I fell in love with my favorite place in the world, the island of Santorini in Greece, when I was 14 years old and I watched the movie Summer Lovers. Right there and then, I decided that this idyllic island would (hopefully) be my honeymoon destination (regardless of where my future husband would want to visit). Well, 14 years later, my wish came true. When my husband and I were planning our wedding and he suggested Hawaii as a place to honeymoon, I very sweetly suggested the Greek Islands instead, and the rest as they say, is history. Our honeymoon included a few days in Athens and also in Mykonos (click here for my Mykonos blog post). Santorini went above and beyond all of my expectations, it is simply breathtaking. It is so beautiful, that most of the photos and postcards that you will see of Greece, will typically be of Santorini…it is the most photographed of the Greek Islands. And trust me, the postcards don’t do it justice! Luckily I have had the opportunity to visit Santorini many more times, and I always leave with the feeling that I can’t wait to visit again!
Santorini, Greece
There are so many things to see and do on this special island that this blog post could go on for days…LOL! So, I have decided to round-up my Top 5 experiences on all of my visits!
Fira. Fira is the largest town on Santorini, and is also the first town many travelers experience, as Santorini’s ferry and cruise ports are located in Fira. While most of the pictures you will see are of the town of Oia, I actually prefer to stay in Fira, the island’s capital. Fira also has a thriving night life, something for everyone, clubs, bars, restaurants, and shops stay open past midnight. Nothing like walking around at 11PM having some gelato, and feeling like it’s 2 o’clock in the afternoon, I love places that stay open late when I’m on vacation. I also find that there is a larger selection of hotels to choose from in Fira, extending to Firostefani and Imerovigli, the two towns immediately north of Fira. This past summer we stayed at the Adamis Majesty Suites, which we loved, a spacious cave house with a perfect location, and million dollar views! Fira also boasts great shopping with many boutiques and local designer shops. Make sure to visit some of the gold and jewelry stores, with amazingly beautiful 18 karat gold jewelry, showcasing the very distinctive Greek designs. Also not to be missed are the delicious restaurants Fira has to offer. Sphinx and Archipelagos among my favorites, and if you’re looking for amazing gelato and homemade Greek desserts and pastries, make sure to stop in at Zotos Cafe & Bakery, on the main pedestrian path.
A view of Fira
Delicious homemade Greek pastries at Zotos Cafe
A Visit to Oia. Having said this, the village of Oia, located on the northwestern end of Santorini, is magical. I always like to visit during the day and also in the evenings. Oia is special (fun fact: the house that the Summer Lovers characters lived in is located in Oia, not Fira). Oia is a sleepier, quieter version of Fira. Here you’ll find those red cliffs, white windmills, and blue-domed churches from the postcards. It’s famous for its sunsets and great for honeymooners. You can find smaller art galleries and many unique shops in Oia. Oia is a short bus ride away from Fira, a must see.
Beautiful Oia
Summer Lovers house…
Breakfast with a View. Many of the hotels in Fira and Oia have rooms with a view to the caldera. There are many other areas in Santorini where you can stay as well, such as Perissa or Kamari, if you prefer to stay near the beach. But in my humble opinion, there is nothing quite like opening up your window and seeing the beautiful blue waters and the gorgeous views of the caldera and the cliffside town. Many of the hotels will serve you breakfast on the terrace outside of your room, so you can enjoy these views, while having your meal. My husband always says that he could spend an entire day just sitting in a café or in one of the hotel balconies, overlooking the caldera and taking in this view. Absolutely magnificent!
Breakfast on our terrace, priceless.
