In which part of Santorini is it better to relax. Santorini is a respectable Greek resort at the foot of the volcano
The answer to the question "where to stay in Santorini" depends only on what you need from this island. If you are traveling with children - this is one place, if you are waiting for the most luxurious holiday in your life - another, if you are looking for the best value for money, then the third. Let's take a look at the pros and cons of different areas of the island and choose where to stay and rent a hotel in Santorini is right for you.
Where to stay in Santorini: article content
Kamari and Monolithos: the best vacation with children
Kamari and Monolithos are the names of small villages on the island of Santorini, located close to each other near the beaches of the same name. Both beaches boast black volcanic sand, as well as (although not everywhere) a comfortable, gentle entrance to the sea.
Pros:
- Children's playgrounds on the beaches, animation
- Many hotels are aimed at tourists with children
Minuses:
- Little entertainment for adult tourists
Where to stay in Santorini for families with children? Kamari beach has all the necessary infrastructure: umbrellas, sun loungers and children's playgrounds.
Where to stay in Santorini for beach lovers: Perissa
Let's face it: it's not worth going to Santorini just for the sake of a beach holiday, this island is rich primarily in its architecture, history and incredible landscapes. Nevertheless, there are very decent beaches here too. The best place among those where to stay in Santorini is for beach lovers - the village of Perissa near the beach of the same name. This is a long (about 3 km!) Beach covered with black volcanic sand, where there is everything for a great holiday. Often tourists also highlight the Perivolos beach, although in fact it is just the western part of Perissa, slightly less developed in terms of infrastructure.
Pros:
- Low prices for hotel accommodation
- Unique black volcanic sand
- From here you can easily reach Vlyhada, the most beautiful beach in Santorini
- Developed infrastructure: sun loungers and umbrellas, shops, nightclubs, restaurants
Minuses:
- The bottom on the beaches of Perissa and Perivolos is steep and rocky in places
- It takes a long time to get to most of the sights, with a transfer in Fira
Perissa Beach is the longest in Santorini. Its length together with Perivolos is about 3 km.
Oia village: for lovers of an expensive luxury holiday
Oia (aka Oya or Oia) is a visiting card of Santorini and the most picturesque place on the island. Most of the postcard photos of the island and all of Greece were taken in this small village. It is here that the most luxurious hotels, the most beautiful views and the most breathtaking sunsets are located, to admire which in the evenings the whole island comes running, turning a small village into a huge beehive. Many hotels here are built on cliff ledges and equipped with pools overlooking the volcano's caldera and surrounding islands, and you can enjoy the sunset right from the jacuzzi. Oia is the place to stay in Santorini for romantics, newlyweds and just the rich and discerning tourists.
Pros:
- Breathtaking views
- The most luxurious hotels in Santorini
Minuses:
- Eternal tourist swarm, especially at sunset
- Highest prices for accommodation on the island
Where better to stay in Santorini for lovers of luxury and luxury holidays? Of course, in the village of Oia - many hotels here are built right on the slope of the volcano and offer a beautiful view of the caldera.
Fira city (Thira): for those who do not sit still
Fira is the capital of the island. It is located in the heart of Santorini, and it is here that the main transport hub - Fira bus station - is located from where buses leave from all over the island. To the beaches, to the sunset in Oyu, to the port - from here you can go anywhere. Fira itself is a very interesting place, many sights of Santorini are located here.
Pros:
- Excellent transport accessibility
- Many attractions
- Very beautiful views
Minuses:
- Many tourists
- High prices
The advantages of such a holiday in Fira: a stunning sunset view will open from the jacuzzi on the terrace of your room. Disadvantages of staying in Fira: everyone who comes to admire the sunset will have a stunning view of you.
Best value for money: Karterados
The village of Karterados cannot boast of beaches and attractions, its charm is different. It is located just 15-20 minutes walk from Fira and its bus station, while hotels here are much less expensive. Buses from Fira to the main beaches of Santorini also pass by Karterados. It is here, in an excellent and inexpensive apart-hotel Wisteria Apartments we stopped while traveling in Greece. Karterados is a great place to stay in Santorini for all tourists who don't want to pay extra for the location.
Pros:
- Low price of hotels
- There are inexpensive cafes and grocery stores nearby
- Fira - 20 minutes walk, Fira bus station - 15 minutes, bus stop to Kamari and Perissa beaches - 10 minutes walk
Minuses:
- Lack of attractions and places to walk in the village of Karterados
- A small number of hotels (only 50, during the high season they may all be busy)
Where to stay in Santorini so as not to overpay for hotel accommodation? We recommend the village of Karterados: it is located next to Fira, and the prices are much lower here. We rented such a wonderful two-room apartment with a kitchen here at a price for which in Fira we would have a regular hotel room with one room.
Other options for where to stay in Santorini
Let's briefly tell about some other places where you can stay on the island of Santorini.
Imerovigli village. Located just north of Fira, it is considered an elite holiday destination. The hotels are expensive, many of them offer a beautiful view of the volcano's caldera.
While wealthy tourists gaze at the sunset from their rooms sipping expensive wine, budget lovers enjoy the same scene for free with one and a half euro beer from a local store.
The village of Akrotiri. Located in the southwest of the island, nearby are the Red and White beaches, as well as the ruins of the ancient city of Akrotiri. Getting from here by buses to other attractions is not very convenient and mainly with a transfer in Fira. But here it is quiet and calm, and the view of the caldera is no less beautiful than in Imerovigli.
The village of Pyrgos. Located in the inland of the island on a hill with a beautiful panoramic view of the whole of Santorini. Pyrgos is a very beautiful village with many temples and narrow streets, and the main local attraction is the old Venetian fortress.
Dear readers, where do you recommend to stay in Santorini? We are waiting for your feedback on the cities and villages of the Wonder Island and their hotels! And in the next article we will tell you in detail about the hotel where we ourselves stayed during our trip to Santorini.
