“My adventure of a lifetime had finished, and I can say it was 100 percent the best travel of my life! Incredible experience – eight weeks and eight destinations changed me and my attitude toward traveling.
So many “first times” have happened to me:
The first time I went solo and improved myself in so many ways.
The first time I tried Couchsurfing, I met great people and made new friends.
The first time I climbed a volcano, and it started erupting!
The first time I went to dream destinations – Portugal and Greece, discovered these great countries and fell in love with them.
The first time I felt an earthquake – impossible to forget that feeling.
I have learned how to be more independent and brave; how to be prepared for any situation; and to enjoy every moment of adventures.
I wish for everybody to try long-term solo travel at least once – believe me, it will change your life!
Finally, I want to say thank you to SkySurf.Travel for such an opportunity.
With love,
Romanna”
As Romanna has shown us, it doesn’t require to break the bank to travel the world and make your travel dreams come true. You, too, can travel like Romanna to multiple destinations for about the same price of USD 815 and even cheaper! Check out the video below of Romanna’s travels. To start booking your dream trip, visit SkySurf.Travel and the SkySurf.Travel Multi-City Trip Generator tool.
We plan on having more travel jobs, such as Romanna’s shortly, so check back the SkySurf.Travel blog soon!
Be sure to check out and follow SkySurf.Travel’s Instagram for more photos and videos of Romanna’s recent trip, and future upcoming trips.
In the last article, I told you about the most touristic places in Athens. But there is more to see in the city and around!
ThePanathenaic Stadium
It is one of the city’s most popular touristic attractions and one of Athen’s landmarks. Located on the site of an ancient stadium, is the Panathenaic Stadium; for many centuries the stadium hosted games in which nude male athletes competed in track events – athletics championships as we would call them today.
The Panathenaic Stadium
I have not entered the stadium. The ticket costs 5 euro, so I’ve decided not to go inside. There is also a small museum which shows previous Olympic torches, but if you are not interested in its history, it would be better to view it from the outside.
The Lycabettus Hill
Standing 277 meters above sea level, Lycabettus Hill is the highest point of Athens. A funicular or cliff railway can take you to the top of the hill. Lycabettus Hill is the best place to enjoy the sunset and see the lights of the Acropolis, Temple of Olympian Zeus, Panathenaic Stadium, and Ancient Agora. Reminded you will also be that Athens is surrounded by sea with spectacular views across the Aegean. The viewing platform in front of the Church provides sprawling views of Athens, stretching out to the city’s coastline.
City view after the sunset from the Lycabettus HillCity view after the sunset from the Lycabettus Hill
The Church is a witness for the essence of the Hellenic culture, which has 360-degree views over all of Athens up to the Mediterranean sea; and the far mountains will carry you out to a completely different ambiance. The view is spectacular and is the highest point in Athens; it is worth the trip. In this magical place, I recommend you finish your acquaintance with Athens.
Athens new Cultural Center
Two years ago, in 2017 in the district of Kallithea, opened the new Greek National Opera and Library, situated in the south of Athens. Local guides never advise visiting this place. Maybe that is why there are almost no tourists.
These buildings are incredible! I came there twice – in the evening and during the day to enjoy the beauty of modern architecture in a different light. I think this place should be in the top-3 must-visit areas in Athens!
National Opera and Library night view
Besides the buildings, there is a park, garden, and a 400-meter sea-water canal, where you can sail, rent a kayak, or enjoy the coolness from water in the hot time.
View from the top of opera buildingView from the top of opera building
The building projects are impressive – when you get to the top of the opera, you could look down – there are eight floors under you. And if you look to the left – there is a feeling you are on the same height as the city.
You remember, I told you all the books were taken from the national library in the city center? Now they are here!
The new libraryThe new library
Entrance to this place is free; you can quickly enter the library, get to the top of the opera, and have a coffee while enjoying the city view.
Food Market of Varvakios Agora
Food Market of Varvakios Agora
If you want to feel the soul of the city, you need to go to the market. Varvakios Agora is a great market where you can find meat and fish, see the real mood of locals and try some local food. There, some of the tavernas are open 24/7 where you can eat traditional food.
Sellers in a marketSellers in a market
Weekend getaway to the mountains
After active sightseeing in the capital of Greece, my Couchsurfing host offered to move to the north of the mountains.
Highway Athens – Volos
Our destination was Pelion mountain and its neighborhood. It took us 4 hours to get to the Volos city by a highway, and 1.5 more hours through narrow mountain serpentines.
Pelion mountain serpentines
If you are going to move by car, you need to be prepared to pay a fee for the toll road. There is no certain distance between payment points, and the amount is always different – from 1.20 euros to 4 euros. On our way, there were more than five payment points.
Payment point in a toll road
This region is popular during the winter because of skiing tracks. But in summer people are coming to enjoy the fresh air of mountains and to sunbathe in picturesque beaches.
Volos city view from the mountain
Those days the weather was changeable, you can see it on the picture below – all the days I came to the same point over the Mylopotamos beach and took a picture. One day the sea was calm with amazing blue water, the next day there was a storm with huge waves, and on the third day calm again. Crazy nature!
