Santorini Greece - Beaches, Sightseeing in Santorini Architecture Oia, Imerovigli, Fira, Kamari, Firostefani Santorini Island

Santorini Greece is considered by many to be one of the best vacation destinations in the world. It has a unique aura that can be found nowhere else on earth, a mystifying beauty that enchants travelers from all over the globe.

On Santorini, one can find exquisite beaches, impressive ancient sites, and quaint traditionally-built villages. But what Santorini Island is most celebrated for is the Caldera and the sunset view. Thousands of people flock here every year to admire the golden sunset and to take pictures of this spellbinding natural phenomenon.

Santorini beaches are some of the finest in Greece, with colorful sand, surrounded by dramatic cliffs. Close to Oia Santorini, visitors can go to the beautiful Santorini beaches of Armeni and Amoudi, which are located below the settlement of Oia and are accessed by steps or by sea. These Santorini beaches are easily accessed from Fira, Firostefani and Imerovigli. On the northeastern side of the island are the lovely Santorini beaches of Baxedes and Vourvouros. The most popular Santorini beaches are situated on the eastern side of the island. Probably the most frequented is the Kamari Santorini Beach. In reality, it is a stretch of sand from Perivolos to Monolithos, passing through Kamari and Perissa. There are good roads leading to this Santorini beach from Fira, Firostefani, Oia and Imerovigli. On the southern coast of Santorini Island, you will come across the stunning Red and White Santorini beaches. Both are beneath impressive cliffs and have splendid sand. You can visit the finest beaches in Santorini, by participating in the organized excursions offered by Matt Holidays.

Santorini sightseeing is a wonderful adventure. The island is famous for its ancient monuments and unique architecture. Perhaps the finest Santorini sightseeing attraction is the Akrotiri site, a breathtaking Minoan settlement that has been preserved throughout the ages. The Akrotiri site is a complex of houses buried under volcanic matter until its discovery in 1866. Visitors of Santorini should most definitely visit the Akrotiri site, as it is a one-of-a-kind experience. Ancient Thira is another amazing archaeological site in Santorini Greece. Ancient Thira was a great religious, commercial and cultural center, with temples, a theater, a graveyard, a stoa and an agora. A visit to the site of Ancient Thira is a must during your stay on Santorini Island.

Santorini architecture is unique, with houses that are carved into the cliffs, creating small whitewashed caves that stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Apart from the “cave” houses, Santorini architecture is characterized by manors and charming churches. The Catholic and Orthodox Cathedrals in Fira are stunning, while there are many smaller Cycladic-style churches scattered throughout the island. Fira and Oia are home to several wonderful museums, which display artefacts from the archaeological digs in the Akrotiri site and Ancient Thira, as well as objects from rural and naval life in Santorini Greece. By taking a stroll through the picturesque villages of Oia, Imerovigli, Fira, Firostefani and Kamari, you can admire the splendid features of Santorini architecture and really get a feel for the island. Tours and excursions to the historical sites and the traditional villages on Santorini Island are provided by Matt Tours.

And last, but certainly not least, don't forget to try all the scrumptious dishes of the famous Santorini cuisine. The most popular delicacies are fava – a lentil dip with onion and lemon -, squash balls, tomato balls, fried white eggplant, sun-dried tomatoes and a plethora of fresh fish dishes. One of the stars of Santorini cuisine is wine. There are three varieties of Santorini wine: athyri, asyrtico and aidani. Santorini wines have a special taste, due to the volcanic properties of the island's soil.

MATT Holidays has selectedfor you a variety of excellent accommodations on Santorini Island!