Santorini by Foot

The port in Santorina is insane in the membrane. If you get my reference, I owe you a beer.

The amount of traffic in the main port was crazy. I can’t imagine what it would be like in the peak season.

However, I’ve said it before, and I will say it again. Exploring a place by foot allows you to live it, feel it, breathe it. Rather than get on one of the buses and pack ourselves in like hot sardines, we hiked up the switchbacks along the beautiful rock face overlooking a magnificent view. The experience was amazing.

We made the trek over to Pyrgos, a quieter town, facing the other side of the island. Out hotel was a few minute walk from the main area. It was quiet. It was scenic. The town was also quite peaceful, and we experienced some amazing culinary delights.

Day 2 in Santorini, we hiked over to the busy town of Firo near the old port. It was really cool to meander through this beautiful spot. You need a little patience as it’s busy. It’s a shopping and tourist area. If you are willing to go a little past the town, you can scuttle down to Skaras rock and up for a lovely view of the volcano. Of course, the climbing results in fewer people. My kind of rock!!

We did pay for the view at one or the restaurants for a beer. This time, it wasn’t worth it. I’d say go to Skaras, then go back through town and past. There, you will find really good food.

Day 3 in Santorini, and we hiked a series of peaks. The first stop was the highest point on the island, Profit Elias. The trail from Pyrgos is lovely. The views are worth it. We carried on. At the top, there is another trail that takes you down, then up to a peak with nothing but a cairn on top, then down again. It’s a little rocky and a bit slippery, but totally worth it. The cherry on top of the double scoop sundae was making one last little climb to the top of the ancient city, Apollo Campeios Tempel. It’s worth the small fee at the gate.

Finally, we hiked down to the town of Kamaris on the cobble stone rode. There’s a touristy area with restaurants and shops along the black beach. We found a fresh fish place, Captains Corner, off the main area. The food was fantastic. We chose things we don’t get at home: grilled sea bream and squid. I also devoured a block of fresh feta with a Greek salad, as I’m now accustomed to doing every day.

The climbing wasn’t over. We made one more stop at the Santorini Brewing company. Pretty nice beer. It’s not really a tap room. They only serve it in bottles, and the space is tight. But we manage a spot in the shade to cool down and refresh ourselves.

The final climb was back up to Pyrgos. It wasn’t easy. Some steep sections, and it was hot. But, it was totally worth it to do the series of peaks. Totally worth it.

To finish off our last night in Santorini, we took a long swim, walked up a short bit to see the sunrise from an old fort, the had a drink with a million dollar view at Franco’s Cafe. I imagine it gets hard to get into this place in peak season.

After a day of walking back to the port and waiting in a crowd like a cow in a herd cooking in the sun, I’m now on the final ferry of our trip. I would do it again in a flash to get up to the quiet side of Santorini. As busy as it is, the quiet places are amazing.

All you have to do is climb a little to find them.