-Santorini-
The jewel of the Aegean Sea

Santorini is the most visited island in Greece and one of the most iconic destionation in the world… I read this in a lot of itineraries and I heard from many people, but until I saw it, I didn’t believe it! So… it’s my turn to say, and you have to belive me : ♡ Santorini is magic ♡, the gem of the Aegean Sea. Why ? Because the architecture is so special with blue domes, white houses, paved paths…because is one of the best places on earth as far as sunset viewing is concerned …because the views are spectacular …because Greek food is like a rainbow in the mounth….because the way it makes you feel…
Besides the most popular destination on the island- named Oia, there are many beautiful and specific villages in Santorini.
I spent 3 days visiting this wonderful island and it was enough to visit everything we had planned, without rushing. So i leave here the places that are definitely worth visiting on a trip to Santorini.

Transport in Santorini

We choose to visit Santorini with a rented scooter for saving time, but the bus is also a good idea because it arrive exactly on schedule (no delays). But our problem with the bus was that all the buses has the start point/end point in Fira, so if you have the hotel in other city, like us in Kamari, is a little bit complicated. So, we rent the ATV online, with no deposit, from SantoriniBikeRental (click here for the website). They brought us the ATV on the airport for a extra charge. The cost for the ATV-3 days renting- was 80 euro and we spend 10 euro for gasoline.

I leave >>> here <<< the websiste for bus schedule if you need to check it. And also click >>> here <<< if you want to know the prices for bus tichets.

Top places to visit in a Santorini roadtrip

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# Pyrgos

This little village is like a hidden gem of Santorini, build on the top of a hill. I say hidded because many people never heard of Pyrgos because of the popular Oia and Fira.
Like in the others villages, the best things to do in Pyrgos is simply walk the ancient streets of town and discover by yourself the charming town. The steps from the main square weave their way up towards the castle in between shops and local restaurants.

# Megalochori

Megalochori is a small specific town, perfect to explore in a few hours…and it’s not crowded at all, so is a perfect way to explore and feel the vibe of this island without a lot of people around you. You will find here white houses, blue domes, nice alleys and other beautiful spots that you see in Santorini postcards, but more quiet and more specific in my opinion. One of my favorite foto spots that i recommend you to visit is 📌Megalochori clock tower. Also if you need a break, you will find here a lot of traditional taverns and cafes.

In my opinion, Pyrgos and Megalochori are the most specific towns in Santorini and it deffinetly worth it visiting.

# Red Beach

You cannot finish visiting Santorini without seeing the famous Red beach, a unique spectacle and a site of rare beauty. You can visit this beach in the same day with Pyrgos&Megalochori, because they are located close to each other. To reach this beach you have to “hike” 10 minutes…but you don’t have to be scared, it’s a very easy hike, and it worth it because the view is epic. The beach is big, and it is practically divided into two beaches: the one with the red rock behind, and the normal beach that continues immediately after, where you will find sunbeds and a kind of bar where you can buy drinks.

Here is also a taxi boat that provides boat tour from/to White Beach and return.

# Fira

Fira is the capital of Santorini and the second most visited city in Santorini (after Oia). Here you will find a street with a lot of restaurants with wonderful sunset view. Ususaly all the restaurants are booked before sunset, so is a little bit difficult to find a place to stay for dinner&sunset. We were lucky and we found a restaurant that have a free table with great sunset&city view, so we enjoy our perfect sunset here…and it was amazing… and also the food was very good, so I will recommend the restaurant :📌 Esperisma Bar-Restaurant.

Beside the sunset and the spopping area, Fira has also a lot of streets&spots to explore, and also a port where you can go getting down (and after up ) the 500 steps or you can choose the cable car.

If you like walking, you should continue the road to Oia like this. You will have amazing views, and you will pas throught Firostefani and Imeroglivi in your way.

