Pretty Greek Villas
Santorini, Cyclades Islands
Information for Greek villas and self catering villa holidays in Greece

To view a list of our villas on Santorini, please click here.

The magnificent setting of Santorini provides one of the most beautiful vistas in the world and a truly great location for that special holiday. It is in the centre of the Cyclades island group in Greece. Pretty Greek Villas has chosen luxury villas that are situated in Santorini's most picturesque villages.

Arriving by ferry has to be one of the most breathtaking sights in the world. The volcano lies submerged beneath the sea and encircling it is the island with its sheer strata of green red, blue and golden veined rock. Perched high like an eagle's eeyrie are the white cubist villages dazzling in the sun.

Santorini, associated with the myth of the lost city of Atlantis, is the most romantic of the Greek islands with magnificent sunsets, beautiful Cycladic villages and a smart social scene.

Getting There

Santorini has its own airport and there are regular flights from Athens International Airport (AIA) with Olympic Airlines.

Due to its popularity, there is a very regular ferry service from Pireaus to Santorini with connections from various neighbouring islands.

Pretty Good Beaches

Being a volcanic island, Santorini's beaches are either of red or black sand.

Red Beach,near Akrotiri
This beach is of red sand.

Perissa, Kamari & Monolithos Beaches
All of black sand and quite busy beaches.

Cape Columbo
This is a quiet, isolated beach near Finikia.

Pretty Cultural & Pretty Good Days Out

The architecture of Santorini is typically Cycladic in style with simple, linear lines with villages of blue and white houses perched on clifftops. In the old days, this was for fear of marauding pirates. One aspect of Santorini architecture which is unique are the old 'cave houses'. The interiors of the old houses are carved out of the rock. This was because of volcanic activity and also acted as a natural temperature regulator since the houses were warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

Archaeological Museum, Fira
Interesting finds from the various excavations.

Akrotiri Excavations, Akrotiri
This is an interesting site with evidence of an ancient Minoan settlement. You will see traces of a city with 2 - 3 storey buildings and many beautiful frescoes.

Museum of Pre-historic Thera, Fira
Santorini is also known as 'Thera'. This museum has some interesting artifacts from the preh-historic Cycladic era.

Folklore Museum, Fira
This collection is housed in a traditional 'cave' house.

Bellonio Cultural Centre and Library, Fira
An impressive collection of aniquarian books.

Santorini Wine Museum, Messaria
Santorini is famous for its wine and at this museum you can learn about the history of wine making.

Megaron Gyzi
A collection of pictures, engravings and old photographs illustrating the history of Santorini.

Churches
Santorini has over 250 churches, In particular, do not miss the Orthodox Cathedral in Fira with its magnificent frescoes, the Catholic Cathedral in Fira which is said to be one of the most beautiful ecclesiastical buildings on the island, the Church of Panagia Episcopi near Mesa Gonia which is an important example of Byzantine architecture and the Monastery of Profitis Elias near the village of Pyrgos with its important collection of ecclesiastical treasures, and its tremendous views.

Villages

Oia
Spectacular and beautiful Oia perched high above the 'caldera' is the most picturesque village on Santorini. People gather to applaud the sunset which is magnificent from here.

Fira
Fira is the capital of Santorini with many lovely shops and buildings.

Finikia
Finikia, near Oia, is a charming, small settlement.

Emporio
Emporio is famous for its windmills.

Pretty Greek Festivals

Throughout Greece, every island and place has its share of festivals. A religious ceremony is held in the local church followed by eating, drinking, dancing and fireworks until dawn.

Feast of the Panagia 15th August
Celebrated all over Greece, this ceremony is in honour of the Virgin Mary.

Summer Jazz Festival
During the summer months, a jazz festival takes place on Santorini and artists from all over the world are invited to perform.
www.jazzfestival.gr

Pretty Sporty

Windsurfing & Watersports
Wave Sports, Perivolos
www.wavesports.gr

Scuba Diving
Volcano Diving Centre, Kamari
www.scubagreece.gr

MDC, Perissa
www.santorinidiving.com

Pretty Delicious! Food and Drink

Santorini is particularly famous for its excellent wine and many of the vineyards can be visited. Additionally, Santorini cultivates the 'fava' bean, a special Santorini tomato and capers and a unique cheese is also found there called 'chloro' made from goats milk.

Vineyards

Santo Wines, Pyrgos
www.santowines.gr

Sigalas Wines, Oia
Our favourite!
Boutari Wines, Megalochori
www.boutaris.gr

Vissando
Sweet wine whose vintage wine is excellent

Tavernas & Cafes

Oia's Cafe Restaurant
Great views, nice good, pretty garden
Tel: 22860 71504

1800 Restaurant, Oia
Famous, elegant restaurant
Tel: 22860 71485

Mylos Cafe, Oia
Beautiful. Applaud the sunset from here.
www.myloscafe.gr

Pelekanos Cafe, Oia
Very beautiful and atmospheric and in a great setting for a drink at sundown.
www.pelekanoscafe.gr

Transport

Taxi
Tel: 22860 22555

Bus
Tel: 22860 25404

Moped
Santorini is the one island where we do not recommend moped or motorbike hire. Every year, there are serious accidents. Many of the roads are precarious on high cliff tops and the wind has such strength that bikes are often blown over the sides of the mountains.

Health and Emergency numbers

Hospital
Tel: 22860 23123

Doctor in Oia
Tel: 22860 23615 / 71227

Police
Tel: 22860 22649

Port Police
Tel: 22860 22239

To view Pretty Greek Villas selection of Fabulous self catering holiday villa in Santorini, please click HERE

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Pretty Greek Villas Santorini, Cyclades Islands Information for Greek villas and self catering villa holidays in Greece