I need to admit that I was a little skeptical about Santorini before choosing to invest 3 days there. Provided the popularity of this island and the hype that surrounds it, I was sure we’ll be faced with crowds and over-tourism that will eliminate the happiness of visiting it. But I was wrong. The island’s appeal exceeds all the inconveniences.
View of the caldera in Santorini With its renowned whitewashed towns spread out along the volcanic cliffs, sapphire-domed churches and interesting sunsets, Santorini isn’t simply a destination it’s a world unto itself. Among the Greek islands Santorini (or Thíra, its ancient name) sticks out as the jewel of the Cyclades. Its special natural beauty, historical richness and improved leisure has been enticing individuals here in a manner that no other island does. View of the lovely whitewashed houses
in Oia What Is Special About Santorini
The volcanic appeal of Santorini was born from myth and fire. Unlike the lavish green landscapes of Corfu or the cosmopolitan buzz of Mykonos, Santorini is the caldera queen. It was formed by a catastrophic volcanic eruption in the 16th century BCE. This explosion gave birth to the spectacular crescent-shaped island we see today. Walking along the rim in Fira or Oia, you do not just look at a view– you base on geological history.
View of the caldera All over you turn in Santorini, you’re reminded that you’re on a volcano. The lunar landscapes, the black and red beaches, the pebbles made from
strengthened lava. Images and drone footage from Santorini may do some justice to the charm of the caldera, but when you see it in person you comprehend why Santorini is on almost every Greek Islands itinerary. Is 3 Days in Santorini Enough? A journey to Santorini can be anywhere from 3 to 5 days, depending upon your pace and interests. A 3-day journey gives you a good balance of sightseeing and relaxation, but if you can invest 
more you’ll be able to check out the island more thorough.
Strolling in Fira, Santorini
For the novice visitors who only wish to see the main attractions in Santorini, like Oia, Fira, and the caldera, 3 days would be perfect. But eventually, the perfect duration depends on your travel style and what you want to do. Attractions in Santorini There are numerous amazing photos of Santorini and just as lots of people who will tell you that Santorini is their preferred place worldwide. But if you come to Santorini expecting to experience paradise in the world, you’ll be rather disappointed. Although the beauty of the crater surrounded by whitewashed houses with blue roofs is indisputable, there is not a lot
to see and do on this island. Walking the caldera in Santorini The most significant tourist attractions in Santorini are the two towns of Oia and Fira perched on the caldera. Both these towns offer an extremely romantic play area with
- luxurious rental properties and resorts with spectacular views. There is also a smaller sized village called Pyrgos, which is very authentic and worth checking out. Oia: World-famous for its sundown(and appropriately so ), Oia is a labyrinth of narrow streets, domed churches, luxury cave hotels, and curated art shops. Be sure to check out morning for a more relaxing charm.
- Fira: The capital, dynamic yet beautiful, perched high up on the cliffs with dynamic night life and extraordinary caldera views.
- Pyrgos: Less touristic, with a medieval ambiance, vineyards, and scenic views from the destroyed Kasteli.
Strolling in Santorini What to Do in Santorini in 3 Days Here is a more detailed itinerary of how you might invest 3 days in Santorini: Day 1: Caldera Views and Oia’s Appeal Morning: Head to Oia to explore its captivating streets, admire the blue-domed churches, and
Sunset cruise in Santorini Day 2: Beaches, Akrotiri Archeological site, and Red wine Tasting Trip The Red Beach in Santorini Morning: Santorini
- ‘s beaches are created from volcanic magic, so they differ from any other beaches in Greece. In the early morning visit Red Beach with its distinct red cliffs and clear waters, or relax on Persia or Perivolos beach, known for their black sand and dynamic environment. Afternoon: Explore the ancient city of Akrotiri, often called the”Greek Pompeii”. Night: Consider a wine-tasting tour at one of Santorini’s local wineries,
- sampling the island’s unique volcanic white wines.< img width="900"height="600"src="// www.w3.org/2000/svg'%20viewBox='0%200%20900%20600'%3E%3C/svg%3E"alt="images illustrating Akrotiri archeological site"/ > Akrotiri archeological site Day 3: Hiking, Villages, and Relaxation Early morning: Hike from Fira to Oia (or vice versa) along
the caldera course, enjoying the sensational
- surroundings. Afternoon: Check out the standard towns of Pyrgos and Megalochori, experiencing the authentic Santorini.
