From Volcanic Eruption to Sunsets

The Aegean islands are widely considered one of the most beautiful destinations in Greece – and unsurprisingly so. When it comes to romantic settings, the picture-perfect splendour of gleaming blue and white colours is difficult to top.

A stroll through the streets of Fira, Santorini’s capital, is a bit like entering a fairy tale world. The restaurants, bars and residential buildings are all kept in white, with a nuance of blue details that add to the beauty of the striking sea views. The island’s Mediterranean climate plays its part by supplying hot summers and mild winters, thus making Santorini the perfect getaway from dreary weather elsewhere.

A tour de force of nature

The origins of the island group are fascinating: thousands of years ago, powerful eruptions led to the creation of a caldera – a cauldron-like volcanic depression that forms a crater. The caldera filled up with water, and some of the fragments that lie above the water are what make Santorini today. The excavation site of Akrotiri is equally fascinating: the city, once buried by a volcanic eruption, boasts amazingly high standards. Featuring red sand and a rock face, the Red Beach located behind Akrotiri is one of the most remarkable beaches on the island.

Evening spectacle of nature

The neighbouring village of Imerovigli attracts visitors with sights that include the Skaros rock. Though the climb to the top is strenuous, the reward to be reaped at the summit is a uniquely splendid view. Hikes can be done from there to Oia. As the day draws to a close, people fill the streets of Oia to watch the sun go down. A truly magical moment!