Santorini is a respectable Greek resort at the foot of a volcano. Santorini is a respectable Greek resort at the foot of the volcano Beach holidays and water sports

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Santorini is the very Greek island from the postcard. It is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.

Anna Babkina

lives in Santorini

Santorini is surrounded by three active volcanoes - one in the center and two on the outside of the archipelago. The island overlooks the world's largest caldera - a depression formed by a volcanic eruption in 1600 BC.

People come to Santorini to see beaches with multi-colored sand, walk along the volcano, take pictures against the background of the famous church with three blue domes and watch the sunset over one of the most beautiful villages the world.

I arrived in Santorini in winter 2014 and fell in love with the caldera and the deserted marble streets. The town of Oia is located at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level, and sometimes clouds run over its streets. In winter, when there are no tourists, Santorini is breathtaking.

The history of the island

Santorini as we know it was formed about 3,500 years ago after a volcanic eruption. Middle big island went under water, forming the famous caldera with the surrounding islands of Aspronsiri, Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni, Firasia and Santorini itself. In fact, Santorini is a volcano, perhaps the largest in the world and still active.

There is a version that Santorini is the legendary Atlantis that went under water, described by Plato.

Island area - 76 square kilometers... You can get from one end of it to the other in 2 hours by car. In Santorini, there are areas where the sea can be seen on either side of the road - for example, on the way from Fira to Oia:

Two key settlements are the island's capital Fira and the snow-white town of Oia, the most replicated symbol of Santorini. There is also medieval fortress Pyrgos, Ancient Fira is the ruins of a huge city in the south of the island, and Akrotiri is located to the south, according to one version, the city of Atlantis.

Santorini is now the most popular island Greece. But the Greeks themselves avoid it because of the high cost and the huge number of tourists. There are a lot of foreigners and expats here, so everyone speaks mainly English. My Greek is still very basic and I still haven't had a compelling reason to learn it.

Most tourists come to Santorini from China, Australia and the United States. People come here to celebrate a wedding and honeymoon for the sake of photo shoots against the backdrop of white houses and the blue sea.

How to get to Santorini

You can get to Santorini from Athens by plane or ferry. Schedules and prices vary depending on the season.

Fly from Athens to the island in just 20 minutes. In summer, a one-way ticket costs from 100 € (7500 R) and more, but in winter you can fly on average for 50 € (3654 R). In winter, Rainair and Aegean Airlines organize promotions - sometimes you can catch a ticket for 5 € (365 R).

But the main way transport links between the islands of Greece - ferries. In summer, 3 to 6 ferries come to Santorini every day, in winter, less often - 2 ferries three days a week. The main ferry to the island is the Blue Star Ferry. A ticket from Athens costs about 40 € (3000 R), travel time is 9 hours.

Ferries also run between other Greek islands. Majority Russian tourists people come to Santorini by ferry from Crete or from Athens.

Residence

The Greek migration system is very complex, with many constantly changing rules, so you most likely cannot do without a lawyer. But it is best to choose a specialist through acquaintances, so that it is a more or less proven person.

There are a lot of immigrants in Greece who want to get a residence permit, and, accordingly, there is a lot of fraud. Even my lawyer, “verified” by acquaintances, tried to throw money at me: she “forgot” that I had paid for her services in advance, and tried to take my new document as soon as we left the immigration office. Fortunately, she quickly changed her mind, because I began to argue with her loudly, attracting the attention of others.

Initially, I came to Santorini with a tourist Schengen for a year. Then I hired a lawyer and made a family visa: in my case, it was the easiest option to apply for. The services of a lawyer cost me 200 € (14 616 R). In theory, a month after receiving temporary documents, I should have been issued a European residence permit for 5 years. But this is my fourth year in Greece - and I am still waiting for my residence permit.

I renew my temporary residence permit (veveosi ble) every year at the immigration office in Athens for free.

200 €

I paid for the services of a lawyer to apply for a family visa to Greece

Citizens of Russia and the CIS can obtain a residence permit as follows:

1. to marry a Greek citizen;
2. get a family visa if you have close relatives, a young man or a girl living in Greece;
3. find an employer and get a work visa - but this is very difficult, because taxes for such workers are high, and few employers will agree to apply for this type of visa;
4. An unlimited residence permit will be issued when purchasing real estate worth 250,000 € (18,700,000 RUR).

There is a stereotype that thanks to friendly relations between Russia and Greece, it is easier for Russians to obtain European documents here. But Greece is a buffer between Europe and third world countries. The famous slowness of the Greek bureaucrats is here tacitly encouraged by the state.

All these papers in the hallway are files with personal files of immigrants like me. On the folders - dust, rubbish, someone's unfinished coffee. Someone, standing in line, picks up someone else's dossier - just read out of boredom. It is quite common for Greek officials to lose someone's documents, so rule number 1: always give copies, and keep the originals with you.

Due to the crisis and layoffs, there are only three people left in this ministry who must look through the dossier and make decisions on the issuance of documents. And these people were very surprised when they saw me on the threshold of their office: “Why did you come at all? Just think, 4 years! Here people have been waiting for 15 years ”.

Problem # 1

Too many tourists

Santorini has about 20,000 permanent residents, but during the tourist season, up to 2 million tourists usually come here.

In the midst of tourist season from 3 to 9 huge cruise ships visit the island every day. There are up to 3000 tourists on board each such liner. Of course, each of these tourists wants to watch the sunset in the legendary Oia.

In 2017, Santorini recorded a record: 5.5 million tourists visited the island. And this is on a piece of land with an area of ​​76 square kilometers, where the electricity and water supply system has not been changed since the time when Jacques Yves Cousteau was looking for Atlantis here, and this was in 1975. Due to the influx of tourists, interruptions in the supply of electricity and water occurred here every second week.

2 million

tourists visit Santorini annually

The situation became so critical that the mayor of the island set a limit for cruise ships: no more than 8,000 people per day. I can't say that the locals felt the difference. When there are two meters wide streets in a town, several thousand tourists a day is in any case too much.

Problem # 2

Find accommodation

The flow of tourists to Santorini is only increasing every year. Because of this, large hotels massively bought all real estate in Oia and, one might say, ousted from there local residents who have lived there from generation to generation. Hotels are constantly expanding, this greatly changes the appearance of the town: more and more villas are growing around the hotels.

