Santorini is one of the most beautiful Greek islands; however, many visitors don’t realize that this comes as a result of several volcanic eruptions throughout history.
Still considered active–although Santorini’s volcano has been dormant since its last eruption in the 1950s–the island’s volcanic history and continued present-day preservation make Santorini an adventure enthusiast’s dream vacation destination.
With Greece’s high season upon us, read on to see why this active volcanic island is the ultimate destination for travel this summer?
Below are a few unmissable volcanic-inspired experiences in Santorini beyond the cliffside restaurants and town shops that are often found in guidebooks:
· Hike Santorni’s volcanic crater and take a dip in the hot springs: Nea Kameni, the island’s volcano, is visited daily by tourist boats throughout the summer. Visitors can climb a gravel path to reach the top of the 130-meter-high volcanic crater, where it is possible to complete a full circuit of the rim. Additionally, Nea Kameni’s Agios Nikolaos– a small cove on Nea Kameni islet– has been considered a holy grail of health thanks to its warm yellowish waters, which contain concentrated amounts of sulfur and are said to be therapeutic.
· Learn about the history of the island at Akrotiri, also known as Santorini’s Pompeii. The stories of Akrotiri and Pompeii are similar in that both cities are important archaeological sites buried by a volcanic eruption. However, Akrotiri was home to the ancient Minoans over 4000 years before Pompeii was founded and has been preserved just as it would have been in 1500 BC. Visiting Akrotiri is a window into the life of an ancient people–and a different side of Santorini. 
· Taste grapes grown in volcanic soil, producing some of the world’s most interesting wines. Just one percent of the world’s surface is covered in volcanic soil which makes the wines from Santorini’s vineyards uniquely savory and mineral-laden. Try some of these wines at one of the oldest wineries of Santorini in the village of Megalochori, Gavalas Winery – a family that has been exclusively engaged in the vinification of the indigenous varieties grown in Santorini.
· Stay in a volcanic-inspired suite: Find the perfect getaway at Santo Pure, the luxury hotel located a five-minute walk from Oia’s bustling caldera, and stay at the hotel’s newest suites inspired by the natural volcanic soil of the island. Launching this July, the suite combines traditional Cycladic architecture with contemporary gray colors inspired by volcanic ash and rock to create a luxurious earth-forward feel.
