It had taken me a long time to write about Santorini.
Every time I tried to start before, nothing would come to mind. Words didn’t seem to be enough to capture the beauty of this small Cycladic island.
Perhaps there are other places as beautiful, but Santorini (also known as Thira), remains the most beautiful and the most romantic place in Europe for me.
I was undergoing personal issues when I arrived in Santorini. I didn’t expect much in this place; I even thought I’d get more depressed.
After all, a lot of people have told me that it was the perfect place for a honeymoon. Being newly single, I didn’t expect Santorini to offer me refuge.
Wouldn’t you want to live in a house like this?
I was wrong. Not only did Santorini soothe my soul, it also made me realize that yeah, things were as it should be.
There was no room for regrets or what-could-have-beens. What was important was for me to live the moment and to look forward to the days to come.
And that’s exactly what I did. In my four days there (I took the ferry from Athens to Santorini), I did nothing but walk around its silent and empty streets which, during early spring, were thankfully devoid of the hordes of people that are usually there during the summer season.
I walked one path after another, encountering nobody except the occasional local.
I encountered only a few people in my walks around Oia and Fira.
In Fira, I spent hours lying down and reading on benches overlooking the caldera, ate gyros (because they were cheap) at sidewalk restaurants, and listened to Mass conducted in Greek.
In Oia, I saw firsthand those blue-domed buildings that have long symbolized this Greek island, and took a lot of pictures, hoping that I could capture the perfect image that would encapsulate all that is Santorini.
Loved seeing the houses hug the cliffs in Santorini.
In Fira, I entered a church like this to hear Mass conducted in Greek.
However, if I were asked what my itinerary was, I would be hard pressed to give an answer.
I didn’t have a list of things to do or places to see (even though there are a lot of things you can do there!). When I walked around, I took my time. I wasn’t in a hurry.
Time, actually, was of no consequence to me in Santorini; being there was more than enough for me.
I spent hours lying on benches, reading or taking a nap…
…while other days were spent just going around Fira.
I waved at and talked to locals, amazed at their friendliness to strangers. When they let me, I petted some of the numerous Aegean cats I saw on the streets, taking pictures of them framed against the backdrop of the caldera.
A beautiful Aegean cat.
I walked one empty side street after another, amazed at how serene and beautiful everything was. I surprised myself when I thought that yes, I can settle someday, if it were in a place as beautiful as Santorini.
Even highly touristy Oia was devoid of people!
The doorways of Santorini are something to look at, too. They seemed to be set off from the rest of the house, apparently leading off to nowhere. I loved their vibrant colors and the mystery they pose. They seemed to be always closed.
Were there people living behind those doors? What was it like to live on a cliff and see beauty around you every time you walk out the door?
Lots of doors were like this. Where were the people?
The doorway that seemingly led to nowhere.
Even Caveland, the very affordable hostel in Karterados where I stayed, was a treasure. It had a long history; it used to be a winery before it was converted to a luxury hotel, and later on, a backpacker’s hostel.
I welcomed the daily 20-minute walk from Caveland to Fira, welcoming the cold in exchange for seeing new aspect of local life every time I passed by.
I loved seeing this windmill every morning on my way to Fira.
I could easily imagine myself working in this outdoor office in Caveland.
Now, almost a year later, the memories of my brief stay in Santorini still remain with me. Details might have been lost, but those don’t matter.
What I will never forget was the utter rightness I felt when I was there, when everything in this beautiful Cycladic island welcomed me with open arms and gave me the respite I had needed for a long time.
