Hello, We are only going to be in santorini for 1 day. We are picking up a car from hertz (anyone use them before). We want to see some of the different beaches, visit a few wineries, stop for local beer and see some amazing views. We are not museum people. I was thinking of heading in the opposite direction from Oia and then on the return go thru Oia. I was thinking that Oia would be more crowded in the morning. Picking the car up in Fira. Just looking for any driving suggestions and which beaches to visit and which to avoid. I would like to take a dip at one beach so any suggestion as to which is the best for this. Thanks,
Mary
Posted by
Chicago
2876 posts
Personally, with one day I wouldn't even bother with a rental car. The island is much smaller than you think. Oia is basically a pedestrian-only town. You can easily get anywhere on the island with local buses or taxis.
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
I disagree. You'll waste too much time using public transportation. Clik Here for the Best Map of Santorini You can see that you will not be passing 'thru' Oia on the way back to Fira after hitting the beaches or the south end of Santorini. On the way to Vlichada Beach there's a turnoff with a sign that says something like "beach bar" and at the end of that dirt road is a very nice beach seldom visited. Theros Wave Bar is there. You can visit Kamari Beach or Perissa Beach for black "sand" or the Red Beach in Akrotiri. Below Oia have a meal at Katina's Fish Taverna on the wharf in Amoudi Bay. I'm assuming you're on a cruise. To get to the Hertz office in Fira: when you exit the cable car building (Please don't ride the abused donkeys!) turn left and walk to the end of the lane, about 50 yards. Turn right and you'll see immediately on your left a short flight of steps down to another lane. Walk out that lane to the main road. The Hertz office is right there. Be sure to go to your local AAA office to pick up an International Driving Permit, no test or membership required, for $15 plus a photo fee if you don't bring 2 passport photos with you.
Posted by
OP
Chester, Maryland
30 posts
Thanks for your comments. Lee, your advise is exactly what I am looking for. If we go that route and stop at the red beach and a black beach and then head the other direction towards Oia will we be close to any of the wineries? Have any of you heard of a restaurant called the Dolphin? Where is that located? And would you recommend that restaurant or the one in the town below Oia? Thanks
Mary
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
If you go to the Red Beach you will have passed Santo Wines, definitely one of the most popular stops for wine enthusiasts. As you enter Oia look for Santorini Mou Taverna on your right just after the settlement of Finikia. Down the driveway alongside Santorini Mou is Sigalas Winery, a smaller but very successful winery. This one isn't fancy like Santo but the wines win all sorts of awards. I don't know the Dolphin Restaurant but you'll be near it when you're at Red Beach. What's special about Katina's or one of the others down there is the overall atmosphere of Amoudi Bay. It's not a town, by the way, just a quaint fisherman's wharf area with a small handful of buildings. By the way, Red Beach is across from the best archaeological site on the island, Akrotiri.
Posted by
OP
Chester, Maryland
30 posts
Thanks so much Lee....sounds perfect to me. The Dolphin restaurant was where Giada ate when she did Santorini. I saw that Hertz does not open until 9AM, would there be another car
rental agency you would recommend that might open earlier and be closer to where we get off. Mary
Posted by
Camarillo, California
3122 posts
Before you look for another agency contact the Hertz office about whether or not they can accomodate your time frame. You don't say when you're arriving, but if you're on a cruise by the time you get tendered ashore and up the cliff it might be close to 9am anyway. This process usually takes about an hour, sometimes longer if there are a lot of passengers from several ships trying to get up the cliff at the same time. If Hertz says no, contact Tony's. When you reach the main road turn left and walk uphill until you see them on the left. It's not far. There are lots of others in the same area. One will surely be open unless it's very early. Cars with automatic transmissions are a scarce commodity, so if you require one you definitely need to make sure it's all arranged in advance.
Posted by
Formerly Athens
72 posts
Gaia Winery is on the black sand beach on the eastern side of the island. I had one the my best Greek wine experiences at this winery. Check out their webpage:
http://www.gaia-wines.gr/en/visit/winery-santorini
Posted by
Morrison, CO, USA
891 posts
We rented an ATV, a large one, to see Santorini and it was great fun! The owner offered me a smaller one but my husband and I wouldn't have been able to talk, so we got the larger one and I rode with him. We were glad we had done that instead of a car. Have a Great trip!