Santorini Island Hotels: Difficulty of choice, or so that later it would not be excruciatingly painful.
The transport issue - - detailed in the previous article, now it remains to decide where it is better to live in Santorini - which hotel and in which place to choose in order to fully enjoy the stunning Aegean views, for which, in fact, everyone goes there.
The most popular tourist destination in Santorini is the caldera. To understand what it is, you need a little historical excursion.
Santorini history
Today, the archipelago of the Santorini islands is partly in shape nothing more than a huge ring-shaped funnel, formed about 1500 years ago after the eruption of the Santorini volcano on Fira, which was not even an eruption, but a volcanic explosion. The explosion was followed by an earthquake and a giant tsunami, which virtually destroyed the existing ancient Minoan civilization (2700-1400 BC). True, archaeologists discovered that the Minoan civilization existed for at least a hundred years after the eruption (during excavations, buildings were found on top of layers of volcanic ash), but still, this does not change the essence: the catastrophe put an end to it.
The satellite photos of the Santorini islands clearly show the volcano's crater, the walls of which collapsed into the sea after the explosion, and the water instantly flooded the formed space.
Caldera Santorini photos
Caldera - these are the very steep walls of the ancient crater, the surface of which is 300-400 meters high, built up with "postcard" white houses, architecturally traditional for all the Cyclades islands. The best and most expensive hotels in Santorini are located on the caldera. For the opportunity to admire the view from the window of your own room or balcony (and not from the street, where many tourists come) you have to pay several times more than for rooms in hotels located in villages far from the caldera or in the opposite part of Fira Island.
The main tourist cities of Santorini with the best views are the capital Fira and And I, located in the northwestern part of the island. In these two towns there are restaurants, taverns and bars, many hotels and apartments, "sharpened" for the "visual enjoyment" of travelers, entertainment establishments, shops, shops, etc. Meanwhile, Fira, as the capital, is the noisiest and most populous town, but in Oia it is much quieter and less entertainment. A small place called Imerovigliadjoining Fira (the distance between them is about 2 kilometers).
So, if, above all, a beautiful view from your room is important to you (check and clarify in advance whether your window really offers a view of the sea, caldera, etc.): hotels in Fira, Oia and adjoining Phenicia (here the views are easier), Imerovigli, possibly Akrotiri (beautiful views of the islands of Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni). Prices for rooms in the most "top" places can reach tens of thousands of euros, especially if these are rooms for newlyweds or VIP villas.
Sunset in Santorini is the famous brand of the island. "Sunset of the Sun" is on the list of excursions and is sold here as something tangible. In all fairness, this is a truly beautiful sight. That is why the “best places” for watching sunsets and taking photos are so expensive and so in demand by thousands of tourists. In high season (and this is almost all summer and early autumn), it is worth booking tables in good restaurants with a view in advance.
If the view is not important (after all, you will still go to the caldera in the evening to watch the sunset), and you also want to save a lot on accommodation: hotels in Kamari, Perissa, Perivolos, Agios Georgios, Karterados, Firostefani, Messaria and some other villages. Rooms are usually inexpensive here: in fact, you only pay for the night, because life in small villages outside the main cities of Santorini calms down in the evenings and there is not much to walk there.
Santorini Accommodation
The best way to get around Santorini is by taxi (due to the short distances on the island) or a rented car. There is also a developed bus service, buses run until 23.00-24.00, so you can go for a walk to the caldera in the evening and have time to return to some distant villages by bus (but this must be clarified in advance so that there are no unpleasant surprises). The principle is this: all villages are directly connected with the main city of Santorini - Fira, from there you already need to get to other places. There is also a bus service between some neighboring villages.
Rent a car in Santorini
Find your own car rental in Santorini and book here
(instant comparison of offers, prices and conditions of the world's leading car rental companies, online booking confirmation and flexible conditions, discounts, super offers
In some places of Santorini there are always crowds of tourists, but it is worth moving away a little or moving aside - and now you are almost alone with the island that has calmed down after a noisy day.
26.10.18 57 211 47
Santorini is the very Greek island from the postcard. It is considered one of the most beautiful in the world.
Anna Babkina
lives in Santorini
Santorini is surrounded by three active volcanoes - one in the center and two on the outside of the archipelago. The island overlooks the world's largest caldera - a depression formed by a volcanic eruption in 1600 BC.
People come to Santorini to see beaches with colorful sand, walk along the volcano, take pictures in front of the famous church with three blue domes and watch the sunset over one of the most beautiful villages in the world.
I came to Santorini in winter 2014 and fell in love with the caldera and the deserted marble streets. The town of Oia is located at an altitude of 300 meters above sea level, and sometimes clouds run over its streets. In winter, when there are no tourists, Santorini is breathtaking.
Island history
Santorini as we know it was formed about 3,500 years ago after a volcanic eruption. The middle of the large island went under water, forming the famous caldera with the surrounding islands of Aspronsiri, Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni, Firasia and Santorini itself. In fact, Santorini is a volcano, perhaps the largest in the world and still active.
There is a version that Santorini is the legendary Atlantis that went under water, described by Plato.
The area of \u200b\u200bthe island is 76 square kilometers. You can get from one end of it to the other in 2 hours by car. In Santorini, there are areas where the sea can be seen on either side of the road, for example, on the way from Fira to Oia:
Two key settlements are the island's capital Fira and the snow-white town of Oia, the most popular symbol of Santorini. There is also a medieval fortress Pyrgos, Ancient Fira is the ruins of a huge city in the south of the island, and to the south is Akrotiri, according to one version, the city of Atlantis.
Santorini is now the most popular island in Greece. But the Greeks themselves avoid it because of the high cost and the huge number of tourists. There are a lot of foreigners and expats here, so everyone speaks mostly English. My Greek is still very basic and I still haven't had a good reason to learn it.
