The awe-inspiring island of Santorini is without a doubt a once-in-a-lifetime experience for visitors who have never been. Santorini is a delightful surprise even for those who are familiar with the Greek islands, thanks to its distinctive beauty and otherworldly feel and views. The most widely acclaimed Caldera of Santorini, from which thousands of people every year enjoy spectacular sunsets that make life seem like a dream, is one of Santorini’s most popular attractions.
Here we’ll explore Santorini’s distinctive Caldera and learn about its history and secrets.
History
The Santorini group of islands, named after the Venetians’ little chapel of Agia Irini, is in the Aegean Sea and consists of five different islands: Santorini, the largest island; Thirasia and Aspronisi on the periphery; and the two Kameni islands on the middle.
Santorini’s half-moon-shaped bay sits at the heart of the caldera, which collapsed during the Minoan civilization due to a volcanic eruption, eventually leading to their demise. Indeed, the eruption was so large that it appears to have caused substantial climate change; it was possibly one of the world’s largest volcanic eruptions.
Thira, the major island, was born on the edge of an ancient volcano. The islands Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni were formed because of further eruptions in the 16th and 17th centuries. Furthermore, excavations at the Akrotiri site have revealed that the island, then known as Kallisti, was the cradle of a great civilization going back to 4000 BC.
Caldera Beach
Caldera Beach is the best site to visit if you want to see spectacular views of the flooded Santorini Caldera. It is a hypnotic area on the island with lots of trees, and one of the most favorite and popular diving spots in Santorini, with amazing depths. Volcanic rocks, gravel, and black volcanic sand dominate the coast, and the aquatic cosmos beneath your feet is no different.
In terms of visitor amenities, Caldera Beach offers restaurants, a public parking lot, loungers, umbrellas, and, of course, magnificent, blue waves and breathtaking views of the western coastline. Because it is quite straight, the concrete road to get here is also one of the easiest to drive on the island.
