There’s a cause Santorini is without doubt one of the hottest journey locations in Europe.
From the white cave homes perched over glistening water to a number of the most stunning locations to observe the sundown to scrumptious Greek meals, it’s a dream vacation spot Greece, and Europe, for that matter!
Whereas islands like Mykonos are recognized for his or her events, Santorini is far more laid again.
It’s an unbelievable place for a romantic getaway and honeymooners. And it’s additionally a beautiful place to get a style of journey! Whilst you can simply splurge, you can even journey Greece on a funds. Listed below are useful ideas for touring the Greek Islands!
We stayed in one of the standard cities — Oia — which served as a unbelievable base to discover extra of the island.
And what higher option to discover the island than on a self-guided ATV tour?
We achieved this itinerary in in the future, however it will be straightforward to spend a number of days in Santorini earlier than island-hopping your approach by Greece. Attempting to determine what different locations to go to? Take a look at my fast information to one of the best Greek Islands to go to!
Not staying in Oia? No downside! You’ll be able to simply modify the itinerary primarily based in your start line.
Although, should you’re simply starting to plan out your Santorini journey, most folk normally keep in Oia because it’s the long-lasting postcard place (simply take a look at all these attractive pictures to encourage your journey!). When you’re aren’t staying in Oia, I’d extremely advocate stopping there for probably the most unbelievable sundown of your life.
Wish to discover the island in full? From cliffside church buildings to gorgeous seashores — right here’s the last word self-guided ATV journey round Santorini!
An Overview of the 1-Day Itinerary
- Begin in Oia
- Fira — Three Bells, Skaros Rock
- Santo Wines
- Megalochori — Coronary heart of Santorini + Church buildings Carved Into the Cliff
- Crimson Seaside
- Akrotiri
- Pit Cease at a Well-known Bakery
- Perissa Black Sand Seaside
- Again to Oia for Sundown
The location we rented our ATV from: Santo Moto
Lease an A T V in Santorini
I gained’t be the primary to inform you that Oia is totally attractive. However you’d be doing your self a disservice should you solely stayed in Oia and didn’t discover extra of Santorini. In my view, one of the simplest ways to do that is by renting an ATV!
There are greater than a handful of locations to hire an ATV from in Oia (and across the island), so that you’ll undoubtedly have choices.
The place we rented from was proper on the entrance of Oia, and I believe it might have been barely dearer than different locations. So do your analysis and store round.
Additionally, verify to see in case your lodge/lodging affords to arrange the ATV rental for you. Some properties will deal with the rental course of, so it’s value wanting into!
Renting an ATV prices round 30 to 50 euros per day. When you’re visiting Santorini throughout the excessive season (July – August), it’s possible you’ll wish to make a reservation beforehand. Nonetheless, more often than not you possibly can stroll in and reserve an ATV on the spot.
The License You Have to Lease an ATV
Vital:
We went to get info on the ATV earlier than renting and so they have been in a position to present us with all the information we would have liked: an Worldwide License was required. The excellent news? It’s really tremendous straightforward to get.
You’ll be able to receive the Worldwide License right here for less than $24 and get it emailed to you to print inside a number of hours of ordering.
I’d recommend doing this earlier than your journey or a minimum of the day earlier than renting your ATV, simply so you’ve it in time. They will rush it, nevertheless it may cost a payment, and it’s higher to be protected than sorry.
Useful Ideas for the A T V
Be conscious that the seat on the ATV is normally black and throughout the summer time it will get INCREDIBLY scorching in Santorini. Many of the ATVs have somewhat field to retailer issues—and I’d advocate packing towels, water bottles, and sunscreen to reapply.
You’re mainly within the solar your complete day. What we’d do is lay one towel down on the seat in order that once we would sit on it, we wouldn’t expend…however we have been undoubtedly sweating. We just about wore simply our swimsuits for the entire day.
When you’re parking someplace, depart the towel masking the seat because the black seat will entice daylight, and it retains it from getting unbearably scorching.
Pack loads of water, cash, and your license so that you’re good to go and discover!
When It Involves Security
Be sure to observe warning and be conscious of the roads — as you’d should you have been driving every other car. There are fairly a number of bending roads with out guard rails, so drive sensible. Take the corners steadily and “learn the highway.”
Word: the picture shared in the beginning of the put up was just because we have been posing on the ATV, every other time our helmets have been strapped on.
Moreover, in case you are caught not sporting a helmet, this might invalidate your journey insurance coverage and end in hefty fines.
I notice helmets aren’t probably the most modern factor to put on, however be sure that to put on it on your personal security.
Opting to not put on one isn’t well worth the threat—I do know fairly various people who’ve been critically injured on journeys (whether or not it was their fault or not) as a result of they weren’t sporting helmets. So please put on one!
Fira
First Cease: Fira
From Oia, you’re going to drive south alongside the coast. The first cease you’ll make is the subsequent “massive” city: Fira. Fira (additionally spelled Thera or Thira) is Santorini’s capital.
In Fira, you possibly can see the Three Bells of Fira.
Formally generally known as The Catholic Church of the Dormition, you may need seen pictures of this iconic church earlier than. Its three attractive bells and blue dome are frequent pitstop as a result of actually picturesque views for days and days.
As a heads up, it may be fairly awkward to truly {photograph} the bells, so preserve that in thoughts!
