Santorini Activities
Worth getting out of bed for...
- Viewpoint
- Anywhere on the caldera will have you reaching for your camera.
- Something for nothing
- Windowshop at the dozens of jewellery stores around Fira and Oia. Stroll the cliffside of the caldera and take in the view.
- Shopping
- Fira and Oia’s shopping is based around a maze of streets. You’ll find some surprisingly trendy clothes shops, and lovely silver and amber jewellery. The local artists also have their own shops, and some of their paintings are really worth a look.
- Best beach
- The nicest beaches on this small island are Perivolos and the ‘naturist’ beach at the Baxedes area, called ‘Kolombos’.
- Activities
- the best way to get away from it all is on a caldera catamaran cruise: Spiridakos (+30 22860 23755) can organise a romantic sunset trip aboard the sleek motor yacht Oceanis.
- And
- Most shops are open until elevenish, but almost all stop for a siesta (this starts at 14h and can last anything between two and four hours). Banks and post offices close at 13h. Chemists close for lunch between 13h and 14h.
Diary
Most events on the island are centred around religion, with a feast day in honour of a saint falling most months. For visitors, the two best are probably: 15 August, the Feast of Panagia Episkopis in Mesa Gonia, the biggest celebration of the year; and the Feast of Agios Averkios in Emborio on 22 October – the latter is the protector-saint of wine, so everyone present is encouraged to drink their fill of the excellent local tipple.
