{"id":6984,"date":"2023-08-17T13:32:05","date_gmt":"2023-08-17T11:32:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelseefeel.com\/?p=6984"},"modified":"2025-06-20T10:53:45","modified_gmt":"2025-06-20T08:53:45","slug":"santorini-iliovasilemata-pano-stin-t","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelseefeel.com\/en\/santorini-iliovasilemata-pano-stin-t\/","title":{"rendered":"Santorini! Sunsets on the ash, colors and magic\u2026"},"content":{"rendered":"

Flashback to 2018\u2026. It\u2019s Christmas and we\u2019re at the Griffith Observatory in Los Angeles<\/a>, which is famous for its sunset (those who have seen the movie La La Land will remember it). We politely ask an American couple to take a picture of us! They respond with a smile and ask us where we are from. At the sound of Greece their eyes light up! \u201cOh! Mykonos, Santoriniiiii\u201d, they answer us! \u201cThe sunset there is much better!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Yes, they were right\u2026 It is truly incredible if you consider that the first thing that comes to the mind of many foreigners when you talk to them about Greece is these two islands. Mykonos<\/a> and Santorini. And not without reason! In the difficult decades of the '60s and '70s, they pulled the weight of the country's tourism product and made their name reach the ends of the earth. Of course, a lot has changed since then. But Santorini's reputation remains deafening. There is no tourist guide or article on the internet that does not mention it as a place that someone MUST definitely see at least once in their life.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

And this is not only contributed by the hordes of all kinds of influencers, who flock to take a selfie with the whitewashed houses and the churches with blue domes in the background. But also by the photogenicity of a landscape that, no matter how you look at it, there is no other like it in the world. Santorini is certainly not the island that those of us who had visited it before knew. Construction is increasing dramatically, traffic in the settlements is becoming unbearable at times, and the island's infrastructure barely manages to serve the needs of the thousands of tourists who visit the island daily.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

But\u2026 climbing the narrow alleys and facing the caldera, all the previous things take a back seat. Your eyes sparkle, the view captivates you and you are overcome with awe! The landscape is supernatural, lunar and unusual with the small towns standing on the edge of the cliff. The place exerts an inexplicable charm. The volcano in front of you with the islands born from the power of the lava captivates you.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

You wonder... What enormous forces emerged from the depths of the earth and created this eerie spectacle? How did destruction bring about so much beauty? And how did man manage to sculpt the rock, creating this unique picturesqueness?<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Even if you are not looking to answer all these questions, a visit to the island is a must. However, as you can easily understand, it is a very expensive destination, at least when it comes to accommodation and food. Through this article we will give you some tips that will help you a lot.\"\"<\/p>\n

When and how to go<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The tourist season in Santorini starts from mid-May and lasts until the end of October. If you are interested in combining it with a summer vacation and enjoying the sea, prefer June (early) and September. Whatever you do, DO NOT go in July and August! The traffic both on the roads and in the narrow streets of the settlements is stifling and you will definitely not enjoy it. However, if you are not interested in the sea and want an authentic Santorini experience, read this one<\/a> the tribute we made when we spent the Easter days there!<\/p>\n

For your transfer to the island, low cost airlines have several offers, so you can find tickets for as little as 50 euros round trip, as long as you book them early. Ferries are quite expensive unless you take a slow boat that will take you in about\u2026 ten hours.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Where to stay?<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Fortunately, there are affordable options here. If you do a search, you will see that in the settlements of Karterados, Messaria, Emporio, etc. there are still reasonable prices. If you search early, of course, you can even find one in Oia or Fira. However, the crowds in these places are not the best way to relax when you return to your room. To reduce the cost of your vacation even more, find an accommodation with a kitchenette so that you can cook something there if you want. If you want to wake up with a view of the caldera and watch the sunset from your room, the most affordable rooms we discovered cost from 300 euros per night and up.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

How to get around<\/strong><\/h5>\n

The KTEL has frequent routes and if you live in a central part of a settlement it is convenient to move around with it. However, with a little search you can find a motorbike, ATV (pigs) or car to rent at a good price and be able to make your own schedule. Keep in mind that parking in settlements is a difficult task.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

What to see<\/strong><\/h5>\n
Oia<\/strong><\/h6>\n

The most famous settlement on the island is perhaps also the most beautiful! It stands out for its captain's houses and the cave dwellings that have been converted into luxury hotels and Airbnb. Oia has been characterized as a traditional settlement and the undergrounding of lighting and telephone cables further enhances the beauty of the landscape.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

You will admire the famous Church of the Resurrection with the blue domes that you have seen in countless photos on social media, you will stop for countless photos at the picturesque corners and viewpoints, and you will enjoy walks on the main marble-paved street of the settlement.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Without a doubt, a walk to Ammoudi, the port of Oia that in the past exported Visanto as far as Russia, is a must. If going up and down the steps seems difficult under the hot sun (and you're right), don't worry because there is also a car available.<\/p>\n

When dusk comes, all roads lead to the ruined castle of Oia! That's where visitors to the island go for what is perhaps the most famous sunset in the world. With so many people, however, it's difficult to enjoy it. So look for a good spot either in one of the alleys of the area, towards the windmill of Oia, or on the steps to Ammoudi. The energetic vibes that the place gives off in combination with the vastness of the sea are something that cannot be described in words. You will experience scenes of mysticism...<\/p>\n\r\n