- Night: Take pleasure in a final Santorini sundown, possibly from Fira or back in Oia.< img width= "900"height
- =”643″src =”// www.w3.org/2000/svg’%20viewBox=’0%200%20900%20643’%3E%3C/svg%3E
“alt=” view of pyrgos village”
/ > Pyrgos village Optional Activities If you have more than 3 days in Santorini, you
- can do among the following activities: Hike to Skaros Rock near Imerovigli for panoramic views.
- Take a field trip to the nearby island of Thirassia, a quieter escape from the crowds.
- Consider a boat tour to the volcano and warm springs for an unique experience.
- Spend more time at the beaches to taking pleasure in the sun and water activities.
Tracks with a View
If you want to do some hiking on the island, there are a couple of tracks that offer spectacular views of the caldera. The Fira to Oia walking is maybe the most popular one, a 10 km trail with jaw-dropping views, lava-scorched earth, chapels, and bougainvillea. My recommendation is to begin in the early morning or in the evening, throughout the ‘golden hour.
Stunning view in Oia Other notable hikes you can do are: Pyrgos to Prophet Elias Abbey: Panoramic views from
Santorini’s greatest peak. Ancient Thera Path: From Perissa up the mountain to the Hellenistic ruins of Ancient Thera. Where to Eat in Santorini: Top Dining Establishments There are many great eateries in Santorini, so fear not. We tried several of them, however
- the ones that seemed to stick out are: Selene (Pyrgos ): A refined take on Cycladic cuisine.
- Metaxi Mas (Exo Gonia): Regional preferred with hearty portions.
- Dimitris Ammoudi Taverna: For the best seafood with your feet practically in the sea.
Entertainment and Nightlife
While not as wild as Mykonos, Santorini holds its own with stylish beach clubs, caldera-view barroom, and late-night spots in Fira. Do not miss out on:
- Franco’s Bar (Fira) for classical music at sunset.
- PK Mixed Drink Bar for breathtaking elegance.
Strolling in Santorini Planning your 3 Days Visit– Best Time to Go To Santorini The best time to check out Santorini (and the Greek Islands, by this token) is from late April to early June and from September to late October. Greece gets really hot during the summertime and despite the fact that you are planning to invest a great deal of time on the beach, the day temperature levels can get so high that you won’t be able to take pleasure in much else.
A Last Word
While I can’t state that our trip to Santorini was not a delight, there were a number of caveats that you must learn about.
Crowds
Since the island’s popularity runs out percentage, an amazing number of people are coming here every day. In 2015 alone the island drew in a reported 3.4 million visitors, far outnumbering Santorini’s 20,000 or so permanent homeowners.
As lots of as 17,000 cruise liner travelers rise day-to-day onto the island throughout high season. And all of them head straight to the towns of Fira and Oia. The narrow cobbled streets and cliffside balconies are filled to capability with tourists looking for sunset selfies, therefore it’s actually difficult to delight in the appeal of this place. Even taking a good photo becomes a difficulty.
Costs
Another set back is the cost. Santorini is unbelievably costly! Beginning with the accommodations and food and ending with anything else that you might wish to purchase, expect to spend buku bucks on this island. This is particularly true for the towns of Oya and Fira which are both lined with designer stores, elegant stores and precious jewelry stores. Yes, you can find charming gold fashion jewelry pieces here, however you’ll spend for them three times as much than in any other place.
As long as you are aware of these drawbacks, you’ll most likely take pleasure in Santorini and entrust to some great memories. As for us, we were not especially impressed by this island and would rather go back to some other locations in Greece, like Crete, Ithaca, or Kefalonia.