Dinner at Sunset. Similar to the views in the morning, Santorini is famous for its gorgeous sunsets. Fira and Oia both have plenty of cafes and restaurants that advertise their sunsets. Many people flock to the old Kasteli (Castle) of Agios Nikolaos in Oia, which has become the most desired spot for sunset watching. It can also get pretty crowded, so get there early to claim a spot. You can also catch the sunset with no obstructions, by walking the northwest end of the village above the steps leading down to Amoudi and find a place to park yourself. While most folks prefer to watch the sunset in Oia, I have also seen the sunsets in Fira, and they are just as amazing. And watching the sunset while enjoying your dinner with a glass of wine is an experience all on its own!
Our daughter taking in the view…
The beautiful sunset…
The crowds forming to watch the sunset…
Blue Domes Everywhere. And then of course…there are the numerous, beautiful, blue domed churches that the island is famously known for. Almost everywhere you look, in every town throughout the island you can’t miss these brilliant, blue domes! Most of these churches are open during the day, stop in and take a look, they are just as beautiful inside as well. One of my favorites is the Catholic Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in the center of Fira.
The many domes of Santorini!
Some more fun things to do while visiting Santorini:
- Visit Akrotiri, the ancient and fascinating archaeological site.
- Spend a day at one of the beaches, Perissa and Red Beach are my favorites.
- Take a donkey ride or cable car from the port up to town.
- Rent a scooter or ATV and spend the day cruising the island.
- Relax with a kissing fish spa pedicure (yes folks I tried this and actually liked it).
- Visit one of the island’s wineries, Boutari is my favorite.
- Visit the traditional village of Megalochori.
- Visit the Argyros Mansion in the town of Messaria.
- Take a boat ride out to the volcano, Santorini should be viewed from the water.
- And for those of you traveling with small kids, you can always spend an afternoon at the Perissa Water Park, although it’s just a very large pool with a few water slides!
Here are a few more photos for your enjoyment:
Our hotel this year…Adamis Majesty Suites, perfect location!
The largest church in Santorini, the Orthodox Cathedral located at the center of Fira.
Hubby and daughter taking off on their ATV adventure!
One of their stops…Red Beach!
Beautiful shop in Oia.
Oia…
Fira at midnight…
Bell Tower
More of Oia
The colorful ceramics sold on the island, hard to choose…but of course I purchased a few…
Strolling through Fira
Is Santorini on your travel bucket list? If it’s not, it should be. Have you visited this gorgeous island, I would love to know what you thought of it…
Listen2Mama 
Greece sounds like such an amazing country to visit. The sights, the food, the culture…all of it sounds like something I would like to experience for myself someday.
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Those pictures are gorgeous! I’m not sure I’ll ever make it to Greece, but I sure would love to! The history is absolutely amazing, and what we have here doesn’t even come close to touching it.
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Wow! Talk about amazing. Sometimes I see photos and I’m all, OK that’s nice.. But this? Beyond words beautiful. How have I never heard of this place before? Amazing!
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I love you photos! They are like a dream. I am adding this to my travel bucket list for sure. Thank you for sharing.
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This is so on my bucket list from when i was a little kid.. I will get there some day! Amazing pictures!
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Oh, I’d just LOVE to go there, it’s #1 on my bucket list! Your photos make it look SO beautiful. I remember that movie too, I think that’s when I fist realized I wanted to go there too!
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I am starting to feel like I am the only one who has not seen that movie. I must find it!
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Clicking over from the Mom 2 Mom Monday Link Up! I love Santorini, we were there in the late 90’s and it was fabulous! We were there at the end of the tourist season so it wasn’t crowded and we able to sit and chat with the locals (and drink too much homemade wine and ouzo). I’d love to go back some day!
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Greece has always been on my travel list, but WOW! This area looks amazing!!!
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OH my gosh!! Greece looks like an amazing travel destination!!
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Wow, that view at sunset must have felt like a spiritual moment. Greece looks absolutely stunning – just breath taking!
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I’d love to visist greece. It looks so beautiful!
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Oh my goodness, that island looks breathtaking!! Greece is somewhere I never would have thought to add to my travel goals but I’m adding it now LOL Great pictures.
