Exploring Santorini: A Journey to the Real Atlantis
Hands down, Santorini is one of my favourite Greek destinations and probably one of the most ‘well-known’ out of the hundreds of tiny little islands that blanket the Aegean Sea. The island itself boasts some of the best scenery and charming towns that perch onto the high cliff edges of the volcanic caldera; it’s a truly remarkable place!
Is Santorini really Atlantis?
Well, that’s for you to decide, but my history teacher (and Plato) did think so! While Greek mythology or legends were never my strong point in school, the story of Atlantis captivated me time and again, with Santorini being one of the ‘top’ theories as the origin of this myth.
To set a little context, around 3,600 years ago, Santorini was a much larger island, but due to one of the world’s largest volcanic eruptions, the volcanic island collapsed, creating a massive tsunami thought to have wiped out the Minoan civilization on the neighboring island of Crete. You can even see some of the remains of the old villages from this volcanic eruption in the town of Akrotiri (on Santorini) – which is very similar to Pompeii in Italy.
Can Santorini be an ‘affordable luxury’ destination?
After many years of re-pinning images of Santorini on Pinterest, I finally saved enough money to experience this stunning island. If you’ve started planning your trip to Santorini, you may have realized that it is significantly more expensive than the other Greek islands, especially regarding accommodation. Comparatively, during my visit to Samos (a Greek island 3 miles off Turkey), Santorini appeared much pricier… However, there are ways to keep costs lower while enjoying an affordable luxury holiday on this magnificent island.
Where to stay
You can still enjoy the ‘full’ Santorini experience without making your bank manager cry! One method I used to keep costs down was to stay on the southern part of the island – accommodations here are notably cheaper than in the towns of Oia or Fira, which, while breathtaking, often carry a higher price tag. I managed to find a beautiful (and historic) Greek apartment perched on the cliff edge, complete with a private pool. Quite stylish, right? 🙂
By choosing accommodation further south, I saved nearly fifty percent on housing costs, allowing me to allocate some budget for hiring a car.
How to eat
Dining in Santorini doesn’t have to be overly expensive; even the clifftop restaurants can offer reasonable prices. I found it helpful to ask our host where locals prefer to eat (typically slightly off the tourist track). These restaurants felt incredibly authentic, with fresh seafood that was simply extraordinary!
For breakfast, I ventured to the local bakery to grab freshly baked pastries (the smell wafted down the street while I was still in bed). We enjoyed these treats around the pool, savoring our delicious breakfast. Sometimes, there’s nothing quite like being with friends, sipping coffee, feet in the pool, and witnessing the sunrise on this majestic island.
Travelling on Santorini
Santorini is relatively small, allowing you to drive (end to end) in about 30 minutes or less – making it nearly impossible to lose your way, or at least not for long. During my visit, we spent several days driving around, stopping wherever we felt like; this was a fantastic way to see less explored parts of the island and experience authentic local Greek restaurants.
While driving directions can be tricky, don’t worry! Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE, in Santorini is friendly and helpful, which is invaluable for those of us who aren’t great navigators (though Yaya might try to put the blame on me being the driver! 🙂).
How about taking a boat?
There are plenty of amazing excursions available on the island. We opted for a breathtaking sailing trip around the island. This was an excellent way to explore the hot springs, hike to the top of Nea Kameni Island (the middle of the volcano), and appreciate the dramatic caldera that makes Santorini so beautiful. The tours typically last for half a day, with fresh olives, seafood, and Greek delights beyond imagination. Yaya overloaded his plate, much to the shock of the lady behind him! 🙂
Make time to relax
It’s easy to say, and perhaps slightly cliché, but honestly, Santorini is the perfect location to unwind and truly relax. Each evening, we would spend an hour or so sitting on the cliff faces around Oia. As the sun set, the towns and island transformed, washed in the most incredible colors and warm hues that everyone seems to adore. It’s no wonder so many people are drawn to Santorini – I say it’s due to this picturesque charm, along with this adorable little scamp!