For this reason, it is very difficult to find long term accommodation in Santorini. Word of mouth works best: the island is like a big village where everyone knows each other.

550 €

I pay rent for the house per month

I lived in Santorini in an 18th century house overlooking the caldera, in a former winery, in a cave with an overhead pool, and even in a bookstore. I can say that because of the unusual climate, it is most comfortable to live here in a cave house: it is cool in summer, and warm in winter and there are no drafts. Due to the high humidity, there is a dehumidifier in every house. In half a day's work, he can collect 5 liters of water.

I used to live in Oia, then I moved to Phenicia - a neighboring village 20 minutes away. It is very picturesque, there are almost no tourists, mostly locals and expats live. Renting a house here costs from 400 € (30,000 R) plus utility bills.

Basically, houses with one room are rented in Phoenix for 500-600 € (36,541 -43849.2 R). In Fira, housing is simpler: a small house can be rented from 350 € (25,579 R). Outside Oia, renting a large house-villa costs from 1,700 € (124,239 R) per month. On the east coast of the island, where there is no volcano view, housing is much cheaper.

I rent a recently built house in Phoenix with an area of ​​100 m² for 550 € (41,250 R) per month. This is atypical for Santorini: in general, the spaces here are very small.

Usually in Greece they conclude a rental agreement for real estate for at least 6 months and pay two months in advance. In Santorini, I have never entered into such an agreement, because every time I found housing through friends.

If you are looking to buy a property, then a house of an average size on a caldera can cost about 1 million euros. If you cross the road, the same house overlooking the less picturesque side of the island can be bought for 400,000 € (29,232,680 R).

Communal expenses

Electricity, electricity and telephone bills come every two months. For the phone and the Internet, I pay about 80 € (6000 R).

200 €

I pay for electricity for two months in the summer

In summer, the water bill is about 90 € (6750 R), in winter - 70 € (5250 R). Centralized hot water supply is available only in hotels, in ordinary houses there are boilers - and this is the main item of electricity costs. Moreover, in most houses, boilers are very small, for 10-15 liters, clearly designed for summer time... In winter, water heated by such a device is barely enough for one minute. Putting a new 40 liter boiler together with the work of the master will cost 200 € (14 618 R), but if you are going to spend the winter in Santorini, it will be worth it.

Electricity is the most expensive resource on the island. I pay for it from 200 € (15,000 R) for two months in the summer and up to 300 € (22,500 R) in the winter. It is cold in Santorini in winter, temperatures can drop to freezing at night. The houses do not have central heating, so electric heaters have to be turned on. The electricity bill for the whole winter can range from 650 € (47,508 R) to 850 € (62 125 R). At the same time, the wiring in the houses is old, and if the boiler and the heater are turned on at the same time, it can knock out the plugs.

Traditional cave houses

The island's volcanic soil forms natural voids in the rocks. The walls around these voids are very strong and practically do not collapse.

Santorini is surrounded by three active volcanoes, so there is always the risk of a sudden eruption or earthquake. People here have lived in caves for a long time - this is the most safe view housing. The cave can withstand a fairly strong earthquake, while ordinary buildings will collapse like a house of cards. Previously, in every cave house there was a shovel at the entrance, so that in the event of an earthquake there was something to dig out the way out.

The phenomenon of cave houses is that they have a very strong ceiling and floor. The owners of such a house can artificially expand the space: dig up a couple of additional rooms. Of course, this is done with the consent of the neighbors and the invited architect, but the process itself is very simple.

Transport

If you are going to live in Santorini you will need a car or scooter. You will save both time and money on food, because groceries in supermarkets are 1.5 times cheaper than in small tourist shops, but supermarkets are not so easy to get to.

1500 €

worth a used car in Santorini

Renting a car costs from 30 € (2250 R) per day. You can also buy: a used, but serviceable car costs from 1,500 € (112,500 R). A liter of gasoline will cost 1.9 € (139 R).

Many island residents prefer scooters. From March to October there are traffic jams on the roads. Sometimes a route of 20 minutes can take 3 hours, and scooters are indispensable here to get past the next traffic jam. Renting a scooter costs from 15 € (1125 R) per day, you can buy a used one for 350 € (25 581 R).

From public transport there are only buses in Santorini. They run at intervals of 10 minutes to 1.5 hours from 7 am to midnight. Tickets cost 1.9-2.5 € (139-183 R) depending on the route. In winter, the number of routes is reduced, and the bus from Oia to Fira can be waited for two hours. It is better to check the timetable for public transport on the website, because it is not posted at the stops themselves.

A taxi from the airport will cost you at least 40 € (3000 R), from one village to another - about 30 € (2193 R). There is no Uber in Santorini.

I travel around the island mainly by buses. I have an old-style driver's license, and during all this time I haven’t changed it, so I didn’t buy a car. I used my friends' car several times. And in all these years in Santorini, I have never seen the traffic police.

Banks

There are three banks on the island - the National Bank of Greece, the local Alfa Bank and the Piraeus Bank. All of them are located in the vicinity of Fira.

To open a bank account, a foreigner needs to provide a residence permit, income statement and make a minimum deposit of 400-600 € (29 236 -43 854 R), depending on the bank. I opened two bank accounts: with the Greek Alfa Bank and with the National Bank of Greece (Ethniki Trapeza).

All social payments go through the National Bank, so I mainly use its services. I have a debit card and a so-called prepaid card - a wallet card that allows you to pay for purchases within Greece, but you cannot withdraw money from it. I also use Internet banking services.

In 2015, due to the economic crisis and the conflict with the European Union, all banks in Greece stopped their work for a week. After that, all banks set a limit on cash withdrawals. Now you can get no more than 900 € (67,500 R) per day and no more than 5,000 € (365 444 R) per month.

The Skrill international money transfer service is also prohibited in Greece. Only recently, PayPal started working here. Many banks still do not allow transferring money from PayPal to the card. In general, in my experience, money transactions through Greek banks are a headache.

900 €

cash is the maximum amount that can be withdrawn from the bank per day

Until 2005, banks gave loans to everyone in a row, which, in particular, was the reason for the protracted economic crisis in Greece. Now banks with great creak give loans even to Greeks. The interest rate ranges from 9 to 12% per year. It is almost impossible for a foreigner to take out a loan or a mortgage in Greece.

