The Secrets of Santorini – Itinerary Ideas and Instagram Photo Spots

Santorini was my Mom and my favorite island we visited during our Greece trip.  It’s known for having one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world and is a 2 and 1/2 hour hydrofoil ride from Mykonos port.  To help you discover the secrets of Santorini for yourself, I put together my top picks for an itinerary!

Let me start by saying, there are no bad views in Santorini.  The breathtaking cliffs will be sure to have you drinking in the views of Santorini’s ‘caldera’— the ancient, sea-filled volcanic crater the island overlooks.  Three areas that you just can’t miss though are Fira, Imerovigli, and Oia.

• Fira and Imerovigli.  Stroll around Fira, admire the caldera views, and dip into Santorini’s capital’s chic shops, bars and tavernas.  Go early in the morning and experience stunning views of Santorini’s glittering caldera as you walk the path that hugs the rim of this
  submerged volcanic crater, starting in Fira and ending in Imerovigli. Explore the island’s whitewashed settlements, stroll through the cobblestone paths, and take in
  the stunning landscapes. Here, sugar-cube houses, bars and restaurants cling to the cliff sides, offering viewpoint after viewpoint for watching the sun sink below the caldera.
  • Tip: This is not a leisurely stroll.  Santorini is very mountainous and you want to be prepared for a lot of steps, cobblestone, and steep inclines.  Wear sunscreen and appropriate shoes for this chic hike.  While you’re walking through the cutest town, you’re essentially climbing up and down a mountain so be prepared.  If you’re asthmatic, bring your inhaler because the elevation can interact with your breathing.

• Oia.  Pronounced “Ee-ya”.  This is the village you always see pictures of when you see photos of Santorini.  It’s the most famous and much quieter than Fira (except when the sun is setting and everyone is crowded along the picturesque cliffside to watch).  Oia is on the northernmost tip of Santorini and at the entrance of the village, there’s a lot where you can park or catch public transportation because the paths here are pedestrian-only paths.  The main strip is filled with restaurants, taverns, tourist boutiques, and (pricey) hotels.  It’s a small and affluent town and one you cannot miss or you won’t get to see everything you’ve seen in the famous Santorini photos, in real life.
  • Tip: The sunsets in Oia have been referred to as the most spectacular in the world.  Book your sunset dinner early and ask for a table outside near the ledge for the best views!

I also recommend exploring the island’s boutique wineries to discover how vines are grown in the volcanic soil!

When booking your hotel, stay in either Fira or Oia.  I recommend the Majestic Hotel at the entrance of Fira and just a few minutes from the picturesque whitewashed capital.  It’s not too caught up in the center of it all but it’s not too far removed that you won’t have a very easy time getting there to explore.

We stayed at Santo Miramare Resort which was about 30 minutes away from Fira and 45 from Oia.  It was beautiful and the rooms were of the most luxurious and spacious I’ve ever stayed in.  There’s a private beach, multiple pools, and an on-site restaurant.  If you are one of the travelers that go to relax and not explore, this is the place for you.  Personally, it was a little too far out and inconvenient to public transportation for me.  We ended up paying 60 euros for a taxi to the main villages every night so we could wander through the heart of Santorini so next time, I think we’ll stay a little closer.  Of course, that depends on the type of traveler you are so at least this way you know the pros and cons to help you with deciding where to stay.

I mean really the only way you can go wrong is by not booking your sunset reservation at a restaurant early enough.  There are so many delicious spots and along with no bad views, we also had no bad meals!  Here are a few of my picks:

• Amoudi
• Ambrosia
• Yogi’s Gyros

Got your Google Maps ready?  Okay here we go…

• Ambrosia.  This is also a food spot!
• Oia.  ALL OF IT.
• The windmill in Oia.  Visible from Ambrosia or if you want a close up view, head into the main square and when facing the caldera, turn right.  Then continue along that path until you come to the other end and see the sea again and it’ll be there to your left.
• Oia house – this is the famous pink cave houses!
• Caldera views from Fira.  This can be done anywhere along the path that hugs the cliff.
• Ekklisia Panagia Platsani church in Oia
• Three blue dome.  Well this was tricky to get to…
  • Once you’re in Oia’s Main Square and with the church behind you, turn right and head down the pedestrian street.
  • You’ll see a Bulgari Alexandros sign in front of you with a small pathway to the left that’s if you’re walking too fast, you’ll miss.  Turn left here and follow the pathway down.
  • You’ll hit a fork in the path with a brown door in front of you where you can go either left or right.  The right is a close shot and the left is a more panoramic shot.

Hope you all found some helpful spots and tips to add to your Santorini itinerary.  Make sure you check out my post on 10 Things to Know Before You Go to Greece before you head out and I can’t wait to hear about your travels as you discover the secrets of Santorini for yourself!

*besitos*