Santorini, Greece, May 2021

By Ali Karim
This post is part of a series called Greece 2021
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Santorini, Greece, May 2021

After a wonderful week in Athens, we left for Santorini island, the famous Greek island. We took a short 45 minute Aegean Airways flight from Athens direct to Santorini. There, we were picked at the airport up by the car rental company we had booked a car with, taken to their offices nearby, filled out all the paperwork, and off we went to Oia pronounced (EEya).

Santorini, officially called Thira, is an island in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km (120 mi) southeast from the Greek mainland. It is the largest island of a small circular archipelago (formed as a cauldron of a volcano). The island was the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history: the Minoan  eruption (sometimes called the Thera eruption), which occurred about 3,600 years ago at the height of the Minoan civilization. The eruption left a large caldera surrounded by volcanic ash deposits hundreds of meters deep. Several sides of the crater collapsed into the sea many years later, and the caldera is now part of the Aegean Sea. Santorini forms the southernmost member of the Cyclades group of islands, with an area of approximately 73 km2 (28 sq mi) and a 2011 census population of 15,550.

We had booked to stay at the Marriott hotel on Oia, and at that time, it was reasonably priced as Greece was just opening up for tourism. We drove to Oia, which is located at the north end of the island, and since Oia is a town perched on the steep volcanic rim, roads were narrow and parking was valet only. Also, it was steps, steps, and more steps to get to wherever you wanted to go, due to the steep hillsides. We checked in and got prepared to check out the island.

First impressions: The towns of Oia and Imerovigli (Fira) on Santorini and its other inhabited volcanic island of Therasia are simply spectacular sights. These towns are all built on steep hillsides of the volcanic crater, and are all whitewashed, and church tops/dome/spires are all painted light blue. They look like they are clinging on for dear life onto the clifftops 😊 . And the Aegean sea is deep aqua blue, the skies are clear blue. It is truly a beautiful landscape, and I have to agree with the waiter in Athens who told us everyone should visit Santorini once in their lifetimes.

Some scenes below from Oia, and Imerovigli (Fira), the town just south of Oia.

Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Town of Oia on the northern end of Santorini island
Town of Oia on the northern end of Santorini island
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Town of Imerovigli as seen from Oia
Town of Imerovigli as seen from Oia
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Oia town as seen from our hotel, with the island of Therasia in the background. Note the blue domed church on the hilltop in Oia
Oia town as seen from our hotel, with the island of Therasia in the background. Note the blue domed church on the hilltop in Oia

Oia from our hotel

The hotel staff had known that it was Dilshad’s birthday a few days before (while we were in Athens); and they kindly prepared a nice surprise for her regardless

Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Happy B’day, Dilshad 😊
Happy B’day, Dilshad 😊
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Stunning views from Imerovigli overlooking Therasia island
Stunning views from Imerovigli overlooking Therasia island
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Imerovigli town
Imerovigli town
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Imerovigli and Oia on Santorini
Imerovigli and Oia on Santorini

One evening, we drove down a steep road down to the sea for dinner at Ammoudi Bay near Oia, There are several restaurants that were all quite full for sunset dining. The setting sun produced interesting colors on the cliffs of Oia.

Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Ammoudi Bay and the multiple seafood restaurants at sunset
Ammoudi Bay and the multiple seafood restaurants at sunset
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Sunset Dinner at Bourbounaki (Μπαρμπουνάκι Σαντορίνη) restaurant in Ammoudi Bay; excellent fresh seafood
Sunset Dinner at Bourbounaki (Μπαρμπουνάκι Σαντορίνη) restaurant in Ammoudi Bay; excellent fresh seafood
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Amazing sunsets on Santorini at Ammoudi Bay
Amazing sunsets on Santorini at Ammoudi Bay
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Town of Agia Eirini on Therasia island in the background. Lots of small boutique hotels everywhere like these in the foreground; a testament to the amount of tourism in Santorini
Town of Agia Eirini on Therasia island in the background. Lots of small boutique hotels everywhere like these in the foreground; a testament to the amount of tourism in Santorini
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Steps to ……
Steps to ……
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Stunning views everywhere
Stunning views everywhere
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, View from Imerovigli to the southern part of Santorini Island
View from Imerovigli to the southern part of Santorini Island
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Commercial but quaint, as not too many tourists yet
Commercial but quaint, as not too many tourists yet
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Those restaurants look interesting at sundown; beautiful locations in Oia
Those restaurants look interesting at sundown; beautiful locations in Oia
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Closeup view of the town of Agia Eirini on Therasia island
Closeup view of the town of Agia Eirini on Therasia island
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Lots of steps everywhere
Lots of steps everywhere
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Oia port/ferry; and steps leading to/from Oia town above
Oia port/ferry; and steps leading to/from Oia town above

Not sure how they sustain such building on the steep volcanic crater sides in the event of earthquakes or storms/landslides. But they seem to have managed well. Since the “desirable” part of the towns is on the cliffside, there are no roads there, just footpaths and plenty of steps to get to all the whitewashed houses and boutique hotels. Parking is on the other side of the cliff, where the land is flatter.

