Santorini Part 1 was all about where we stayed but now for our adventures exploring this dreamy place.
I loved loved loved the blue and white everywhere we went, the Greek’s national colours which were even more striking against the bright blue skies. Iconic whitewashed villages built into the cliffs.
Wandering around Oia was magical. Our hotel was down some steep steps off of the main street, a marble lined walkway leading to the end of the island with various domed churches, boutiques and restaurants along the way.
Amoudi Bay is located three hundred steps below Oia but it’s well worth the trek down {and back up!}. It has tavernas serving fresh fish right on the waterfront, cute traditional fishing boats in crystal clear water and a popular spot for people swimming off the rocks.
Donkey’s are iconic in Santorini and have traditionally been used for carrying heavy loads and a way of transport in the narrow streets and cliff paths where cars can’t go. However I did feel sorry for the ones being exploited for tourism carrying visitors back up the steep climb to Oia. There is a post about the cruelty they suffer here.
I loved the sparkly turquoise waters with all the boats bobbing around. We walked down to Amoudi Bay one lunchtime and sat by the water eating seafood while a regatta of boats passed us. Again, in May it was fairly quiet and we had a good pick of restaurants and seats but in the summer it might be best to book or get down there early. In the evening you can watch the sunset and hit the water. You do pay a premium for food by the sea so lunch can be better value depending on which restaurant you visit.
We definitely burned our lunch off walking back up to Oia, the steps are so steep everywhere you go with it being built on the cliffs. But in return you get amazing views like this when you reach the top:
There were postcard perfect views every corner we went around in Oia, it really is the most incredible place. And I loved overhearing other tourists’ reactions to the views, middle aged well travelled Australian’s and American’s were wowing out loud and there was a shared spirit of everyone appreciating just how unforgettable this place really is unlike anywhere else I’d been before.
We had to stop for endless photos with each view. I was fascinated by the number of Asian photo shoots going on out there, you’d see at least three bride and grooms, we couldn’t work out if they were genuine or not dressed up with tripods each day.
We’d seen a lot of Oia after a few days so decided one morning to walk the 10km along the coast path to Fira then got the bus back. Public buses are super cheap, luxurious and efficient in Santorini and so easy to use. You can look up the timetables and routes online or ask your hotel or at the bus station in each town. There are only about sixty taxis on the whole island and as a result they charge a lot per journey so I’d definitely recommend using the public buses.
We watched the sunset every night, on our last night we sat and had dinner at a restaurant called Kastro in Oia for dinner watching it sink into the water. I don’t think I’d ever get bored of the changing colours of the sky and surrounds.
Such a magical trip, one of those that I wish we could go back to tomorrow but you know would just never be quite as special as the first time. I thoroughly recommend a trip there if you are thinking of going away. We love you Santorini.
R <3 xx
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