Work

Almost everyone who lives on the island works in tourism. Locals and many expats have their own businesses, some work remotely. Santorini is the island with the longest tourist season in Greece. Many immigrant workers from Albania and Eastern Europe live here.

The tourist season starts in March and lasts until October. At this time, everyone works seven days a week, 9-12 hours a day. Adequate salary in tourism is approximately 1000-2500 € (75,000 -187,500 R), depending on the position and work schedule.

There are no tourists from November to February, so no one works. At the same time, almost all workers in Santorini are officially employed, have insurance and the opportunity to receive unemployment benefits in winter - about 350 € (26,250 R) per month. As a rule, the allowance is issued for the second year of employment on the island. During the tourist season, the tax control and the IKA (social insurance organization) carry out constant checks: they make sure that everything is legal.

350 €

the amount of unemployment benefits in winter

If you work in Santorini, most likely, your documents will indicate an 8-hour working day and a rate of 500 € (37,500 R) per month - this is the minimum wage here by law. At the same time, you must be at the workplace exactly at the hours indicated in the official document, otherwise you and your employer will be fined up to 5,000 € (365,444 R). Therefore, as soon as a check arrives on the island, everyone starts calling each other to tell which street the inspectors are now on.

Tax

Every year from June to July, a tax return must be filed. If you pay 50 € (3750 R) to an accountant, he will do everything for you. But you can fill it in on your own, although it is difficult and time-consuming - only a few do this. If you do not submit the declaration on time, you will have to pay a fine - from 100 € (7309 R) to 800 € (58 471 R), depending on your income.

If you do not have a car, boat or real estate in Greece and your official income does not exceed 5000 € per year, you do not need to pay taxes. Income above 5000 € is subject to 20% tax, provided that you do not have a business.

Small business owners in Santorini pay 40-60% of their profits in tax. In general, Greece is famous for its unfairly high taxes, therefore it is not possible to register a business here best idea.

Communication and Internet

Something like a municipal wifi operates on the island - there are about 6 networks to which you can connect without a password to use the Internet for free. But all this works intermittently and only on the central streets of Fira and Oia.

The main mobile providers are Cosmote, Vodafone and Wind. You can buy a sim card only with a passport in your name. You need to replenish your account at least once every 3 months, otherwise the card will be blocked.

You can top up your account at any kiosk or supermarket by purchasing a card for 10, 20 or 50 €. The main thing is that after replenishing your account, you need to immediately select the tariff you need, otherwise the money will evaporate within a few hours. It is useless to complain about this in the office of a telecom operator: they will tell you about some expensive tariff that came into effect "by default".

There is no such thing as “unlimited mobile internet” in Greece. A package of 1 GB will cost at best 1 € (73 R), the validity period is a month, so you will not be able to “accumulate” gigabytes.

Medicine

Santorini has one public hospital and one private clinic. I was there and there.

In a private clinic, courteous staff and highly qualified doctors, everyone speaks English, you can make an appointment in advance by phone. In addition to the clinic, there are also private offices of individual specialists and biochemical laboratories, where you can quickly and without queuing take tests. They will be accepted here instantly, and a visit to a therapist will cost 70 € (5250 R).

70 €

have to pay for an appointment with a therapist

In a free hospital, you can spend from 3 to 5 hours just sitting in line, but they accept everyone here, without being distracted by documents and insurance. And here many doctors speak English well, but several times I had to use an online translator and speak my fingers. Of course, it is difficult to sit under the office door for three hours without any confidence that you will eventually be accepted. But every time I still waited for an appointment, I came across good doctors.

If you have insurance and a medical record, you will receive a 30 to 60% discount on your prescribed medications.

The choice of drugs is very scarce. Pharmacies sell more cosmetics than medicines. Activated carbon for food poisoning, "Panadol" for all other ailments - that's all that the pharmacist will offer you.

Antibiotics in any form are given strictly according to the doctor's prescription. There are no antiviral drugs at all, and pharmacists are unaware of their existence. But there is a free flu shot, which is actively advertised in schools and on TV.

60 €

worth putting a seal on Santorini. On the mainland, the amount is half as much

All dentistry on the island is only private, to put a filling costs 60 € (4500 R). For comparison, on the mainland it will cost 30 € (2250 R), so any dental procedure should be carried out in Athens.

Education

Greece has quality higher education, but Santorini only has elementary and secondary schools.

At school, everyone is allowed to study for free, but diplomas are issued only to those who have documents. Classes are held only in Greek. There are many children from immigrant families. And if, for some bureaucratic reasons, they are delayed in issuing documents, such schoolchildren sometimes receive a certificate of secondary education with a delay of several years.

Everyone goes to Athens for higher education.

Food

Greece is renowned for its fruits, vegetables, meat and fish, as well as simple and delicious cuisine. I moved to Santorini just after Russia announced a ban on the import of European products, which made the shelves in stores half empty. Therefore, at first I went to local shops, like museums, spent 600 € (45,000 R) a month on food and gained 10 kg. Then, however, I pulled myself together and now I spend about 400 € (30,000 R).

Little grows on the volcanic soil of Santorini. However, there are some unique local products here: a special variety of cherry tomatoes, white eggplants, and vinsanto, a sweet white wine. The rest is being transported from Athens. In winter, the sea is often stormy, and sometimes ships with food cannot reach the island for weeks. You need to be ready for this and buy some products with a margin.

400 €

I spend a month on groceries

Most of the inhabitants of the island buy food in small shops. Of course, everything is more expensive here than on the mainland:

• 1 kg of tomatoes - 1.5-3 € (112-225 R);
• 1 kg of potatoes - 1-1.5 € (75-112 R);
• a bottle of milk - 3 € (225 R);
• 300 g of cheese - 4-6 € (300 -450 R);
• 0.5 l of Greek yogurt - 3.5 € (260 R).

It is better to buy bread at a bakery, on average it costs about 1 € (73 R).

Santorini has 3 or 4 supermarkets, two of them within Fira. The rest need to be reached by bus or by your own transport. We should also mention the German supermarket "Lidl" in the south of Fira, where food is 1.5 times cheaper than anywhere else on the island.

