Santorini

[Smurfgirl]

Anyone been? Is it very very busy with tourists (I heard lots of cruise ships stop there)? We would be going in May half term.

Resort or accommodation recommendations would be very helpful!

Yes, VERY busy, to the point of spoiling it. Tons of day trippers from the cruises makes it feel like conveyor belt tourism. It's quite expensive to eat out, and we found the quality quite poor even in the more expensive places (and generally seafood such as squid is nearly always frozen, not fresh. Found that a bit odd considering it is surrounded by sea). There wasn't a huge amount to do there, and the beaches weren't very pretty. As you can probably tell, I wouldn't recommend it! Compared to other beach resorts in Europe it's not top of my list and I wouldn't go back.

Right thats not great is it?

Do they go to all the resorts? I am not looking at staying in Fira/Thira (spelt differently in different places!) but would obviously do a day out there.

Not bothered about nice beaches really.

I fancied Rhodes but am having no joy with my accommodation wants.

I've been to santorini a few years ago but that was pre-babies so can't really help you with anything baby-related.

i'd have to disagree with the pp, I absolutely loved the place. Yes, no rgeat beaches, mainly because half the island was a volcano and the signs are still there. However culturally it's absolutely brilliant. You can take a boat ride onto the volcano, observe all the different rock formations and the breathtaking views. There's a place on the island that is supposed to have the most beautiful sunset ever and a lot of people gather there to see it, didn't do much for me. And it there are also the ruins of a palace thousands and thousands of years old that is kind of still standing, was ruined by the volcano, definatelly worth to spend a morning there.

BTW, the main town thre is caller Fira, Thira is another name for the entire island.

I'm trying to remember, I think our guide said that Thira was the name of the island before half of it sank... not really sure, it's been several years.

We stayed in a village about 20'bus-ride from Fira and it was lovely and quiet, very personal service. The beach was nothing to write home about but it was clean with clear water. Sorry, can't remember name of village, if you want I can pull old photos out and try to refresh my memory.

May isn't particularly busy anyway. The whole island is a big hill, and especially in Fira it would be very difficult to push a pushchair around. Don't forget to check out the archeological museum in Fira, it's simply shocking how old some of the htings in there are.

Sorry I've rambled on, it's only cause I loved the place.

Take care x

I loved it to, didn't stay in the main town but did go for a day in peak season and it was busy, but it didn't spoil it.
I would go back again without hesitation, it is stunning. Would agree with everything Mummytown says .
Oh, not quite actually, did the sunset bit and it was a knockout!
Loved it.

loved it too

Oh thanks for the replies

No pushchair so it would be fine in that respect.

Have found loads of hotels in Santorini that fit what we want - sea view, b&b, nice hotel, not crazy prices so it could be a good plan. Nice to hear there is stuff to do. I am happy to laze around the pool but we are going with my parents who like to Do Things.

I think we would avoid staying in Fira, looking at Kamari and Perissa.

agree with everyone else, we absolutely adored it. What I would say though is that the Fira side of the island (we stayed in firastefani which is just within walking distance) is the absolute best. U have the most AMAZING views over the caldera.

Oia and Imerovigli were just beautiful, really quiet and peaceful with beautiful hotels and wonderful views.

We did a day on the beach at Kamari and Perissa, I think we walked up to some ruins around Kamari ? It's not like english sand, it's quite rough sand, and the other thing we found was that there were a lot of cigarette butts in the sand. I think that side of the island is where people go for a cheap beach resort holiday (great snorkelling), whereas the other west side is the more cultural. The food was fantastic, we hired a car and did stuff every day. I would go back like a SHOT to get married here

End of season is best time to go, otherwise the mist can ruin the views over the Caldera.

I would highly recommend it, although we did go pre toddler, and had a lovely romantic hols.... also, re the tourist cruisers, they land at Fira and tend to converge mainly on Fira town, and Oia which is where the sunset is.

I think we are looking at the cheaper holiday resort side for financial reasons ! Not bothered about the beach at all, I hate sand, we will be sunbathing around the pool.

We have no children so it would seem perfect for us!

How easy was it to drive around? Greece can be a big manic on the roads IME.

well from what I remember (it was 5 yrs ago ! luckily my DP is an elephant, he remembered all the place names ) the roads were actually fairly quiet. It is only a small island, after all..

I haev been twice and don't really like the beaches but spectacular views and interesting things to do and see