Mylopotamos beach in different days
Interesting fact, in this region there are tons of small villages. Some of them are touristic, and some are not. Every village has a small central square with an old platan tree.
Typical square with platan tree
All villages are different – smaller and bigger, with their style of buildings. But in all of them, there is an atmosphere of calmness. I enjoyed it so much!
Villages in Pelion regionVillages in Pelion region
Comparing to the prices in Athens, prices in this region are much lower. You could find local tavernas and try the most delicious traditional Greek food.
Tavern is a small village
The average price for dinner to try 3-5 dishes is 15 euros per person. Usually, owners of tavernas are working there, and are happy to have a chat with you. I was surprised – every time they bring you complimentary wine, dessert, or fresh fruits.
Traditional Greek food
Traditional Greek food
To sum up, I want to say Greece is a unique country. Beautiful islands, stunning mountains, and noisy cities – such a contrast!
I am sure I will come back here more and more.
Hope you enjoyed it, it was my last article about the adventure of a lifetime!
Today I will show you the essential places in the capital of Greece.
So, let’s start from the Syntagma square. The name Syntagma means Constitution. The square has a long history, and it seems that every major event in Greece was either mourned or celebrated here. It has held some of the most significant political pep-rallies ever seen on the planet.
Syntagma square
Syntagma Square is back and better than ever. Well, maybe not better than ever. It was probably at its best in the early 1900s when no cars and buses were whizzing around it, and when towering trees shaded it. But with the re-routing of the traffic, the opening of the new metro, and the removal of the wooden billboard covered walls, Syntagma looks better then it has in many years. At the top of the square are two stairways and an elevator leading to the Syntagma Metro Station, one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world, with its museum of artifacts found at the construction site. There is also the Parliament Building, formerly the King’s Palace, built between 1836 and 1840 by King Otto and financed by his father Ludwig I of Bavaria.
Changing of the guard
Guarded by the elite soldiers Evzones, chosen for their height and strength, is the tomb of the unknown soldier and the Palace. They are like the guards at Buckingham Palace with the big furry hats and are treated the same way by tourists who come to take their pictures and see if they blink. Every so often they do a little march and dance to break the monotony of standing still all day. They occasionally do this small kick step with their slouchy shoes with the pom-poms. The pleated skirt, the foustanela, was worn by the Greek fighters of the 1821 revolution and today it serves as the official uniform of the Evzones. Otto established it as the formal court dress in the middle of the 19th century. At 6 pm, you can see the changing of the guard while dodging pigeons. If you have children, they will probably enjoy feeding them with the nuts sold there. On Sunday at 11 is a big ceremony for the changing of the guard with a marching band and a whole troop of Evzones. Syntagma Square is the most famous in Athens if not all of Greece. No matter where you have to go to Athens if you can find Syntagma Square, you can find your way.
National Library of Greece
The National Library of Greece is situated a 15-minute walk from the Syntagma square. The building itself is imposing and designed to mimic the ancient architecture. It is part of Hansen’s famous Athenian Neoclassical Trilogy of buildings that include the National University of Athens and the Academy of Athens.
National Library of Greece
It is a beautiful sight only spoiled by the view of dilapidated modern buildings across the street covered in graffiti. Established in 1888 was the library. Unfortunately, the historic building is no longer functioning as a library. Rendered from it were all the books. In the funds of this library were thousands of books in all languages of the world.
The Plaka district
We continue our acquaintance with the sights of Athens in the old Plaka district with the village of ruins and the view from Parthenon. The Plaka is the most previous section of Athens. Most of the streets have been closed to automobile traffic, though you should still keep a watchful eye for a speeding motorcycle or delivery truck. First of all, you need to get your bearings. The Plaka is under the Acropolis and stretches almost to Syntagma.
Street musicians in Placa district
There are two main pedestrian streets which intersect at what is generally considered the center of the Plaka: Kydathineon and Adrianou. The Plaka is full of street musicians, flower sellers, photographers, and people who sell beads or will write your name on a grain of rice.
Outdoor cinema in Athens
There is the Cine Paris in Plaka. The Cine Paris, the best outdoor movie theater in Athens. Of course, you haven’t come to Greece to go to the movies, but if you are not ready for a wild night out and want to sit back for entertainment, you are in for a treat. Almost all the movies are in English with Greek subtitles, and when you go inside, you will discover the theater is on the roof with a view of the Acropolis.
Whether you like hanging out watching people, shopping, eating, or wandering around, the Plaka is a great area to be in or near. From it, you can walk to all the desirable parts of central Athens.
Temple of Zeus
If to say a few words about The Parthenon, dedicated by the Athenians to Athena Parthenos, the patron of their city, is the most magnificent creation of Athenian democracy at the height of its power. It is also the most elegant monument on the Acropolis in terms of both conception and execution, built between 447 and 438 BC. Conservation and restoration of the Parthenon took place in 1896-1900 and again in 1922-1933.
Athens is not just an ordinary capital; Classical Greece was born here, and the first prehistoric settlement arose here in the era of 3000 BC. Located in Central Greece, this famous city is on the plain of Attica, which is surrounded by the mountains of Parnihta, Egaleo, Pendeli, and Imito. The Gulf of the Aegean Sea washes the city. The climate in Athens is the Mediterranean, the summer here is hot and dry, the average temperature +25|+35 ° C, and the winter is relatively mild, windy +5|+15 ° C. Athens is a sunny city; it has about the 300 sunny days a year!
