Santorini in three hours from Moscow
Direct flights to Athens (ATH), Rhodes (RHO) and Heraklion (HER). Aeroflot, S7, Turkish. From Athens to Santorini — 45 minutes by air or 8 hours by ferry.
Not just the sea. Three thousand years of history.
Best fares
Hotels Greece, and villas of Greece
Cave villas on the Santorini caldera, boutique hotels in medieval Rhodes and family resorts on Crete.
Islands, for different travellers
When to fly to Greece
Best season — June–September. May and October — fewer tourists, yet the water is still warm.
Ready-made tours to Greece
What you need to know before you go
Visa to Greece
Russian citizens enter Greece without a Schengen visa — under a simplified entry agreement for up to 90 days. Only a passport valid for at least 3 months beyond your trip is required.
Euro and cards
Visa/Mastercard may not work — bring UnionPay or cash euros. ATMs charge 2–4 EUR commission. On smaller islands and in tavernas — cash only.
Transport
Between islands — ANEK, Blue Star ferries (6–8 hours) and Sky Express flights (45 min). In Athens — metro and buses. On islands — scooter or car rental.
Connectivity
Greece is in the EU, roaming in the EU zone. Sales.Travel eSIM with Greek tariff — 5 GB for 790 ₽. Cosmote and WIND coverage on all major islands.
Must-try experiences
The sunset in the village of Oia on the northern tip of Santorini is the quintessential Santorini cliché, and it's worth it. Crowds gather 2 hours before sunset (around 18:30 in summer) at the ruins of the Venetian castle Castro Oias and the narrow streets around it. Pro tip: watch from the terrace of Ekklisia Ipapanti (about 200 m away from the castle) — same orange roofs and Aegean Sea, but 3 times fewer people. Or from Santo Wines bar with an Assyrtiko tasting.
The Athenian Acropolis rises 156 m above the city. The Parthenon (5th century BC) is the main temple of Athena Parthenos. Ticket 20 EUR (combo with 6 other ancient sites — 30 EUR). Arrive at 8:00 opening: by 10:00 there are already 5,000 people on the ascent path, by noon the heat is +35°C. Book a slot in advance at hhticket.gr. Best panoramic point for the Acropolis itself — Lycabettus Hill.
Assyrtiko is Santorini's signature dry white wine from indigenous vines. The unique feature — basket-shaped 'kouloura' bush, pressed to the ground against winds, and volcanic soil. Strong minerality, acidity like Chablis. Tastings: Santo Wines (sunset terrace, 25–60 EUR), Domaine Sigalas (professionals, 35 EUR), Venetsanos (winery in the rock, 25 EUR). Dry 2020 — from 18 EUR per bottle.
Perissa and Perivolos are two neighbouring beaches with black volcanic sand on the southeastern shore of Santorini. Best infrastructure: dozens of tavernas right on the beach, free sunbed with lunch order (15–25 EUR). Water crystal clear, gentle slope. Perissa — family-friendly, Perivolos — trendy with beach clubs. Bus from Fira — 1.80 EUR, 20 min.
Island hopping is the essential Greek ritual. Classic route: Athens (Piraeus) → Mykonos (5 h by ferry) → Paros (1.5 h) → Santorini (2.5 h) → Crete (4 h). Book tickets at ferryhopper.com 1–2 months ahead (especially July–August). Fast ferries (Sea Jets, Hellenic) — pricier but twice as fast as regular Blue Star. With 1 ferry — almost a full day goes.
Fresh octopus is the signature dish of Greek island tavernas. Hanging octopuses drying on ropes at the taverna entrance is a sign of freshness (if there are none — it's frozen). Grilled over charcoal with lemon and olive oil. Best spots — Ammoudi Bay in Oia (Sunset Ammoudi Taverna), Kastraki on Crete. Portion — 15–22 EUR, serves 2.
Knossos is the capital of Minoan civilisation (2,000–1,450 BC), 5 km south of Heraklion. Palace covering 20,000 m² with 1,300 rooms, believed to be the prototype of the Minotaur's labyrinth. Arthur Evans' early 20th-century reconstructions are controversial but give a visual impression. Ticket 15 EUR (combo with Archaeological Museum — 20 EUR). Bus 2 from Heraklion — 1.70 EUR, 25 min.
Rhodes offers diving with rich history: Roman and Byzantine amphorae on the seabed, shipwrecks. Visibility 25–30 m, water temperature +24°C in summer. Waterhoppers Diving in the Old Town — the oldest school (since 1993): dive safaris to Tragoussa rocks, night dives, PADI open water in 3 days (490 EUR). Season April–November.
Samaria Gorge is Europe's longest (16 km) in southwestern Crete. Open May to October. Start from Xyloskalo (1,230 m), descent to the sea at Agia Roumeli village — 5–7 hours. The narrowest point Sideroportes ('Iron Gates') — 3 m between 300 m high cliffs. Return — ferry to Hora Sfakion (1 hour), then bus to Chania. Bring 2 L of water and sturdy trainers.