The name of the island comes from the Frankish Crusaders who, during their passage stood for refueling on the island. Santorini is famous for its volcano, along the crater of which it is worth trekking.
At first glance, the options available on the island are numerous, such as swimming in the thermal waters of hot springs, visiting the byzantine monuments of the island as well as Oia with the famous sunset. Another excellent option can be trekking along paths that can ideal for endless hikes.
World famous Santorini is probably the most typical representative of Aegean architecture by leveraging the particularities of island, creating a building environment with unusual freedoms of expression and unique aesthetics, which are considered the archetype of modernism.
Santorini mainly, as well as Aegean architecture of Serifos and Ios islands, played a crucial role in the creation of the morphological identity of urban-architectural part of the modernist movement (whose main spokesman was the world - famous engineer and architect Le Corbusier), during the visit of members of the 4th International Congress of modern architecture (Congrès internationaux d ' architecture moderne – CIAM) in 1933 in Cyclades.
The most famous volcanic rocky beaches are Kamari, Perivolos and Perissa, Vlihada with its sculpted volcanic rocks and the Red and White beach in Akrotiri.
Especially at the popular beaches of Perissa, Perivolos and Kamari, the visitor will find the heart of the summer nightlife. On the island, lovers of sea sports and extreme sports such as windsurfing can not miss the chance to have a good time in the area.
Santorini is a premium, enjoyable destination, with excellent tourist infrastructure and a wide variety of accommodation options, from de luxe hotels with breathtaking views and amenities to the unadorned traditional houses.
Santorini is ideal for special wanderings in the narrow, cobblestone streets. But if you want to get a taste of the pulse of the island, it’s worth taking a walk in the bustling streets of Fira, where most shops, jewellers, coffee shops, restaurants, museums, and nightlife are gathered, or in Oia, which is a traditional village and is preferred for quieter, romantic escapes. Alternatively, if you are fond of adventure, you may choose excursions to the volcanic islands of Nea Kameni (where the volcanic craters are) and Palaia Kameni (where the hot sulphur springs are located); daily trips to these volcanic islands take place from Mesa Gialos, the old port of Fira.
The strongest point of the Santorini market is the works of art, the antiques and other traditional products, which can be found in small shops in Fira and the central alley of Oia.
As far as the museum tradition of the island is concerned, there’s a plethora of historical museums worth visiting, such as the Archaeological Museum of Thera, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, the Naval Museum of Oia and the Folklore Museum of Santorini, which are complemented by local fairs and festivals organized in various places.
Visitors should finally not neglect the local cuisine of the island, where one can taste traditional recipes like tomato and pumpkin puree, but also to discover the winemaking history of the island at the local wineries.