There are no markets at all. Outside Fira, in the south of the island, there is a huge vegetable warehouse called Kritikos, where you can buy vegetables, fruits, cheeses and meat from Crete. In general, products from Crete are appreciated here above others. It is better to go to "Kritikos" by car.

Santorini has no reservoirs and sources of fresh water. Water is taken directly from the sea and filtered, so it should never be drunk from the tap. You can cook with tap water only in the north of the island - in Oia and Phoenix. Therefore, everyone buys water in supermarkets and cooks with it. A pack of 6 bottles costs 2.5 € (190 R).

People

I would formulate the main problem of the island as follows: too much money and too little culture. Greece is generous and hospitable country but things are different in Santorini.

To understand the mentality of the locals, you need to know a little about the history of the island. Back in the 1950s, Santorini was culturally and economically isolated. For example, the farthest island from Athens, the Cyclades, has no greenery at all and natural resources, there is no electricity or running water. Fira and Oia have long been poor fishing villages with several families whose children have married each other for generations.

Then the ancient city of Akrotiri (presumably Atlantis) was found on Santorini, and the island became popular. First came the adventurers and bohemians who have now become successful businessmen and owners of the most expensive real estate in Greece. Since the 1980s, when Santorini began to be visited regularly cruise ships, even the illiterate inhabitants of the island have become fabulously wealthy by local standards.

The inhabitants of Santorini can be divided into three "castes":

1. The indigenous inhabitants of the island.
2. Former adventurers are Greeks from Athens, British, Australians and Germans who now own a successful business here.
3. Immigrants from Albania, Romania and the Baltic countries working for the first two categories.

A typical contrast in Santorini is when a person with two higher educations works at the checkout in a restaurant owned by an illiterate Greek. Up to 90% of locals live here to make money from tourists, and since there are too many tourists, it happens in a very stressful mode 24/7. There is little soulfulness here.

However, it is also true that Santorini attracts romantics and creative people, which is why I loved the expat community. I met incredible people from all over the world here and made many friends.

Entertainment

Due to its volcanic origin, Santorini has unique beaches with red, black and white sand. Photos of these places can be found in any advertising brochure. The beaches can be reached by car or by buses from Fira. The journey costs 2.5 € (190 R), buses run every 40 minutes.

I'm not a lover tourist places... The island has much more spectacular beaches - and almost always half empty. My favorite beaches are Ammoudi, Kolubo and Vlihada. Ammoudi is located right in Oia, Colubo is a 20 minute drive from Oia in the north of the island, and Vlihada is the most remote beach in the south of the island. Colubo and Vlyhada can only be reached by car.

2,5 €

worth the bus ride from Fira to the beaches

If you are attracted by archaeological sites, there is a museum city of Akrotiri in the south of the island. This is the same legendary Atlantean city, destroyed by an earthquake in 3500 BC. NS. Another city is a museum under open air- This is Ancient Fira, located on one of the hills near Kamari.

There are many cafes, taverns and restaurants in Santorini. It is better to go to fish taverns in the old port in Oia. A lobster costs from 98 € (7350 R) per serving, a dorada - about 50 € (3750 R), a set of meze snacks - from 15 € (1096 R) to 40 € (2924 R). If you say that you live or work on the island, you will most likely get a discount, because in Santorini there are only two prices: for tourists and for locals.

98 €

there is a lobster in a fish tavern in Oia

Shopping in Santorini is pretty tight. During the summer season, Oia hosts many art galleries, boutiques with designer clothes and jewelry. Most of the shops are designed for tourists. Locals go to Athens to buy things or buy everything on the Internet. Post in Greece is fast, a package from any store on the mainland arrives in a few days.

The island has the only bookstore - Atlantis-Books, which is regularly called one of the most beautiful in the world by glossy magazines. This is a residence, community and bookstore at the same time. Book lovers from all over the world come here to live and work on a volunteer basis - mostly journalists, aspiring writers and artists. In the summer, Atlantis-Books organizes literary readings with the participation of celebrities. I saw live performances by American comedian David Sedaris and poet Billy Collins.

I was lucky to spend the whole winter at Atlantis-Books - my childhood dream of living in a bookstore has come true. It is an expansive cave house overlooking the caldera and has everything you need. I literally slept behind a bookshelf: there are three originally equipped sleeping places in the store.

One of my favorite places in Santorini is Firasia, the second largest island in the archipelago. It can be reached in 10 minutes by small ferry from the old port of Ammoudi in Oia. Ferries run four times a day: at 7, 11, 14 and 18 hours. The schedule sometimes changes, and it is better to check it with the ferrymen: there is no timetable either on the Internet or at the port itself. The fare is 1.5 € (110 R) one way.

Firasia can be called the looking glass of Santorini: there is also a caldera, an old port, a village 300 meters above sea level and an underwater volcano in the north of the island. At the same time, Firasya is absolutely deserted. There is only one village, where at most 30 people live, two taverns, one hotel and a real ghost town in the west of the island.

1,5 €

there is a one way ferry ticket to Firasia

The entire Firasia island can be explored on foot in 4 hours. Many locals come here with tents to relax for a few days from the hustle and bustle of Santorini.

In Santorini itself, one must see natural and archaeological sights. There are almost no typical urban entertainment: several nightclubs in Fira, two cinemas in Perissa and Kamari, one bowling and one shopping center... Per nightlife, shopping and other entertainment is better to go to Athens.

Outcomes

Have life on small island many restrictions. Over time, even Santorini becomes boring. There are no career opportunities, a limited community, an unfavorable business environment. There are snow-white marble streets and a blue sea as if from a postcard, but if you live here permanently, then even they will sooner or later begin to bore you. This year I decided to move to Athens and return to Santorini from time to time.

Is it worth living in Santorini? Definitely yes. You will not find such exotic beauty and contrasts on any Greek island... It is good to come here alone or with a loved one. You can rent a house in Finikia, Perissa, Kamari or Emborio and enjoy the measured life on the island.

If you have a stable remote job and are not dependent on the Greek economy, you will love it here.

The answer to the question "where to stay in Santorini" depends only on what you need from this island. If you are traveling with children - this is one place if you are waiting for the most have a good rest in your life - different, if you are looking for the best value for money, then the third. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of different areas of the island and choose where to stay and rent a hotel in Santorini is right for you.