Most tourists come to Santorini from China, Australia and the USA. People come here to celebrate a wedding and honeymoon for the sake of photo shoots against the backdrop of white houses and the blue sea.
How to get to Santorini
You can get to Santorini from Athens by plane or ferry. Schedules and prices vary depending on the season.
Fly from Athens to the island in just 20 minutes. In summer, a one-way ticket costs from 100 € (7500 R) and more, but in winter you can fly on average for 50 € (3654 R). In winter, Rainair and Aegean Airlines organize promotions - sometimes you can catch a ticket for 5 € (365 R).
But the main means of transport between the islands of Greece are ferries. In summer, 3 to 6 ferries come to Santorini every day, less often in winter - 2 ferries three days a week. The main ferry to the island is the Blue Star Ferry. A ticket from Athens costs about 40 € (3000 R), travel time is 9 hours.
Ferries also run between other Greek islands. Most Russian tourists to Santorini arrive by ferry from Crete or Athens.
Residence
The Greek immigration system is very complex, with many constantly changing rules, so you probably won't be able to do without a lawyer. But it is best to choose a specialist through acquaintances, so that it is a more or less proven person.
In Greece, there are a lot of immigrants who want to get a residence permit, and, accordingly, there is a lot of fraud. Even my lawyer, “verified” by acquaintances, tried to throw money at me: she “forgot” that I had paid for her services in advance, and tried to take my new document as soon as we left the immigration office. Fortunately, she quickly changed her mind, because I began to argue with her loudly, attracting the attention of others.
Initially, I came to Santorini with a tourist Schengen for a year. Then I hired a lawyer and made a family visa: in my case, this was the easiest option for registration. The services of a lawyer cost me 200 € (14 616 R). In theory, a month after receiving temporary documents, I should have been issued a European residence permit for 5 years. But I am in Greece for the fourth year already - and I am still waiting for my residence permit.
I renew my temporary residence permit (veveosi ble) every year at the Immigration office in Athens for free.
200 €
i paid for the services of a lawyer to apply for a family visa to Greece
Citizens of Russia and the CIS can obtain a residence permit as follows:
- to marry a Greek citizen;
- get a family visa if you have close relatives, a young man or a girl living in Greece;
- find an employer and get a work visa - but this is very difficult, because taxes for such workers are high, and few employers agree to apply for this type of visa;
- an indefinite residence permit will be issued when purchasing real estate worth 250,000 € (18,700,000 R).
There is a stereotype that thanks to friendly relations between Russia and Greece, it is easier for Russians to obtain European documents here. But Greece is a buffer between Europe and third world countries. The famous slowness of the Greek bureaucrats is here tacitly encouraged by the state.
All these papers in the corridor are files with personal files of immigrants like me. On the folders - dust, rubbish, someone's unfinished coffee. Someone, standing in line, picks up someone else's dossier - just read out of boredom. It is quite common for Greek officials to lose someone's documents, so rule number 1: always give copies, and keep the originals with you.
Due to the crisis and layoffs, there are only three people left in this ministry who must look through the dossier and make decisions on issuing documents. And these people were very surprised when they saw me on the threshold of their office: “Why did you come at all? Just think, 4 years! Here people have been waiting for 15 years ”.
Problem # 1
Too many tourists
Santorini has a permanent population of about 20,000, but during the tourist season, up to 2 million tourists usually come here.
At the height of the tourist season, from 3 to 9 huge cruise ships enter the island every day. There are up to 3000 tourists on board each such liner. Of course, each of these tourists wants to watch the sunset in the legendary Oia.
In 2017, Santorini recorded a record: 5.5 million tourists visited the island. And this is on a piece of land with an area of \u200b\u200b76 square kilometers, where the electricity and water supply system has not been changed since the time when Jacques Yves Cousteau was looking for Atlantis here, and this was in 1975. Due to the influx of tourists, interruptions in the supply of electricity and water occurred here every second week.
2 million
tourists visit Santorini annually
The situation became so critical that the mayor of the island set a limit for cruise ships: no more than 8,000 people per day. I cannot say that the locals felt the difference. When there are two meters wide streets in a town, several thousand tourists per day are too much anyway.
Problem # 2
Find accommodation
The flow of tourists to Santorini is only increasing every year. Because of this, large hotels massively bought out all the real estate in Oia and, one might say, ousted the local residents from there, who lived there from generation to generation. Hotels are constantly expanding, this greatly changes the appearance of the town: more and more villas are growing around the hotels.
For this reason, it is very difficult to find long term accommodation in Santorini. Word of mouth works best: the island is like a big village where everyone knows each other.
550 €
i pay rent for the house per month
I lived in Santorini in an 18th century house overlooking the caldera, in a former winery, in a cave with an overhead pool, and even in a bookstore. I can say that because of the unusual climate, it is most comfortable to live here in a cave house: it is cool in summer, and warm in winter and there are no drafts. Due to the high humidity, there is a dehumidifier in every home. In half a day's work, he can collect 5 liters of water.
I used to live in Oia, then I moved to Phenicia - a neighboring village 20 minutes away. It is very picturesque, there are almost no tourists, mainly locals and expats live. Renting a house here costs from 400 € (30,000 R) plus utility bills.
Basically, in Phoenix, houses with one room are rented for 500-600 € (36,541 -43849.2 R). In Fira, housing is simpler: a small house can be rented from 350 € (25 579 R). Outside Oia, renting a large house-villa costs from 1,700 € (124,239 R) per month. On the east coast of the island, where there is no volcano view, housing is much cheaper.
I rent a recently built house of 100 m² in Phoenix for 550 € (41,250 R) per month. This is not typical for Santorini: in general, the spaces here are very small.