Restaurant terrace with sunlight – perfect place for dinner
Athens includes the Old Town, central districts, suburbs and also the port of Piraeus. In this city, you can spend a month exploring in detail all the ancient monuments and ruins, charming neoclassical buildings in the historical center, and museums. If you decide to do this, please, keep in mind there are places, even in the very center of the city, where you will come in contact with street sellers. For example, it would be best if you avoid the Omonia quarter, filled with emigrants.
How to get to Athens?
Regional buses KTEL connect Athens with other cities of Greece. The bus park was recently renovated, which makes the journey pleasant and safe. Unlike other European countries, the Greek railway network has only two lanes of traffic. The first goes to the south to the Peloponnese, and the other one to the north, connecting Athens with Thessaloniki.
The port of Piraeus serves as a sea gate in Athens and serves many ferries. You can get to the port either by taxi or by subway, but then you will have a walk. There is a bus for cruise passengers from the terminal to the city.
Ferry from Santorini to Athens
I got to Athens by a ferry from Santorini, and it is an interesting story. My flight got postponed three times. And as it happened, I didn’t get to read the third e-mail. When I arrived at the airport and came to the check-in, I was told that I’m not flying this plane. So I had to buy a ticket for another flight 3 times more expensive or to buy a ferry ticket. I stayed in Santorini for one more night. By the way, my first ticket price was 43 $, but at the airport, I have been offered to buy a new one for 170 €. It turned out that many passengers fell for such kind of trick the same way as I did and that this is often practiced here by some airline companies. What I can add – just be careful with that.
Pedestrian street with artists
Transport
A bicycle is always a good idea. There are more than 70 municipal bicycle rental points near the main attractions, underground stations, parks, and squares. The fee (5 €) is for the whole day of the rental. There is no hourly rate. You need to buy a plastic card in a kiosk, subway ticket office or cafe, and use it to unlock the rack to which the bicycle is fastened.
City center is always full of tourists
Also, you can catch a taxi at any given moment. Athenian yellow taxis take 1.20 € per landing and 0.60 € per km per day (at night – 1.20 €). The minimum fare is 3.10 €. When you are landing, it is essential to ensure that the driver activates the counter.
Public transport
The public transport system of Athens includes underground, trams, and buses. The underground works from 5:00 a.m. to midnight; this is a very convenient choice for travel. It has only three lines (it is impossible to get lost). Unchangeable travel fee – 1.40 €. There are fascinating museum stations that were uncovered during the construction of tracks. If to speak about trams, there are three tram lines which connect the center of Athens with the southern districts of the city.
Athens Street art
The tram is more convenient for trips on the coast. Night buses are indispensable when returning from the “evil places” beyond midnight. Tickets for public transport valued at 1.40 € are valid for 90 minutes without restriction. There is also a 24 hour (4.50 €) and five days (9 €) pass. You can use them on all types of transport – buses, trolleybuses, underground and an EL. The exception is the route to the airport and the Express X80 line. They cost 4.50 €.
Car rental
Rental cars in Athens is popular and in demand, which is not surprising, given the fact of the low cost of this service. Economy class car in the capital of Greece will cost you only 25-30 EUR per day. And taking into account the Athenian parking lots, such cars will be more comfortable. Although the network of city parking lots is well developed, it is often difficult to find a place. Parking is paid by unique cards, which you can buy in kiosks, cafes, and shops.
Traffic in the city is intense. In the morning and evening rush hours, the whole center is in a traffic jam.
Athens from the sky
Where to stay
Athens is one of the most specific megacities of the world, and the place where you live may have a significant impact on the impressions you will leave with. The specificity of Athens is not only about the rich historical heritage. The city is divided into clusters, which are very strikingly different from each other. Prices for accommodation aren’t enormous. Even in the center of the city, you can find establishments offering a bed for 12 € per person. In hostels, rooms for 1-6 people are available. Of course, private apartments or a room in the hotel will be more expensive. Prices are different, and they start from 30 to 300|450 € per night. It depends on additional amenities. In Athens, my choice again fell on the Couchsurfing.
Imagine, you came to Santorini, already walked through Oia, and saw the most beautiful sunset. What to do next? In this article, I will tell you ten unforgettable things to do in Thira island.
1. Watch the Star Sky
Star sky over Santorini
I have never seen such beauty before! Due to the size of the island and small population, there is no intense light as in the big megapolis. So you can go to some high ground and see a perfectly clear sky. Of course, if there are no clouds at this moment. Please be careful with night driving – all leading to the top roads could be dangerous during the night time.
2. Relax on a Black Beach
Perissa Black Beach
Perissa Beach or the Black beach is the longest and the most popular beach on the island. It is 8 kilometers long, starts under the mountain which protects visitors from the wind. Here you can find tons of restaurant and cafes, almost all of them propose their sunbeds so you can have a free place to hide from the sun. The usual price is 5-10 euros per person, but sometimes you could find a free one. To get to the beach, take a bus from Fira to Perissa city.
