The famous island of Santorini is the southernmost island of the Cyclades group of Aegean Sea, and is located 63 nautical miles north of Crete. Santorini can be reached from most international airports via Athens. The flight time from Athens to Santorini is approximately 40 minutes. Nearly all international scheduled flights arriving in Athens allow adequate time to make the connecting flight to Santorini. Numerous charter flights from European cities to fly directly to the island during the summer. During the same period Santorini is also connected with flights to and from Thessaloniki.

Another way to get to the island is by a regular ferry service from the port of Piraeus, Thessaloniki or Crete and almost all the Cycladic islands. The boat trip takes about 7-9 hours depending on the ferry and the ports of call.

Island History

According to Herodotus, the island was initially named strongyles (first round). Later, because of its beauty, was named Kalliste (the most beautiful one). The Phoenicians settled in Kalliste, and after the Phoenicians, the Lacedaemonians arrived and renamed the island after their leader, Theras. In the ninth century BC Thera, became an important stopping point at that time in the travel routes between East and West. The Phoenician alphabet was adopted at this time to write the Greek language. Interestingly, however, the conservative Therans, did not follow the cultural development of their counterparts in other Cyclades islands. Around 630 BC, the Therans reached the northern coast of Africa, where he founded Cyrene, the only colony Theran. From as early as the 6th century a. C. Thera had its own currency.

During the classical period of Greece [5 th and 4 th century BC] Thera did not play any significant role in the events of the Hellenistic period. During the Peloponnesian War Sparta Thera side, as expected. In Hellenistic times the island's strategic position made Thera an important base for the war campaigns in the Aegean of the successors of Alexander the Great.

Santorini Tourism

Oia is on the northern tip of Santorini. It is characterized by cubist architecture, and the cliffs, and appeared in the movie Tomb Raider "The Cradle of Life." Sunset in Oia is quite picturesque, so the crowds gather in cafes and restaurants in town to see. For a place, arrive early. The gateways also filled the evening.