Santorini is a place I believe everyone wants to visit. Preferring to avoid crowds, I chose an autumn trip for myself.
The last Wizz Air flight on October 12th, Thursday, had tickets for a hard bargain of 15 €. My task then was to find a connecting flight home. I managed to get one with a stop in Athens for about 73 € for the three flights.
Those who have read some of my reports know I don’t like to stay long in one place. This time was the same, but I thoroughly explored four locations.
Surprisingly, many were on the last flight there, the plane departed and landed on time. From the airport, I took a bus to Fira. All buses start from the capital, and you buy tickets on the bus (a ticket collector goes around collecting the fare).
The buses have a schedule, but let’s just say it’s quite flexible. They regularly depart once they’re about full. I experienced this last year during my trip to Crete.
Table of Contents
Fira
Located in the center of the island on the western cliff edge, Fira is the hub. I arrived while it was still light to see the wonderfully lit city and buildings.
You could tell it was mid-October, fortunately, it wasn’t too crowded. Of course, there were many people, but you could walk, gawk, and take photos at ease.
Since Santorini is very popular as a cruise ship stop, you can almost always see ocean liners stationed in the water. Thursday evening, I saw five ships.
Oia
The most beautiful part of Santorini, where iconic photos are taken. Here too, you must wander through the entire town. In places, you can walk through narrow alleys; it could be challenging to navigate during peak season.
Buses run every 20-30 minutes from Fira and back, the journey itself is beautiful. Especially the trip there, as you reach Oia via a road carved into the cliff.
The best view in Oia is from a small castle on the western edge: the windmills and the step-like arrangement of houses. And of course, the two islands in front of us.
Imerovigli
A continuation of Fira to the north, this small village is worth the walk, except for a few hundred meters, it can be done among houses.
And it’s definitely worth the walk! There are far fewer people, and the view is just as stunning. Plus, there are several great spots to view Fira.
Kamari
I read in several places that besides the above, it’s worth visiting here. However, after Fira and Oia, you arrive in a city of a completely different character.
Kamari is famous for its black beach and the large rock rising in the southern part of the town. On its top is the ancient city of Thira, which can be reached via a winding road. I skipped this.
Despite being mid-October, there were quite a few people on the beach and swimming in the sea. The long promenade is lined with restaurants, which were quite sparse in the early afternoon.
Overall, the fascination with Santorini is no coincidence. Fira, especially Oia, is truly a wonderful place. It has its charm both during the day and when lit up at night; I can’t decide which is more beautiful. Let’s just say it’s gorgeous either way.
However, I recommend not traveling here during peak season! The number of tourists was pleasant now, no crowding, and the weather was very good. In summer, just looking at pictures and videos shows how crowded it can get.