3. Get Lost in Imerovigli City
Imerovogly city
In my opinion, Imerovigli is as beautiful as Oia city. At the same time, there are no crowds, prices are lower, and you still can see caldera view in front. Moreover, you see the nearest island, cliffs, and even Oia! Imerovigli is very authentic, with blue-domed churches and typical Cycladic architectural style houses.
blue-domed church
Do you know why all the buildings in Santorini are white and blue? The Greek ex-prime minister Ioannis Metaxas ordered to paint houses in these colors as a symbol of the white waves of the Aegean Sea and the blue of the Greek sky in 1936. Besides this, white walls save the climate inside buildings by reducing sun absorption.
4. Walk Through the Pass From Oia to Fira
Walking pass
You thought all you can do in Santorini is swimming in a swimming pool, watching sunsets and sunbathing on the colored beach? I had a hunch that this is not the whole list of activities, and found a walking pass from Fira to Oia. It is nearly an 11 km long trek on the edge of the caldera. This pass goes through Imerovigli and Firostefani cities, and you can stop wherever you want if you feel tired. I decided to do it in reverse due to the daytime heat and the number of tourists in the evening in Oia. So I arrived there at 6 pm – at this time all the tourists start coming to take the best places for the sunset. But not me – I went out of the city. Firstly it is quite hard to go because it is still sweltering. But in an hour it gets a colder and fresh breeze from the Aegean Sea which makes you feel awesome. It took me 4 hours with a few stops to take photos, and one big stop to enjoy the sunset. At 10 pm, I came to Fira and was extremely happy – it was a fantastic experience!
5. Try Local Food
Traditional bakery snack – a sandwich with feta cheese, tomato and olives
Dinner in a tavern – seafood, greek salad, and potato
All places in Santorini are targeting tourists. To find a traditional Greek tavern for locals is difficult, but possible. You need to go to the not very touristic villages and ask for a lovely place to eat. Of course, there is lots of seafood and fish. Usually, one dish costs 8-16 euros, depending on the place, size, and product.
Fried squid
Traditional greek dish from eggplants – Musaca
It is a great idea to go to some restaurants (not fancy) in the evenings and at other times to prepare food by yourself (if you rent an apartment and you have a kitchen). Prices in supermarkets are almost the same as in European cities, and it is a way to save money.
The most popular street food is Gyros. It is a local kebab in a pita. Usually, it cost 2.5 euros or 5 euros for a super big one (30 cm!). It is a quick and delicious food to satisfy your hunger.
6. Watch the Sunset Near the Lighthouse
The lighthouse
My local friend told me two years ago it used to be a quiet and romantic place where you can be alone with nature’s beauty. Nowadays lots of people are coming there in the evening but it still worth visiting! You could get to the end of the island by bus, but after the sunset, there will be no more buses. So you need to be ready to catch a car or go by foot (too far for a night walk).
7. Climb the Skaros Mountain
Skaros Mountain
Located near Imerovigli, this mountain is one of the best places to watch the sunset. You need to be prepared to climb over 3 meters of sheer cliffs! So you need to have comfortable shoes and clothes. It is not very hard, but for me, it was a surprise.
It used to be part of the city before, one of the most affluent areas with beautiful buildings and a Venetian Castle. Unfortunately, after the earthquake in 1956 the whole area, named Skaros, fell to the sea and the mount is the only thing left in that place.
8. Find the Fog Over the Cliff
Foggy morning in Imerovigli city
A breathtaking view! I need to tell you it is not an everyday phenomenon. I was lucky to see it twice – once in Fira, and once near the Imerovigli city. Imagine – you stand on the top of the hill, and there is the fog below. It is moving so quickly, changing directions, getting over hills, and moving forward. I could not believe it could happen in Santorini!
9. Climb the Profitis Iliаs on the Sunrise
Sunrise over Kamari city
The highest mountain on the island has a monastery on top, named after Profits Ilias. I climbed to the top, not for a religious purpose. I wanted to see how the island wakes up. It took one hour to get to the top and enjoy the view.
View from the Profitis Iliаs
The significant fact is no-one will do the same. I spent an hour on the top, and halfway back, I met the first person who was going up!
10. Find the Red Beach
Red Beach
One more place to enjoy the Aegean Sea – the Red Beach. It is incredibly tiny in comparison with the Black one. It has received its name because of the color of the cliffs over the beach. It is not very safe to be there – there is a sign – danger zone, but it does not stop anyone. If you want to swim there, I advise you to take aqua-shoes; otherwise, it is too painful to go into the water because of the rocks.
The most publicized place in all of Greece. White houses you saw on thousands of pictures, ads, photos, and greeting card. I thought the whole island looks like this picture. White walls, blue roofs, and windows – that was all I knew about this place.
Typical Santorini colors – the white church with a blue dome
Could you imagine what I was thinking during the first ride through the island? After those fairy expectations, all I saw were cliffs and not many attractive villages.
Is it all fake? The truth is every touristic company, the bloggers, and magazines show us only a few spots – the most popular and beautiful places of Santorini.
Fira
Fira is the capital of Santorini. Do not confuse it with Thira – the real name of the island.
