Exploring Santorini…

Hiking Trail Fira – Oia

Hiking from Fira to Oia can be done in around 4 hours, but the memory of the views along the way will last a lot longer. It’s likely you could complete the hike in less time, but we’d be very surprised if you could complete it without making plenty of stops to take some snaps of the scenery. Travelling through several different areas, the hike winds past churches, undeveloped terrain and residential areas, giving you a feel for the real Santorini.

Ancient Thera

If you’re a avid outdoors-y type, we’d tell you to pop on those hiking boots and make the steep ascent up to this ancient site. Alternatively, if you’re here for the view and beauty of these ruins – and not for getting out of breath, catch the bus that takes ou up most of the route. The ruins of ancient Thera are truly huge and incredible, so we recommend taking it at your own pace and taking in this incredible structure built in the days of Ancient Greece.

Akrotiri Archaeological Site

Similar to ancient Thera, Akrotiri boasts history and beauty in every corner of its historic grounds. A more contained site than Thera, the grounds have been maintained to an exceedingly high standard. Considering the age of these relics, they’re in pretty good shape in our opinion. If you want the full story of the site then a guided tour will provide all the colour you need, and we highly recommend sticking around for sunset – something not to be missed.

Wineries in Santorini

Santorini is famous for its wine and there are a number of wineries on the island where you can get a real taste for it. Two of the most popular wineries are Santo winery and Venetsanos winery. Of course, both wineries offer all-important tasting sessions which are best enjoyed alongside the authentic Greek platter and aperitifs also on offer.

Profitis Ilias Monastery

Many places in Santorini compete for the best sunset-watching spot. From the Akrotiri Archaeological site to the whitewashed walls of the old Byzantine castle in Oia, there are plenty of breathtaking spots to witness what is arguably the most striking sunset in Europe, but we definitely recommend taking a trip to the Profitis Ilias Monastery. A Cycladic architectural wonder, the monastery stands atop the highest point of the island, making for stunning panoramic views of the Hellenic archipelagos. Before you marvel at the sun’s drop into the sea, you can visit the monastery’s museum, which is home to a collection of rare ecclesiastical artefacts, or buy a souvenir at the shop – all the products are cultivated and made by the monastery’s monks, and samples are provided in the yard.

Watersports

Set sail for Santorini’s crystal clear waters and you’ll discover a world of rich marine life, stunning hidden beaches and a never-ending stretch of sparkly Aegean Sea. The options are endless: book a private catamaran tour and tailor it to suit your sailing needs; go on a romantic cruise across the Aegean, with a stopover at Santorini’s famous hot springs and a chance to bathe in its hidden coves; or grab a couple of friends and enjoy a BBQ aboard your very own charter for the day. There’s also plenty to discover for seasoned and first-time divers, with dive sites around the Caldera providing a unique look at the island’s volcanic foundations and ecosystems.

Santorini cuisine

Though it’s Santorini’s whitewashed, blue-domed volcanic beauty that draws holidaymakers from all walks of life year after year, it’s the delicious food and the cultural practices surrounding it which keeps them coming back. Travel anywhere in the Mediterranean and you’ll hear locals boasting about how their cuisine is the most delicious, but Santorini really does come close to taking away the prize. Expect crumbly, buttery pastries that melt in the mouth, strong coffee that puts to shame the lukewarm, watery brew we have here in the UK and plenty of street food – no trip to Santorini is complete without sampling some street gyoza. Fancy a little of finesse or prefer to eat your food sat in an atmospheric taverna? Don’t fret, there are plenty of those too.

Santorini’s cuisine is defined by a selection of simple yet satisfying staple ingredients. Santorini Cherry Tomato (Tomataki) consists of tomato paste and fritters and tastes unlike any other tomato dish found in Greece. While two other locally sourced ingredients are the katsouni, a locally grown cucumber with a more delicate flavour than usual, and fava Santorini – yellow split peas. These ingredients are synonymous with the island and can be found in most dishes. Alongside classic Greek ingredients like aubergines and courgettes, the cuisine in Santorini is rightfully notorious across all of Greece. Try it for yourself and you’ll see what we mean.

We’ve mentioned the Profitis Ilias Monastery as a place to visit, but it’s also most definitely a place to eat. The unique volcanic soil and warm climate makes for ingredients bursting with flavour, including sun-dried tomatoes – the tomato even has its own museum in Vlychada, the Tomato Industrial Museum – caper leaves, honey and, of course, olives.

To taste some traditional Santorini dishes, we recommend Katina’s Taverna in Ammoudi – a small bay nestled at the foot of Oia. Unsurprisingly, it’s the seafood that takes centre stage in this picturesque spot by the sea. You can expect simple yet delicious dishes featuring octopus, lobster – the lobster pasta in particular is exceptional – and whole seabream.