Known for its iconic blue domes, clean white architecture, and of course, its history, the Greek islands are some of the most exciting destinations to travel to this year! With countless picturesque oceanic views, there’s a reason Greece remains one of the most frequented honeymoon destinations in the world.
While Greece is far from the Arctic, it’s worth the visit, because let’s face it, we all need a bit of sun.
Santorini (Pyrgos, Fira, Oia)
Pyrgos
Volcanic craters often hold the most beautiful things, and Santorini is no exception. Resting in the southern Aegean Sea, this island is a tried and true travel destination. Situated on a high hill, surrounded by Greece’s iconic white terraces and blue domes, and charming narrow streets, Pyrgos was our favorite village in Santorini.
Pyrgos is extremely accessible and relatively quiet by Santorini’s standards (at least when were there in late June). We were able to walk through the village streets to explore shops and delicious Greek cuisine. Pyrgos gave us easy access to traditional Greek culture and incredible history.
Upon arrival, we were greeted by a donkey ornamented with colorful beads, which matched my bright fashion tastes. I approved. The donkey graciously carried our bags then guided us up the hill to our hotel. Upon arrival, we were excited by the cool, blue balcony and the sensational view of the Aegean sea. The hospitality did not stop there. The following mornings we were served a delicious breakfast – eggs, toast, fruit, yogurt, and espresso. The extremely bright mornings persuaded us to eat inside. Fortunately, we enjoyed a lovely view of the tastefully terraced vineyards and plains from our window.
If you are looking for unique Greek art, or the desirable evil eye, look no further. Walking through Pyrgos will reveal several shops with merchandise sprawled out along the walls and on the ground. You might even see a number of very cute cats hanging around the shops. I had to remind myself the cats were not for sale and that I could not take them home. Nevertheless, I took comfort in knowing the village took great care of them.
Oia
While Oia was too crowded for our liking, the 10 km (6 mi) hike from Fira to Oia was worth it. What would I do differently? Bring lots of water and hike on a much cooler day. Unlike our stay atop high Pyrgos, we did not get a pleasant breeze during our trek. Although there were numerous shops and luxury resorts along the way, we did not find enough shelter from the blazing sun.
Despite our complaints about the congested luxury resorts, we took pleasure in the scenic azure of the Aegean Sea, prominent blue and white architecture, and exciting volcanic remnants. One formation especially worth mentioning is Skaros Rock. This prominent volcanic rock landmark likely formed around 68,000 B.C. after one of Santorini’s many volcanic eruptions. This geological site was a desired location for defensive fortifications and was used by the Byzantine Empire in the 13th century.
The settlement continued to expand and see a number of uses as a refuge. Though protected by its location, escalating wars between the Ottoman Empire and Venice impacted the ability of the settlers to trade. After the disastrous Santorini eruptions in the 18th century, most of the residents fled to Fira or Imerovigli.
Upon reaching Oia, we were desperate for something to drink. Unfortunately, we were deterred by the overwhelming maze of unnecessary luxury resorts as we desperately searched for the actual markets. Finally, we found a store to purchase water to quench our thirst. We searched for a place to grab lunch and captured a few photos. However, overwhelmed by the masses, we opted not to stick around for the famous sunset. We thought the sunset we enjoyed in Pyrgos was pleasant enough!
Fira
Fira, the present-day capital of Santorini, is easily accessible by a short bus ride from Pyrgos. Built on the western edge of Santorini/Thíra, Fira is home to some of the most fascinating and well-maintained archeological sites in the world. The two of interest are inside the main museums, the Archaeological Museum of Thera and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera. These museums house many ancient artifacts from excavations on the island.
One noteworthy excavation near the southern end of the island revealed the ancient city of Akrotiri. This remarkably well-preserved historical attraction has evidence of human settlement as early as the fifth millennium B.C., well before Classical Greek civilization. Though a large earthquake buried this prosperous city, the excavations reveal alluring frescoes and pottery that once decorated it.
Folegandros
Following our visit to Pyrgos, we set out to our next island destination in Greece. Just a 2-hour ferry ride away, we arrived at the small island of Folegandros, also on the southern part of the Cyclades archipelago. The Church of Panagia (Virgin Mary) rests atop the highest hill and offers an incredible view of the Chora of Folegandros and the Aegean Sea, and can easily be seen throughout the town.
Folegandros was undoubtedly a relaxing and charming village full of cute shops and enticing restaurants. What I found especially enchanting was the beautiful Mediterranean courtyards which featured bewitching blossoms and delicious outdoor dining experiences. I allowed the whimsical wild roses, and maybe a bit of wine, to comfort me as I lost myself in a Mediterranean dream. Folegandros did not feel like a tourist trap. Although it had tourists, it was far less crowded than Pyrgos and Oia and was a lovely area to experience a quieter side of the Greek Islands.
Since I am from NYC, I had many opportunities to sink my teeth into the Greek delicacy, gyros. However, I never had gyros quite as delicious as the one I had in Folegandros. Instead of being wrapped in pita, the restaurants we visited in Greece grilled the meat to perfection, placing it on top of warm flatbread, with salad, fries and tzatziki. One place in particular prepared it exceptionally well, Griglia. This small, unassuming restaurant at the edge of a courtyard was a cozy spot for two with the perfect outdoor seating for people-watching.
During our stay in Folegandros, we also happened to celebrate my birthday, and I was excited by the romantic eatery Colin and I went to next. Beneath the cascading orchids and hanging lights that adorned the lovely central courtyard of Folegandros lay Restaurant Melissa, a divine floral paradise and delicious outdoor restaurant.
What To Pack For Greece
- Lots of sunscreen
- Light clothes
- A sweater
- Sandals
- Shoes
- Sunglasses
- Your camera
- A good book
My recommendation for the Greek Islands is that if you’re going to make the effort to go, you should try to visit more than one island during your trip. Furthermore, if you are intent on going to one of the better-known (and more crowded) islands, such as Santorini or Mykonos, make an effort to take a ferry to one of the lesser-known islands as well. You won’t regret it. We were drawn to Santorini like so many others, and we enjoyed it, but ultimately we had a better time on Folegandros, which we had never heard of before starting to plan our trip. We plan to return to the Greek Islands in the future and are excited to choose where we want to visit next time.
You made it to the end! All you have to do now is pack your bags! Safe travels!
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