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How to Spend 1 week in Santorini
Santorini is probably one of the most recognizable islands in the world. The crater rim which rises out of the Aegean Sea is the remains of a volcanic explosion in the fifteenth century. The whitewashed cubiform houses of the two main towns, Fira and Oia, cling to the cliffs which sweep down to beaches of black, white and red lava pebbles.
Although Santorini is a small island, if you have the luxury of a whole week there it will mean that you can explore the island at a leisurely pace and really immerse yourself in the local culture, without feeling the need to fit everything into an exhausting itinerary.
The best time to visit Santorini partly depends on the kind of things you want to do. High season is June to September, this is when the weather is at its hottest so it’s prime beach time. The island is at its most crowded during this period and you’ll need to make sure that you always carry water, sun screen and a hat.
If you are planning to hike the trail from Oia to Fira, which is famous for its stunning views, you’d be best off visiting from March to June or September to November, when the weather is still good but not quite so blisteringly hot. A few years ago, most hotels on Santorini closed for the winter but increasingly more people are enjoying the island in the off season of November to March, when you can watch the famous sunsets at Oia without crowds of fellow tourists.
Although the island is small, it’s just 18 kilometres long, because of its narrow winding roads, getting around can be slow. Buses are regular and cheap but in the summer months they can be very crowded. Car hire costs about fifty euros a day but is not for the faint hearted, so although taxis are not the cheapest option they are probably the most convenient.
A great way to explore the island is to take a wine tasting tour of the island’s three wine estates. Not only will you learn about the local wine production but you’ll also get to enjoy the island’s rugged beauty and see breath-taking sunset views.
The other way to explore the island and get a different perspective, is by sea. Take a sailing cruise around the island, enjoy a lunch of fresh fish, grilled on the boat, snorkel in the bluest water you have ever seen and round off the trip with a visit to the volcanic hot springs.
One of the attractions of Santorini is the opportunity to stay in extraordinary accommodation. You might choose to stay in a traditional whitewashed house, with arched ceilings and verandas offering up spectacular views, or you might choose the luxury of one of the island’s boutique hotels.
And when it comes to eating, not only is there superb local produce to enjoy but as you would expect, there are some of the most stunning locations in the world in which to enjoy a meal. The Kapari Wine Restaurant is perched on the highest point on the island and offers superb fresh food and local wine. Right on the edge of the sea is the Asterias, reckoned by many to be the best fish restaurant on the island. There is so much to enjoy on this exquisite little island, if you have a week there, then lucky you.
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