Best Places to Visit in Greece: Santorini

September 5, 2016
Oia Santorini Greek Islands
Last month I visited the charming Greek island of Santorini. This place had been on my bucket list for a few years now. I've seen many photos of beautiful sunsets and white buildings with blue domes that made me dream of magical summer nights. The place was just what I imagined, endless white houses on top of this massive cliff  that look like snow from far away and crystal clear water. As I mentioned last week the visit was part of a cruise so we didn't spend as much time on the island as we'd have liked. In fact we weren't able to enjoy the famous sunset views because we had to be back on the ship before 8pm. 
Santorini Greek Islands
Access to the island is quite complicated unless you arrive by plane (check out the airport's website here). Big ships can't reach the port so we had to get there by boat. The port is at the bottom of this volcanic island so to get to the top you must use a cable car. The other option is to ride a donkey, however, I think that this is animal abuse and should be punished by the law. Do me a favor, if you go to Santorini, DON'T ride the donkeys. The poor animals are forced to carry tourist to the top (there are 600 steps) at high temperatures from morning to sunset. Locals make it look like a tourist attraction as if this was cute and harmless by selling donkey soft toys to kids. I'm surprised there isn't a movement to end this atrocity. I wish more bloggers showed what's going on instead of just taking pictures of donkeys and saying how cute they are and how "perfect" is a vacation in Santorini. I hope I'm not putting you off if you want to visit the island, I just want to show is that all that glitters is not gold. Now that I've got that off my chest let's continue...

There are two main villages to visit: Oia and Thira (also called Fira), both packed with tourists. Oia is a spectacular but tiny place. Most pictures you see of Santorini around the internet are of Oia. There's only one street and it consists of great shops (most of them are not the usual cheap souvenir ones) and a few Greek churches, the other paths lead to private villas with pools and hotels which make up most of Oia's buildings.
Oia Santorini Greek Islands

Oia Santorini Greek Islands

Oia Santorini Greek Islands

Oia Santorini Greek Islands

Oia Santorini Greek Islands

Oia Santorini Greek Islands

Oia Santorini Greek Islands

Oia Santorini Greek Islands

Oia Santorini Greek Islands

Oia Santorini Greek Islands

Oia Santorini Greek Islands

Oia Santorini Greek Islands
Thira is another picturesque village. It is the main town of Santorini island, located on the top of a cliff as well. Its central location makes it a good base to use as there are buses from many other parts of the island. It's a great place to walk around and do some shopping while admiring the colorful houses and spectacular views of the sea.
Thira Fira Santorini Greek Islands

Thira Fira Santorini Greek Islands

Thira Fira Santorini Greek Islands

Thira Fira Santorini Greek Islands

Thira Fira Santorini Greek Islands
We had a great time in the island despite the donkey issue. If we were to come back, we'd probably stay at one of Oia's villas, it's a wonderful option if you are looking for a peaceful and relaxing holiday by the sea.
Have you ever been to Greece? Would you like to visit Santorini?
xo Cristina

14 comments

  1. 100% agree about the donkeys, when I was there on a cruise all of the cruise employees advised against going on the donkeys, they really do abuse them with whips and don't feed them while they wait to walk people up and down :(

    But I LOVED santorini, it was so beautiful! Probably one of my favorite Greek Islands :) x
    Kenzie // Kenzieblogslife.blogspot.com

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  2. Precioso Santorini !!
    http://www.pperlenoirstyle.com

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  3. I'm so glad that some cruises are telling people not to ride the donkeys. Animal abuse makes me both angry and sad. Most kids love animals, why do some people change when they grow up and become torturers? I just can't understand it.

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  4. Santorini is on my bucket list of places to visit!! It looks absolutely stunning, but can only imagine how much MORE amazing it is in person! <3

    BlondieInTheCity.com

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  5. I am so glad you finally got to cross Santorini off your bucket list. Its also been on mine for a long time. The pictures look absolutely gorgeous, the view is amazing. It makes me want to go even more. Thanks so much for sharing xo, Emily

    http://bailylamb.com

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  6. Santorini looks absolutely breathtaking. It looks so beautiful. I simply have to go there one day. I just showed the photos to my boyfriend and he was like: we need to see that island at some point. Of course, I agreed. Thanks so much for sharing these amazing photos. It looks like an incredible vacation :)

    www.thesparklingdarling.com

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  7. This Island is so gorgeous it's beauty never ceases to amaze me.

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    Adventures in LakeLouise & Snake mythology
    http://artadorned.com/2016/09/adventures-in-lake-louise-snake-jewelry-lore/

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  8. Beautiful post dear! I would love to visit Santorini!!

    mystylishcorner.blogspot.ba

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  9. Santorini must be really a dream!
    xx from Bavaria/Germany, Rena
    www.dressedwithsoul.com

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  10. Your vacay looks like it came straight out of a dream! Such stunning photos!

    XO
    StyleByPear

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  11. So gorgeous! I'm very jealous of your vacation :)

    x, Tyler | http://tinymisstyler.com

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  12. omg what an incredible place, how amazing
    xo
    www.laurajaneatelier.com

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  13. Don't you just love it there. It's one of the destinations I've been where I could literally go back a million times.

    Megan
    Denton & Lou

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