Santorini Volcano Tour
A late bloomer in the solo travel world, my first trip on my own was about two and a half years ago to Santorini, Greece. When I arrived in Santorini, I signed up for a volcano tour for the next day. Since the volcano is such a huge part of what makes the island what it is today, I was interested in getting an up-close view. If you go to Santorini, this tour can’t be missed. I don’t know the name of the company I went with, but it’s one of the most popular things to do in Santorini, so there are several and they’re all very similar.
The tour starts by sailing from the island of Santorini over to the volcano in the middle of the caldera. On the boat, the guide gives some history about the island and how the volcano affected the physical appearance of Santorini. Once the boat gets to the volcano, the guide leads the group up the volcano. There was steam coming up from the ground, which didn’t exactly smell pretty, and the sun was beating down on us, but it was an amazing 360 degree view.
Due to the volcano, there are hot springs nearby. After hiking the volcano, we sailed over to swim in the hot springs. I’ll be honest, it was just sort of warm, which really could’ve been from the sun and high temperatures. The water was also murky and dirty, so don’t wear anything white when you jump in. Supposedly the mud does good things for your skin, so some people were rubbing the mud on their faces and arms.
From there the boat took us to Thirasia, the smaller island across from the main island of Santorini. This was our lunch stop. There were restaurants right where the boat docked, in addition to one that was up a steep path. I ate at the one up top, and it was delicious. I highly recommend either riding a donkey or walking the trail up for an incredible meal and more gorgeous views. I walked, and it was quite a workout. I wish there was more time to explore the island, but it was nice to get another perspective of Santorini and the volcano.
The last stop of the tour was back to Santorini to the town of Ia. Ia is most famous for the white-washed buildings clinging to the cliffs and the breathtaking sunsets. Again, there’s the option to ride a donkey to the top or hike it. The town is filled with charming shops and winding roads. I don’t think there’s a bad place in Santorini to view the sunsets, but Ia was definitely my favorite. The sun reflected off the water and the white buildings before sinking into the sea.
You know how sometimes you hear so much about something that when you finally experience it for yourself, it’s a big let-down? For me, even after reading all the hype about Santorini sunsets, the real thing felt magical. It’s one of the few places in the world I would make a repeat trip to because of those gorgeous sunsets.
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February 7, 2011 @ 11:42 AM
Visiting Santorini is on my non-planned itinerary that I have for my RTW trip. I will now have to add visiting this volcano on that list. Looks like its an amazing place & beautiful. I can’t wait to get to Greece!!!
February 7, 2011 @ 3:00 PM
There’s not a ton to do in Santorini (but you should still totally go!) besides beach stuff & watching the sunset, so doing the volcano tour fills a day & it’s really fun.
February 7, 2011 @ 1:21 PM
I cannot believe that u have traveled to so many places & seen so many things just in the last 2 1/2 years! WOW! Beautiful pictures Ali!
February 7, 2011 @ 3:01 PM
Thanks Christina! And thanks for always being so supportive of me & my travel addiction!
February 7, 2011 @ 4:15 PM
OMG, I wanta go NOW!!! Sounds absolutely magical.
February 7, 2011 @ 8:47 PM
Thanks Andi! Yep, it was great, you’d love Santorini!
February 7, 2011 @ 11:12 PM
was this volcano the one causing flight delays early last year?
February 7, 2011 @ 11:38 PM
No, that one was in Iceland. I don’t think there’s been any action from this one in awhile, but it is still active.
February 8, 2011 @ 2:55 AM
Amazing images! I have been to Europe 4 times now, and have never made it to Greece. That will end next trip!
February 8, 2011 @ 7:24 AM
You should definitely make it to Santorini, it’s gorgeous! Thanks Scott!
February 8, 2011 @ 9:49 AM
Greece, and Santorini, is one of my most favorite places. It is stunning. I was disappointed by the volcano tour; not because it wasn’t good but b/c I was really expecting a burning caldera! I know, naive! Cheers!
February 9, 2011 @ 10:18 PM
Ha! That would’ve been a totally different type of tour!
February 9, 2011 @ 9:05 PM
Beautiful sunset picture! Santorini is on Shaun’s MUST DO list. 🙂
February 9, 2011 @ 10:18 PM
Points for Shaun. You’ll love it!
February 10, 2011 @ 10:27 AM
Great read! Santorini was one of our best adventures ever.
February 10, 2011 @ 8:21 PM
Thank! I **loved** Santorini!
March 21, 2011 @ 2:11 PM
Why haven’t I been to Santorini yet? I did a volcano tour in Guatemala and loved it and would love to do another.
March 21, 2011 @ 8:09 PM
You should go check it out, shorter trip from Germany!
Film Friday: Santorini, Greece (Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants)
June 2, 2012 @ 2:42 AM
[…] the movies, they show the girls riding donkeys up the path from the port in Oia. When I was on the volcano tour that ended in Oia, I decided not to ride a donkey, but I did walk up the steep path. Photo […]
July 11, 2014 @ 11:07 AM
I love the Greek islands, but am a realist and thought a sunset is a sunset is a …….
I was totally wrong. There is something awesome and ethereal about the sunsets in Santorini, for which I can offer no logical explanation, but can’t deny what I’ve seen with my own eyes..
July 11, 2014 @ 2:32 PM
I agree Barrie, there’s just something about the sunset in Santorini that can’t be beat! It’s gorgeous!