Santorini – Greece’s Precious Gem

This summer I fell madly in love with the beautiful Greek island of Santorini.

The island is as beautiful as everyone says and as soon as you set eyes on the stunning white facades and charming blue rooftops you won’t be able to take your eyes off the island. Santorini offers so much to see and do that you’ll be spoilt for choice. To be honest, I could have written about it for days, but here’s a summary of my favourite things on the picturesque island.

Where to Stay

We spent two days in Oia,  in the north of the Island and two days in Fira, the centre. I would recommend doing the same and if possible staying one or two more days to make the most of the island. Fira has some great shops and a bustling nightlife as well as some gorgeous traditional villages that are a short walk away from the town itself. Oia has its famous sunset, picturesque views and cobblestoned streets that will all capture your heart. Both towns are a little touristic but Oia remains one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen in my life.

Places to Visit

As well as the obvious Oia and Fira you have to check out the small villages on the island. The two villages that are walking distance from Fira are Firostefani and Imerovigli. They are both adorable and charming and have maintained the traditional Greek appearance that everyone loves. The villages are quiet and almost untouched by the bouts of tourists that visit the island. There are one or two shops dotted around and the rest of the village is made up of captivating churches and stunning architecture.

Also to visit: Pyrgos and Emporio, two traditional Greek villages that I fell in love with! Important: the best and easiest way to access these two towns is by car so it’s best to rent one.

What to do

Many hotels in Santorini, including the one we stayed in, offer to book boat tours for their guests. We booked a tour with Triantafillou Sailing Tours and absolutely loved it. For 35 euros each we spent from 10am until 3.30pm on a Pirate style ship exploring the island. We climbed the island’s active volcano with our wonderful guide and afterwards we jumped off the boat and swam over to the hot springs. It was pure bliss! Lastly we made our way to the idyllic fishing village of Thirassia for a delicious, fresh seafood lunch and some chill out time. My seafood kebab of swordfish, calamari and king prawns was the best seafood I’ve ever had! It tasted as if it had been pulled out of the sea minutes before, grilled and served to us. We also had a table right on the water’s edge… it was just heavenly.

Where to Eat

Melitini, Oia

• Amazing tapas
• Great value for money
• Really friendly staff
• Authentic Greek cuisine
• Beautiful sunset view from their private terrace
• Large portions
• Unique experience
• Tapas on the right: sausage, chicken and sauteed potatoes

Lucky’s Kebab, Fira

In England kebabs are generally viewed as a food that you only eat when drunk, and in France they are definitely not a delicacy. In Greece on the other hand, they are to-die-for.

• Small takeaway shop with fast service
• Friendly staff
• Delicious and cheap kebabs (around 2.40 EUR each!)
• Fresh ingredients – tzatziki, tomatoes, onions, lettuce, meat of your choice and fries
• Best pita bread I’ve ever tasted!

Salt and Pepper, Fira

• Tradtional Greek cuisine
• Run by a husband and wife, they are the only people working there
• Service is slow because of this but you are warned and the food is worth the wait
• Free starter and dessert offered to all customers
• Quaint restaurant and incredibly fresh produce

So, there you have it, my top tips to ensure you have a fantastic trip! Enjoy! And check back in next week for part two of my travel series: Paros!