Where to stay in Santorini: article content

Kamari and Monolithos: the best vacation with children

Kamari and Monolithos are the names of small villages on the island of Santorini, located close to each other near the beaches of the same name. Both beaches boast black volcanic sand, as well as (although not everywhere) a comfortable, gentle entrance to the sea.

Pros:

• Children's playgrounds on the beaches, animation
• Many hotels are aimed at tourists with children.

Minuses:

• Little entertainment for adult tourists

Where to stay in Santorini for families with children? Kamari beach has all the necessary infrastructure: umbrellas, sun loungers and children's playgrounds.

Where to stay in Santorini for beach lovers: Perissa

Let's face it: it's not worth going to Santorini just for the sake of a beach holiday, this island is rich primarily in its architecture, history and incredible landscapes. However, there is a very decent beaches... The best place among those where to stay in Santorini is for beach lovers - the village of Perissa near the beach of the same name. This is a long (about 3 km!) Beach covered with black volcanic sand, where there is everything for have a great rest... Often tourists also highlight the Perivolos beach, although in fact it is just the western part of Perissa, slightly less developed in terms of infrastructure.

Pros:

• Not high prices for hotel accommodation
• Unique black volcanic sand
• From here it is easy to get to Vlyhada - the most beautiful beach Santorini
• Developed infrastructure: sun loungers and umbrellas, shops, nightclubs, restaurants

Minuses:

• The bottom on the beaches of Perissa and Perivolos is steep and rocky in places
• It takes a long time to get to most of the sights, with a transfer in Fira

Perissa Beach is the longest in Santorini. Its length together with Perivolos is about 3 km.

Oia village: for lovers of expensive luxury holidays

Oya (she is Oya or Oya) - business card Santorini and most beautiful place islands. Most of the postcard photographs of the island and all of Greece were taken in this small village. It is here that the most luxurious hotels, the most beautiful views and the most breathtaking sunsets, to admire which in the evenings the whole island comes running, turning a small village into a huge beehive. Many hotels here are built on cliff ledges and equipped with pools overlooking the volcano's caldera and surrounding islands, and you can enjoy the sunset right from the jacuzzi. Oia is the place to stay in Santorini for romantics, newlyweds and just the wealthy discerning tourists.

Pros:

• Breathtaking views
• The most luxurious hotels in Santorini

Minuses:

• Eternal tourist swarm, especially at sunset
• Highest prices for accommodation on the island

Where is the best place to stay in Santorini for lovers of luxury and luxury holidays? Of course, in the village of Oia - many hotels here are built right on the slope of the volcano and offer a beautiful view of the caldera.

Fira city (Thira): for those who do not sit still

Fira is the capital of the island. It is located in the heart of Santorini, and it is here that the main transport hub - Fira bus station - is located from where buses leave all over the island. To the beaches, to the sunset in Oyu, to the port - from here you can go anywhere. And Fira herself is very interesting place, many of Santorini's attractions are located here.

Pros:

• Excellent transport accessibility
• Many attractions
• Very beautiful views

Minuses:

• Many tourists
• High prices

The advantages of such a stay in Fira: a stunning view of the sunset will open from the jacuzzi on the terrace of your room. Disadvantages of staying in Fira: everyone who comes to admire the sunset will have a stunning view of you.

Best value for money: Karterados

The village of Karterados cannot boast of beaches and attractions, its charm is different. It is located just 15-20 minutes walk from Fira and its bus station, while hotels here are much less expensive. Buses from Fira to the main beaches of Santorini also pass by Karterados. It is here, in an excellent and inexpensive apart-hotel Wisteria Apartments we stopped while traveling in Greece. Karterados - perfect place Where to stay in Santorini is worth all tourists who do not want to overpay for the location.

Pros:

• Low price of hotels
• There are inexpensive cafes and grocery stores nearby
• Fira - 20 minutes walk, Fira bus station - 15 minutes, buses to Kamari and Perissa beaches - 10 minutes walk

Minuses:

• Lack of attractions and places to walk in the village of Karterados
• A small number of hotels (only 50, during the high season they may all be busy)

Where to stay in Santorini so as not to overpay for hotel accommodation? We recommend the village of Karterados: it is located next to Fira, and the prices are much lower here. We rented such a wonderful two-room apartment with a kitchen here at a price for which in Fira we would have a regular hotel room with one room.

Other options for where to stay in Santorini

Let's briefly talk about some other places where you can stay on the island of Santorini.

Imerovigli village. Located just north of Fira, it is considered a place elite rest... The hotels are expensive, many of them offer a beautiful view of the volcano's caldera.

While wealthy tourists watch the sunset from their rooms, sipping expensive wine, supporters budget vacation enjoy the same picture for free with one and a half euro beer from a local store.

The village of Akrotiri. Located in the southwest of the island, nearby are Red and White beaches as well as the ruins ancient city Akrotiri. Getting from here by bus to other attractions is not very convenient and mainly with a transfer in Fira. But here it is quiet and calm, and the view of the caldera is no less beautiful than in Imerovigli.

The village of Pyrgos. Located in the inland of the island on a hill with a beautiful panoramic view of the whole of Santorini. Pyrgos is a very beautiful village with many temples and narrow streets, and the main local attraction is the old Venetian fortress.

Dear readers, where do you recommend to stay in Santorini? We are waiting for your feedback on the cities and towns of the Wonder Island and their hotels! And in the next article we will tell you in detail about the hotel where we ourselves stayed during our trip to Santorini.

Santorini Island Hotels: Difficulty of choice, or so that later it would not be excruciatingly painful.

The transport issue - - detailed in the previous article, now it remains to decide where it is better to live in Santorini - which hotel and in which place to choose in order to fully enjoy the stunning Aegean views, for which, in fact, everyone goes there.

The most popular tourist destination in Santorini is the caldera. To understand what it is, you need a little historical excursion.

History of Santorini

Today, the archipelago of the Santorini islands is partly in shape nothing more than a huge ring-shaped funnel, formed about 1500 years ago after the eruption of the Santorini volcano on the island of Fira, which was not even an eruption, but a volcanic explosion. The explosion was followed by an earthquake and a giant tsunami, which virtually destroyed the existing ancient Minoan civilization (2700-1400 BC). True, archaeologists discovered that the Minoan civilization existed for at least a hundred years after the eruption (during excavations, buildings were found on top of layers of volcanic ash), but still, this does not change the essence: the catastrophe put an end to it.

