Cycladia | Sightseeing at Santorini Island Greece

Any stay on Santorini Island should feature a yacht cruise to the three islets which were violently created during the explosion of ancient times, namely Nea Kammeni, Palea Kammeni and Thirassia.

Their location opposite the western part of the island of Santorini gives visitors the opportunity to actually see the volcano and all of its wonders. Here, visitors can explore and trek around these rather barren, but nonetheless beautiful three islets. Fascinating in terms of their rock formations and colour, visitors are also able to swim in their hot springs. Some 5 degrees Celsius warmer than the surrounding sea temperature, these natural mud baths also have therapeutic properties due to their high levels of sulphur, a by effect of the volcano.

Away from the crowds, during the course of their sailing tour, visitors to the three islets, can also stop for a swim and sunbathe on some of the secluded beaches, all of them different little versions of paradise.

Nea Kammeni
Palea Kammeni
Hot Springs
Thirassia

Fira, the capital of Santorini, is perched on the edge of an impressive cliff 260 meters high, offering impressive views of the volcano. Fira town is full of small whitewashed houses of traditional Cycladic architecture, blue domed churches and stepped streets filled with all kinds of shops, restaurants, cafes and bars.

As the busiest touristic area of Santorini Island, Fira offers the largest choice for shopping, restaurants, bars, clubs and features many museums and sites to visit.

Mansion Gizi
Archaeological Museum
Prehistoric Museum
Folklore Museum

No wonder why Oia village is one of the most photographed places in the world; its beauty is beyond imagination, with picturesque architecture with cave houses carved in the Cliffside called Iposkafa, medieval Venetian houses called the Captain houses, thousands of blue domed churches and color splashes of ochre, early red, oyster pink, green and fuchsia. Oia is also famous for its magical sunsets, famous as the world’s best, attracting hordes of visitors every day.

Sunset
Picturesque Village

Imerovigli village is built 300 meters over the sea at the highest point of the Caldera offering privileged views over the Aegean Sea and the volcano. Located north of Fira and south of Oia, Imerovigli is a quiet traditional village, featuring the famous huge rock called Skaros, which was the most important fortified settlement of Santorini.

Skaros Rock
Volcano Views

When the volcano erupted 3.600 years ago, the ancient town of Akrotiri was buried. Today, Akrotiri, one of the five fortified settlements of the Island, is presenting a great interest to travelers, since the excavations have also revealed beautiful frescoes, tools and everyday life objects and the village itself features very good fish taverns, beautiful natural environment and the must-visit Akrotiri Castle and Akrotiri Excavations that brought to the light the remains of the Minoan town.

Akrotiri Castle
Akrotiri Excavations

Megalochori, located southeast of Fira, is an unspoiled authentic traditional village that combines Cycladic architecture and neoclassical mansions. The picturesque village is famous for its vineyards and wineries; make sure you visit Boutari, Antoniou and Gavala, amongst the most renowned wineries on Santorini.

Vineyards and Wineries
Picturesque Village
Traditional Mansions

Pyrgos is located at the highest point of Santorini Island, offering panoramic views of the whole Island. Featuring neoclassical mansions, small whitewashed houses, churches and beautiful narrow paths, Pyrgos amazes travelers with its unique atmosphere of a forgotten era and entices visitors to visit the famous medieval fortress Kasteli and the Profitis Ilias Monastery.

Neoclassical mansions
Medieval fortress Kasteli
Profitis Ilias Monastery

Perissa is famous for its incredible black sand beach which includes many beach bars, but more importantly, it is the place where you cannot miss to visit the remnants of the Byzantine Period, such as the Church of Agia Irini or Santa Irini which gave the actual name Santorini to the Island, the Church of Timiou Stavrou, one of the largest churches on the Island and the Museum of Minerals and Fossils where you will discover splendid minerals and fossils from Thira and the rest of Greece.

Beaches
Byzantine Churches
Museum of Minerals and Fossils

Kamari is situated on the southeast side of Santorini and is mostly appreciated and preferred for its beautiful and famous long beach with crystal clear waters and its natural green environment. In Kamari, you should absolutely visit the church of Panaghia Episkopi, built in 1100 and the church Panagia Myrtidiotissa.

Beaches & envirmoment
Church Panagia Myrtidiotissa.

The archaeological site of Ancient Thira is located on top of a cliff above Kamari, offering, beside unique historical vestiges Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods, incredible views over the eastern coast of Santorini. Make sure to visit the Sanctuary of Artemidoros, the Agora, the Theatre, the Temple of Dionysos, the Sanctuary of Appolo Karneios and the Necropolis of ancient Thera.

Ancient sites
Temples & Santuaries