Santorini has always been on my bucket list, a destination I knew would be special. So, why now? Long story short, it was my birthday present from my husband š. While Santorini is known for being an expensive island, we did manage to find reasonably priced flights from London, thanks to the low-cost airlines that fly this route āļø. However, with our little Alice in tow, we knew weād need a certain level of comfort, so our accommodation choices were definitely not in the ābudgetā category šØ.
Before our trip, I did some research and discovered that many people consider Santorini unsuitable for toddlers, especially because itās not stroller-friendly š¼. This made me a bit uneasy, but I wasnāt about to wait six years for Alice to grow up just to visit Santorini. So, is this place really so inappropriate for little kids? Letās find out š¤.
The Journey Begins šš
We spent nine days in Santorini, staying in two different hotels to mix things up. Our first stay was in Oiaāat the charming Sunset View Jacuzzi House booked through Airbnb š”. Oia and Fira are the most famous spots on the island, with iconic blue domes, windmills, and the renowned Oia sunset š . If these are the sights youāre after, then Oia and Fira are the places to be.
We landed in Santorini around 6 pm local time, picked up our rental car, and set off for the 25-minute drive to Oia š. The evening was bustling, and finding parking was a challenge. The roads were narrow, with no footpaths, making it tricky for both pedestrians and drivers š£ļø. However, once we found a parking spotāthere are many free public parking areas across the islandāwe made our way to the Airbnb š æļø. The location was perfect, just off the main street, close to restaurants and sights, yet surprisingly quiet š. We had a lovely terrace with a stone jacuzzi and a beautiful view, allowing us to watch the famous Oia sunset while sipping wine š·. We couldnāt have been happier with our first hotel choice.
Exploring Oia š š“
We visited Santorini during the summer holidays, so the sun was strong, and it could get really hot during the day āļø. To avoid the heat, we explored Oia in the mornings and evenings, spending the rest of the day cooling off in our private pool to keep Alice safe from the sun š. One piece of advice: skip the excursions to Oia and explore on your own. Either take public transport or hire a car and visit early in the morning or later in the evening when itās less crowded š¶āāļø. During these quieter times, Oia is absolutely stunning. The views are breathtaking, and the little cafĆ©s, rooftop restaurants, and bakeries are incredible š„.
Before our trip, we read that Santorini wasnāt stroller-friendly, so we brought a baby carrier instead. In hindsight, we regretted this a little, as there were paths with almost no steps that we could have navigated with a stroller š¼. As for dining out, many people mentioned that high chairs arenāt available, but we found that every restaurant we visited provided one when asked š½ļø. The locals were very friendly, often entertaining Alice, and we saw plenty of other parents with strollers, so we didnāt feel out of place at all šØāš©āš§. The only real challenge in Oia was finding water nappiesāpharmacies are your best bet for those š.
If youāre planning to visit Ammoudi Bay, donāt trust Google Mapsā walking time š¶āāļø. The stairs are numerous, and the heat can be intense, so driving down might be a better option š„µ. We ended up taking an expensive taxi back because we didnāt want to keep Alice out in the sun any longer š. We regretted not planning this little trip better.
A Day in Fira šš”
One morning, we decided to visit Fira, the islandās capital. Arriving early meant we easily found parking before the crowds descended š. Fira has a similar vibe to Oia, but itās less stroller-friendly š. The town itself is perched on the edge of the caldera, with stunning views over the sea and neighbouring islands š. The streets are lined with shops selling everything from local crafts to designer goods, and there are plenty of places to grab a bite to eat šļø.
The highlight of our visit was the cable car ride down to the old port, which Alice loved š . The views during the ride were spectacular, and itās a quick and fun way to descend the steep cliffs š. We took a cable car down to the port, but when we saw the massive queue of cruise passengers waiting to go back up, we knew weād have to find another way back up to make it in time for Aliceās nap š.
Before I delve into the experience itself, I feel itās important to address the ethical concerns surrounding the use of mules in Santorini š“. Thereās an ongoing debate about whether itās appropriate to use animals for this sort of work, particularly in a tourist setting.
Mules are often mistaken for donkeys, but they are actually a hybrid of a donkey and a horse. They inherit the strength and stamina of a horse but also possess the sure-footedness of a donkey, making them well-suited for steep and uneven terrain like the cliffs of Santorini ā°ļø. That said, the ethical issue comes down to how these animals are treatedāwhether they are overworked, well-fed, given adequate rest, and properly cared for after their working hours šæ.
As an animal lover who has spent years caring for and riding horses, this was something I was conscious of š. From what I observed, the mules appeared to be in good condition. They were well-fed, and there were enough of them to ensure they had rest between trips. They also waited in shaded areas, so they werenāt exposed to the sun all day š. However, I didnāt spend the entire day observing their treatment, so I canāt speak definitively about their overall welfare.