Usually in Greece, they conclude a rental agreement for at least 6 months and pay two months in advance. In Santorini, I have never entered into such an agreement, because every time I found housing through friends.
If you are looking to buy a property, then a house of an average size on a caldera can cost about 1 million euros. If you cross the road, the same house with a view of the less picturesque side of the island can be bought for 400,000 € (29,232,680 R).
Communal expenses
Electricity, electricity and telephone bills come every two months. For the phone and the Internet, I pay about 80 € (6000 R).
200 €
i pay for electricity for two months in the summer
In summer, the water bill is about 90 € (6750 R), in winter - 70 € (5250 R). Centralized hot water supply is available only in hotels; ordinary houses have boilers - and this is the main item of electricity costs. Moreover, in most houses, boilers are very small, 10-15 liters, clearly designed for summer time. In winter, water heated by such a device is barely enough for one minute. Putting a new 40 liter boiler together with the work of the master will cost 200 € (14 618 R), but if you are going to spend the winter in Santorini, it will be worth it.
Electricity is the most expensive resource on the island. I pay for it from 200 € (15,000 R) for two months in the summer and up to 300 € (22,500 R) in the winter. In winter, Santorini is cold, at night temperatures can drop to zero. The houses do not have central heating, so electric heaters have to be turned on. The electricity bill for the whole winter can range from 650 € (47,508 R) to 850 € (62 125 R). At the same time, the wiring in houses is old, and if the boiler and the heater are turned on at the same time, it can knock out the plugs.
Traditional cave houses
The island's volcanic soil forms natural voids in the rocks. The walls around these voids are very strong and hardly collapse.
Santorini is surrounded by three active volcanoes, so there is always the risk of a sudden eruption or earthquake. People here have lived in caves since ancient times - this is the safest type of housing. The cave can withstand a fairly strong earthquake, while ordinary buildings will collapse like a house of cards. Previously, in every cave house there was a shovel at the entrance, so that in the event of an earthquake there was something to dig out the exit.
The phenomenon of cave houses is that they have a very strong ceiling and floor. The owners of such a house can artificially expand the space: dig up a couple of additional rooms. Of course, this is done with the consent of the neighbors and the invited architect, but the process itself is very simple.
Transport
If you are going to live in Santorini, you will need a car or scooter. You will save both time and money on food, because groceries in supermarkets are 1.5 times cheaper than in small tourist shops, but supermarkets are not so easy to get to.
1500 €
there is a used car in Santorini
Renting a car costs from 30 € (2250 R) per day. You can also buy: a used, but serviceable car costs from 1,500 € (112,500 R). A liter of gasoline will cost 1.9 € (139 R).
Many island residents prefer scooters. From March to October there are traffic jams on the roads. Sometimes a route of 20 minutes can take 3 hours, and scooters are indispensable here to get past the next traffic jam. Renting a scooter costs from 15 € (1125 R) per day, you can buy a used one for 350 € (25 581 R).
There are only buses from public transport in Santorini. They run at intervals of 10 minutes to 1.5 hours from 7 am to midnight. Tickets cost 1.9-2.5 € (139-183 R) depending on the route. In winter, the number of routes is reduced and the bus from Oia to Fira can be waited for two hours. It is better to check the timetable for public transport on the website, because it is not posted at the stops themselves.
A taxi from the airport will cost you at least 40 € (3000 R), from one village to another - about 30 € (2193 R). There is no Uber in Santorini.
I travel around the island mainly by bus. I have an old-style driver's license, and during all this time I have not changed it, so I did not buy a car. I used my friends' car several times. And in all these years in Santorini, I have never seen the traffic police.
Banks
There are three banks on the island - the National Bank of Greece, the local Alfa Bank and the Piraeus Bank. All of them are located in the vicinity of Fira.
To open a bank account, a foreigner needs to provide a residence permit, income statement and make a minimum deposit of 400-600 € (29 236 -43 854 R), depending on the bank. I opened two bank accounts: with the Greek Alfa Bank and with the National Bank of Greece (Ethniki Trapeza).
All social payments go through the National Bank, so I mainly use its services. I have a debit card and a so-called prepaid card - a wallet card that allows you to pay for purchases within Greece, but you cannot withdraw money from it. I also use Internet banking services.
In 2015, due to the economic crisis and the conflict with the European Union, all banks in Greece stopped their work for a week. After that, all banks set a limit on cash withdrawals. Now you can get no more than 900 € (67,500 R) per day and no more than 5,000 € (365 444 R) per month.
The Skrill international money transfer service is also prohibited in Greece. Only recently, PayPal started working here. Many banks still do not allow transferring money from PayPal to the card. In general, in my experience, money transactions through Greek banks are a headache.
900 €
cash is the maximum amount that can be withdrawn from the bank per day
Until 2005, banks gave loans to everyone in a row, which, in particular, caused the protracted economic crisis in Greece. Now banks with great creak give loans even to Greeks. The interest rate ranges from 9 to 12% per year. It is almost impossible for a foreigner to take a loan or mortgage in Greece now.
Job
Almost everyone who lives on the island works in tourism. Locals and many expats have their own businesses, some work remotely. Santorini is the island with the longest tourist season in Greece. There are a lot of immigrant workers from Albania and Eastern Europe.
The tourist season starts in March and lasts until October. At this time, everyone works seven days a week, 9-12 hours a day. An adequate salary in the tourism sector is approximately 1000-2500 € (75,000 -187,500 R), depending on the position and work schedule.
There are no tourists from November to February, so nobody works. At the same time, almost all workers in Santorini are officially employed, have insurance and the opportunity to receive unemployment benefits in winter - about 350 € (26,250 R) per month. As a rule, the allowance is issued for the second year of employment on the island. During the tourist season, the tax control and the IKA (social insurance organization) carry out constant checks: they make sure that everything is legal.
