Going to visit Santorini
 

Going to visit Santorini in July. I'm 26. Need some advice what to see, where to stay and etc.

Hi Sveta, <BR>What is your budget, interests, etc? Then we can try to help. How long will you be there?

Thanks for your reply. I'm goihg to stay in Santorini for 2 weeks and my budget under $2000.00

Well since you are going in July, you'd best get your reservations in order ASAP. Santorini is a very VERY popular summer destination. We stayed at the Loucas Hotel in Fira...(we like to be near the center of town) for $77.00 per night incl. b-fest and transfer to and from the airport. It was divine... spectacular... everynight we would drink wine on our private balcony and watch the sunset over the caldera. <BR>But it may already be booked for July. There are a lot of other hotels listed on this forum that are in Oia,, which is quieter and some say less commercial. There is a lot to do on Santorini, my husband and I particularly liked the excavation sight at Ankotiri, which was fascinating, and with 2 weeks I think you will be able to visit another island in the Cyclades.. the beaches on Santorini are all either red or black sand... pretty hot. But if you are into stunning scenery Santorini can't be beat, it's magical.

I just got back from Santorini two days ago and you're going to love it. We all stayed in Oia which is at the very tip of the island. It doesn't really have a beach but it's definitely the town where all the 'Greek Island' pictures are taken, it's stunning. I'm told that the hostel in Oia and Fira is quite nice and is pretty reasonable. If you're in Oia, go to a restaurant called Thomas', it has kick ass food and is so cheap. <BR> <BR>As far as stuff to see, we took a boat over to the volcano and the island of Thirissa which was pretty interesting. The black beach was very cool too. Oh, and anywhere you want to go on the island I recommend the bus. It's really cheap and goes everywhere and you don't have to take you're life in your hands with a scooter. <BR> <BR>I hope that helps.

I am sorry to hear that you are staying on Santorini on vacation. I was just there last September. I was there for one day and night and that was enough. <BR>The island is beautiful but a total tourist trap. It is worth one day. Good Luck

Hello Sveta, I returned from Greece on Monday. My husband and I enjoyed visiting Santorini, Naxos, Paros, and Athens. I wanted a hotel on the caldera for its wonderful view. We stayed at the Enigma Apartments and paid about $95/night. It included breakfast. The place was nice and each apartment (8 total) had its own balcony. It's an A Class hotel and just a few doors down from the Hotel Lucas, another hotel I was interested in, but completely booked. <BR> <BR>I agree that you need to make your reservations now! <BR> <BR>As for sights, we visited the Boutari winery. Took the local bus there. Also visited Ancinet Akrotiri, but we were very disappointed. Not much to see. It took only 15 minutes to see it, then we had to wait an hour for the next bus to arrive. I'd suggest renting a car to get around the island. <BR> <BR>There are some beaches to visit, but we didn't do that on Santorini. <BR> <BR>For us 2.5 days (3 nights) was plenty for us. We really enjoyed walking around Fira and along the walkway towards Ia (didn't go that far). Lots of steps! <BR> <BR>Enjoyed some great meals in Fira too. And the jewelery shopping is fabulous! <BR> <BR>

I'm with "a" but, regardless, two weeks in Santorini sounds like an awfully long time. You might want to consider adding another island or two.

You must stay at SUN ROCKS on Santorini the hotel, view, EVERYTHING was incredable. If your going for two weeks I would reccomend visiting some other islands as well. Paros, Mykonos, etc... It's very cheap (and quick) to fly or ferry from island to island. <BR> <BR>Have fun!

I have to disagree about Sun Rocks (Liz, I'm not knocking Sun Rocks at all!). Although it was one of my choices in hotels, after I found out it was 1/2 mile from the town of Fira, I decided on Enigma (other choices were Lucas and Kavalari). Tony and I walked to Sun Rocks to meet Evi, who corresponded with me, and see a couple of their rooms (very nice, especially the honeymoon suite! and yes, great views). It's a good walk beyond the town of Fira on very hilly walkway with lots of steps). If you want to be in the center of Fira with all the restaurants, shops, post office, bus stop, etc., I would not recommend any hotel in Firastefani. We were happy that we weren't in Firastefani. Although it's .5 miles, it's a good hike to town. <BR> <BR>I can recommend Enigma Apartments, as well as Hotel Lucas and Hotel kavalari. All three are next to each other (with Hotel Panorama in between - don't stay there as a couple moved to our hotel after one horrible night.) <BR> <BR>I agree that 2 weeks is long for Santorini. We did three nights each in Santorini, Naxos, Paros, and Athens. We're not big beach goers anymore, so a little taste of each island was fine for us. Paros has very nices beaches. <BR>

Hi Sveta - my partner and I usually stay on Santorini for 10 days and do nothing but go to the beach. Our fave is Perivolos. The hotel we stay at is Hotel Keti in Fira ([email protected]). The price this year for single or double is Drs.16.000 (about USD45). It's on the edge of the caldera and has fantastic sunset views. The ruins at Akrotiri are worth the effort but go early in the day to avoid the heat from the metal roof! Boutari is our favorite Santorini wine. Oia is beautiful but 30 minutes away from Fira. There is bus service from Fira to all beaches and to Oia. If you need more info, please email me. <BR>John

Monica, did you actually stay at the Kavalari? Maybe it's improved but when we were there it was grungy and very poorly managed.

Santorini is wonderful, and two weeks there will be luxurious. We spent a week there a few years ago, and had enough time in the week to see much of the island--the wineries, the ruins, the beaches, the big towns (Ia and Fira), but also--and these are an important part of the island--the small villages like Pyrgos and others. Given two weeks, we would have used Santorini as a base to take day-ferries to other islands. DON'T MISS the day-trip into the caldera which takes you to the volcanic island of Nea Kameni, to the hot springs and to another island (forget its name--sorry) on the northwest rim of the caldera. And most of all--enjoy yourself! <BR>Howard

Hi April, <BR> <BR>No, we stayed at the Enigma Apartments next door to Kavalari. I met one person who said they had a nice room at Kavalari. We could see over the wall into their terrace area, which was filled with plants. It was one hotel I was interested in but picked Enigma because each apartment had their own private balcony. At kavalari, some are shared. <BR> <BR>We too liked the Boutari wine! <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>