On satellite photos The crater of the volcano is clearly visible on the islands of Santorini, the walls of which, after the explosion, collapsed into the sea, and the water instantly flooded the formed space.

Caldera Santorini photos

Caldera- these are the very steep walls of the ancient crater, the surface of which is 300-400 meters high, built up with "postcard" white houses, architecturally traditional for all the Cyclades islands. The best and most expensive hotels in Santorini are located on the caldera. You have to pay several times more for the opportunity to admire the view from the window of your own room or balcony (and not from the street where many tourists come) than for rooms in hotels located in villages far from the caldera or in the opposite part of Fira Island.

The main cities of Santorini of interest to tourists, with the most the best views Is the capital Fira and And I located in the northwestern part of the island. In these two towns there are restaurants, taverns and bars, many hotels and apartments, "sharpened" for the "visual enjoyment" of travelers, entertainment establishments, shops, shops, etc. Meanwhile, Fira, as the capital, is the noisiest and most populous town, but in Oia it is much quieter and less entertainment. A small place called Imerovigli, adjacent to Fira (the distance between them is about 2 kilometers).

So, if, above all, a beautiful view from your room is important to you (check and clarify in advance whether your window really offers a view of the sea, caldera, etc.): hotels in Fira, Oia and adjacent Phenicia (the views are easier here), Imerovigli, possibly Akrotiri(beautiful views of the islands of Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni). Prices for rooms in the most "top" places can reach tens of thousands of euros, especially if these are rooms for newlyweds or VIP villas.

Sunset in Santorini is the famous brand of the island. "Sunset" is included in the list of excursions and is sold here as something tangible. In all fairness, this is a truly beautiful sight. That is why the “best places” for watching sunsets and taking pictures are so expensive and so in demand by thousands of tourists. In high season (and this is almost all summer and early autumn), it is worth booking tables in good restaurants with a view in advance.

If the view is not important (after all, you will still go to the caldera in the evening to watch the sunset), and you also want to save a lot on accommodation: hotels in Kamari, Perissa, Perivolos, Agios Georgios, Karterados, Firostefani, Messaria and some other villages. Rooms are usually inexpensive here: in fact, you only pay for the night, because life in small villages outside the main cities of Santorini calms down in the evenings and there is not much to walk there.

Santorini Accommodation

The best way to get around Santorini is by taxi (due to the short distances on the island) or a rented car. There is also a developed bus service, buses run until 23.00-24.00, so you can go for a walk to the caldera in the evening and have time to return to some distant villages by bus (but this must be clarified in advance so that there are no unpleasant surprises). The principle is this: all villages are directly connected with the main city of Santorini - Fira, from there you already need to get to other places. There is also a bus service between some of the neighboring villages.

Rent a car in Santorini

Choose your own car rental in Santorini and book here

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In some places of Santorini, there are always crowds of tourists, but it is worth moving away a little or moving aside - and now you are almost alone with the island that has calmed down after a noisy day.

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Santorini Is a famous group of islands in the Cyclades archipelago, located in the Aegean Sea. Santorini resorts are waiting for you! The wind of change, romance, magical sunsets and the breath of time - this will remain in your memory forever. You will certainly want to come back again, having only been here once.

Peculiarities

Santorini includes the islands of Nea Kameni, Thirassia, Palea Kameni, Aspro, and the largest Santorini (Fira, Thira). The main colors of Santorini are blue (a symbol of the sky of the dwelling of the gods), white (a symbol of faith, justice, beauty, justice) and red ocher (a symbol of the earth, a volcano, their natural power). There are three hundred and fifty-two churches on the island, each of which has its own bell tower, its patron saints.

general information

Santorini is located in the Aegean Sea in the southeastern part of the country, the most large island occupies an area of ​​76 sq. km. The population is 13.4 thousand people.

Climate

The season in Santorini starts on April 1st or Easter. The period from December to March is considered an off-season, with lower temperatures, frequent rains and winds. Although the temperature rarely drops to relatively cold levels - 0 degrees and below. Most hotels can be closed during the winter. The most favorable period for a holiday in Santorini is April-June and September-October.

How to get there

You can get to Santorini by air from Russia via Athens. Santorini is easily accessible by ferry from Piraeus and Naxos.

• National Airport Santorini / Thira IATA: JTR, located north of Kamari village. There are regular flights here from Athens, which is about 30-45 minutes, and in summer there are flights from Thessaloniki.

Transport

The island has public buses that run every 30 minutes in different directions. Boats run between the islands of the archipelago. It is not difficult to rent a car, which will cost 45 euros or more per day, depending on the car brand. Quad bikes are also a popular means of transport. And many people prefer to rent a bike.

Cities

Nea Kameni formed as a result of an underwater eruption. Its original name is Mikri Kameni due to its small size. Later, as a result of the incessant activity of the volcano, the island grew and was named Nea Kameni. It is uninhabited and covers an area of ​​over three square kilometers. Its dormant volcano can wake up at any moment and begin to spew lava. The mouth of the volcano is at a depth of one thousand meters. The soil around it is very hot. This place is different unpleasant odor hydrogen sulfide vapors. The landscape is completely lifeless.

Palea Kameni was formed much later than Nea Kameni. The island is famous for its hot healing keys... Thirassia with a population of about two hundred and fifty people is located on an area of ​​over 9 square kilometers. Aspro covers an area of ​​about one hundred square kilometers and is uninhabited territory.

Island Santorini(Thira) covers an area of ​​76 sq. Km, with a population of eight thousand. The island owes its origin to a volcanic eruption in the middle of the 17th century BC. Part of the island is under water, and the other part has formed sheer cliff nine hundred meters with a steep cliff. Also in the place of the eruption a convenient bay was formed, where merchant ships, liners, yachts anchor. You can get here on foot, counting seven hundred steps, by funicular, riding on the back of a stubborn donkey.

Attractions of this region: the city and its architectural style, Pangea Episcopa Temple, Agiu Mina Church, Archeology Museum, Prehistoric Thira Museum, beaches.

