A Famous Tourist Destination - Santorini Greece

Santorini - the mysterious and romantic island of Greece

Santorini is considered one of the most beautiful islands in Greece and one of the most 3 famous tourist destinations in Europe. The originar name of the island was Kallisti meaning “beautiful” and Strogyli meaning “circle”. After the fall of Constantinople, the island was named “Santorini” by “Santa Irini”.

Santorini is the land where starts the myth of Atlantis. In the past, the wonderful lagoon of Santorini’s port was the centre of the island. It was sunk by the powerful volcanic eruptions that changed the topography of the place but having brought him fame instead.

Borned from a volcano, the island offers mountain and sea, white and blue, orthodox churches and traditions.

1. Climate:

Part of the reason for Santorini’s popularity with tourist is its idyllic weather: generally, extended periods of sunshine throught most of the year, relatively warm and dry summers, and mild and rainy winters.

The year can be broadly subdivided into two main seasons: the warm and dry season lasting from April until October and the cold and rainy season lasting from November until the end of March. Long periods of consecutive rainy days are not common in Santorini, even during the winter, and the sky does not remain cloudy for more than a few days in a row, as it does in other regions of the world.

During the warm and dry season the weather is usually stable, the sky is clear, the sun is bright and there is generally no rainfall.

2. How to get in Santorini:

Santorini is easy to reach all year long as it is very well connected with many big cities in Greece either by sea or by airplane. Ferries and high-speed catamarans departure from the port of Piraeus, in Athens. Frequency of schedules depends on the season you choose to visit the island. Especially, during the summer, the routes from and to Santorini, are very frequent, (more than one itinerary per day), because a lot of tourists want to visit or leave the island. Ticket values depend on the means of transportation you choose (ferry-boat, high-speed, flying dolphin). The trip by ferry will last about 9-10 hours while by high-speed 4-5 hours.

Athinios port, Santorini Thira airport, Santorini

Santorini airport is about 5 kilometers away from Fira, at Monolithos and it is easily reached by bus or taxi. From the International Airport of Athens Eleftherios Venizelos, at Spata, there are flights to and from Santorini, during all year. The flight's duration is 45 minutes. Ticket values vary according to the season, the company and the complement of passengers.

3. Getting around Santorini:

- BY TAXI

Taxis are available throughout the island. Travellers who do not have a car when they reach the island will not face any problems getting to where they are heading as there are taxis waiting at Athinios port. There is also a taxi rank at Fira's main square. Rates are fixed every year and different from low to high season. Ask the driver once you are in and he will inform you of the price.

- BY BUS

The island of Santorini is served by a well organised network of local buses. The routes and the schedules of the bus service differ from winter to summer months, but during the busy summer season there are schedules posted at the main bus terminal in Fira, so as people get informed. In the this high volume season buses are more frequent and there are itineraries to most island's major sites. Ticket values depend on the destination but they are generally very cheap, especially compared to taxi fares, and only very rarely more than 4 euros (in certain long distances).