Santorini ferries

Santorini is worthy known for its volcanic feature and the most romantic sunset in the world. Situated in the southern Cyclades complex of islands, Santorini is visited by more than 6 million tourists every year, making it the top Greek island and one of the most favorite destinations in the world.

Also known as Thira, the history of Santorini is prevailed by an enormous volcanic eruption that happened at about 1,650 B.C. and had serious impact for the Mediterranean basin. This eruption not only cut the originally round island in many pieces, giving it its present form, but also destroyed the town of Akrotiri on Santorini covering it in ashes and raised so high tsounami waves that destroyed the Minoan civilization of Crete. Many scientists connect this eruption with the myth of Atlantis and others with the Exodus of Moses from Egypt. However, there are no proofs for these connections, just speculations.

Santorini today is a volcanic complex, which apart from the known cresent island, also includes other uninhabited islets, such as Aspronisi, Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni. One particularly stunning geographic feature of the island is the breathtaking caldera, which was formed as a result of the volcanic eruption. With steep cliffs on three sides, this caldera provides breathtaking views of the sea and the volcano.

Inhabited since 3200 B.C. by the Minoans, Santorini had a rather quiet history in the ancient times. Its development started in the Medieval Era, when the Venetians conquered the island and made it a commercial and economical centre. Many Castles and monasteries were built that period as well as elegant mansions that remain well preserved till today.

Fira and Oia are the most photographed and most picturesque villages of Santorini. The are built amphitheatrically on the edges of the caldera and give wonderful views of the sea and the sunset. Houses are small and white, roads are narrow and paved, while at every corner you will meet mules transporting passengers in the traditional way. After all, mules were the only way of transport on Santorini till 1979. Museums and churches are scattered all over these villages. To enjoy the view even more, have a coffee at the numerous cafeterias with balconies.

Beach resorts on Santorini also get very popular. The busiest are Perissa, Kamari and Perivolos, as their water is clean and they have a lot of water sports clubs in the surrounding. Tourist amenities on Santorini are certainly plenty, spread all over the island and of all categories. It can be easily reached by plane or ferry. There are many regular and charter flights to the airport of Santorini, while the trip from the port of Piraeus to the island takes about 5 hours.

Normal Ferries:
A normal ferry from Piraeus takes about 8 hours to reach Athineos, the port of Santorini, while more modern ferries will need about 6 hours. The length of the trip depends on the type of the vessel and its itinerary. Apart from Piraeus, Santorini is also connected in frequent itineraries to two other important Greek ports: Thessaloniki (the trip takes about 20 hours) and Heraklion, Crete (4 hours by normal ferry).

Santorini is linked to other Aegean islands, so you can expand your Greek holidays visiting another island, except from Santorini. In particular, it is linked by normal ferry to Anafi (1 and 1/2 h), Folegandros (2 and 1/2 h), Ios (about 2 h), Amorgos (4 h), Kimolos (7 h), Kythnos (10 h), Milos (5 h), Mykonos (2 and 1/2 h), Naxos (3 h), Paros (4 h), Syros (7 h), Serifos (9 h), Sifnos (8 h), Sikinos ( 2 h), Skiathos (18 h) and Skopelos (16 h).

Flying Dolphins:
Apart from normal ferries, there are also many hydrofoil itineraries to connect Santorini with other Aegean islands, such as Heraklion Crete (the trip takes about 45 min), Rhodes (1 h), Folegandros (1 h), Ios (40 min), Koufonissia (2 h), Mykonos (30 min) and Paros (1 and 1/2 h). The trip by hydrofoil is certainly quicker than by normal ferry, but you cannot take your car with you or heavy luggage.

Links for Santorini
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