Where is Santorini?

Santorini island is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea that is fairly considered the gem of Greece!

You have surely heard rumors about the unique beauty of Santorini and its breathtaking views! But where exactly is this magical island?

Let’s find out the answer to this question, as well as basic information about Santorini, in the ultimate travel guide that follows!

Location of Santorini

Santorini is a stunning Greek island located in the southern Aegean Sea. It's part of the Cyclades island group.

The Greek Island of Santorini or Thera, as it is also known, belongs to a complex of islands, called the Cyclades, located in the southern Aegean Sea and sharing the same unique traditional characteristics and architecture. Other famous islands that form the so-called Cyclades are Mykonos, Paros, and Naxos, equally beautiful as Santorini and very easily accessible by ferry boats that connect them.

Santorini is actually the southernmost Cycladic Island and lies between the Greek islands of Ios and Anafi. It is located approximately 128 nautical miles southeast of the Greek mainland and about 63 nautical miles north of Crete, the largest Greek island.

How to get there

Reaching Santorini by plane is the quickest and easiest way

Being one of the most popular islands in Greece, the connection of Santorini with the mainland and other islands is easy:

Ferry Connection: While it seems a slightly distant island, it can easily be reached through ferries that depart from Athens, the capital of Greece, allowing it also to connect with many other islands of the Aegean Sea. Ferries also run from other islands, such as Mykonos, Milos, and Naxos, therefore, you may combine your visit with visits to other beautiful destinations in Greece.
Flights: There are plenty of flights from Athens International Airport every day, as well as direct flights from other European countries, which makes it even easier to get to this popular holiday destination.

Why visit Santorini?

Santorini Island has a huge reputation for being one of the most romantic and picturesque destinations in the world, attracting honeymooners, photographers, and all types of travelers, who wish to experience its unique beauty. Here are a few of the highlights and reasons why it is so admired worldwide and worth visiting:

The famous Volcano: The volcanic landscape, which was formed due to the volcanic eruption that occurred years ago, is the most defining feature of the island. The creation of the Caldera with the whitewashed buildings and Blue domes on it, offers a beautiful setting that cannot be missed.
Magical Sunsets: The sunsets in Santorini are phenomenal, especially from the village of Oia, where the reddish sky reflecting its colors to the white houses offers a unique postcard-perfect picture.
Unique Beaches: Shaped after the volcanic eruption, the beaches of Santorini are the most extraordinary ones a visitor can see. Beaches such as Perissa or Red Beach offer a mixture of black sand, and red sand, which along with the volcanic surroundings, create an impressive landscape.
Historical Sites: Santorini is home to several historical sites, including the ancient city of Akrotiri, referred to as the "Greek Pompeii", giving a great insight into ancient civilizations. Another famous sight is Ancient Thera, a place that travelers visit to see the ruins of the Hellenistic, Roman, and Byzantine periods.
Winemaking tradition: Centuries of winemaking are gathered in Santorini. Because of the volcanic ground, there is a wide production of wines, especially Assyrtiko, showing special mineral qualities. Wine tastings and wine tours have also been popular activities on the island.

Historical Aspects

Satellite image of the crescent-shaped island of Santorini

The island complex of Santorini has a magnificent history that dates back centuries and can easily be connected to several myths. The formation of this crescent-shaped island, as it is today, is the outcome of several volcanic eruptions that occurred throughout the centuries, especially the massive prehistoric eruption that led to its desolation for a long period of time.

In fact, during Ancient times Santorini had a circular shape and it was called Stroggili, which means round in Greek. However, after the massive volcanic eruption that occurred in 1,500 BC, the inner part of the island sank, and after the several earthquakes that followed, a big part of the rest of the island was destroyed. As a result, separate islands were created, as well as the impressive Caldera of Santorini, which is a unique and imposing spectacle that cannot be found elsewhere in Greece.

Specifically, the municipality of Santorini includes the island of Therasia, which holds a small population, and the uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, and Aspronisi. Santorini’s area covers a length of 16 km and a width that ranges from 1 to 5 km. This means that visitors can wander around the island easily and quickly, as it takes about 45 minutes for someone to drive from the northern end of Santorini to the southern one (e.g. Oia to Akrotiri villages).

Today, Santorini’s striking landscape reminds us of this important past, and while visitors arrive on the island ready to be amazed by its dramatic beauty, they are also offered the chance to feel and meet its glorious history.

Once you visit Santorini, you cannot help but agree that it is one of the most spectacular islands in the world and the most admirable one, especially if someone considers that severe catastrophic events led to the creation of this unique natural sight! We can fairly say that this beautiful island was born from the ruins!