Sept 2021 I was lucky enough to visit the magical island of Santorini! September is the perfect time to visit this magical island, the weather was warm (26+) but not too hot, most days there was a lovely mild breeze which kept us from overheating. We stayed in Santa Maris in Oia. The hotel is situated just outside the main area of Oia, a short (but steep) 5-10 minutes walk into the heart of Santorini. Space is at a premium in this perfect but tiny town, so Santa Maris offers you a beautiful pool & bar area with amazing sunsets a short walk away from the hustle and bustle of the town centre.
Things to know –
- Foody Heaven – pace yourself – every restaurant you visit in Oia is better than the last, This place is foodie heaven from Crispy Feta Donuts (my favorite) with watermelon chutney at Ferindi to freshly caught fish at the 1800 to the slow cooked lamb at Sphinx to freshly caught fish at Amoudi Bay Fish Tavern – view and setting lovely. Try Pelekanos on Sunset Terrace for a cheap and cheerful dinner with delicious fish and meatballs and a good view.
- Shoes – leave the heels at home – Santorini is a flats only type of island, nice flats but flat shoes all the same. Towns are cobbled and streets are on an incline so runners, flip flops and sandals are ideal.
- Hiking – Fira to Oia. Top tips start in Fira, not the other way round!! We took a taxi to Fira to start the hike (about 30 euro) and walked back to Oie. The walk takes about 2.5 hours along the cliff edge and at times, it was a little daunting but the views are amazing. We ended our hike in Oia and settled in for a long deserved lunch and cocktails. I would recommend the route we took as the inclines are very steep in places and this route to be the best option. It also allows you to end up back home in Oia with an abundance of lovely restaurants to choose from to have a refreshing lunch and beverage after your hike.
- Views – there are no bad views in Santorini, this is the place you see on the postcards advertising Greece, it has snow white domed roofs and deep blue seas. It’s breathtaking. Even today I look at the pictures and am blown away by the beauty of the island.
- Trips – we took a catamaran around the island for half a day. It was worth it to see a volcanic island from the sea, swim off the catamaran and visit the sulphur springs.
- Shopping – there is amazing shopping in Oia but be warned it is expensive here (more so than home!). Lovely clothing and jewelry boutiques to wander and peruse in the evenings.
- Nightlife – Oia is more focussed on food and restaurants than bars but there are a few to visit in the evenings. Cocktails and the local Crazy Donkey beers and Ales are readily available. We frequented Fino and for cocktails after dinner Hassapiko on the mainstreet.
As I write this blog today, 12 months on, I would love to be heading back there next week. It was one of the best holidays I had in a long time.