We travelled to several different parts of Santorini and it is only the western edge of crescent shaped Santorini island that is we saw the steep cliffs plunging into the aqua-blue crater waters. This is also where most of the tourists go as it is the most beautiful part of Santorini. The other (eastern) side of the island is relatively flat and gentle slopes to the sea. The island is fairly small (12 miles long and ~2.5 miles wide) so its easy to get around. Some of those sights are below:

Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Beautiful Greek Orthodox churches everywhere; whitewashed with blue domes. Love the tiered church bells. Overlooking the aqua blue Aegean sea and clear blue skies
Beautiful Greek Orthodox churches everywhere; whitewashed with blue domes. Love the tiered church bells. Overlooking the aqua blue Aegean sea and clear blue skies
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, The other side of the island that is not so steep; and much less densely populated
The other side of the island that is not so steep; and much less densely populated
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, We visited one Greek Orthodox church, and there was a team of congregation members who were cleaning the church; no English, but they invited us to have fruit juice and some baked snacks with them 😊 ; so we did. Very nice of them
We visited one Greek Orthodox church, and there was a team of congregation members who were cleaning the church; no English, but they invited us to have fruit juice and some baked snacks with them 😊 ; so we did. Very nice of them
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Center & east of the island has small untouristed towns
Center & east of the island has small untouristed towns
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Town of Pyrgos, central Santorini
Town of Pyrgos, central Santorini

Views of Santorini

Santorini, Greece, May 2021, View of the caldera sea from Megalochorion town, and the path down to the sea with church at the bottom
View of the caldera sea from Megalochorion town, and the path down to the sea with church at the bottom
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, View of the caldera sea and islands from the Akrotiri lighthouse at the south western end of Santorini island
View of the caldera sea and islands from the Akrotiri lighthouse as the south western end of Santorini island
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Beautiful peaceful scenery at the southern end of Santorini Island
Beautiful peaceful scenery at the southern end of Santorini Island

Fresh seafood was always the best on the island; but about 2-3x as expensive as in Athens. Since this is a heavily touristed place, a volcanic island and not enough food is grown locally, most food and all supplies are imported into the island; hence the cost. And this was just the beginning of the tourist season ☹. We stuck mostly to seafood

Santorini, Greece, May 2021, The beaches were mostly small pebbly black sand beaches
The beaches were mostly small pebbly black sand beaches
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Great restaurant locations on the island away from Oia and Imerovigli
Great restaurant locations on the island away from Oia and Imerovigli
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Great seafood & vegetables everywhere
Great seafood & vegetables everywhere
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Beautiful sunsets every day
Beautiful sunsets every day
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Nightviews
Nightviews
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Nightview of Imerovigli on the clifftop
Nightview of Imerovigli on the clifftop

One day, we took a drive to the eastern end of the island, and checked out Perissa town; seafood on the beach was great with far fewer tourists and more of a local dining experience

Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Perissa town
Perissa town
Santorini, Greece, May 2021, As local a dining experience as we could find, on Perissa beach
As local a dining experience as we could find, on Perissa beach

We then drove via Prygos to Prophet Elias Monastery from Perissa

Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Sunset at Prophet Elias Monastery
Sunset at Prophet Elias Monastery

The monastery is built on a hilltop that is the highest point (567meters above sea level) on Santorini, so great views and of course, the sunset. Unfortunately, this monastery was closed by the time we got there, but the beautiful sunset was the prize

Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Sunset view from the Prophet Elias monastery
Sunset view from the Prophet Elias monastery

We drove by the windmills of Santorini, but did not see any activity there so not sure if they were active or not. I suspect is that many of them have been converted from the original flour mills (using wind power) to hotels and B&B’s.

Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Windmills on Santorini
Windmills on Santorini

After several days on Santorini, it was time to leave to go to Mykonos. We had planned to take a ferry from Santorini to Mykonos, the 2nd island on our trip. We drove to the ferry terminal in central Santorini west coast.

Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Drive down to the Ferry port on Santorini
Drive down to the Ferry port on Santorini

All the car rental companies had offices here at the ferry port, so we dropped off the rental car, and took the ferry (prebooked a day earlier) to Mykonos.

Santorini is jaw droppingly beautiful, and definitely worth visiting once in a lifetime. But it is a tourist trap, so be prepared. We had excellent weather and even hot at times. Well worth visiting.