In the town Fira the houses represent different time periods and their architecture: Cycladic vaulted temples, business centers, theaters, Ptolemy's dwelling, sanctuaries, tombs of different eras, ruins of early Christian buildings.

Temple of Pangea Episcops famous for various frescoes, the icon of the Mother of God. Agiu Mina Church, the symbol of the island, is at the edge of the cliff.

Archaeological Museum, built in 1960, is located in the heart of Santorini. The museum exposition includes exhibits from different eras (prehistoric era, Mycenaean period, Cycladic period), collections of ceramics and sculptures.

Thira Museum (Museum of Prehistoric Thera) prehistoric time presents artifacts from excavations ancient settlement Akrotiri, various frescoes from the life of animals and people.

The most picturesque place will amaze you with the traditional architectural buildings of Homeric times. There are many small shops in Oia where there are jewelry and souvenirs. Here you can see an extraordinary sunset, do meditation, feel the energy, power of an active volcano.

Connoisseurs of grape wine will be pleasantly surprised Wine Museum, where for over four hundred years red, white, dessert wines have been made: Vinsanto with various aromas (citrus, figs and coffee), Nikteri, strong wine Tsikudia. The winery museum will tell about all stages of the production of this divine drink.

Almost everything can be done on the beaches of the island extreme species entertainment. Many taverns, restaurants, night bars, discos, cafes, spa centers are open to tourists. For children's leisure, there are many water parks with attractions and water slides.

Attractions and entertainment

Beaches

The beaches of the resorts Kamari, Monolithos, Perissa, Akrotiri are amazing. Kamari- enough famous resort located near Fira, it is distinguished by sandy beaches... Here everything is provided for doing sports on the water, you can buy any accessories and accessories, awnings and awnings. Perissa Is a fairly quiet resort town. The sand on the beach is black. This resort has its own nightlife restaurants and clubs, located in the eucalyptus groves. Akrotiri is located on the south side of Santorini. The sand on the beach is red. There are taverns right in the rock cave where you can stop and have a snack. Cruise on a small kaiki boat to the ancient volcano will leave a lasting impression.

Accommodation

The western part of Santorini is considered more developed in terms of tourist infrastructure, so hotels in the west of the island are more in demand - Caldera, Fira, Oia. In this part of the island, hotels have stunning views of the volcano, sea, sunset and Caldera. Some of the hotels do not accept children under 13 because of the rocky cliff, and many are designed for newlyweds. Eastern the island is attractive for young people and families with children.

Kitchen

Greek restaurants and Mediterranean cuisine are common in Santorini, where you can also taste typical dishes of these islands: white eggplant, fried tomatoes in batter, fresh grilled fish. In a place near Caldera with sunset views, prices can be higher than in similar less picturesque restaurants.

Shopping

Santorini is one of the most famous wine-growing regions in Greece, whose wines are popular and have a special status of superior quality. The method of growing grapes is unique due to the dry soil and winds. You can buy wines all over the island, for example, at the Oia store.

Precautionary measures

Santorini is perfectly safe in terms of crime, but you shouldn't buy something hand-held without a stipulated cost. Steep rocky slopes for children can be dangerous.

One of the most beautiful places for a holiday in southern Europe is considered to be a picturesque group of islands in the Aegean Sea called Santorini. It consists of five small islets: Aspronisi, Palea Kameni, Thirassia, Nea Kameni and Santorini proper, which the locals call Thira.

For Europe, this place is associated more with the Greek Cyclades than with itself. This is due to the fact that the nature and the local climate are very different from those that prevail in the main territory of the country. Everything here seems different and from this a little fabulous, starting with the delightful landscapes and ending with the sheer aristocracy that can be seen in every part of this place. If you are planning a holiday in the paradise of Santorini in 2020 - find out all the information you need about attractions, entertainment and prices from the article and go to unforgettable journey in 2020.

History and current state

The capital of the island is the settlement, which is also called "Tira". This city was founded more than 3,500 years ago, and the traces of other ancient settlements, which inevitably come across here and there, once again remind of rich history the island and the wealthy life of the local inhabitants of that time. Some scientists have advanced the theory that these islands were previously an integral part of the long-lost Atlantis. And after what you see, you will most likely understand their point of view.

It is here that you simply stop thinking about time, watching the stunning landscape, absolutely white facades of houses, well-groomed coastline, calm sea and colorful beaches. Here you will feel serene when you come on vacation with your family in 2020.

Many people choose this picturesque corner of the Earth in order to enjoy stunning sunsets, find inner harmony and completely disconnect from the daily hustle and bustle that accompanies each person throughout their lives.

Geography and climate

The climate of Santorini belongs to the Mediterranean type, it is similar to weather conditions Crete. The greatest heat is in the resort in summer, when the season reaches its peak: there is practically no rain, and the average air temperature is around 28 degrees Celsius. At this time, the water warms up to 25 degrees. If you don't like extreme heat, you can go to the island in September - you can still swim, and the average temperature is 22 degrees Celsius.

The capital of the main island of the group and the main resort is precisely Thira, a town that sits on a cliff. Other tourists who like more quiet rest, choose Imerogvili or Iyu, Kamari is considered an inexpensive option. However, wherever you go to Santorini, know that your vacation will be excellent.

Santorini on the map

Safety in Santorini

Santorini, like Greece itself, is a good and peaceful place to stay. You can independently move around the city and the island, stroll in the evenings. The trip is also safe for women, the attitude towards the female sex is quite calm here and there is no threat, as in the Arab countries. While vacationing in Santorini, one has only to remember the basic rules of tourist safety: keep track of your belongings, store documents and valuables in a safe, and, of course, protect your skin from the hot island sun.

Planning your trip to Santorini: transportation and accommodation

How to get there and how to get around?

There are only two ways to get to Santorini: by water or air. There is an airport of the same name, the transfer takes place, as a rule, through Athens. It will be easier to start your exciting journey from Domodedovo, taking into account the transfer in Thessaloniki, the flight will cost about 12 thousand rubles. Be prepared for a very long journey, which, together with connections, will take about 19 hours. It is worth paying special attention to various "last minute" vouchers and tours, which will significantly save at least on the flight.