350 €
the amount of unemployment benefits in winter
If you work in Santorini, most likely, your documents will indicate an 8-hour working day and a rate of 500 € (37,500 R) per month - this is the minimum wage here by law. At the same time, you must be at the workplace exactly at the hours indicated in the official document, otherwise you and your employer will be fined up to 5,000 € (365,444 R). Therefore, as soon as a check arrives on the island, everyone starts calling each other to tell which street the inspectors are on.
Tax
Every year from June to July, you must file a tax return. If you pay 50 € (3750 R) to an accountant, he will do everything for you. But you can fill it yourself, although it is difficult and time-consuming - only a few do it. If you do not submit the declaration on time, you will have to pay a fine - from 100 € (7309 R) to 800 € (58 471 R), depending on your income.
If you do not have a car, boat or real estate in Greece and your official income does not exceed 5000 € per year, you do not need to pay taxes. Income above 5000 € is subject to 20% tax, provided that you do not have a business.
Small business owners in Santorini pay 40-60% of their profits in tax. In general, Greece is famous for unfairly high taxes, so registering a business here is not a good idea.
Communication and Internet
There is something like a municipal wifi on the island - there are about 6 networks that you can connect to without a password to use the Internet for free. But all this works intermittently and only on the central streets of Fira and Oia.
The main mobile providers are Cosmote, Vodafone and Wind. You can buy a SIM card only with a passport in your name. You need to replenish your account at least once every 3 months, otherwise the card will be blocked.
You can top up your account at any kiosk or supermarket by purchasing a card for 10, 20 or 50 €. The main thing is that after replenishing your account, you need to immediately select the tariff you need, otherwise the money will evaporate within a few hours. It is useless to complain about this in the office of a telecom operator: they will tell you about some expensive tariff that came into effect "by default".
There is no such thing as “unlimited mobile internet” in Greece. A 1 GB package will cost at best 1 € (73 R), the validity period is a month, so you won't be able to “accumulate” gigabytes.
The medicine
Santorini has one public hospital and one private clinic. I was there and there.
In a private clinic, helpful staff and highly qualified doctors, everyone speaks English, you can make an appointment in advance by phone. In addition to the clinic, there are also private offices of individual specialists and biochemical laboratories, where you can quickly and without queuing take tests. They will be accepted here instantly, and a visit to a therapist will cost 70 € (5250 R).
70 €
have to pay for an appointment with a therapist
In a free hospital, you can spend from 3 to 5 hours just sitting in line, but they accept everyone here, without being distracted by documents and insurance. And here many doctors speak English well, but several times I had to use an online translator and speak my fingers. Of course, it's hard to sit under the office door for three hours without any confidence that you will eventually be accepted. But every time I still waited for an appointment, I came across good doctors.
If you have insurance and a medical record, you will receive a 30 to 60% discount on your prescribed medications.
The choice of medicines is very scarce. Pharmacies sell more cosmetics than medicines. Activated carbon for food poisoning, "Panadol" for all other ailments - that's all that the pharmacist will offer you.
Antibiotics in any form are given strictly according to the doctor's prescription. There are no antiviral drugs here at all, and pharmacists are unaware of their existence. But there is a free flu shot, which is actively advertised in schools and on TV.
60 €
worth putting a seal on Santorini. On the mainland, the amount is half as much
All dentistry on the island is only private, to put a filling costs 60 € (4500 R). For comparison, on the mainland it will cost 30 € (2250 R), so any dental procedure should be carried out in Athens.
Education
Greece has quality higher education, but Santorini only has elementary and secondary schools.
At school, everyone is allowed to study for free, but diplomas are issued only to those who have documents. Classes are held only in Greek. There are many children from immigrant families. And if, for some bureaucratic reasons, they are delayed in issuing documents, such schoolchildren sometimes receive a certificate of secondary education with a delay of several years.
Everyone goes to Athens for higher education.
Food
Greece is renowned for its fruits, vegetables, meat and fish, as well as simple and tasty cuisine. I moved to Santorini just after Russia announced a ban on the import of European products, which caused the shelves in stores to be half empty. Therefore, at first I went to local shops, like museums, spent 600 € (45,000 R) a month on food and gained 10 kg. Then, however, I pulled myself together and now I spend about 400 € (30,000 R).
Little grows on the volcanic soil of Santorini. However, there are some unique local products here: a special variety of cherry tomatoes, white eggplants and a sweet white wine vinsanto. The rest is brought from Athens. In winter, the sea is often stormy, and sometimes ships with food cannot reach the island for weeks. You need to be ready for this and buy some products with a margin.
400 €
i spend a month on groceries
Most of the inhabitants of the island buy food in small shops. Of course, everything is more expensive here than on the mainland:
- 1 kg of tomatoes - 1.5-3 € (112-225 R);
- 1 kg of potatoes - 1-1.5 € (75-112 R);
- a bottle of milk - 3 € (225 R);
- 300 g of cheese - 4-6 € (300 -450 R);
- 0.5 l of Greek yogurt - 3.5 € (260 R).
It is better to buy bread in a bakery, on average it costs about 1 € (73 R).
Santorini has 3 or 4 supermarkets, two of which are within Fira. The rest need to be reached by bus or by your own transport. The German supermarket "Lidl" in the south of Fira is worth noting, where food is 1.5 times cheaper than anywhere else on the island.
There are no markets at all. Outside Fira, in the south of the island, there is a huge Kritikos vegetable warehouse where you can buy vegetables, fruits, cheeses and meat from Crete. In general, products from Crete are appreciated here above others. It is better to go to Kritikos by car.
Santorini has no reservoirs or fresh water sources. Water is taken directly from the sea and filtered, so it should never be drunk from the tap. You can cook with tap water only in the north of the island - in Oia and Finikia. Therefore, everyone buys water in supermarkets and cooks with it. A pack of 6 bottles costs 2.5 € (190 R).