Ultimately, we decided to ride the mules because we needed to get back to Fira quickly for Aliceās nap, and it seemed like a reasonable option given the circumstances š. The ride itself was memorableāAlice loved it, and the mules seemed comfortable with the journey š. However, I do hope that their owners appreciate the hard work these animals do and ensure they are treated with the care they deserve. If youāre considering this option, Iād encourage you to make your own observations and decisions based on what you see š¤.
Relaxing at Kamari Beach šļøš
After the hustle and bustle of Oia and Fira, we spent the last couple of nights at Kamari Beach, staying at Thousand Stars Suites & Rooms š. Kamari offers a completely different experience from the caldera towns. Itās a more laid-back, family-friendly area with a long stretch of beach and plenty of amenities šļø.
Our hotel was modern and comfortable, with a private hot tub on the terraceāa perfect spot to unwind after a day in the sun š. The hotel had a beautiful pool area and a small restaurant where we enjoyed some delicious meals š½ļø. One of the best perks were the free sun loungers at the beach š . Many of the beachfront restaurants offer sun loungers for free if you spend a certain amount of moneyāusually around 20 EUR per person š¶.
Kamari Beach is known for its black volcanic sand, which, while striking, can be a bit rough on little feet š¦¶. Iād recommend bringing sea shoes for your little ones to make it easier to walk on the beach š. The beach itself is well-organised, with plenty of sun loungers and umbrellas šāāļø.
The long promenade that runs parallel to the beach is perfect for strolling with a pram š¼. Itās lined with bars, restaurants, and shops, offering a wide variety of food and drink options at more reasonable prices than in Oia or Fira šļø. In fact, the food and drink prices were about half of what we paid in Oia, so Iād suggest spending a few days by the beach and reserving Oia for a shorter stay āļø.
One of the things I loved about Kamari was how family-friendly it is šØāš©āš§. There were lots of families with children of all ages, and the vibe is much more relaxed, making it an ideal spot for a family holiday šļø.
Other Excursions š·šŗ
During our stay in Oia, we took a break from the heat and visited theĀ Koutsogiannopoulos Wine Museum, which turned out to be a surprisingly enjoyable experience for the whole family š. This child-friendly winery offers a fascinating underground tour that takes you through the history of winemaking on Santorini šŗ. The museum is housed in a natural cave, winding 300 meters underground, and uses life-sized wax figures and old machinery to depict the traditional methods of winemaking on the island š°ļø.
The tour was engaging for both adults and children. Alice was captivated by the lifelike figures and the various tools and barrels on display š². The cool underground setting was a welcome relief from the summer heat, making it a perfect mid-day excursion š”ļø. The tour concludes with a tasting of four different wines, accompanied by snacks, which was a pleasant way to wrap up the visit š·. The entry fee was 25 EUR per person, which felt reasonable given the quality of the experience, especially in comparison to the generally high prices on the island š¶.
On our last day in Santorini, we ventured toĀ Ancient Thera, a historical site located on a high ridge of the Mesa Vouno mountain, just a 10-minute drive from Kamari Beach šļø. The site offers a glimpse into the ancient history of Santorini, with ruins dating back to the 9th century BC ā.
The drive up to Ancient Thera is not for the faint-heartedāthe road is steep, narrow, and zigzags up the mountain, offering breathtaking views but also requiring careful navigation š. Once at the top, the panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and the surrounding landscape were absolutely stunning, making the drive well worth it š. However, the site is very exposed to the elements, so we made sure to visit early in the morning to avoid the intense midday sun and strong winds that can whip through the area š¬ļø. The climb to the top was a bit challenging, especially with a toddler, but Alice enjoyed exploring the ruins and the wide-open spaces š.
Homeward Bound āļøš
As our time in Santorini came to an end, we packed our bags with a mix of excitement and a tinge of sadness šš. Santorini had exceeded our expectations, proving to be more than just a romantic destination š. It had been a wonderful place for our family to relax, explore, and create lasting memories šø. The islandās unique charm, stunning landscapes, and warm hospitality had made our stay truly special š.
Returning the car and getting through security at the airport was quick and easy, but the airport itself is small with limited food options, which can be challenging with kids š. Alice kept us busy by finally deciding to start walking on her own, which was a new challenge in itself š¼š¶!
Travelling with a toddler is undoubtedly more challenging, especially now that Alice is finding her independence šŖ. But despite the added complexity, Santorini was our second-best family holiday so far, right after Hawaii šŗ. The island didnāt disappoint, and contrary to popular belief, Santorini can be kid-friendly šļø.
This was our last holiday during my maternity leave, but donāt worry, thereās more to comeĀ āļøš. Our next adventure is going to be a big one, so stay tuned!
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