Foggy morning in Fira
It is almost impossible to miss the visit to this city. Firstly, it is situated almost in the middle of the island. Secondly, in Fira is the central bus station and all the buses come here. (Hope, you remember that all routes start from Fira. If you want to get from East to North of the island, you need to get to the central bus station and catch another bus). Thirdly, it is the heart of Santorini. It is not very picturesque, but here is the biggest group of needed facilities like shops, supermarkets, small and cheap cafes, pharmacies, and an old port where you can take a boat excursion.
Street sellers of fruits and vegetables in Fira
Interesting fact, to get to the city from the port you need to choose one of the following three options: the Cable Car which goes up once every 20 minutes and there is a huge queue, to be brought up on mule (donkey), or to go up on foot (500 stairs!). In the last option, you need to share narrow stairs with mules and their smell – I warned you!
“parked” donkey waiting for a job
Oia
A real fairy tale! The first time I get to Oia, I could not believe my eyes! It looks like all those pictures on the Internet. Yes, all those white houses are real. And they are situated near each other. You can not understand if they are all separated or if it is one colossal lego construction.
Oia city view
Do you know that feeling on a sunny winter day when you look at snow, and it blinds you? The same goes here; you can not look at them without sunglasses.
There are almost no locals in Oia – it is the most popular city. The most expensive hotels, restaurants, and shops are here. All because of the caldera view. The word caldera means a volcanic crater formed by eruption leading to the collapse of the mouth of the volcano. Santorini appeared after this eruption – if you look on a map, you can see the island has a form of a crescent. Places, where you can enjoy the caldera view, are overpriced. Apartments with infinity pools, all tables in restaurants – all of them are booked in advance and for huge prices!
Windmills in sunset light
Besides small and same type houses, there are huge windmills – you can see them in the best light while the sun sets in Oia. If you want to see the best sunset, you need to be prepared for it morally.
The crowded way to the “sunset view” part of Oia city
The fact is, almost all people on the island want to see it with you. Oia is a small city, but the part with the sunset view is tiny, which brings us to an annoying situation. Imagine caldera view, windmills, the Aegean sea, yachts, sunset, a fantastic sky color…. And a thousand people near you. They are not standing somewhere near you – they almost touch you because there is no place for such an amount of people! Feels like you are inside an anthill. Oh, that was one of the best and the worst memories at the same time.
“Waiting for sunset”
A funny tradition I had never seen before – at the moment when the sun went down, everybody claps!
Can you count the people in this photo?
It comes as no surprise Fira and Oia are a touristic city – you can not even imagine how it is possible to live there permanently. A strong earthquake in 1956 almost destroyed both of them. Reconstruction of those cities occurred for tourism due to their location on the edge of the caldera.
Yachts coming back to the port after the sunset in the caldera
It is almost impossible to meet locals in Santorini. There is no manufacturing on the island. The only opportunity to earn money is to work with tourists, and this work is hard and not very well paid. Almost all the workers migrated from other Greece islands or even countries. I was shocked; these people work without weekends off! The season lasts for eight months – from March to October. During the off-season, closed are the hotels, restaurants, and shops, as well as no ferries and almost no flights. All people leave the island and wait for the next season. So can you imagine how to work eight months without rest? Once I met a barman who works from early morning to afternoon, then he has a few hours to rest and one more evening shift till 2-3 a.m. And he works every day! You need to know they do not have extra pay for night shifts and weekends. Leisure for some people is hard work for others — a big difference between living there, and a one-two week vacation.
Welcome to the most beautiful corners of the globe! Santorini island annually accepts hundreds of tourists every year. Sometimes, it is impossible to understand how all of them could stay on such a small piece of ground.
Did you know “Santorini” is a nickname? To my astonishment, I found out the Island’s original name is Tira only when I arrived! This name deals with the volcano eruption near the Island, which ruined a great civilization. From the old days, the Island received its nickname – Santorini, named after Saint Irina, patron of locals. There is a version that the Island is part of the legendary Atlantis that supposedly is under the water, described by Platon.
The indescribable beauty of snow-white houses, more than three hundred small churches, picturesque views on the Aegean Sea, and a mighty volcano – it is all about Santorini!
According to the version given by National Geographic, the sunsets on the Island are among the ten most beautiful in the world. They say that you can see all the existing colors while watching these sunsets. The Island has lots of awards as “best sunset,” “best book store,” and others. It seems more like one of the tourist attractions.
The most beautiful sunsets are here! (due to National Geographic)
The Island also attracts by its multi-colored volcanic beaches. They are no less popular than famous sunsets. Although there are about 15 of them, the most popular ones are black, red, and white.
Getting married in Santorini island is a dream to thousands of girls all over the world. Amazingly, lots of them do it despite insanely high prices for everything. The Island is also very popular among newly-married Chinese couples. They like to spend a romantic honeymoon here and also arrange beautiful photo sessions. Santorini is relatively small, it’s only 17 km long, but every square inch of it looks like a peachy postcard.
Typical marriage photo session with a breathtaking view
You want to get lost while walking by flamboyant surroundings. The area is 76 square km, so it is possible to get from one side of the Island to the other by car in 2 hours. In some areas, you can see the sea on both sides of the road.
How to get to Santorini?