People
I would formulate the main problem of the island as follows: too much money and too little culture. Greece is a generous and hospitable country, but things are different in Santorini.
To understand the mentality of the locals, you need to know a little about the history of the island. Back in the 1950s, Santorini was culturally and economically isolated. For example, the farthest island from Athens, the Cyclades, has no greenery or natural resources at all, there is no electricity or running water. Fira and Oia have long been poor fishing villages with several families whose children have married each other for generations.
Then the ancient city of Akrotiri (presumably Atlantis) was found on Santorini, and the island became popular. First came the adventurers and bohemians who have now become successful businessmen and owners of the most expensive real estate in Greece. Since the 1980s, when cruise ships began to regularly visit Santorini, even the island's illiterate inhabitants have become fabulously wealthy by local standards.
The inhabitants of Santorini can be divided into three "castes":
- The indigenous inhabitants of the island.
- The former adventurers are Greeks from Athens, British, Australians and Germans who now own a successful business here.
- Immigrants from Albania, Romania and the Baltic countries working for the first two categories.
A typical contrast in Santorini is when a person with two higher educations works at the checkout in a restaurant owned by an illiterate Greek. Up to 90% of locals live here to make money from tourists, and since there are too many tourists, it happens in a very stressful mode 24/7. There is little soulfulness here.
However, it's also true that Santorini attracts romantics and creative people, which is why I loved the expat community. I met incredible people from all over the world here and made many friends.
Entertainment
Due to its volcanic origin, Santorini has unique beaches with red, black and white sand. Photos of these places can be found in any advertising brochure. The beaches can be reached by car or by buses from Fira. The journey costs 2.5 € (190 R), buses run every 40 minutes.
I'm not a tourist destination. The island has much more spectacular beaches - and almost always half empty. My favorite beaches are Ammoudi, Kolubo and Vlihada. Ammoudi is located right in Oia, Kolubo is a 20 minute drive from Oia in the north of the island, and Vlihada is the most remote beach in the south of the island. Colubo and Vlyhada can only be reached by car.
2,5 €
worth the bus ride from Fira to the beaches
If you are attracted by archaeological sites, there is a museum city of Akrotiri in the south of the island. This is the same legendary Atlantean city, destroyed by an earthquake in 3500 BC. e. Another city - an open-air museum - is Ancient Fira, located on one of the hills near Kamari.
Santorini has many cafes, taverns and restaurants. It is better to go to fish taverns in the old port in Oia. A lobster there costs from 98 € (7350 R) per serving, a dorada - about 50 € (3750 R), a set of meze snacks - from 15 € (1096 R) to 40 € (2924 R). If you say that you live or work on the island, you will most likely get a discount, because in Santorini there are only two prices: for tourists and for locals.
98 €
there is a lobster in a fish tavern in Oia
Shopping in Santorini is pretty tight. During the summer season, Oia hosts many art galleries, boutiques with designer clothes and jewelry. Most of the shops are designed for tourists. Locals go to Athens to buy things or buy everything on the Internet. Post in Greece is fast, a package from any store on the mainland arrives in a few days.
The island has the only bookstore - Atlantis-Books, which is regularly called one of the most beautiful in the world by glossy magazines. This is a residence, community and bookstore at the same time. Book lovers from all over the world come here to live and work on a volunteer basis - mostly journalists, aspiring writers and artists. In summer Atlantis-Books organizes literary readings with the participation of celebrities. I saw live performances by American comedian David Sedaris and poet Billy Collins.
I was lucky to spend the whole winter at Atlantis-Books - my childhood dream of living in a bookstore has come true. It is an expansive cave house overlooking the caldera and has everything you need. I literally slept behind a bookshelf: the store has three originally equipped sleeping places.
One of my favorite places in Santorini is Firasia, the second largest island in the archipelago. It can be reached in 10 minutes by small ferry from the old port of Ammoudi in Oia. Ferries run four times a day: at 7, 11, 14 and 18 hours. The schedule sometimes changes, and it is better to check it with the ferrymen: there is no schedule either on the Internet or at the port itself. The fare is 1.5 € (110 R) one way.
Firasia can be called the looking glass of Santorini: there is also a caldera, an old port, a village 300 meters above sea level and an underwater volcano in the north of the island. At the same time, Firasya is absolutely deserted. There is only one village, where at most 30 people live, two taverns, one hotel and a real ghost town in the west of the island.
1,5 €
there is a one way ferry ticket to Firasia
The entire Firasia island can be explored on foot in 4 hours. Many locals come here with tents to take a break from the hustle and bustle of Santorini for a few days.
In Santorini itself, one must see natural and archaeological attractions. There are almost no typical urban entertainment: several nightclubs in Fira, two cinemas in Perissa and Kamari, one bowling alley and one shopping center. For nightlife, shopping and other entertainment, it is better to go to Athens.
Outcome
Life on a small island has many limitations. Over time, even Santorini becomes boring. There are no career opportunities here, a limited community, an unfavorable business environment. There are snow-white marble streets and a blue sea as if from a postcard, but if you live here all the time, even they will sooner or later begin to bore you. This year I decided to move to Athens and return to Santorini from time to time.
Is it worth living in Santorini? Definitely yes. You will not find such exotic beauty and contrasts on any Greek island. It is good to come here alone or with a loved one. You can rent a house in Finikia, Perissa, Kamari or Emborio and enjoy the measured life on the island.
If you have a stable remote job and are not dependent on the Greek economy, you will love it here.
The main criteria for choosing a hotel on the island of Santorini. The best hotels in Santorini with beach access and volcano views.
How to choose a hotel in Santorini (Greece)?
Deciding which hotel to choose in Santorini is not easy, but very important. In this article, I have collected the selection criteria for you, based on which you can easily decide on the choice of a hotel.
