Santorini

We were up at 4am again on Wednesday for our second island day trip, this time to Santorini.  We're able to catch an express bus to the airport about a 20 minute walk from our apartment.  On the return, we take the train/metro back to an even closer spot next to the Acropolis Museum which is only a 5 minute walk from the apartment. The metro doesn't run early enough in the mornings to take both ways or else we'd be doing that.  Total cost for the round trip is only 15 euros, which is way less than a cab and just as quick considering the traffic.

Fira

Santorini is a very popular stop with the cruise ships, to the point of overcrowding with loud complaining from the locals. This year there have been protests around overtourism and Santorini has been one of the most talked-about places where this is a problem.  Fortunately, we're here during off season and there are no cruise ships.  Flying to the islands has been a huge time saver.  Today, it was a total of 35 minutes from the time our plane pulled out of the gate in Athens to the time in pulled into the gate in Santorini.

Caldera Beach

The main two towns on Santorini are Fira and Oia.  Fira is where the cruise ships pull into and Oia is known for its fabulous sunsets where many people (me included) take the iconic Santorini photo.  Both towns feature the same style of mostly white buildings and blue-domed churches, and they are both on top of the cliffs with sheer drops down to the water.  Cruise ship passengers have to make a steep climb from the port up the hill with many switchbacks or opt to take a donkey ride.  There is also a cable car which is great, but I understand from my research it can be a very long wait time when lots of ships are in port.

Akrotiri Archaeolgical Site

Because we had a rental car we were able to drive and see the island from one end to the other.  We visited the Akrotiri Archaeological site which has only been excavated since the 1967.  Akrotiri was a Minoan town that befell the same face as Pompeii in Italy in that it was buried in ash from a volcanic eruption.  Radiocarbon dating estimates the eruption to have occurred approximately 1600 BC.  The entire site is still being excavated and is totally under roof and enclosed to protect it from the elements.  We then drove to the southern point of the island to see the Akrotiri Lighthouse.

Caldera

The volcanic eruption that buried Akrotiri created a huge caldera which we drove along as we passed through Fira up to Oia.  Oia is mostly pedestrian with narrow alleys as you work your way down the cliff side to the various shops, houses, and stores.  It is very picturesque and easy to see why it's so popular.  While most things in Oia appeared to be open, Fira seemed like a ghost town with many restaurants and shops closed for the season.

Santorini was great, but I wouldn't want to visit with cruise ships.  With so many the narrow lanes, I can only imagine it's wall to wall people.  Coming in the off-season and having a car was much preferred for our style of travel.  We caught all of the sights we wanted at a leisurely pace and got the iconic photo without jostling with lots of other people.  That's a win.

Iconic Photo of Oia