It is comfortable to reach Santorini by ferry from Athens. Such ferries follow the time-table, the ticket price starts from 50 €. It depends on the travel time: the shorter your way, the cheaper the ticket. Also, you can reach Santorini by plane; the flight from Athens to the Island lasts less than one hour. On the territory of the small airport, there are not many facilities. There are ATMs and restaurant, and prices are a little bit overestimated. In general, this airport is considered to be one of the worst in Europe. One more way to get here is by cruise ship. Nowadays, there is a rule that only one can come per day because usually each of them brings a few thousands of people.
Crowds of people in Oia city during the sunset timeCrowds of people in Oia city during the sunset time
Transport
Public transport is not the only way of movement by the Island. A lot of tourists prefer to rent a quadricycle, which is a comfortable vehicle; but you should be careful with that, especially on mountain roads. Also, you can catch a taxi, but the prices aren’t small. On average, a 10-15 minute trip will cost you 20-25 €.
One of the hundreds of souvenir shops on the Island.
Public transport
The only public transport on the Island is the bus. The buses on Santorini go frequently and almost to all the breathtaking places. Based on the bus terminal, which is in the capital of the Island – city Tira (Fira), are all the buses. Most of the routes go through this bus station. The buses on Santorini are not cheap: minimal price varies from 1,8 to 2,5 €, but sometimes it is necessary to change the bus to reach some points on the Island. In such a way, you will pay around 10 € per day.
Cable car
At first sight, it seems like it is impossible to achieve Fira from the port, but for those who aren’t impressed by walking on foot, you can ride the cable car. It’s situated in the Old port and goes daily every 20 minutes. The ticket costs 5 €. There is also an opportunity to get up on a donkey, but I do not recommend to ride the poor animals.
Car rental
You can rent a car on the Island, the price per day will start from 50 €, but some fantastic snow-white streets are so narrow for a vehicle to maneuver there. So in small cities, you need to always walk on foot.
Where to stay
During the high season, prices for the cheapest hotels on the Island start from 150 € per night, and if you need a higher comfort level – 350/600 €. If you want to stay at a luxury apartment with a beautiful view and a pool, it will cost you about 800 € per night. But all the variants mentioned above aren’t the only option. You also can find an apartment on Airbnb (it can be a whole flat or one private room in the flat), and the price will start from 30 €. There are some hostels in Santorini; the bed in a room for 6/8 persons will cost 20-25 €. My host was an amazingly friendly person. We watched shooting stars from the best point of the Island; he told a lot of unexpected things about the life of locals. A large part of these people works without days off and holidays for an incredibly small payment. But living in such a paradise demands patience and effort.
Evening in Firostefani city
Is it worth to visit Santorini? Definitely yes. Rich with exotic beauty and contrasts, this Greek island, you will not forget. Moreover, it will take 2-3 days to get to know almost all the best spots of the Island!
Have you ever tried to come to a new city and ignore all tourist attractions?
The World Begins With every Kiss – photo mosaicThe World Begins With every Kiss – photo mosaic
When I came to Barcelona, I decided to try both – being a tourist and being a local (pretend to be like a local). In the last article, I told you how to be a typical tourist – must-visit places, how to get there, what to do, and what to be aware of; and now I want to tell you another point of view.
You know how Barcelona looks like, right? It is a city made of rectangular quarters near the Mediterranean Sea. Despite the fact, Barcelona has a 1,5 million population, and thousands of tourists; the sea and all the beaches are clean and well maintained.
Barcelona city view
Barceloneta is an area on the coast of the sea with the most crowded beach. It is the oldest, the craziest and a loud place. There is a street with tons of restaurants and cafes. Usually, they prepare some seafood and paella. You need to understand all those places are for tourists; you will not experience the real, local taste in here. Locals rarely come here; only teenagers come to have fun on the beach.
Barceloneta beach
The only reason to visit this place is the Cable Car. But if you have enough energy to climb a small hill, I advise you to catch a Cable Car from another side.
Usually, from Barceloneta, you need to spend at least one hour waiting in a queue. At the same time, from the Montjuic there is nobody! So you can quickly buy tickets and enjoy the view. The trip takes 15 minutes and costs 12 euros (one way). It is definitely worth it – you enjoy the view of the city and the seashore from a height of more than 170 meters.
Right near the cash desk, there is a viewpoint with a small snack bar to eat something with a beautiful view. There is also a small park with a fountain, and benches where you can rest a little bit in a shadow of trees during a hot day.
The cash desk of Cable Car
Do not forget to take a walk through the park, take a look at different parts of the city, and find a tiny Sagrada Familia from this distance.
Could you see Sagrada Familia in the photo?
Where to go for the best sunset in Barcelona?
After the 3 meters over the sea film, this place became overcrowded. Nevertheless, many of the people behave so pleasantly that it is still a beautiful place to come. Recognize Bunker El Karmel? It used to be a real military bunker in the 20-30s. But now it is the most popular place with a panoramic view of the city – parallel streets, hills, Sagrada Familia, the Mediterranean sea – you can see the best points of Barcelona from here!
City view from El Karmel Bunker
You can get here by the blue metro line and get off the Carmel station, or by the yellow metro line and get off Alfons station. A more accessible way of getting there is by the V17 bus; it comes almost to the top of the hill to a bunker.