My advice is to go away Oia early within the morning, go to the Three Bells, after which hand around in Fira for somewhat bit longer to have breakfast.
A couple of 5-minute drive north from the Three Bells is an space the place you possibly can hike out to Skaros Rock. Whereas we didn’t find yourself doing this—you could possibly doubtlessly begin right here first earlier than heading right down to the Three Bells.
Second Cease: Santo Wines
It may be fairly touristic, however you could possibly cease right here and do some wine tasting or have a mid-morning snack (particularly should you skipped breakfast in Fira…otherwise you’re simply ensuring you get to pattern the entire native meals in Greece — I don’t blame you!).
Third Cease: Megalochori
There are two little church buildings on the coast referred to as the church buildings of Agios Nikolaos and Our Woman of Plaka, and they’re constructed into the cliffside. How cool is that?
You’ll be able to attain the church buildings through a steep path which affords views of the Santorini caldera. Additionally within the space of the hike to the cliff church buildings is that this darling yellow church, too.
So many church buildings, so little time!
The village, Megalochori, is a real hidden gem with its labyrinth of winding alleys, whitewashed homes, and sooo a lot appeal. Total, the city is sort of sleepy however should you’re trying to wander in a quaint Greek village, this can be your cup of tea!
Right here you possibly can pop by an space that’s known as the “Coronary heart of Santorini.” It’s a small heart-shaped gap that naturally carved into the caldera, and you’ll see the ocean by it.
Fourth Cease: Crimson Seaside
We went all the best way across the southern tip of the island to Crimson Seaside. When you’re making your approach across the island in a counter-clockwise loop, you possibly can’t miss it. The indicators are fairly apparent and can level the best way.
There’s additionally a White Seaside you possibly can go to, however the true stunner is Crimson Seaside, which is known for its purple cliffs.
We deliberate to go and cling on the market for a short time, and we ended up spending nearly two hours right here. You’ll be able to swim out to the rocks and it’s general a stunning place to discover.
Useful Tip:
Fifth Cease: Akrotiri
If in case you have the time and it pursuits you, make a cease at Akrotiri archeological web site. Whereas it may be fairly touristic—when else are you going to discover historical ruins in Greece?
Courting again to the Minoan occasions, Akrotiri was a Cycladic Bronze Age settlement that was destroyed in a volcanic eruption someday across the 16th century BC. As the location was buried in volcanic ash (very similar to Pompeii), a lot of it’s preserved—so that you’ll see issues from frescoes to artworks.
It’s been stated that this settlement could have impressed Plato’s story of Atlantis.
Whereas we didn’t go, should you’re desirous to be taught extra about historical Greek historical past, that is the place!
Cease at Theofanis for Scrumptious Greek Meals
Whereas within the space, one thing you actually don’t wish to miss is the family-run restaurant: Theofanis.
I’m nonetheless drooling considering of their fried feta with black sesame seeds and honey. It’s candy and savory and all types of deliciousness.
Santa Irini Bakery
Sixth Cease: The Well-known Bakery of Santa Irini
In your option to the Black Sand Seaside, make a cease at Santa Irini, which is a well-known bakery. I extremely advocate getting a field of cookies right here!
Whether or not you wish to seize recent pastries or cookies, an iced espresso, or recent orange juice—that is the place! There are a great deal of breads and scrumptious goodies to attempt: baklava, sesame breadsticks, typical Greek treats.
Make a Pit Cease for Cookies!
Open 24 hours, Santa Irini is value making a pit cease at…and also you may end up wanting to come back again right here a number of occasions.
When you’ve labored up an urge for food, it’s possible you’ll wish to attempt a standard spinach or cheese pie!
Perissa Black Sand Seaside
Seventh Cease: Perissa Black Sand Seaside
On the best way to Perissa Black Sand Seaside, you possibly can resolve the way you wish to journey that route. We in the reduction of up and round — however determine what works greatest for you (should you didn’t cease at Akrotiri, you possibly can head straight right here).
Proceed on to Perissa Black Sand Seaside. Whereas this isn’t shocking…be ready — the sand is VERY scorching, so watch out.
There’s far more seashore infrastructure at Perissa in comparison with the Crimson Seaside. At Perissa, you possibly can hire a seashore chair, umbrella, whereas on the Crimson Seaside you’re just about by yourself.
Total, Perissa is extra snug should you’re desirous to spend nearly all of your time on the seashore. So, should you’re wanting a real seashore day, plan to hang around at Perissa for a greater portion of the day.
Drive Again to Oia
We drove again towards Oia with none actual agenda as mainly all the primary roads finally lead again to Oia. Use this time to discover — and discover an epic spot for sundown (Oia by no means disappoints).
When you’re not staying in Oia, 100% keep right here for sundown and seize a chunk to eat.
They’ve received scrumptious gyros that are basically pita bread stuffed together with your alternative of lamb, beef, halloumi, french fries, or veggies. Select from souvlaki, kebabs, handmade sausages, and seize a chilly beer whilst you’re at it.
These are the primary highlights in relation to ATV-ing round Santorini and exploring the seashores and exquisite church buildings.
When you wished to interrupt up this itinerary and hire an ATV for a number of days, that’s undoubtedly an choice. Whereas Oia is extraordinary, it’s very nice to get out and see extra of the island and locations which are devoid of vacationers.
Have you ever explored Santorini earlier than? Let me know within the feedback under!