TRAVEL TIPS ~
Known for my love of travel I’m often asked for travel tips and recommendations and this got me thinking that a travel section of my blog might help others to get the most out of their adventures around the globe. So to start here are my top 5 things to do in Santorini.
We visited in late April and the weather was seasonably warm which meant that we had good weather and also the rarity of seeing Santorini without masses of tourists – win, win! We stayed in a small village called Finika just a short walk from Oia. Our hotel Finika Memories, had a bus stop just across the road which made it a great base from which to explore the island. Being a short walk from Oia also meant that the accommodation price wasn’t quite as much as Oia itself. In my opinion if money were no object then Oia is hands down THE place to stay when visiting Santorini, closely followed by Imerovigli.
TIP NUMBER 1 – RED BEACH
Although there are warning signs for landslides this beach remains a popular spot for visitors to the island. Buses are easy to hop on and off of and for us proved to be the best way for us to travel across the small island. From our hotel in Finika we caught a bus to the capital Fira and change onto the Akrotiri bus which stopped right by the sea. From there it was a short walk along the coastal road or along the beach to get to Red Beach.
When we arrived at the beach we were struck by the contrasting colours of the turquoise sea against the red of the volcanic rock and sand. A visit to Red Beach could also be paired up with a visit to the archaeological site in Akrotiri.
TIP NUMBER 2 – SUNSET DINNER IN OIA
The crowds gather at sunset to watch one of mother natures most spectacular shows – the Santorini sunset. If you are looking to have dinner whilst watching the sunset I’d recommend a traditional Greek Cafe and Meze Balcony called Elinikon which was perfect for watching the sunset. Make sure you book a table up on the balcony for the perfect views of the windmills in silhouette behind the most stunning sunsets.
If you’d prefer to watch the sunset at the castle and eat once the sun has set then another highly recommended dinner spot is Candouni. Tucked away down a cobbled side street this restaurant is a must for the best local dishes and live traditional music. The staff here were extremely helpful, when we enquired about a local dish that wasn’t on the menu they were more than happy to ask the chef to make the dish for us.
TIP NUMBER 3 – HIKE OIA TO FIRA
The 12km hike from Oia to Fira is a must for those who like to get active on holiday. The footpath follows the coastline with awesome views of the Caldera, although some of the route was steep it was worth it.
We stopped for lunch halfway in the beautiful town of Imerovigli which, like Oia, has traditional hillside cave settlements and views across the Caldera and the volcano. There are plenty of great places to eat and soak up the atmosphere of the quaint village.
If you are making this hike in the warm weather, make sure you pack water and snacks!
TIP NUMBER 4 – A VISIT TO THE CAPITAL FIRA
Fira is the capital of Santorini and has a bustling market and lots of fabulous restaurants. Fira is also a great place to watch the sunset and enjoy the Greek nightlife.
TIP NUMBER 5 – EXPLORE OIA DURING THE DAY
Oia is great for exploring during the day. The meandering paths and hidden alleys means there are so many special treasures to see which made it a dream for me as a photographer.
Please get in touch if you are looking for any travel advice. I’m also available for destination weddings and happy to travel throughout the world to capture your special day. Also available for photography in and around the London and Essex area, I come to my clients offices across Maldon, Chelmsford, Colchester, Brentwood, Shenfield, Braintree, London and others.
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