The mythological creation of Santorini

Whitewashed houses, idyllic beaches, amazing volcanic landscape and breathtaking views are just a few things that make Santorini, part of the Cycladic archipelago in Greece, a world-renowned holiday destination.

Surrounded by the beautiful Aegean Sea, the two main towns on Santorini, Fira and Oia, have their houses built into the cliffs above an underwater crater creating spectacular images famous worldwide.

Romantic creation

As the mythological creation of the island goes, as Jason and the Argonauts were returning home they stopped at a small island, Anaphe (Anafi). Euphemus had a dream where he made love to a nymph, the daughter of the sea god, Triton. Afterwards, she told him she was pregnant and needed a place to hide as her father would be furious. So after Euphemus woke up and they began to sail away, he threw a chunk of earth from Anaphe into the sea, and a miracle began with an island forming from it, creating a hiding place for the nymph to have her baby. Now, if that isn’t romantic I don’t know what is. Some believe they witnessed the creation of the island from a volcano as it was being born. There are also stories that Santorini has ties to the lost city of Atlantis.

Whether you go there for the scenery, the romance or the history, it will be an incredible adventure to check off your bucket list. And, of course, let’s not forget about the wines and flavours from Santorini. One of the oldest wine-producing areas in the world, many of the wineries on the island of Santorini are now open to visitors and some have turned into museums. Make sure to visit and do a little wine tasting of your own.

With the island’s fertile volcanic soils, and the combination of the Aegean breeze, the local agriculture has a unique and top-quality taste. Grown on the island are fava beans, white aubergines, capers and cherry tomatoes. Tantalize your tastebuds with incredible fresh Greek food for a gastronomic experience you’ll never forget.

Photo-worthy sunsets

With Fira and Oia facing west, the sunsets are second to none. One of the most famous spots for sunset viewing in Santorini, known worldwide, is the Castle of Agios Nikolaos in Oia Village. On the northwest coast, prepare to have your breath taken away with the unparalleled sunset and colours in the picturesque surroundings of the caldera, the volcanic islands in the vast Aegean Sea.

Don’t forget to visit the archaeological site of Akrotiri. Navigate through the remnants of the city and see an incredible network of buildings and rooms filled with earthenware. Akrotiri was buried under volcanic ash and remains one of the best-preserved ancient settlements in the Aegean. 

With everyone always talking about the white sands of the Caribbean, you will be able to tell them about the incredible Perissa black sand beach. As a result of the volcanic activity that created the island, this idyllic beach in Santorini lets you walk on the beautiful black sand, surrounded by crystal clear waters teeming with fish, making for excellent snorkelling.

Surrounded by other islands, day trips from Santorini are very popular. If you’re looking for intense nightlife, fine dining, exclusive beaches and the luxury of cosmopolitan experiences, Mykonos is the place for you. Or if you would rather explore the untamed Greek nature and get familiar with the traditional way of life, then Crete is the place for you to check out. While there you can visit the mountain villages of Crete and taste amazing dishes with the locals. Also, a must-do while on Crete is to do some cultural sightseeing at the Minoan Palace of Knossos in Heraklion.

So as you can see, the memories to be made here are endless. With countless other islands available to visit, Santorini is one of the most amazing islands in the Aegean Sea. Make sure Santorini, Greece, is on your Bucket List. 

Oh, did I forget to mention that Santorini is an active volcano?