Mykonos next

Our trip so far

Santorini, Greece, May 2021, Trip till Santorini
Trip till Santorini
This entry was posted in Greece, Greece trip May-June 2021, Santorini

30 thoughts on “Santorini, Greece, May 2021

  • Pingback: Mykonos, Greece, May 2021 - Ali Karim Travelog Greece

  • Shamim Surani October 20, 2023 at 7:59 am Reply

    Wow Mashallah, Oia Whitewash village. Beautiful.
    OMG, you guys are blessed.
    May Allah gives you more power and energy to explore more.
    Ameen

    • Ali Karim October 20, 2023 at 12:47 pm Reply

      THanks for the kind words Shamim.
      We thank Allah every day for the life he has given us all

  • Shamim Virji October 19, 2023 at 12:22 pm Reply

    Santorini – heaven. I really enjoyed the beautiful island. Thanks for sharing and it brought lots of memories on my last trip. Beautiful pictures. Keep safe and protected.
    Regards,
    Shamim.

    • Ali Karim October 19, 2023 at 12:32 pm Reply

      Thanks Shamim; glad you concur with me that this island is indeed very beautiful.
      Always thankful for good memories 🙂

      Take care

  • Mahamud Jinnah October 16, 2023 at 9:43 pm Reply

    Wow; such a beautiful place. Need to go there.

    Is it not amazing that the church offered you juice and snacks?
    Kindness is universal.

    • Ali Karim October 16, 2023 at 9:46 pm Reply

      Indeed it is a beautiful place. One of the most beautiful I have had the fortune to visit.
      You are correct; People are generally kind and caring mostly.

  • Naznin Meghji October 15, 2023 at 9:51 am Reply

    We absolutely loved Santorini when we had a brief visit a couple of year ago. Loved your blog and pics. Would love to return.

    • Ali Karim October 15, 2023 at 10:27 am Reply

      Thanks Naz, for the feedback. Glad you enjoyed your trip and happy that you are enjoying the blogs

  • Almas Suteria October 11, 2023 at 8:25 pm Reply

    Thanks for sharing its on our bucket list .
    Regards
    Almas Suteria

    • Ali Karim October 11, 2023 at 8:39 pm Reply

      You will love it Almas.Go for it.

  • Gulzar Paroo October 11, 2023 at 8:25 pm Reply

    Absolutely heavenly
    Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories. Always appreciate “travelling” with you and Dilshad. Look forward to your next venture.
    Gulzar Paroo

    • Ali Karim October 11, 2023 at 8:38 pm Reply

      Thanks for the feedback Gulzar; glad you are enjoying traveling with us 🙂

  • shama shams October 11, 2023 at 9:49 am Reply

    Your Pictures are just amazing. Been to Santorini and it is breathtaking! Thanks for sharing.

    • Ali Karim October 11, 2023 at 8:38 pm Reply

      🙂 thanks for confirming my opinion that Santorini is breathtakingly beautiful

  • Nevin Harji October 6, 2023 at 2:27 pm Reply

    Absolutely wonderful…wow..seems like you both were on a different planet. Every moment on your journey must have been a gem…beautiful sunsets, fresh sea food….and surrounded by turquoise blue waters..what more does one need eh..?? Thanks for sharing .. Nevin Harji.

    • Ali Karim October 6, 2023 at 4:24 pm Reply

      Thanks so much for the feedback; the journey was indeed wonderful with such beautiful nature surrounding us.

  • Shemin Thobani September 28, 2023 at 11:54 am Reply

    As always love to read your blogs.
    So true; Santorini is very touristic but worth the visit!!

    • Ali Karim September 28, 2023 at 11:59 am Reply

      Thanks Shemin for the feedback; glad you enjoy the blogposts 🙂

  • Sultan Esmail September 28, 2023 at 10:12 am Reply

    Thank you for sharing your travels. You guys are really adventurous and blessed to be able to travel so much.

    • Ali Karim September 28, 2023 at 10:18 am Reply

      Thanks so much for the feedback, Sultan.
      We are indeed blessed to be able to pursue our dreams of travel
      Thanks again

  • Irfan Kerawala September 27, 2023 at 2:34 pm Reply

    Really enjoyed this blog.

    • Ali Karim September 28, 2023 at 10:45 am Reply

      Thanks Irfan, glad you enjoyed it.
      And thanks for the feedback

  • Alnoor Macklai September 24, 2023 at 11:07 am Reply

    We have been all over Greece and Santorini was one of our favorite places to visit. Glad to see you enjoyed. It is indeed like stepping into paradise.

    • Ali Karim September 24, 2023 at 1:01 pm Reply

      It is indeed Alnoor; thanks for the confirmation of the beauty of Santorini.

  • Dilu Mamdani September 15, 2023 at 2:47 am Reply

    Enjoyed reading and learning about Greece . You are blessed

    • Ali Karim September 15, 2023 at 3:57 am Reply

      Yes, we are indeed blessed.
      So glad you enjoyed the blog

  • Amir Mulji September 14, 2023 at 2:53 pm Reply

    Glad you made it to Santorini

    • Ali Karim September 14, 2023 at 2:55 pm Reply

      Thanks Amir; I am glad we went there

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