I have heard it said that Mykonos is where you go to party and Santorini is where you go to relax. And, really, how could it not be relaxing when they have the sunsets that they do?!
The vibe of Santorini is definitely much more laid back than Mykonos which was exactly what we were looking for. The island is full of amazing things to see and some of the best food you will have in Greece. Keep reading to find where to stay in Santorini, what to eat in Santorini, and everything else you need for a memorable trip!
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Where to Stay in Santorini
We stayed at Erato Apartments, just outside of Fira. We booked through AirBnB and arrived to the pleasant surprise that the place essentially was an apartment complex functioning as a hotel. As we walked through the complex to our room we were excited to find the grounds had a pool surrounded by sun chairs, vending machines with beer, and a place for breakfast if you wanted.
Our room was basically a small two bedroom apartment complete with kitchenette and balcony with an ocean view. And while it’s not right in the middle of the action, we found it was only a short walk (under 20 minutes) to the heart of Fira. We could instantly tell we had chosen a great place to unwind after long days in the sun.
Santorini Nightlife
Now don’t let it’s reputation for relaxation fool you – we were there to celebrate and being in Santorini does not mean that comes to a stop!
Fira has several nightclubs that get a good party going with DJs playing late into the night. We wandered the streets at night after a late dinner and they still were buzzing with people. You can buy a local beer and walk the streets, sample Ouzo, or if you haven’t eaten or even if you have go to Yogi Gyro in Fira square for a lamb donner (find this place and eat here is all we need say!)
Santorini Boat Tour
Other then eating, one of my favourite things that we did in Santorini was spend a day on sailing with Santorini Yachting Club. Setting out from Ammoudi Bay, we sailed past volcanos, hot springs, the Indian Rock, Venetian Lighthouse, Red Sand Beach and White Sand Beach on board a catamaran with an open bar. It’s really the perfect way to spend a birthday in the company of family and about 15 new friends eating yummy food, drinking, and enjoying the sun and sights of Santorini.
For those who are interested, we took the Taiti80 Day Tour but they have lots of options; including sunset tours. We highly recommend any of their tours, we had a great time and saw the island from a different point of view.
Where to Eat in Santorini
Argo Restaurant Santorini
If you want stunning sunset views and a splurge-worthy meal look no further than Argo Restaurant. We could not have chosen a better place to celebrate Tianna’s birthday. From our pretty Aperol Spritz’s glowing in the sunset right through to dessert, every bite was nothing short of delicious. We were totally blown away!
What to See in Santorini
Wineries in Santorini
One of the best parts of travelling is learning about the unique culture of a place. Mark and I particularly like it when we have a chance to learn the inner workings of something. For Santorini, an island with volcanic earth and high winds, it is actually so interesting to learn how they found creative ways to produce wine.
At Wine Museum -Koutsoyannopoulos Winery not only do you get to learn the history of wine making in Santorini but your ticket also includes a tasting of the wines they make.
Sunset in Oia
We spent the good part of an afternoon in Oia taking pictures, shopping for souvenirs, and waiting for the sunset. It was very hot and busy with tourists but it is one of the places you can guarantee a view of those iconic white buildings with their domed blue roofs. The other famed view in Oia is the sunset.
People flock to the west side of the city to catch the sunset as it sets into the ocean. If you want the perfect shot for IG, you’ll need to show up at least a few hours before sunset to snag a good spot. Castillo Oia was our spot of choice but we were not the only ones with this idea.
Tip: On hot days bring lots of water and something to protect yourself from the sun. Once you are in place waiting for the sunset you cannot really move unless you want to lose the prime spot you have carefully scoped out.
Another option is make a reservation at a restaurant to avoid hangout in a jam packed crowd but you have to do this well in advance and we did not plan for that.
Santorini Top Tips
Have Cash on Hand
If you are able to, be sure to have cash as not all places will take cards. We did not plan for this and were able to use cards at hotels and restaurants but had cash for small stores and souvenirs.
Fira vs. Oia Sunset
Overall our favourite sunsets were in Fira. I personally liked the view and the less crowded option of sitting in a restaurant as the sun set on the day. We hope we have shown you a glimpse of the lively and picturesque place that is Santorini. We loved this beautiful island and know that it is well worth the trip.
If you have questions, drop us a line at [email protected] or comment below. We would love to hear from you and help where we can as you plan for an adventure in Santorini!
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