Best Santorini holiday attractions today? Boat trips are among the best things to do in Santorini. The most famous tour is a 1-day cruise in the volcanic islands and Palea Kamini hot springs. During this day, you will explore the island of Nea Kameni and its still active volcano. You can even walk to the summit of the crater! You will also stop at Palea Kameni hot springs to take a dip. Then, you will end your day on Thirassia island, located right in front of Santorini. As these tours are very popular, you should really book yours in advance. It’s very easy, you just have to click on the button below to view the cruise details and book it. For only 37€ per person, you will get the bus transfer from and to your hotel, an audio guide, the cruise and the 3 stops at the volcano, the hot springs and Thirassia! Find extra information on https://santorini-more.com/oia/.
The peninsula on which Oia is located is limited from the west by the 331 m a.s.l. high volcanic peak of Mavro Vouno (Greek Μαύρο Βουνό) and 293 m a.s.l. high peak of Kokkino Vouno (Greek Κοκκινό Βουνό) (More on this topic: Volcanoes Mavro Vouno and Kokkingo Vouno) Oia belongs to the administration of the Aegean Islands, South Aegean region, the regional unit of Oia, of which it is the capital. In addition to Oia with its neighboring towns, the Oia regional unit also includes the second inhabited island of the archipelago – Thirassia.
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.
Wine Tours are among the most popular activities in Santorini. The island is renowned for its excellent white wines, known as some of the best in Greece. You can visit many vineyards (known for being the oldest in the world!) on the island, and taste the best wines. If you’re interested in Santorini’s History, the ancient site of Akrotiri is one of the island’s best place to visit. This archaeological site is often compared to Pompeii, in Italy. Akrotiri is an ancient Minoan city destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1,613 B.C. It was only rediscovered in 1967 during an archaeological excavation. The site is one of the most important in the Aegean Sea. The archaeological excavations are still on going in this very large site. Many remains are probably still undiscovered! In Akrotiri, wooden footbridges allow you to walk in the city. There, you will admire the ancient buildings, the streets and many ceramics. Unlike Pompeii, the city of Akrotiri was uninhabited when the eruption occurred, as no human remains or valuable objects were found on the site. What happened to these people? No one knows yet if they moved elsewhere on the island, or sailed to Crete.
Oia is known for its famed sunsets that attract tourists from around the world. Located on the northern tip of Santorini, 12 kilometers up the coast from Fira, Ia (Oia) is a picture-perfect village of whitewashed houses, several of which have been converted into chic little boutique hotels with infinity pools, overlooking the caldera. Like Fira, it lives from tourism, but caters to a more upmarket clientele. From Ammoudi Bay, steep paths zigzag up to the town where you’ll find a row of waterfront seafood eateries, many with alfresco dining. Oia can be reached by local KTEL bus or by walking the trail along the cliffs high above the caldera (allow three hours from Fira). Discover more information at santorini-more.com.