Arriving on the island by boat
If you arrive in Santorini by boat, you will be amazed! The closer you get to the port of Athinios, the more you can see the beauty of the island. The volcano and its dark cliffs become more and more apparent, contrasting with the villages of white houses overlooking the sea. So if you want to discover Santorini, you can create your tailor-made trip with our partner!
Watch the sunset in Oia
Oia is a charming village perched on top of the Caldera, in the northwest of the island, with a superb view of the azure sea. Like a postcard setting, the houses are pristine white with blue roofs. The place is ideal for walking, shopping, visiting the churches... But above all, Oia is THE place to watch the sun set over the sea. So romantic! The disadvantage is that a lot of people come here to watch the show. So every little seat is worth a lot of money. Our advice: if you want to see the famous sunset, book a table for dinner in a restaurant. From there, you can enjoy the view in peace and quiet.
Stay in a hotel with a view of the Caldera
A romantic holiday also means relaxation and rest. For this, there is nothing better than to do it in a dream location with a view of the Caldera. Many hotels offer rooms with a view, and sometimes even with a private terrace (and jacuzzi), overlooking this giant volcanic crater and the sea.
Climbing the volcano and bathing in the hot springs
As we said, seeing Santorini from a boat is a must. One of the most popular excursions offers to take you on a short cruise and discover the volcanic island of Nea Kameni. After a short hike, you can discover the top of the crater of the volcano, which is still active. Afterwards, you will go to the hot springs of Paléa Kaméni. There, you can bathe in orange water, coloured by the sulphur (and smear yourself with mud, which is said to be very good for the skin!)
Lounging on the island's colourful beaches
Santorini has something for everyone! The beaches of Perissa, Perivolos and Kamari are black sand beaches. The well-known Red Beach has, as its name suggests, stretches of red sand and is surrounded by reddish cliffs. White Beach is accessible by boat.
Take a cooking class and taste some wine
Do you feel like a chef or are you just a foodie? Why not take a cooking class to learn how to cook regional specialities. As Santorini is famous for its white wines, you can also opt for a "Wine Tour" and visit different vineyards on the Greek island, with a tasting of several wines.
Go to the open-air cinema
Fancy a movie in an original (and very romantic) location? Head to the Kamari cinema, which shows films in a charming setting surrounded by trees. Sessions, in English with Greek subtitles, start at 9.30pm. This activity is possible from May to October.
Visit Fira
Like Oia, Fira is the perfect example of a postcard Greek town, with its white houses and blue roofs. But the island's capital has much more to offer. There are many beautiful sights, plenty of shops and museums. If you want to enjoy the nightlife, Fira is also the place to be, as it has the most restaurants and bars on the island.
Go to Amoudi Bay
This small harbour is very pleasant. There are good places to enjoy fish by the water, with a beautiful view of the cliffs of Oia. It's also a good place to take a dip in the water and do some snorkelling. But beware, the place is not easy to reach. On foot, you have to climb 300 steps. And by car, it is very complicated to turn around once you reach the end of the road. The best thing to do is to park on the side of the road and walk the rest of the way.
A little history
Having a romantic holiday doesn't mean you can't do some historical sightseeing. And what better place to do this than in Greece, which is known for its ancient sites. Akrotiri is a Minoan city that was buried under a thick layer of ash when a volcano erupted around 1600 BC. The ruined city was unearthed in 1967 during excavations, and is now a popular sightseeing destination and has been compared to Pompeii. Another site to visit is the ancient city of Thera. Situated on a cliff, it was inhabited until the Byzantine period, before being rediscovered in the 20th century by archaeologists. You will find many ruins here, with a beautiful view of the surroundings.
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