Sample the Local Products and Mouthwatering Cuisine
The island’s rich volcanic soil produces all sorts of delicious local products that are frequently used in dishes served on the island, like Santorini tomatoes, smaller with a sweet flavor and a fragrant aroma. They look like cherry tomatoes, but once you bite in, you’ll know this is something special. You’ll see them in many dishes, including tomato fritters or tomatoes gefthedes, a popular appetizer. They’re fried in olive oil and then combined with peppers, onions, mint and other herbs in a thick batter. Fava, made with just a few simple ingredients: yellow split peas, onions, garlic, olive oil and a little salt, is often served as a creamy side dish – it’s not only healthy, it’s absolutely yummy. Another rare product the Santorini soil produces is white eggplant. It has few seeds and doesn’t absorb much oil when fried, along with an incredibly sweet taste. You’ll find many dishes featuring it on the island – try the melitzanosalata (white eggplant paste).
A guided tour is a great way to delve into Santorini’s very best tastes. Stroll the streets with an expert as you visit favorite local eateries, sampling signature dishes and discovering the secrets of the island’s best cuisine.
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Swim off the Shores at Red Beach
Santorini is home to some of the world’s most unique beaches, including Red Beach. Located near the town of Akrotiri, the fiery-red colored cliffs disintegrate into scarlet sands at the bottom which are framed by brilliant clear blue waters. This is one of the most recognizable and beautiful beaches on the island, certainly worth making time to enjoy a visit and a swim. Another cool way to experience it is to join a catamaran cruise, with many making stops here so that you can view it from the perspective of the water.