Santorini’s Ancient Sites and Natural Wonders
When most people visit Santorini, their journey doesn’t go much further than the towns of Fira and Oia. However, the island includes some ancient sites and natural wonders that can only be reached by venturing off the beaten path. To explore some of these areas, I decided to rent an ATV to have complete freedom of driving around the island.
The hostel connected me with a nearby rental agency with ATVs and scooters available. An ATV cost about €40, which was more expensive than taking public transportation but was still a great value. After filling out the paperwork, I was off and ready to explore the outer part of the island.
Once I left Fira, I was out on the open road and was rewarded to some more Mediterranean scenery. It was another sunny day, and I enjoyed having the wind in my face as I drove around Santorini’s winding roads.
Akrotiri
My first stop of the day was Akrotiri: a Bronze Age Minoan settlement. The Minoans lived throughout Greece, including on Santorini. The island used to be much larger before its volcano erupted back in the 16th century B.C. This infamous eruption, called the “Minoan Eruption,” destroyed the entire settlement of Akrotiri and also shaped the caldera that forms the center of today’s ring of islands.
Although there was still a small crowd waiting to go inside, it was nowhere near the size of the crowds in the main villages. To save money, I opted for a €14 ticket that included entry to Akrotiri, Ancient Thera, and several other attractions around the island. I showed my ticket at the front entrance and headed inside.
Today’s site is covered by a modern-looking wood and steel roof structure, which was designed to protect the site. It replaced an older steel roof, which collapsed in 2005. Inside, I began my exploration of the rubble of what was once a great civilization!
I wandered along the metal walkways around the site, where I got a commanding view of the whole excavation. I also got the chance to follow a route through the streets of the old town, which shares many of the same characteristics as the modern villages of Fira and Oia. The streets are mostly narrow and follow the slope of the island’s terrain, while the buildings are simple in design and are built right into the ground.
Today, the town’s houses consist of no more than ruined stone walls. While exploring these ruins, I got a peek into the Minoans’ daily life. The archeologists also dug up several ceramic pieces, which are on display in the excavation.
Red Beach
Akrotiri is located right near one of Santorini’s most alluring volcanic beaches: Red Beach. This unique stretch of shoreline is my favorite on the whole island. The beach contains striking red cliffs and water that changes from a deep blue to a light turquoise as it washes up against the rocks. I got some amazing photographs of the stunning scenery as I walked along the rugged path and down onto the shore.
Along the rocky shore, there were plenty of people sunbathing, swimming, and enjoying the amazing scenery of this natural wonder. I would have loved to stay longer, but I wanted to have enough time to explore some other parts of the island.
Ancient Thera
I got back on my ATV and drove to my next destination: Ancient Thera. The entrance to the site is located near Kamari, which is a half-hour drive from Akrotiri. On the way over, I got a view of Messavouno, which stands 1181 feet over the surrounding terrain. Once at Kamari, I began my ascent up the winding road to the summit of the mountain.
After several switchbacks, I finally arrived at the highest point on the entire island. From here, I entered the site and was rewarded to a 360° view of everything around me. I could see down to Perissa on one side and Kamari on the other. I continued up the stairs until I reached the ancient city.
The city was inhabited from the 9th century B.C. up until 726 A.D. I walked through the ruins, which are spread out on top of the mountain. Similar to Akrotiri, the buildings are built primarily of stone. Although not technically an acropolis, the city still reminded me of other important Greek sites that are located on hilltops, including the acropoles in Athens and Lindos, Rhodes.
Kamari
After my exploration of Ancient Thera, I drove back down the mountain and into Kamari. This village reminded me of the beach towns I visited in Mykonos. The terrain here is flat and the beach is expansive. The only difference here is the color of the sand, which is dark black in contrast to the white sand of Mykonos.
All throughout Kamari Beach, there are many oceanfront resorts. Each one gets its own section of the beach, complete with chairs and
Perissa
After another circle around the island, I arrived at Perissa. This town has a more laid back feel to it than Kamari but still has an expansive black sand beach. I grabbed a beer at a nearby market and went for a walk. Surprisingly, the sand here has the same fine texture as any other beach.
I decided to jump into the Aegean Sea for a refreshing swim. The water here was freezing, especially compared to the relatively warm water in Florida. However, on a hot sunny day, it was the perfect way to cool off.
Sunset in Fira
It was early evening, which meant that it was time to head back into town to catch the sunset! I hopped on my ATV and rode back into Fira to return it. From there, I walked over towards the water. I climbed up the stairs and eventually reached my favorite viewpoint in the entire town, where I could see all of the cliffside buildings perched along the caldera.
Fira looked absolutely magical at this time of the day, with the low-lying sun giving the whitewashed buildings a yellow tint. The sun reflected off the blue waters as it lowered itself behind the island of Thirasia. Although Oia is still the best place on the island to watch the sunset, I enjoyed changing it up and experiencing Fira at this hour.
Once the sun fully set, I headed back to the hostel to hang out and meet some new people. Most of the guests staying the night before had moved on to other destinations. However, there were plenty of new guests that had arrived, and many of them were solo travelers. I grabbed a beer from the vending machine and told everyone about my amazing sightseeing journey around the island!