation, as it is one of the most important prehistoric sites of Europe. The neolithic settlement of Akrotiri was a thriving minoan city, destroyed by the volcanic eruption that took place at 1500 BC. The flourishing society of ancient Akrotiri allowed its inhabitants to express many artistic talents. A lot of the artistic findings of the Akrotiri excavation are exhibited in the museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira.Those include pottery, jewelry, marble figurines, tools and impressive painting. Your historical tour should finish at the ancient Thera, a settlement founded in the 9th century BC on Mesa Vouno mountain . The settlement was founded long after the cataclysmic eruption and it was inhabited for 800 years.
Have a boat tour
Having a boat tour is one of the most exuberant things to do in Santorini, because it will give you a totally different perspective of the island. Sailing on the beautiful crystal-blue waters of Santorini, you will have the chance of a unique view of the submerged cliffs of Caldera. Thus, having a boat tour will help you to understand better the extraordinary geological formation of the island . In your boat trip you could also stop at one of the most famous beaches of the island, the red beach. The unique color of the red beach is a result of the volcanic activity of the island and combined with the blue waters of the sea, it creates a mesmerizing landscape.
Take a wine tour
The history of the vine culture in Santorini is lost in the prehistoric times as grapes were cultivated in vineyards already at the time when prehistoric Akrotiri was thriving. The unique volcanic composition of the soil of santorini it’s the cause of the characteristic taste of the local wines. A great example is Assyrtiko, one of the most famous varieties of grapes in Santorini, known for its high acidity and minerality.
If you want to learn more about the wine philosophy of the island you should start from the local vineyards, where the grapes are cultivated and then visit one of the local wineries where the winemaking process is taking place. In that way every time you have a sip of santorini wine you will remember why it is so special.
In this article there are only a few options of the countless things to do in Santorini. Despite of how you are going to organize your vacation programme, AutoCenter is the ultimate choice for a reliable car rental in Santorini.Choose the vehicle that best suits individual needs and explore every corner of it.
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