SANTORINI
Vacations and Sightseeing

Basic information
Official language	Greek
Capital	Fira
Area	91 km²
Population	15,550  (2011)
Currency	euro  (EUR)
Web	.gr
Code.	GRC
Tel.	+30

Popular destinations GREECE

Aegina	Alonissos	Andros
Chios	Corfu	Crete
Hydra	Kalymnos	Karpathos
Kefalonia	Kos	Lefkas
Lesbos	Mykonos	Naxos
Paros	Patmos	Peloponnese
Poros	Rhodes	Samos
Santorini	Skiathos	Skopelos
Spetses	Thasos	Zakynthos

Vacations and Sightseeing

Santorini was included in the top 10 'best islands in Europe' by the well-known site Tripadvisor in early 2014. Santorini finished 10th, and the top 10 also included the Greek islands of Naxos (2nd), Milos (5th), Kefalonia (6th) and Paros (10th).

During the summer months, an average of about 60,000 tourists per day stay on Santorini. It is possible to make a tour of the island by bus. One passes by rocks that are differently coloured, depending on the types of metal that are present in the soil and in the volcanic rock, for example more ferruginous rocks are coloured redder.

In the capital Thira, one can descend on the donkey trail to the old harbour, but there is also a cable car. Furthermore, it is possible to visit the underground remains of the town of Akrotiri, which provide a real picture of the high Minoan civilisation that ruled the island before it disappeared under the rubble.

Santorini is also said to have one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world and is also known for its white houses with bright blue roofs, which are often found on postcards and travel guides.

Those staying in Crete can visit the island for a day by boat, ships sail from the port of Iraklion, and entering the archipelago is an experience in itself. Spending the night on the island is, of course, also possible.

Lord Byron said of this place: It is the only place that ever gave me satisfaction, and a quote from Norman Douglas is: Santorini certainly has a view that cannot disappoint anyone.

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Sources

Wikipedia

Sheehan, S. / Santorini
Thomas Cook

Oswin, T. / A-Z guide to Santorini
Arima

CIA - World Factbook

BBC - Country Profiles

Last updated April 2024
Copyright: Team The World of Info