# Firostefani

Firostefami it’s a small town, directly attached to Fira…is like an extension of the capital. As i say before, you can visit this beautiful little town by walking from Fira..it takes 15 minutes to get here on foot.In my opinion, Firostefani offer the best view over the Fira and over the other islands around. Once you got here, you can spend many splendid hours enjoy the view, especially at the sunset. After sunset, walking back to Fira, you can stop at 📌 Chantico, a new concept of street food, where you can eat the best gyros with crunchy zucchini ( yummy!!! ) .

# Imerovigli

📌 IMEROVIGLI, named as “The balcony to the Aegean Sea” is another gem build on the highest point of the caldera cliffs, about 300 meters above sea level…that meens you will find here some amazing views. This was my favorite town in Santorini, so we come back here to visit every day… this place is very clean, not so crowded, the houses are white ( but very white, like new ), the view is spectacular, there are a lot of instagrammable spots…everything is perfect here!
You can get here by continuing the walk from Firostefani… at the way there are so many nice views so you won’t even realize you’ve arrived there.
Also here Is the starting point to another place unknown for many people, named as : 📌 SKAROS ROCK.

# Skaros Rock

As I say before, Imerovigli is the starting point to discover Skaros Rock and also the Chapel hidden behind. I don’t have enough words to describe how beautiful it was the sunset here…and so quiet…

Skaros Rock is a large rock promontory on the Aegean island of Santorini. Long time ago there was a castel that unfortunately was completely ruined during an earthquake in the 19th century and all that remains today are remnants of the castle. There are a lot of stairs to go up&down to this place, I recommend you to take sneakers with you- no sandals. Once you have finished going down the stairs that start from the city-Imerovigli, you can go in front, but take care because there is a poster that says it is forbidden to climb over the ruins, or you can take the path on the right and get directly at the hidden Chapel which I talked about earlier, named as : 📌 Panagia Theoskepasti Chapel ( you can search on Google Maps ) . This beautiful chapel with the iconic blue dome is the perfect spot for the sunset with a very, very, very nice view over the sea. Please save this location and include it in your itinerary, you will never regret.

Note : at the way from Imerovigli to the chapel there are no shops,so please consider to take some water with you..and don’t forget about the sneakers.

# Oia

When you say Oia (IA), you say : white cycladic houses, beautiful authentic alleys, spectacular views especially at sunset and amazing hotels. I was really impressed by the beauty of this village, is something unique.

Here are the spots you should visit (like a must):

take a walk on the main street in Oia – 📌 Nikolaou Nomikou – and find your own unique photo spot
watch the sunrise at 📌 Oia Castle – Castle of St.Nicholas, and try to avoid this place at sunset because it is very crowded
take a photo at the famous stairs spot named 📌 PINK KASTRO OIA HOUSES – the pink building located just near Oia Castle is a hotel in fact, but is very instagrammable. I take the photo in the morning to avoid the crowd.
go to 📌 Ammondi Bay – you will find this port&bay if you continue going down the stairs that start right near PINK KASTRO OIA HOUSES ( there are 278 steps ). This port is very pitoresque because of the red volcanic rocks and the colorful restaurants.
watch the sunset from 📌 Oìa Windmill or simply ckeck this point during the day and make some nice photos
watch the sunset at 📌 Oìa Bell Tower – this is another beautiful Oia spot, not so crowded. We were here for both sunset and sunrise and it was very nice. Is a little bit complicated to find this spot, so I will try to explain you you can find it: to find this spot you have to find Alexandros jewellery and turn right Then continue a little further and turn left.In this location you will find also the spot for the Three domed church.
iconic photo at 📌 Three Domed Church – this is the most iconic photo spot in Santorini, but is a little bit complicated to make some photos near this church because there are some hotels around it and you are allowed to pass only if you are a guest of the hotels.
📌 SANTORINI PINK CHURCH – Church of Agios Nikolaos – In fact this is another angle of three domed church, much easyer to be photographied because the hotel allow people to take photos ( following cetain rules ). Take note that this is one of the most photographied spots in Santorini, so it’s crowded all the time…before 10 AM, we wait in line almost 20-30 minutes for taking this photo.