SANTORINI
We are so excited to share our special day with you in the beautiful island of Santorini. To help you make the most of your visit, we've added some information about some of the key areas on the island.
As you can see, the island is split into 2 halves, with the left side being very mountainous and hilly, and the right side being flat and beachy.
The island is very small and quaint, taking just over an hour to get from one end to the other, therefore no matter where you stay, it is fairly easy to access the rest of the island. However if you are bringing children, it would NOT be recommended to stay in any of the very mountainous areas as there are a LOT of hills and steps everywhere!
We will be staying in the area of Kamari for the week with our family and we are getting married just above the Athinios port (in the very middle of the left hand side of the island) at Santorini Gem.
When we visited Santorini a couple of years ago, we spent 3 nights in Kamari and then 2 nights in Oia, and visited Fira just for dinner and drinks on the second night. We honestly thought it was perfect and would highly recommend doing this for anyone wanting the best of everything!
Santorini Gem
Oia
Oia is one of the most picturesque villages in Santorini, famous for its stunning sunsets, charming white-washed houses, and blue-domed churches. Located on the northern tip of the island, Oia offers breathtaking views of the caldera and the Aegean Sea. Stroll through its narrow, winding streets lined with boutique shops, art galleries, and delightful restaurants. Don't miss the opportunity to capture some incredible photos here! We would recommend staying in Oia if you're only planning on coming for a long weekend, not a whole week. Oia does get extremely busy and is a very popular spot for tourists so be mindful of this around sunset times. As stated above, its a great option if you fancy staying a few nights in one of the beach areas and then a couple of nights in Oia.
Fira
Fira, the island’s bustling capital, is the cultural and commercial heart of Santorini. Perched on the edge of the caldera cliffs, Fira provides panoramic views of the volcano and surrounding islands. It’s the perfect place to enjoy a mix of traditional and modern amenities, from museums and historical sites to vibrant nightlife and shopping. The town is also home to numerous restaurants and cafes where you can savor delicious Greek cuisine while overlooking the caldera. Again, Fira can get very busy but it is a great location to stay if you want to explore the rest of the island too as it is very central.
Kamari
Our personal favourite, Kamari is a vibrant beach resort located on the southeastern coast of Santorini. Known for its long stretch of black sand beach, Kamari offers a wide range of water activities, including snorkeling, scuba diving, and boat tours. The area is lined with beach bars, taverns, and restaurants, making it a great spot for both relaxation and entertainment. In the evenings, enjoy a movie under the stars at the open-air cinema or explore the local shops and markets. Kamari is probably the best area for families as it is mostly flat unlike most of the other areas in Santorini. Kamari is also a great place to stay if you want to explore other parts of the island as its fairly central.
Perissa
Perissa is another popular beach destination, situated just south of Kamari, also good for families. It boasts an impressive black sand beach that stretches for miles, with crystal-clear waters ideal for swimming and water sports. Perissa is known for its laid-back atmosphere and is dotted with beach bars, traditional tavernas, and cafes. Visit the nearby ancient site of Thera, located on a mountain between Perissa and Kamari, to explore fascinating ruins from the Hellenistic period.
Imerovigli & Firostefani
Both of these areas are slightly quieter areas compared to Oia and Fira, but still have the gorgeous white washed roofs and sunset views of the caldera. Expect small, pretty boutique villas nestled in the side of the cliff edges with a picturesque atmosphere. If its nightlife and entertainment your after I probably wouldn't stay in these areas, however they are extremely close to Fira and Oia, just a short taxi ride away if you'd like the best of both!
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Points of Interest
Ammoudi Bay - Right at the top egde of the town of Oia, there are an extremely long and steep set of steps, known as the 'donkey steps' that will take you all the way down to Ammoudi Bay. Absolutely stunning for its seafood restaurants and picturesque scenery. NOTE - It is a very long way to get back up the steps so we would recommend walking down them for the experience, but to get back up to Oia, head to the right when you get down there and there is a road in which you can get taxi's. The sunset views over Ammoudi are second to none, so I would definitely say its worth it.
Akrotiri - The archeological site here is great if you fancy knowing a little about Santorini's history. Its also a good add on if you wish to visit any of the southern beaches.
Red, Black, White Beaches - On the southern part of the island. Beautiful little cove's only accessible by boat. Would recommend doing an afternoon starting at Red beach and catching one of the boat trips.
Beach Buggy Day - We had so much fun when we did this a few years ago! We visited almost the whole bottom half of the island in one day and saw so much! You can hire them from most of the areas around Santorini!
JoJo Beach Club and Wet Stories Beach Club - Two of the most popular beach clubs in Santorini in the area of Perivolos, Perissa.
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