Is Santorini Worth It? – Honest Thoughts
I get it. It almost feels insane to not include the island of Santorini when putting together your Greek island hopping adventure. It's plastered on the glam magazines, top lists of this or that, perpetuated by Instagram, and the epitome of the perfection of the Cyclades in the Aegean Sea.
Yes, it's pretty bad You may or may not have seen the photos but behind the beautiful sunsets from Oia lies a not-so-secret truth – the insanity of the crowds. Yes, it's pretty bad. And no The flip-side to the above is that as crazy as the Oia sunsets are, I can't say that it was impossible to enjoy the island.
Are the crowds really that bad?
More reasons why you shouldn't visit Santorini
It's expensive All that popularity has resulted in the sky-rocketing of prices. If you're looking for a prime balcony view from the caldera cliff towards the volcano or Oia, you're talking about massive premium. Reservations That's a great segue to food. While the food was actually quite good, you could tell that the prices were just a tick higher than the other islands we visited while island hopping.
- Walk the island's interior villages such as Megalochori, Emporio, Pyrgos - Archeological site at Akrotiri - Numerous wineries including Domaine Sigalas - Beaches at Perívolos - Go horseback riding to Eros Beach - Sunset sea kayak and snorkel - Wine tasting and cooking class
Why you should go to Santorini
You can find deals in Santorini
Accommodations don't have to be expensive. If you think about it, you're going to be barely in your room and in most cases, enjoying the sunset somewhere else so save your money and opt for a room in Pyrgos, Perissa, or Kamari.
One thing that you won't really find on other islands is the volcanic center of Santorini. Being the most active part of the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, not only do you have the impressive crescent cliff wall but you also have Nea Kameni which is a volcanic island that can be visited by cruise.
The volcano is pretty amazing
The finer things
If you're looking for high-end hotels, luxury spas, modern touches, and butler-type services, Santorini is one of the few islands where those are widely available. That said, you can definitely find luxury in Mykonos, Kéa, and Ios to name a few.
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