From the local airport you can get to the center of the island by taxi, shuttle or bus. The fare is more than democratic and is about 3 euros, while the time for transport is no more than 15 minutes. When using regular taxis that will take you not to the center, but to a specific address, you will have to pay about 20 euros. For greater confidence in the quality and reliability of transportation, you can use the transfer service provided by the airport. True, the one-time cost of the service in this case will be about 55 euros.

Getting to Santorini via the Aegean Sea is convenient and very comfortable. You can order a speedboat or take a ferry. Depending on the speed and quality of the chosen movement, the cost of the trip will be approximately 65-80 euros. The journey lasts from an hour to five. The largest selection of ferries and boats is located in the capital of Greece, so it will not be superfluous to plan a short stop in Athens in advance, and then continue your journey to the fabulous Santorini.

Getting around the island is easy. If you can walk around the resort towns themselves, then it is easy to use buses for sightseeing and the natural beauty of the entire island. The fare is a couple of euros. If you want to travel to other islands in the group, you can take the ferry. Well, a trip on the funicular to Tira will bring you a lot of impressions.

Where to stay and where is the best place to live?

Almost all accommodation options, regardless of category, are quite decent and worthy - even private owners are trying very hard to maintain their reputation and attract more tourists.

A double room in a small village in a 2 * hotel will cost from 3 thousand rubles per day. Accommodation in a three-star institution, where, as a rule, there is a small pool, will cost two tourists about 6 thousand rubles a day. A luxurious five-star hotel in the capital offers double rooms an average of 14 thousand rubles per day. Also on the island there is an opportunity to stay in an apartment or in a villa - this will be convenient if you are traveling big company or family and have the means.

Traveling to Santorini: where to go, where to go, what to see and what to do?

Beach Holidays and Water Sports

The beaches of Santorini will delight absolutely everyone, because there are places to relax for every taste: white, pink and even black volcanic sand, there are pebbly beaches.

The beaches near Kamari are considered good places for families with children. They have excellent infrastructure, including entertainment, and are marked with prestigious Blue flag... A calmer option would be the coast near the village of Monolithos - the waters are clean, the beach is sandy, the entrance to the water is gentle. For those looking to retire away from the crowds, head to the beach at Cape Colombo, or head to the coast near Akrotiri for unique photographs.

Special attention should be paid to diving on holidays in 2020. The local climate has made this water sport most popular with locals and tourists alike. Purity and transparency of waters Aegean allow you to observe the underwater inhabitants at a decent distance. There are many places for diving, but for one dive, taking into account everything you need, you will have to pay about 70 euros.
On the island you can ride a wide variety of water transport: boat, catamaran, yacht - whatever you like best. Sightseeing and fishing boat tours are also popular.

Santorini landmarks

If a beach holiday is not enough for you and you want to penetrate the secrets of the history and culture of Santorini, know that the island has a large number of museums.

So, a visit to the Museum of Prehistoric Times in Tire will be very interesting. The island is rich in archaeological finds, and most of them were brought here. The collection includes exhibits that belong to different historical periods: from the Neolithic to the Cycladic.

The Ethnographic Museum in Tire was established in the 19th century. In it you can get acquainted with the culture, traditions, life of the average inhabitants of the island. In addition, you will learn a lot about folk crafts: blacksmithing, winemaking.

Speaking of the latter, be sure to check out the Wine Museum in Kamari. It is located in a cave, which allows preserving the wonderful properties of local wines. You will get acquainted with the history of making this enchanting drink, you will be able to taste and buy Santorini wines.

Be sure to pay attention to the local religious buildings. Ayiu Mina Church, built in the 17th century, stands right on the cliff and attracts the eye with its white and blue color, being a real symbol of the island. Panagia Episkopi Church is a Byzantine temple where you can admire icons and frescoes. Do not miss the opportunity to visit the monastery of Elijah the Prophet. Not only is it located on highest point islands, thanks to which a stunning view opens up from here, but inside the monastery there is also the most interesting museum where you can see religious objects and traditional workshops.

In the town of Oia, the remains of an ancient Venetian fortress... Previously, it was an observation point, but now it is an excellent observation deck... Oia also has several windmills, as if descended from a page in a book of fairy tales.

Those who love antiquity should go to the archaeological area of ​​Akrotiri. This settlement at one time was very prosperous, then it was destroyed by the forces of the elements, but in the last century, archaeologists excavated the city. Now you can see the remains of ancient buildings with partially preserved frescoes, look at ancient ceramics, figurines, sculptures.

If you have plenty of time and opportunity, head to the neighboring island, Nea Kameni. It is interesting for those who love unusual natural beauty, because on the island you can see a real volcano crater.

Entertainment in Santorini

After saturating the mind, one must also saturate the body! One of the true delights in Santorini is getting to know local cuisine... For those who do not appreciate Greek cuisine, we can only say one thing: what you tasted before was in no way related to the dishes that are prepared by the inhabitants of this wonderful island. Each recipe is unique in its own way and local chefs prepare dishes according to ancient traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. It is also worth noting that all dishes of the local cuisine are prepared exclusively from local products, and the fish menu offered to you will contain only those dishes that can be prepared from freshly caught fish. A delicious and hearty lunch will cost approximately 25 euros, while romantic dinner for two in good restaurant will cost 100 euros and more.

Vegetarians will love the local eggplant topped with cheese, meat eaters will love the homemade sausages, and be sure to enjoy the seafood and wine!

As for children's entertainment, one cannot say that there are a lot of them here. The main one will be just a beach holiday; you can organize a trip so as to visit beaches with sand of the most different colors. However, Perissa has a water park for bored kids - mostly kids and middle-aged children will like it.

For teenagers and adults, it will be interesting to visit one of the festivals. So, in July, the island hosts jazz festival, in August - a holiday dedicated to the volcano, a gastronomic festival. Young people will appreciate the nightlife, among which there are mainly bars, but there are also beach discos.

Shopping in Santorini is best done in small shops. What should you take with you as a keepsake and as gifts from the resort? For example, it can be:

• leather products;
• Greek ceramics;
• volcanic lava products;
• guilt;
• jewelry.

Holidays in Santorini will be remembered by all those who value natural beauty, comfort and enjoy a touch of the local flavor. This is not to say that there are a huge number of attractions on the island, however, there is definitely a unique, unique atmosphere here. For a sense of harmony, head to Santorini in 2020.

About the sights of Santorini - in the video: