Travel tours in Santorini? If you want to enjoy magnificent viewpoints of the island and the caldera, you should hike from Fira to Oia. A 9-km long marked trail on the edge of the caldera connects the 2 cities. You will stop many times to take beautiful pictures, as the view is just breathtaking! It’s clearly one of Santorini’s best points of interest. This marked trail isn’t really difficult, even if the weather can get really hot on sunny days. So, it’s better to hike in the morning or at the end of the day. You can for example plan your walk to arrive in Oia for the sunset. From Fira, you will reach Oia in about 2 hours. You should however plan a bit more time, as you will for sure stop a few times on the way to enjoy the panorama and take pictures. See additional info at Santorini beaches.
Tight buildings are crossed by narrow (impassable to cars) streets. As on the whole island, we find many churches here – there are over 70 in Oia and the surrounding area. Many houses have been built into the slope – they are located in tunnels hollowed out in the volcanic cliff of the caldera. These are the so-called Hyposkapha – houses belonging to the less prosperous inhabitants, usually terraced sailors, and people servicing ships. The Hyposkapha houses carved into the rock are long and narrow, with a semicircular vault. Their fronts are directed (according to the caldera arrangement) – to the south and west. Usually stacked, one above the other (a fragment of the roof of one house is often at the same time a courtyard of the other).
Nearby the Akrotiri site, you will find the famous Red Beach below a spectacular red cliff wall. The beach is accessible along a path from the town of Akrotiri. You can also take a bus from Fira or drive and park nearby before venturing down a rocky path to reach the beach. The beach is also accessible by boat from Akrotiri, Kamari, and Perissa ports. The small beach gets crowded during the summer, so be sure to get there early to snag a prime spot for great contrasting views of the red rocks against the aquamarine water. Also note that the beach is prone to landslides, and sections have been roped off from visitors.
How many days to visit Santorini? Ideally, you should spend at least 3 days in Santorini. You can visit Fira and Oia on your 1st day, then explore the rest of the island, go on a tour, or relax at the beach during the next 2 days. Here are my recommended Santorini itineraries depending on the duration of your stay. If you don’t feel like walking too much, you can take a guided bus tour. You need to book it in advance here. During the day, you will visit the archaeological site of Akrotiri, then stop at the Red Beach and discover the village of Emporio. You will also swim in Perissa, taste wines and admire the sunset in Oia. This excursion is a great way to discover the best of Santorini in only 1 day!
Santorini has more to offer than incredible vistas and multi-colored beaches. Ths island is also home to ancient arcaeological sites and museums that are worth exploring. Get yourself an ATV or a smart car and set about experiencing the rugged island on undulating roads. Just be prepared to stop at every corner, as the views are never-ending. For ideas on how to spend your time, see our list of the top tourist attractions in Santorini. Find even more details at santorini-more.com.