Amazing sunset in Santorini, Greece

Just when we thought we had done all the fun things there was to do in Santorini after our Tiny, Skinny Greek Wedding, we found that there was more!  On our last full day on the island, we went cruising around the caldera on a sailboat which took us hiking on volcano island, swimming in hot spring, and provided us a romantic setting for a spectacular sunset viewing. It was a perfect ending to our wedding week in paradise.  

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Cable car in port of Fira, Santorini, Greece

We started the half-day sailing trip from the Old Port of Fira. One of these funiculars took us from the high cliff of Fira down to the Old Port. If you’re feeling energetic and don’t mind the heat, you can reach the Old Port by foot via the steep stairs.

 

Old port of Fira, Santorini, GreeceThe Old Port of Fira

Sailing from Fira, Santorini, Grece

View of Fira from our wooden sailboat.

Sailing in Santorini, Greece

Sailing away.

Sailing away from Fira, Santorini, Grece

The spectacular view as were sailing away from Fira.

Sailing in Santorini, Grece

View of another sailboat and the villages on the cliff from our sailboat.

Lovers in Sailboat in Santorini, Greece

Young lovers on our sailboat.

Boats docked in Nea Kameni, Santorini, Greece

Our boat docked in the volcanic Island of Nea Kameni in the middle of the caldera.

Hiking on Nea Kameni, Santorini, Greece

 Hiking up to Nea Kameni.

On Nea Kameni, Santorini, Greece

On top of Nea Kameni.

Crater of Nea Kameni, Santorini, Greece

The volcanic crater of Nea Kameni. Its last eruption occurred in 1950. Scientists closely monitor it for any seismic activity.

Nea Kameni, Santorini, Greece

People walking on the rim of the crater. Villages of Santorini can be seen in the background.

On top of volcanic rocks.

Hot spring, Santorini, Greece

From Nea Kameni, we sailed to the adjacent island of Palea Kameni, where people jumped from the boat to swim in its hot spring.

Thirassia, Santorini, Greece

Sailing close to the island of Thirassia.

 

View of Ammoudi and Ois from sunset cruisePort of Ammoudi and Oia came into view.

View of Ammoudi from Sunset cruise, Santorini, Greece

Closer view of Port of Ammoudi from the sailboat.

View of Oia from sunset Cruise, Santorini, Creece

Looking up at the village of Oia from the sailboat.

Sailboat in Santorni, Greece

A boat crew member folded the mast as the boat stopped at a great spot for sunset viewing.

Wines and h’ordeuvres were then served….

Saxophone player on sunset cruise, Santorini, Greece

..and the beautiful, live saxophone music started to play…

…as the sun started to set.

Sunset cruise in Santoini, Greece

Cruising on Sunset in Santorini, Greece

Beautiful sunset in Santorini Greece

Spectacular sunset of Santorini

Amazing sunset in Santorini, Greece

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Things to do in Santorini:
(A lot of friends have asked for travel tips for Santorini. Here’s the list that we have been giving them.)
  • Hike! There is a spectacular trail that hugs the caldera side of the island and stretches from Fira to Oia. It’s a great way to see and experience the island.
  • Explore Oia, the most famous and most picturesque among Santorini Villages.
  • From Oia, take the 300 steps down to the charming tiny port of Ammoudi.  You can ride a donkey if you do not wish to go down by foot. You will find excellent traditional tavernas along the water. Follow the path on the left side of the port (facing the water) and you’ll discover some swimming holes. Looking up from the port, you will see  a stunning view of Oia.
  • See the sunset. Most people flock to Oia for sunset viewing, but we found that the best sunset view was in the village of Imerovigli.
  • Hire a car for a day and explore the villages beyond the reach of the hiking trail on the southern end of the island. You can visit the beaches (the black sand beaches of Perissa and Perivolos and the Red Beach), go for wine tasting in one of the wineries in the village of Megalochori), see the lighthouse and the spectacular cliff in Cape Akrotiri, visit the archeological site in Ancient Akrotiri, etc.
  • Go sailing! There are different cruises you can take.  Choose the one that will take you  hiking in the volcano island of Nea Kameni, swimming in the hot spring, and romantic sunset viewing with wine and cheese and live saxophone music.
  • We dined at many places but here are some that comes to mind and were highly recommended by locals:
  •        Vanillia (Firostefani) – fine dining, great view.
  •        Skala (Oia) – causal, great view.
  •        Lava (between Perissa and Perivolos beaches) – traditional food.
  •        Lucky’s Souvlaki (Fira) – cheap eat, best falafel we had.
Feel free to leave a comment below.--

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About Marisol

Taking you on our journey one photo - and footstep - at a time.

16 responses to “Santorini Part 3: Sailing around the Caldera

  1. Carrie Sieber

    What a beautiful way to end your wedding trip! The pictures of the sunset are spectacular. Thanks for the list of things to do. It will come handy one day – soon I hope:)

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Carrie, you’re welcome. I hope you can use the list soon!

  2. Kira

    After seeing the series of your Santorini photos, Ken and I have decided that we’re going to renew our vows on our 10th anniversary — in Santorini!! Thanks for your inspiring photoblog!

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Kira, that’s exciting! Let me know if you need any help planning.

  3. Jill Borden-Lee

    Guys, thanks so much for taking me to one of my favorite places. Love how you capture the essence of the place through your photos.

    • Traveling Solemates

      Jill, glad we were able to transport you back to one of your favorite places.

  4. Jan Sullivan

    Amazing sunset shots! Courageous of you guys to hike that volcano. Looks like a really wonderful honeymoon/wedding trip for you guys. Happy for you. Congratulatiosn.

  5. Traveling Solemates

    Thanks Jan. The sunsets were truly spectacular it was hard not to take a good shot of it. The hike to the volcano island was really not that hard. But the that may erupt anytime was the scary part:) It was a wonderful trip indeed. We feel blessed. Hope you get there sometime soon.

  6. Victoria

    These are such beautiful pictures. I’ve only been to Greece once and that was as a teenager to one of the party islands! I forget how stunning it is. Congratulations. You both look so happy :)

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Victoria, thanks. Hope you can go back soon. Thanks for dropping by.

  7. Marissa

    Incredible pictures! We will be in Santorini for 3 nites late September and the sunset cruise is definitely on our list. Can you tell me which boat tour you went with. Thank you!

    • Traveling Solemates

      HI Marissa, Oh I’m so excited for you! You will have a great time! You know, our hotel booked the sunset cruise for us and I don’t know the name of the company. You can probably ask your hotel to assist you – tell them that it’s the boat that leaves from Old Port of Fira in the afternoon and the one with live saxophone performance. It costs about 47 euro per person and includes ‘oderves and wine. Enjoy Santorini. It’s a wonderful place. -Marisol

  8. shawi

    these pictures make me want to go there even more..
    what camera do you use? great photos!!!
    and CONGRATS!!!

    • Traveling Solemates

      Hi Shawi, thank you! We’re glad you enjoyed the photos. If you think Santorini looks pretty in photos, wait till you get there! Most of this photos were shot using Canon EOS 40D with 28-105 mm f4L lens.

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