Escape Oia and Fira.Most of the crowds congregate in these towns, but there's a whole island out there to explore! Get out of these hot spots and head to the lesser-known parts of the island: Emborio, Finikia, Colombo Beach, and Pyrgos all showcase the charm of Santorini without the packs of people.
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Don't stay in Oia or TheraOia and Thera (also known as Fira) are the biggest towns in Santorini, and the site of most of the hotels and other places to stay. Thera/Fira is also where the cruise ship passengers unload, and Oia is where everyone goes to watch the sunset.
Along the caldera, the areas just north of Imerovigli and to the east and west of Akrotiri village offer the most peace and serenity. But to truly get away from it all, take the ferry to Thirassia, the island just across the caldera from Santorini (less than 2 km from Oia) and remarkably untouched by tourism.
If you don't want to spend too much on accommodation, you can easily find economical hotels in Santorini in the Kamari, Perissa, Perivolos, and Karterados regions. The hotels located on the Caldera side are more lavish and expensive.
Milos. Greece's charms are as many and varied as its islands, though the lunar-like landscape of Milos is truly something special. A quieter and less crowded alternative to Mykonos and Santorini, this Cycladic gem rivals both with its unique volcanic scenery and wraparound ocean views.
Santorini is a very safe place for tourists, solo travellers, and families alike. The island maintains a safe vibe and low criminal activity. Yet, as with any travel destination, it's essential to stay vigilant, be aware of your surroundings, and follow standard safety precautions.
Santorini Towns & Beaches – Best Area to StayObviously, if you're primarily looking to spend time lying on a beach then stay there and commute to Fira and Oia for sunsets and dinner. If you're more interested in shopping, eating, and sightseeing, then Fira, Oia, Firostefani, and Imerovigli are better bases.
As you can image, Santorini was a madhouse-wall to wall with cruisers(us included). Prior to going, I googled Agean sea conditions and it showed a map with wave heights in different areas. If on a big boat, you normally wouldn't feel any kind or rocking, however, on smaller ones or ferries, you can suffer.
The best way to get around Santorini is on foot or by bus. You'll see that it's easy to walk around the tiny seaside towns, but the bus is best to get from one town to another. There are KTEL bus routes from Fira (the capital city) to many different destinations around the main island.
The rugged landscape and vast views of the Cyclades makes Santorini perfect for hiking and walking tours. There's a wide variety of paths through the island to suit any hiker, moving through villages, across smooth beaches, or climbing cliffs.
There are two beaches which have always been used by nudists: Koloumpos and Vlychada. At Koloumpos you have to decide either to use the official part under the rock or the northern part if the part under the rock is busy. At Vlychada you just have to pass the organized beach with sunbeds and umbrellas.
Santorini is the top tourist destination in Greece and is world-famous for its unique natural beauty. The caldera with the white villages on top, the sunken volcano, and the charming sunset make it a popular place for vacation. In brief, we recommend staying 3 to 5 days in order to visit as many places as possible.
In brief, the best place for nightlife in Santorini is Fira, with many cocktail bars with views and some nightclubs. Apart from the magical setting and volcanic landscape of Santorini, the island is also known for its lively night atmosphere.
The walk between Fira and Oia is tricky in parts but doable by anyone in decent shape. Buy water before starting the walk – there are a few places to buy snacks and drinks along the way but they're easy to miss and not always open early in the morning. Avocado Restaurant is the best mid-point stop along the route.
Oia is typically thought to be the more beautiful and romantic town on the island. I stayed there on my honeymoon and wouldn't have changed it. It was amazing at night to see all of hte people from the island come to the area around my hotel to see the sunset - when this was the view I had from my bed.