If you don't know much about Santorini, I must inform you that the most beautiful views of the volcano here are the local sunsets. No matter how beautiful the islands of Greece are, none of them has such a strong passion for meeting sunsets. In Santorini, it is like a nightly ritual.
Volcano or beaches?
This is the first decision to make.
Do you want to stay in towns along the mountainside with a gorgeous view of the volcano?
Western Santorini and the famous volcano view. The main towns of Santorini are Fira, Oia, Imerovigli and Firostefani.
Or do you want to stay in one of the coastal towns on the opposite side of the island? It is also beautiful here, close to the beaches, but there is no view of the volcano and caldera.
On the one hand, there is a mountain with a beautiful view, on the other - lowlands and beaches. The distance between the parts of the island is small - 10-15 minutes by car.
The eastern part is home to the main Santorini hotels with access to the sea.
If you have chosen the eastern part with beaches, then it is easier to decide here. There are only 2 large cities: Kamari and Perissa (Perivolos beach - continuation of Perissa). Kamari is a more developed town with more shops, bars, hotels and restaurants. Perissa has better beaches. I recommend choosing Kamari because of the more developed infrastructure and from here it is closer to Fira. There is a boat service between Kamari and Perissa, so you can easily visit both cities in a day.
Which city to choose from the side of the volcano?
Most tourists stop from the caldera side. And I think this choice is correct. The volcano is what makes Santorini a special island in Greece. For a beach holiday, it is better to go to other islands.
If you are going to stay in the western part, then you have another difficult choice - which city to stay in. The difficulty is that they are all good in their own way.
There are 4 main towns along the caldera: Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia. Each of them offers a delightful view of the volcano, but the most beautiful of all is in Imerovigli.
- Fira has the most restaurants and an active nightlife.
- Firostefani - it is quiet here and you can reach Fira on foot.
- Imerovigli is very calm here. Fira and Oia can be easily reached by bus or taxi. 6 great restaurants.
- Oia is the most romantic city in Santorini, there are many restaurants, but almost no nightlife.
Fira
View from Fira to the volcano
The largest city on the island is the center of cultural life. It has the most restaurants and shops, a fun nightlife. Fira offers an amazing view of the volcano, but the sunsets spoil the islet of Thirassia a little. Fira is the final stop for all buses. In other cities, buses run only to Fira and back. Therefore, if you need, for example, to get from Kamari to Oyu, you will have to change to Fira.
If you come to explore the island's nightlife and love clubs, then Fira is the place to be. If your hotel is located close to the city center, noise in the streets can interfere with your sleep. Along the caldera, it is much quieter and you will not be disturbed by loud music in the middle of the night.
Top hotels in Fira
Aria Suites - large pool and good location.
More hotels in Fira
- Cosmopolitan Suites
- Aigialos Traditional Houses
- Anteliz Suites
Firostefani
Firostefani is a 15-minute walk from Fira. It is difficult to say where Fira ends and Firostefani begins. Many spend the day in Fira and return to Firostefani in the evening. There are no nightclubs or bars here, but there is peace and good restaurants.
Top hotels in Firostefani
- Tsitouras Collection
- The belvedere
- Homeric poems
- Mill House Elegant Suites
- Dana villas
Imerovigli
The most beautiful views of the caldera are from Imerovigli, because this city is located above all others in Santorini. Imerovigli is the quietest city of the above, there are no nightclubs. Despite the fact that the city is small, there are enough good restaurants, shops and markets. Fira can be reached in 20 minutes. Buses run every 30 to 45 minutes south to Fira and to Sver to Oia.
Best hotels in Imerovigli
Astra Suites - amazing view, nice pool, each room has its own kitchen.
More Imerovigli hotels
- Chromata Hotel
- Absolute Bliss
- Aenaon villas
- Aqua Luxury Suites
- Grace Santorini
Oya
The most romantic and charming city in Santorini. It is full of beautiful alleys and crossroads inviting you to explore its nooks and crannies. Every night, people gather on the walls, steps and rooftops to enjoy the sunset. People are having fun, drinking wine and enjoying the views. During sunsets, there are always a lot of people on the streets, but without crowds and crowds. The restaurants in Oia are some of the best on the island. There are many bars where you can drink and sit, but you have to go to Fira to dance. The walk from Oia to Fira takes 2 hours, I strongly advise you to walk, it is a very beautiful path.
Top hotels in Oia
Katikies Hotel - nothing to complain about, I really love this hotel. Read the reviews.
More hotels in Oia
- Mystique
- Oia Castle Hotel
- Ikies - Traditional Houses
- Canaves Oia Hotel
- Perivolas
a couple more important points about hotels in Santorini
hotels with beach
Kastelli Resort - the best hotel in Santorini with a beach
Hotels on the beaches are worse than hotels on the caldera side. Kastelli is the best of them. There are large rooms and 4 pools of different sizes. Beaches and restaurants 2 minutes walk from the hotel.
Cheap hotels in Santorini
In Santorini, you get exactly what you paid for. I mean, there are no overpriced hotels here. The best hotels in Santorini have beautiful views, swimming pools and good service. Therefore, if you want to save on accommodation, you will need to give up something.
Below is a list of hotels with more loyal prices.
In Fira Keti Hotel and Kamares Apartments. Both offer beautiful views.
Javascript is required to view this map.
Santorini Is a famous group of islands in the Cyclades archipelago located in the Aegean Sea. Santorini resorts are waiting for you! The wind of change, romance, magical sunsets and the breath of time - this will remain in your memory forever. You will certainly want to come back again, having only once been here.
Features:
Santorini includes the islands of Nea Kameni, Thirassia, Palea Kameni, Aspro, and the largest Santorini (Fira, Thira). The main colors of Santorini are blue (a symbol of the sky of the dwelling of the gods), white (a symbol of faith, justice, beauty, justice) and red ocher (a symbol of the earth, a volcano, their natural power). There are three hundred and fifty-two churches on the island, each of them has its own bell tower, its patron saints.
general information
Santorini is located in the Aegean Sea in the southeastern part of the country, the largest island covers an area of \u200b\u200b76 sq km. The population is 13.4 thousand people.