77 Comments. Leave new
Hi Aleah,
Nice blog. Im planning to go to Greece. Its like an Ultimate Dream for me. 🙂 Can you tell me if this place requires Visa? And Which Airline did you get your ticket? How was the weather when you’re here? Did it cost you much on your 4 day stay? Sorry I have a lot of questions. Haha reading you blog excites every cells I have in my body! Haha
I’m glad the trip helped to soothe your soul. Santorini is really quite an amazing place, so jealous you have an empty Santorini though. Our trip was full of people, though the hike between Fira to Oia, especially from Imerovigli onward was quite empty for once we felt like we had the entire island to ourselves. =)
I feel like I must’ve commented on this post… But if I did, I’ll redo it… Your photos are gorgeous and Santorini is a place I definitely know I want to visit. In my mind it always seems like a dream with the most amazing panoramic cliffside views of the sea. Glad you found peace there. =)
@ Laurel: I agree. I’m glad I went there despite my initial hesitation.
@ Jen: It’s much more beautiful in person!
@ Jill: Yes it is. 🙂
@ Bursa: Someday, I’ll get to visit Turkey. I need to save up for it first haha
@ Maleha: Check my Europe posts, you will find a lot of helpful posts. 🙂
I love your blog, like you I love to travel also. Santorini is one of my dream places. How did you get there? like you I also want the inexpensive travel 🙂
santorini is really great island but i suggest you that you had better see Alanya, İzmir, İstanbul … in Turkey. All of them have got great historical places, lovely beach and great nightlife :)) thank you for infotmation that it is about santorini
I’m loving your pics. It looks like the kind of place where a photographer’s dream comes true.
Beautiful pictures. I’d love to go there someday.
Love your photos and glad to hear that Santorini healed your heart. Some places are so romantic that they can actually be depressing when you are alone, but Santorini looks like the opposite. I love all the white and blue and the Agean cats.
@ May: Thanks! Santorini is a really lovely place!
Your photos are lovely. I wish to visit Greece some day, and Santorini is definitely on the list of places to swing by 🙂
@ Linda McCormick: Thanks, and yeah, we do need that occasionally 🙂
@ Micki: There were a lot of cuties there. I think I’d taken more pictures with cats in it than people haha
Oh, I love this. Santorini looks like the perfect place to find solitude. Love the photos, too, especially that mischievous kitty 🙂
Beautiful images! And such a great story, too. Sometimes finding solitude is exactly what the soul needs 🙂
@ Cat: I heard the other islands are also highly recommended. I would definitely be back too!
Greece was the very first European country I ever visited, and I’ve been pining to go back ever since – especially to have a go at the islands. I can never find a viable option that fits within my vacation time or that doesn’t totally break my budget…but I have a renewed interest!
@ Nancie: It was strange. And it was wonderful too. I saw a LOT of cats there!
@ Salika Jay: Thanks! It’s an amazing place!
Amazing photos Aleah!
How beautiful! I can see how this island could touch your soul. Where were the people? Having an island like this to yourself is not a bad thing, but a little strange 🙂 Love the cat!
@ Kay Dougherty: Yep, the best time is early spring (late March). It’s not so cold anymore but the tourists are not there yet. You will also enjoy discounts from hostels as it’s off season.
@ Wandering Educators: You should, Jessie!
Gorgeous! I’d love to go. 🙂
Your photos are fabulous and it’s so wonderful to see these places devoid of people. My sister and I definitely have Santorini on our “to do” list but need to pick a time when it’s both warm and not crowded – does such a time exist?
@ RobRob: Thank you. Santorini is beautiful when it’s off season. Others have said it’s not as lovely when there are hordes of tourists around 😀
@ Larissa: You should definitely go during early Spring. It’s so wonderful!
I have not yet made it there, and confess that I’ve been concerned about the crowds. Now that I know it’s virtually empty in the off-season, I’ll have to reconsider-thanks! 🙂
Wow! With every story, post, article I read…every show I watch…I am ever more convinced that Santorini is the place to be. Just…be. It’s great that you seem to have had the island mostly to yourself; always nice when you’re feeling melancholy and have the time to just soak into a place. And the pictures! They really capture the stunning scenery and quaint elements of the villages. Great post – thanks for sharing!
