08-10-2012 16:05

Description of Santorini

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Santorini is one of the most famous Greek islands worldwide and it has any right to be! The volcanic island of Santorini or Thira as it is called officially deserves all the superlatives. Some of the best hotels are located in Santorini facing the unique caldera, whereas the restaurants serve dishes of the delicious local cuisine and exceptional wine. It is the island with the most surreal and dramatic landscapes in Cyclades and has, along with Mykonos Island, a leading role in tourism, providing high quality of services and facilities. Santorini causes so many different feelings but only one could sum up all of them: awe.
 

Geography of Santorini

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Santorini is actually a group of volcanic islands that span in total an area of 90,62 sq. km. with a total population of 13.670 residents. The islets that can be seen in the centre of the caldera are not inhabited and in fact the black islets of Palia Kammeni and Nea Kammeni are undersea volcanoes that breached the sea surface. The island of Therassia is inhabited and the islands closer to Santorini are Anafi on the east, Ios on the north, Sikinos and Folegandros on the northwest.
 

History of Santorini

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Santorini is the relics of a massive volcanic explosion in the 16^th century AD. The ‘Thera Eruption’ as scientists refer to, is the reason of the extinction of the Minoan Civilization that has spread in the Aegean. The astonishingly well-preserved findings of the archaeological site of Akrotiri indicate the advanced civilization of ancient times. Santorini remained uninhabited for several years after the eruption. In Hellenistic era, Santorini is a naval base for Egypt. In the 13^th century AD Santorini goes under the Franks and takes its present name of the Catholic church of Saint Irene. In the 16^th century goes under the Ottoman Rule and in 1830 becomes part of the independent Greek State. In 1956 Santorini sees a devastating earthquake with many losses and in the early 70’s starts attracting tourism.
 

Sightseeing on Santorini

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The island of Santorini is a sight itself. The unique landscape formed of the volcanic eruption is stunning and famous for the colours during the sunset. Walking around the traditional village of Ia and watching the famous sunset is a must for every visitor. You can also visit the islet of Palia Kammeni and walk on the volcano’s heart or swim in the extraordinary beaches of black or red sand. The very interesting archaeological site of Akrotiri is closed to public because of the collapse of the canopy covering the site and a new one is currently being built. You can visit instead the small but really interesting Archaeological Museum in Fira with important recent findings of the pre-eruption era.
 

Local Products of Santorini

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Because of the unique desert climate of the island and the rich volcanic soil, the arid land of Santorini has many vineyards still cultivated in the traditional local way. The wine produced in Santorini is of exceptional quality and intriguing taste. The famous Vinsanto is made of sun-dried grapes. Also, there is production of cherry tomatoes, the local white eggplant, the local round cucumber and capers.

 
Getting to Santorini

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By air from Athens International Airport or by ferry or catamaran boats departing from Pireaus Port in Athens.
 

Best time to visit Santorini

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From April till October. Even if the weather is not warm enough for swimming, there are so many things to see and do in Santorini.
 

Useful Phone Numbers on Santorini

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Police: +30 22860 22659
Tourist Info Office: +30 2286027199
Port Authorities of Santorini: +30 22860 22239
Airport: +30 22860 28405
Local Buses Services: +30 22860 25404
Health Care Centre: +30 22860 22237

We found the best scandinavian bar in Naxos!

Touristorama has been travelling all around Greece and its islands for over a decade. This year, during our trip to Naxos, the biggest of the Cyclades complex, we discovered an interesting spot, perfect for your night out on the island… which is what we do best: finding the best places and then propose you should visit them! Prime is a Scandinavian Bar, located on a privileged position in Chora of Naxos, opposite the port. It’s been operating for 21 years and enjoys a great fame to both foreign and local tourists.

Aktaion - Writing gastronomic history since 1922

Like a relay race of three generations; a journey with happy days, sad days, joys, sorrows, wars, Occupation, poverty, hunger, deaths, volcanic eruptions, catastrophic earthquakes, flee for a better life, return, better days, feasts, tourism explosion, financial crises and so on… Everything has been indelibly inscribed on the walls of this small building, Aktaion. I feel grateful that life has given me the opportunity to hold the reins of Aktaion all the way to its centennial.

Privacy on the vivid island of Santorini? Yes, you can have it!

Explore the fascinating volcanic island of Santorini the way you want it yourself! Enjoy a unique accommodation experience, with huge doses of privacy and luxury by choosing to stay in Incognito Villa.

Something old, something new.... Marmita combines them both!

The Marmita Restaurant is now a part of the history of Santorini, since it has been operating in Megalochori since 2004. From 2013 it s been running under the observation of new owner Giannis Manikas and the sense of renewal is obvious.

Santorini has a secret... but we have to share it.

It opened in 2004 and soon became one of the favourite dining spots in Santorini. It is called Metaxy mas which means.. between us, but it is not a secret any more that this restaurant has a rich menu with almost 40 different dishes and appetizers based on traditional Greek cuisine.

Parea Restaurant: a beautiful terrace for the perfect dinner.

We have been choosing Parea Tavern for our meals and dinners for 14 years! Every time someone from Touristorama travels to the island of Santorini, he enjoys authentic Greek cuisine at the terrace of this restaurant in the heart of Fira. And we are not the only ones. Thousands of tourists include it among their favorites on the volcanic island.