A good idea to take some snacks with you and spend the whole evening at this place. If you forget – do not be upset; due to the number of people and popularity of this place, every evening, sellers come and propose your water, wine, beer, and some food.
Nightlife in Barcelona
First of all, I want to warn you it can be unsafe to walk alone at night if you are a girl, especially if you do not know where the secure areas are. I advise you to find a company to discover the nightlife of the capital of Catalonia together. For solo travelers, I recommend finding some locals or also travelers in the hangouts section of Couchsurfing. It is beneficial for a few reasons. Firstly, you are not afraid to be alone. Secondly, locals could show you great places you will not find yourself. Finally, it is always great to have fun with new friends!
There are hundreds of bars, pubs, and night clubs all over the city. Of course, the most significant part of them is in the central area. During the night, the city seems completely different. Tiny streets of a Gothic Quarter seems even terrifying! But do not be afraid – enjoy Barcelona! As I am not a huge fan of night clubs, I will tell you about two bars I liked the most.
Nevermind Bar
Nevermind bar. Loud and crowded, this bar has an energetic atmosphere. The name is the same as one of the most famous Nirvana albums. Funny to say this, but it really Smells Like Teen Spirit inside! It is a skateboard bar, and one of the rooms is a skate-rat! Graffiti all over the walls, loud music, and low prices. Worth visiting at least once!
33/45 Bar
33/45 bar is the contrast to the previous: muted music, relaxed atmosphere, and unusual visitors. Feels like you moved to Berlin! Prices are more expensive, but you could find some interesting cocktails and meet some new friends here!
What type of tourist are you? There is one significant separation in traveling – some people grab a thick guide (or create a google map with a dozen places of interest), others prefer to get lost in a new city and feel it as it is.
Nevertheless, in Barcelona, there are some places worth visiting for both categories. Even if you don’t take a look into a map, you will find them and be amazed.
So let’s discover the Barna! (Do not confuse Barsa and Barna. Barsa in the name of a football team, and Barca is a shortened name of Barcelona)
Everything starts from here – Catalonia Square. There are a Suburb train station, more than 20 bus stops, and a metro station. Aeroexpress from the airport also comes here, and most of the touristic routes start from here. It used to be small before the year 1888, but now it is a vast square with monuments and fountains and a central meeting point.
The biggest attraction here are thousands of doves. There are more doves here than in San Marco Square in Venice and more than in Duomo Square in Milan. There are tourists, artists, running children who try to scare doves and peddlers who work to sell you cold water and beer. Be aware of them and do not buy anything; some of the peddlers cool drinks under the sewer covers!
Rambla street – Barcelona
Just in a few steps from the square, Rambla street begins. It is the most famous pedestrian street in Barcelona, which spreads from Catalonia Square to the cruise port. There are tons of shops, cafes, restaurants and tourists attractions. It is always crowded with tourists and locals and seems nice and bad at the same time; cross it with caution and pay attention to your personal belongings. As I told you in the previous article, there are many pickpockets.
You are now in the old town – the Gothic Quarter. It is the heart of the city where Barcelona was born. Saved in their original appearance were buildings from the 14-15th century. Most of the streets are pedestrian; the only way to see them is by walking through them.
The main sight of the Gothic Quarter is the Cathedral of the Holy Cross and Saint Eulalia, also known as Barcelona Cathedral. Thirteen geese are living in one of the chapels of the Cathedral. They are the symbol of Saint Eulalia, who died at the age of 13 years.
Barcelona Cathedral
One more famous spot in Gothic Quarter – Bisbe Bridge. There are some legends and beliefs about it. The most known one says that you need to stay under the bridge and make a wish while looking at a skull to make it real. Others say that a couple who kisses under the bridge will be in love forever.
Bisbe Bridge in Gothic Quarter
If you are interested in art, I recommend to climb the Montjuic Hill and visit the Museum of Catalonian Art. It is an extraordinary place with so many different styles – Barocco, Gothic, Renaissance, etc. You can spend half of the day in the halls of the museum!
Want to rest a little under a tree shade? Make your way to Guel Park. There are two parts of the park – free and paid. Remember, many tourists visit Barcelona every day. That is why in all the touristic places, there was a limit of visitors. Even if you arrive at the entrance, there is a big chance that there will be no more tickets.
Gingerbread house in Guel Park
Best idea – to buy tickets online or enjoy the free part of the park. Nowadays more than half of paid territory is closed because of reconstruction. So there is no sense to pay 7,5 euros and see the renovation process. Seen from the main entrance are Gingerbread houses, but all other famous mosaic monuments are covered and hidden now.
Reconstruction process in Park Guel
Sagrada Familia is the main symbol of Barcelona, the most known masterpiece of Gaudi and one of the most unusual European cathedrals. The building process of it started in the 19th century and is still going on today. Antonio Gaudi spent 43 years of his life on a building, and for that time, only one-third of his ideas were brought to fruition. The Cathedral should be finished approximately by 2026.
All parts of it are particular and have sense. You can spend hours focusing on its forms, monuments, and even on a tiny piece!