@ Mary: Thanks!
@ Amanda: Wow, I am so envious! I’d like to go back there someday. It’s nice you get to see the other islands as well. I only had time to go to Santorini. Enjoy your trip!
It looks SO stunning. Santorini has been on my to-visit list for ages, and it looks like I’ll finally be getting there (and to some other Greek islands, as well) this coming September. Posts like this make me extra excited about it!
Just lovely.
@ Marisol: I’ve read your post on Santorini. So romantic 🙂 Yeah, I wish I could go back in a happier mood too!
@ Reena: I feel the same. There are some times that my expectations of a place are dashed by the reality of it, but Santorini was definitely not one of them!
@ Jessica: Thank you, will check out your blog soon 🙂
Great post and beautiful pictures. I actually went there this summer, and loved reliving some of it now through your photos.
Check out my new travel blog if you’d like, thanks!
Gorgeous pics! I was there not long ago and I was completely swept away by how stunning the island was. It’s one of those few places in the world where I went in with tremendously high expectations and it completely lived up to them (and maybe even surpassed them!).
Hi Aleah, as you know Santorini is a deeply special place for me:) I’m glad that it gave you the healing you needed at that time. I have a feeling you will return — in a happier and more romantic time:)
@ Sky: You would totally enjoy Santorini. I hope too, that you get to celebrate your honeymoon there!
@ Dennis: Thankfully, there were no cruise ships visitors when I was there. But yeah, the way to Oia from Fira is really nice. Very beautiful!
While I didn’t have deeply “personal issues” going on while visiting Santorini last year, I can’t help but feel awkward among honeymooners (as you noted) who were quite easy to spot – holding hands, kissing all the time. hehe!
There were areas full of tourists (especially those coming from cruise ships) but one that really gave me a quiet moment was walking from Fira to Oia. That was a very scenic hike!
Anyway, you do have a great eye for capturing the incredible beauty of this island!
Aleah, thank you so much for taking us to Santorini. As we close our eyes and imagine the pictures that you took, we could hear the sound of the waves of Aegean Sea and the cool breeze and the blue domes. Whew! Can’t wait for our future honeymoon in this lovely island.
@ Mary: Yeah, try to avoid it during summer as there will be a lot of people. I loved it when there was almost no one there!
@ Malaysian Meanders: It was! Thanks, Michelle.
Beautiful photos! I can’t pick a favorite because they’re all so good. It sounds like a very relaxing time.
What a beautiful post, Aleah! Santorini has long been on my places to visit and your gorgeous pictures just made it inch up to the top of the travel list a little bit more. I’ll keep it in mind to visit in the Spring because it looks like you have the whole island to yourself. Glad it offered you solace when you needed it. I can totally live on those cliff houses too 🙂
@ Jackie: Ah, I was so lucky then I was in Santorini during early spring. It seems so different from the one that you experienced. Hope you could go back and see a different side of it!
@ Johanna: Yes, I would recommend you visit during spring when there are not so many tourists. It’s really wonderful!
You make Santorini sound absolutely idyllic and I love your writing voice. Definitely a place to visit off season but how very beautiful it looks.
Fantastic photos – you caught the island’s magic. Loved the cat photo in paarticular. Our stop in Santorini wasn’t as magical – a harsh, cold wind blew dust and dirt most of the time, we were bombarded with tourist touts that thought we must have been from one of the cruise ships and had appropriate ‘good deals’ for us. . .but we’ve vowed to return and find some of that special place you’ve described so well.
@ Vera: That’s very nice of you to say that 🙂 Thanks so much! Santorini is really full of color.
@ Gelo: Am sure you’ll see it in happier times than me haha You would really enjoy it, esp with your wife. So beautiful. As a photographer, your enjoyment would be 100 fold!
i wish i would have personal issues too that will lead me to santorini! 😀
aleah, this is another inspiring post!
baka mapanaginipan ko ang greece mamya dahil sa blog at photos mo!
i’ll surely google back your posts about greece and other beautiful countries in europe once i get a chance in this lifetime to travel and bring my family there. *wishful thinking*
as i’ve always mentioned, you’re blessed!