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Santorini is officially on travel bucket list. It looks amazing and your photos are beautiful.
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Like you, I’ve always dreamed of going to Greece. I’m hoping one of these years I will make it. For me, it is difficult to get there while the weather is still nice because of my husband’s work schedule!
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Actually best time to go is either late May/early June or in the middle or end of September if you want to beat the crowds…it’s a truly gorgeous place!
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I have always loved Greece especially the blue topped buildings they just look so nice.
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Wow…all those photos are amazing! Santorini wasn’t on my travel bucketlist, but it is now for sure!
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What a beautiful city! That’s definitely going on my travel bucket list. It is just gorgeous!
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Wow what a gorgeous looking place 🙂 I could imagine never wanted to leave once I got there. x
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Wow .. I need to add this to my list of places to visit! Thanks for sharing!
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I would love to visit Greece… just as much for the scenery as for the food. That picture of the pastries is absolutely mouthwatering.
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Kalimera! Greece is also one of my favorite destinations. You did a great job with your round up. I wouldn’t know where to begin! How about the VinSanto?
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Beautiful. I was there 15 years ago and i’m planing to go back.
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This looks so beautiful! I am in love with the view that y’all got to look over as you ate.
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I would love to visit Greece and see these blue domes! You have some lovely photos. What a great trip!
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Such gorgeous pictures! I actually said to my fiance that I wanted to go to Santorini on holiday just last week, you’ve made me want to go even more now.
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This looks amazing. My sister is honeymooning in Greece in May. It looks like she will enjoy.
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greece is on my bucket list of destinations. I am even more inspired now
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Stunning is right! The pictures are just beautiful. I doubt I will ever get to go and visit in person, but I would love to.
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All of your photos are breathtaking. There arent many places that I really want to visit, but Greece is one of them. The food, the history, and the view!
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Gorgeous photos! Santorini is high on my travel list! And the food too :O http://nomoneywilltravel.com
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That city is like nothing I’ve ever seen before. I’d love to spend hour wandering through it.
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What an amazing trip. Those photos are amazing! Would love to go there.
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Santorini has always been on my bucket travel list. I love the blue domed churches and those Greek pastries look amazing.
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That movie is probably what out this city on the map for many of us! I would just love to visit someday. Lucky you!
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We visited Santorini during a cruise and I thought it was one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I’d love to go back and stay for a while.
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My son would love to go to Greece some day to see his dad’s family. What pretty photos!
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Absolutely beautiful! I would love to visit Santorini one day to soak up the scenery & gorgeous architecture.
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OMG! Why didn’t you invite me along? :-)I love the beauty of Santorini…the views are amazing!! And you had me at the ceramics
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That is definitely stunning. Those pastries looked might good too.
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My aunt married a man from Greece (not sure where in Greece) and every time she would visit she would always bring home such colorful ceramics and the best chocolate ever! Your pics are lovely!
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Wow, that looks amazing.. what breathtaking views – cant blame you for loving it!
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This is such a beautiful location. I love all of the history and that it is so close to the ocean.
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Santorini is absolutely breathtaking! I so wanna visit there someday 🙂
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Greece has been on my travel bucket list for some time. It just looks so beautiful there! You are so incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to see how breathtaking it all is in person!
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That sounds amazing! How awesome you got to experience your honeymoon there!
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amazing!! I can’t believe you didn’t take me! lol What an amazing honeymoon.
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Well, the honeymoon was almost 20 years ago, but we were just there this past summer, we’ve visited a few times…we love it there.
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Great photos! What I wouldn’t give to be in Santorini and drink in those sights!
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wow! amazing tour and amazing photographs.. make me want to book a trip down to Santorini 🙂
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the first picture is amazing! It looks like a different world out of the movie. So beautiful!
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Every since my niece and nephew went to Greece I’ve been dying to go. I hope after seeing your photos that my wish becomes a reality one day.
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