Facade of Sagrada Familia
The first time I came to Barcelona and wanted to visit Sagrada Familia, all tickets were sold out three days in advance! I was so upset. You should see those queues; some people were waiting for hours to get in!
The ticket price is 17 euros per person. You need to know the ticket is valid only for a selected day and time, so do not miss it. You can easily buy it on the internet for the day you want, skip the queue, and save some time. You can print the ticket or use your phone to pass the checking – you will need to show a QR code for scanning.
Sagrada Familia
Sagrada Familia
Imagine, there are more than three million people who visit Sagrada Familia every year! Part of the ticket price and donations of tourists are the only fundings of construction.
In my opinion, all these places are worth visiting at least once in your life. And of course, I will tell you more about non-touristic and less crowded places in the next article. Do not miss it – follow the blog updates!
Sunny, loud and wild, Barcelona attracts thousands of tourists every year. They come in winter, in spring and much more come in summer, during the best time of the year. People dream of staying here longer, of returning next year or even of moving here.
So what is the secret of Barcelona’s popularity?
Barcelona is the capital of Catalonia. If you had never been to Spain, I need to explain to you more about this. There are 17 autonomous communities, which has their own rules, traditions, and even languages! So, Barcelona and three more provinces (Tarragona, Girona, and Lleida) are parts of Catalonia. They speak a Catalonian language which is different from Spanish. Oh, that was shocking to me!
Calm Barcelona city center early in the morning
Geographically Barcelona is situated on the north-west of Spain, right on the seashore of the Mediterranean Sea. At the same time, the city lays on five hills, and some areas were named after them. That is why you can find mount Monterols hill, and the entire region around will be called the same.
Did you know that Barcelona is one of the five most popular European cities?
Despite the fact of extremely high temperature, a vast amount of people come during July and August. At this time almost all locals are trying to leave the city and go on vacation. Prices are growing. Flights, hotels, hostels, and apartments. So if you do not want to melt from the heat with thousands of tourists and pay a few times more, I advise you to visit Barcelona some other time. During spring and autumn, the weather is still lovely – more than 20 degrees and fewer tourists at the same time. Even in winter, the temperature is over 10 degrees, usually, so you can not be afraid of the cold.
All touristic entrances are full of tourists. Want to come inside? Wait a few hours, please!
How to get to Barcelona
The easiest and the quickest way to get to the capital of Catalonia is by plane. It is the easiest way for other people, who live far, and me. But there are options like bus, train, and ferry – whatever you like!
El Prat airport is one of the biggest in Europe. It is enormous – I almost got lost a few years ago during my first visit. There are two terminals located out of the city. The significant fact – lots of buses are working day and night. So you can cheaply and quickly get almost anywhere even if your plane arrives late. It takes 30 minutes to get to Catalonia Square, which is the city center. Moreover, there is another way to get to the city – a Metro line.
Transport
Imagine 82 millions of people; this is the number of tourists who came to Spain last year! At least one-third of them visited Barcelona, and this number is growing all the time. It will not be possible without a sound transport system.
France train station in Barcelona
Well developed public transport consists of metro, buses, trams, ferries, trains, and cable car. I lived out of the city in a small town, Castelldefels. Every day I used Renfe – Barcelona Suburb trains or buses to get to the city. In my opinion, the metro is the most convenient transport to move through Barcelona. There are 11 lines and more than 200 stations! That makes Barcelona’s metro one of the biggest not only in Europe, even in the world! Do not be afraid to get lost; it is almost impossible also if your knowledge of Spanish and English is low. There are intelligible maps and signs in wagons and all stations.
Budget tip – buy a universal T-10 pass. You will get ten rides for all kinds of transport per 10,2 euros. By comparison, for one bus or metro ride, you need to pay 2,2 euros!
Except for public transport, there is a variety of private options. Cars are not the most useful transport in Barcelona, but still, you can catch a taxi or rent a car. Otherwise, you can rent a bicycle, scooter or even a moped!
Stylish Yego mopeds – download the App, connect a credit card, add your license, and go!
Where to live
The hardest thing about searching for a place to stay is choosing something from thousands of options! And I am not talking about expensive hotels; you can find so many cool budget apartments and hostels! Try Booking, Airbnb and Hotellook or Couchsurfing if you want to spend more time with locals and dive into the real Barcelona life.
Painted wall in a Barcelona bar
Safety rules
There are many tourists in Barcelona and many pickpockets. Few times I witnessed how a phone, purse, and camera got stolen from people.
What to do to save all your things with you?
Always pay attention to your things. Luggage, backpack, bag – remember about all your stuff and keep an eye on it no matter how beautiful everything is around you.
Use a card, not cash. Same with documents – better to carry a copy of your ID with you, than the original one.
Do not keep valuable things in pockets – usually, there are too many people around you, and you will not feel it when they are pulled out.
Like to wear a bag or camera on your shoulder? Hold it stronger. The strap could be cut within a few seconds!
Always keep some small amount away from your purse to pay for transport, bars or museums where there’s a big crowd of people. Pickpockets pay attention to where you put the purse and can easily steal it and run away through the crowd.
Hope I did not scare you. These rules are just for your safety and for a good mood while traveling.
Sunset time in Catalonia Square
In the next article, I will tell you about the best places in Barcelona.
See you soon!
