As our ship arrived, we could see Santorini rising dramatically from the sea, its whitewashed buildings clinging to the edge of a vast, ancient caldera. Before you lies an island of both vibrant beauty and fiery history.
We couldn’t wait to disembark and explore Santorini’s wonders!
The Ascent to Fira
Arriving by cruise means anchoring offshore and taking a tender (the small excursion boats) the base of Santorini’s imposing cliffs. There are two options to reach the iconic clifftop town of Fira – you can either take the modern cable car up the cliff, or as an alternate, you can walk the winding path or take a donkey ride!
We opted for the cable car experience on the way up…
…and took the scenic route past the donkeys for the trip back down… (no donkeys were ridden by us as part of this experience!)
The Birth of the Caldera
Santorini’s iconic crescent shape tells a dramatic tale. Thousands of years ago, a massive volcanic eruption – one of the largest in recorded history – rocked the island, forever altering its geography. The heart of the island collapsed inward, creating the vast caldera sculpting the dramatic cliffs that plunge into the sea, forming the backdrop for those iconic whitewashed villages.
We’ve seen quite a few volcanoes in our travels… such as in Hawaii and at Pompeii. The closest we’ve come to one as large as Santorini was during our game drive at the Ngorongoro National Park in Tanzania, which is itself a huge caldera. Check out this article if you’d like to learn more about the origins of the caldera and read about the explosive eruption that formed Santorini!
Exploring the city of Fira
We couldn’t wait to see Santorini’s iconic white-washed, blue-domed buildings. As the cable car climbed, it offered tantalizing glimpses of the visual feast awaiting us.
We emerged from the cable car and began to wander the white-washed streets and alleys of Santorini.
The street and alleys often opened up to areas which offered broader, breathtaking views.
Seeing the homes stacked so closely together reminded me of the cityscapes we saw in Morocco, where every inch of space in Fes seemed to be occupied.
Sunset over Santorini
Our final goal of the visit was to experience a Santorini Sunset, and it was as beautiful as you may imagine…
Our time in Santorini was amazing, and did not disappoint. Santorini captivated us from start to finish. Despite the summer crowds, the island’s breathtaking views and vibrant energy made for an unforgettable trip. An early start gifted us with private moments in Fira, and the almost spiritual sunset made our visit complete.
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