I agree that Santorini is extremely photgenic, but I don’t agree that your photos don’t do it justice. Your photos are gorgeous and you captured the color, the light and the very essence of that magical place.
@ Leigh: Thank you. It’s not hard to take good pictures there 🙂
@ Pau: Salamat, but my photos don’t do justice to the place! hehe
Beautiful photos! You didn’t have to worry about not having the words to capture the bauty of Santorini! Your photos say it all!:)
What a beautiful post Aleah and what a lovely way to travel – without a hard and fast agenda. Your photos truly capture the beauty of the place too.
@ Photo Cache: My pictures are okay, but they don’t do justice to the beauty of Santorini. You should definitely try to go!
@ Peter: Thank you 🙂
Peter here,
As I scrolled down the page, I tried looking at the best photo, but I found moving from one to the other. I think you have great photos here. It is a nice thing you are doing. Also I read your profile…I am a freelance writer too…Great and God bless the work of your hands.
What an incredible post, well written and full of beautiful images. It’s easy to see why Santorini is on everyone’s bucket list. Cross fingers I’ll see this someday.
PS. I have a thing about windows and doors. I totally adore them.
@ Claire: I’m confident you’ll get to see Santorini one day. Keep on dreaming (and doing!) 😀
@ Jeffrey: It really is a beautiful place!
OMG Santorini is one of my dream destinations!
When I go to Santorini (yes, I’m claiming it! ^_^), walking for days to see the houses, churches and windmills will probably be enough for me too. I don’t think I’ll get tired of it. =)
Your photos make me sigh and dream. =)
@ Cathy: You should definitely visit Santorini. My pictures don’t do justice to its beauty!
@ Missy: As you said, it’s non-existent 😉 Good thing you have found your own! *envious* haha
Such a shame you do not have that “true, endless, and almost-non-existent kind of love” to share the most romantic place with. 🙁
The blue of the domes really jumps out at you! Gorgeous place that I’ve yet to visit. Your photos capture the colors, beauty and charm of Santorini — just like I imagine.
@ Cindy: Thank you. Santorini *is* lovely!
@ Alice: Yeah, I’m glad too that everything turned out well in the end!
Oh Aleah, heartbreak can be so painful. I’m so glad that your little trip was able to heal your pain. Santorini looks like a beautiful place!
You have written a beautiful piece about a place that looks absolutely lovely. Thank you!
@ Debbie: Thank you. It’s very much worth it to go there, wherever you are. It’s ironic though. Your blog name is “European Travelista” and you haven’t been there? haha
@ Razlan: Lots of people would really want to get married here. Such a romantic place! I’m sure you’ll get your wish someday 😉
Such a blast from the past. I was in Santorini in 2008 and told myself when I am blessed with finding my better half, this is where we will exchange vows.
Aleah you’re pictures of Santorini are stunning! The blue domed houses are so Greek. I’ve always been a sucker for the views from Santorini. I wonder why I’ve not visited yet?
@ Jeff: It *was* a wonderful experience for me. Rather than think that I was lucky to be there at the right time, I would say that it had been meant to be 😀 My pictures are okay; then again, you can point your camera anywhere in Santorini and you’d get good photos!
@ Muza-chan: Thanks!
Great photos, I love Santorini too…
Talk about living in the “moment” and “slow travel”! Your experience defines both perfectly! It must have been glorious to wander about at your leisure and soak up all the local color and charm that Santorini has to offer. And your exquisite photos capture your experience brilliantly…no hordes of tourists, just the locals, the neighborhoods, the charming houses and the sublime Mediterranean at your doorstep! Truly inspiring, I really enjoyed reading this introspective look of your time in Greece.