Greece’s trademark island of Santorini is famous for its blue and white architecture, its glorious sunsets, and its place as a top winemaking region of the world.
Santorini is located in the Southern Aegean sea, approximately 200km southwest of the Greek mainland, and is the southernmost island of the Cyclades island group, with a population of around 15,550.
However, the Santorini you see today is very different from what it used to be. Around 1600BC a catastrophic volcanic eruption tore the original circular island into three fragments, creating the islands of Santorini, Therassia, and Aspronisi. Legend has it that this eruption is where the legend of Atlantis originated from!
Santorini has been a melting pot of civilizations for years with the initial settlers on the island being the Minoans, arriving in Santorini between 2000BC and 1600BC and settling in what is nowadays known as the area of Akrotiri. The Phoenicians followed and in time came the Dorian Greeks, the Romans, knights and even pirates.
Today Santorini is a thriving tourist destination that receives an average of 2 million tourists each year. With its beautiful villages, unique ecosystem, and stunning panoramic views of the Aegean sea, it is definitely a destination for everyone’s bucket list.
It is impossible to visit Santorini and not try our trademark local delicacy, ‘fava’; almost as impossible as not doing a Wineways tour! Made of yellow split peas, onion, garlic, lemon, and extra virgin olive oil, it is a dish of high nutritional value, rich in carbohydrates and protein, with a velvety taste, that can be served in a variety of ways. You can find it as a spread with freshly chopped red onions or accompanying capers, octopus, meat, and various other delicious combinations. Us Santorinians are very proud of our fava, as it is a PDO (Protected Destination of Origin) product, due to the particular species of pea that is reported to have grown exclusively on Santorini’s volcanic soil for the last 3,500 years!
One of fava’s favorite accompaniments, capers, are found in all kitchens across the Aegean islands, often supporting salads, and they are known for their distinct pickled, spicy taste. In Santorini, they are preserved under the sun, and only when the delicious little green buds harden and are ready for consumption they are packaged and soaked in brine and sauces. Wild caper bushes can be found in all sorts of unexpected places around the island, sprouting out from the Santorini caldera or even erupting through the stone walls. We recommend trying them as a meze accompanying our traditional fava, a combination of exquisite tastes and aromas.
Another proud PDO product of Santorini, is its unique cherry tomato, a.k.a ‘tomataki Santorinis’, a variety that exclusively grows on the island’s volcanic soil, an aspect that majorly contributes to the fruit’s distinctive flavor.
First planted in 1818 by a Christian monk and rumored to have originated from the Suez Canal, it only took a few decades for the island’s residents to begin cultivating it. The cherry tomato’s cultivation was majorly assisted by Santorini’s minimal rainfall and maximum sunlight, which created an ideal environment for the tomatoes to thrive in.
In time, the industry grew and the variety also began to be used to produce tomato paste, making it one of the most salient productions in Santorini and eventually leading to the creation of the Tomato Industrial Museum. Worth mentioning is the fact that this distinct cherry tomato variety has never been mixed with another and it is known to have the largest lycopene concentration of any other fruit or vegetable!
Here at Wineways, we are all about giving you the chance to explore all the hidden gems our beautiful island has to offer, and the village of Pyrgos, a medieval fortress settlement, is definitely one of them.
Pyrgos is located 8 kilometers southeast of the capital, Fira, and it is a traditional Cycladic village of whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches, and cozy, paved alleys. Rumored to have been the island’s capital in the 18th century, Pyrgos is home to one of the five Santorini castles, the ‘Castelli of Pyrgos’, built in the mid-16th century.
It is also the highest village on the island, offering the most ‘instaworthy’, panoramic views that will take your breath away. Away from other, often overcrowded, parts of the island, Pyrgos is a breath of fresh air; an opportunity for you to get lost in charming alleys, visit shops and cafes, relax and take some fantastic photos.
The village of Megalochori is a must-see during your stay in Santorini, boasting a charming mix of traditional Cycladic and neoclassical houses, impressive churches, and breathtaking views.
Located 9 kilometres southwest of Fira, it is a traditional settlement with cobbled paths that will lead you to houses with high fences and solid doors, originally built to protect the residents from pirates!
From Agios Nikolaos church, you can admire a classic Santorini sunset from the Caldera cliffs, and towards the east, you can take in the abundant number of vineyards dotted around the island’s fertile ground. Here you can also see where the magic happens, as the vineyards in Megalochori produce some of the most prominent Santorini wines.
Two beaches can also be accessed from the village, either by boat or on foot, the beautiful Thermi, and Plaka, beaches with black sand surrounded by red rocks offering a lesser-known aspect of Santorini’s beauty.
Avoid the crowds, take in the views and enjoy exploring a different side of Santorini, one that you will undoubtedly enjoy.
Although Santorini is not famous for its beaches, its unique ecosystem boasts beautiful beaches with black volcanic sand and crystal clear waters.
Kamari Beach is located in Kamari village, approximately 10 kilometers southeast of Fira, and is a 5-kilometer long coast of black volcanic sand and black pebbles. As one of the most popular beach resorts on the island of Santorini, Kamari beach is fully equipped with sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, and other facilities. Snorkeling, water sports, and diving opportunities are also available if you feel like partaking in some exciting activities, and if not, you can bask in the glorious Santorini sun, splash around in its mild waters and take a stroll down the promenade which is full of cafes, bars, and restaurants. Kamari has a parking area available for anyone arriving with their own vehicle, but you can also use one of the public busses that depart from various parts of the island.
The coastal village of Perissa is located next to Kamari, however, the villages are separated by the mountain ‘Mesa Vouno’, and Perissa beach is located right at the base of the mountain. Typical of Santorini’s morphology as a volcanic island, Perissa beach also boasts black sand alongside crystal clear, blue waters. Just like Kamari, this beach is also organized and has numerous facilities for the whole family to enjoy. Along the promenade at Perissa beach, you will also find many cafes, and restaurants to choose from. Reaching Perissa can be done by bus, or even with your own vehicle that can be parked in the designated parking area.