Climate
The season in Santorini starts on April 1st or Easter. The period from December to March is considered an off-season, with lower temperatures, frequent rains and winds. Although the temperature rarely drops to relatively cold levels - 0 degrees and below. Most hotels can be closed during the winter. The most favorable period for a holiday in Santorini is April-June and September-October.
How to get there
You can get to Santorini by air from Russia via Athens. Santorini can be easily reached by sea ferry from Piraeus and Naxos.
- The national airport in Santorini / Thira (National Airport Santorini / Thira IATA: JTR) is located north of the village of Kamari. There are regular flights here from Athens, which is about 30-45 minutes, and also in summer there are flights from Thessaloniki.
Transport
There are public buses on the island that run every 30 minutes in different directions. Boats run between the islands of the archipelago. It is not difficult to rent a car, which will cost 45 euros or more per day, depending on the car brand. Quad bikes are also popular transport. And many people prefer to rent a bike.
Cities
Nea Kameni formed as a result of an underwater eruption. Its original name is Mikri Kameni due to its small size. Later, as a result of the incessant activity of the volcano, the island grew and was named Nea Kameni. It is uninhabited and covers an area of \u200b\u200bover three square kilometers. Its dormant volcano can wake up at any moment and begin to spew lava. The mouth of the volcano is at a depth of one thousand meters. The soil around it is very hot. This place is distinguished by the unpleasant smell of hydrogen sulphide fumes. The landscape is completely lifeless.
Palea Kameni was formed much later than Nea Kameni. The island is famous for its hot healing springs. Thirasia with a population of about two hundred and fifty people is located on an area of \u200b\u200bover 9 square kilometers. Aspro covers an area of \u200b\u200babout one hundred square kilometers and is an uninhabited territory.
Isle Santorini (Thira) covers an area of \u200b\u200b76 sq. Km, with a population of eight thousand. The island owes its origin to a volcanic eruption in the middle of the 17th century BC. Part of the island is under water, while the other part has formed a sheer cliff of nine hundred meters with a steep cliff. Also in the place of the eruption a convenient bay was formed, where merchant ships, liners, yachts anchor. You can get here on foot, counting seven hundred steps, on a funicular, riding on the back of a stubborn donkey.
Attractions of this region: the city and its architectural style, the Pangea Episcopa temple, the Agiu Mina church, the Museum of Archeology, the Museum of Thira of the prehistoric era, beaches.
In the city Fira the houses represent different time periods and their architecture: Cycladic vaulted temples, business centers, theaters, Ptolemy's dwelling, sanctuaries, graves of different eras, ruins of early Christian buildings.
Temple of Pangea Episcops famous for various frescoes, the icon of the Mother of God. Agiu Mina Church, the symbol of the island, is on the edge of the cliff.
Archaeological Museum, built in 1960, is located in the heart of Santorini. The museum exposition includes exhibits from different eras (prehistoric era, Mycenaean period, Cycladic period), collections of ceramics and sculptures.
Thira Museum (Museum of Prehistoric Thera) of prehistoric time presents exhibits from the excavations of the ancient settlement of Akrotiri, various frescoes from the life of animals and people.
The most picturesque place will amaze you with traditional architectural buildings of Homeric times. In Oia there are many small shops where there are jewelry and souvenirs. Here you can see an extraordinary sunset, do meditation, feel the energy, power of an active volcano.
Connoisseurs of grape wine will be pleasantly surprised Wine Museum, where for over four hundred years red, white, dessert wines have been made: Vinsanto with various aromas (citrus, figs and coffee), Nikteri, strong wine Tsikudia. The winery museum will tell about all stages of the production of this divine drink.
On the beaches of the island, you can do almost all extreme types of entertainment. Many taverns, restaurants, night bars, discos, cafes, spa centers are open to tourists. For children's leisure, there are many water parks with attractions and water slides.
Attractions and entertainment
Beaches
The beaches of the resorts of Kamari, Monolithos, Perissa, Akrotiri are amazing. Kamari - a fairly well-known resort located near Fira, it is distinguished by sandy beaches. Everything here is provided for doing sports on the water, you can buy any accessories and accessories, awnings and awnings. Perissa - quite a quiet resort place. The sand on the beach is black. This resort has its own nightlife restaurants and clubs, located in the eucalyptus groves. Akrotiri located on the south side of Santorini. The sand on the beach is red. There are taverns right in the rock cave where you can stop and have a snack. A sea voyage on a small Kaiki boat to the ancient volcano will leave a lasting impression.
Accommodation
The western part of Santorini is considered more developed in terms of tourist infrastructure, therefore, hotels in the west of the island are more in demand - Caldera, Fira, Oia. In this part of the island, hotels have stunning views of the volcano, sea, sunset and Caldera. Some of the hotels do not accept children under 13 years old due to the rocky cliff, and many are designed for newlyweds. The eastern part of the island is attractive for young people and families with children.
Kitchen
Greek restaurants and Mediterranean cuisine are common in Santorini, where you can also taste typical dishes of these islands: white eggplant, fried tomatoes in batter, fresh grilled fish. In a place near Caldera with sunset views, prices can be higher than in similar less picturesque restaurants.
Shopping
Santorini is one of the most famous wine-growing regions in Greece, whose wines are popular and have a special status of superior quality. The method of growing grapes is unique due to the dry soil and winds. You can buy wines all over the island, for example, at the Oia store.
Precautionary measures
Santorini is completely safe in terms of crime, but you shouldn't buy something from your hands without a stipulated cost. Steep rocky slopes for children can be dangerous.
