Santorini Volcano & hot Springs
• General info • Tours & Activities • Map • Members Photos (227) • Greeka Photos (20) • Reviews (2)
Location: Nea Kameni
Santorini is gifted with a unique kind of natural beauty and wild scenery. That constitutes the result of several volcanic eruptions throughout the years.
Although the massive volcano of Santorini has been dormant since its last eruption in the 1950s, it is still considered active.
Its islet and the crescent-shaped caldera are one of the most famous places of interest in the Aegean Sea.
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The craters of the volcano are located on two small islands made entirely of black lava. Those are known as Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni.
In terms of geography, the small islet complex was the last set of islands to emerge from the sea in the area of the Eastern Mediterranean.
Note: The volcano can only be reached with a boat trip.
In the distant past, a catastrophic eruption during the Bronze Age caused earthquakes and tsunamis that wiped out a large part of the Minoan civilization.
Despite the disastrous consequences of its past eruptions, the volcano turned into an infamous travel destination in Greece, with great geological significance that attracts travelers from all around the world.
Top Tours and activities
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Boat tour to Volcano, Hot springs & Thirassia island
Book nowfrom € 30.00Category: Boat Tours6 hours MapThis tour bundles up the world-famous volcano, the hot Springs of Palea Kameni, and the untouched island of Thirassia. All guests get to enjoy a charming cruise from Fira to the volcanic islets and serene Thirassia, walk up to the crater, swim into the hot springs, and wander on the tranquil sister ...
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Luxury Catamaran tour around the Caldera
Book nowfrom € 110.00Category: Boat Tours5 hours MapBoard a deluxe catamaran and set for an amazing, semi-private trip at the caldera, the hot springs, and the southern coasts of Santorini. Rich dinner is served on board and snorkeling equipment is also available.
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Boat tour to Volcano & Hot Springs
Book nowfrom € 25.00Category: Boat Tours, Walking3 Hours MapGuests will enjoy a boat ride to the volcanic islet, followed by a rejuvenating hike all the way to the rim of the crate, as well as around it. Before returning, there will be a refreshing hot spring swimming stop at the bathing bay of Palea Kameni islet.
More info about the volcano
The powers of the volcano of Santorini, however, are not only destructive but also creative.
All the eruptions that occurred over a time span of thousands of years altered the local morphology by creating Palea and Nea Kameni. At the same time, they led to the gradual formation of purely volcanic coves and beaches covered with fragments of lava, dark pebbles, and a rare, pitch-black type of sand.
That comprises just one of Santorini’s distinctive features that make it so special. Check out the most popular black sand beaches of Santorini: Perivolos, Kamari, Perissa, and more.
The volcano has also contributed to the local economy for thousands of years. In addition, the fact that it is connected to the island’s good reputation in wine production can not be overlooked. Due to its unique composition, the island’s volcanic solid is rich in nutrients and minerals that help the famous vineyards flourish and produce wine of exceptional taste and quality.
Hot springs
Nea Kameni has become a significant pole of attraction for numerous visitors, especially due to the healing properties of its hot springs.
Agios Nikolaos, a small cove on Nea Kameni islet, has been considered a holy grail of health thanks to its warm yellowish waters, which contain concentrated amounts of sulfur and are said to be therapeutic.
Palea Kameni also boasts hot springs that can be reached by boat and are widely known for their health benefits.
The springs can only be approached via crossings. Therefore, many boat tours and cruises stop at the spot for visitors to jump in and enjoy the hot water for a while.
Boat tours
For an even closer look, participate in one of the daily cruises for a chance to walk on solid black lava above the steaming main crater of the volcano and other openings bursting with sulfur steam.
The crater is located in Nea Kameni and you can easily reach it with a 20-minute walkthrough the lunar scenery.
The area also offers incredible views of the beautiful villages of Fira and Oia hanging above the cliffs of Santorini.
Hiking
The best way to experience the magnitude of Santorini’s neighboring sleeping giant is to hike along the edge of the vast craters.
With a ground rich in iron, lava, and sulfur fumes, the unique combination of earthly colors and smells brings the visitor as close as one can get to seeing an otherworldly moonscape in person -an unforgettable experience, indeed!
Related topics
Mythical Atlantis | Biblical connection to the eruption | Geology
How to get there
The volcano is located between Santorini and Thirassia islands.
Tours: Discover the volcano and the hot springs with an organized tour, at the best price!
Some tours to the volcano depart from the port of Athinios and from Gialos, the old port of Fira.
Athinios port is connected to Fira and other villages of Santorini, by bus or by an online pre-booked transfer service (with a taxi, minibus, or private VIP car).
Gialos, the old port of Fira, can be reached by a cable car or on foot from Fira (walking the 588 steps of the old Karavolades Stairs).
Private Boat: You can reach the volcano with a private yacht or a rented one.
Photos Of Volcano & Hot Springs by Greeka Members
Photos Of Volcano & Hot Springs by Greeka Team
Map
Reviews
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jennifercm 16 Jul 2011Great place to swimA little cold, but so salty. You are so buoyant all you have to do is let your legs hang down and put your arms out to float. Amazing. Touring the volcano is brutally sunny but worth the hike.
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tessydat 04 Jun 2010Strenuous hike but nice view
The day we reached Santorini, we determined that we have to take the Caldera cruise to visit the famous Nea Kameni volcano from close! Our cruise took us from Fira straight there. My boyfriend and I are avid outdoor enthusiasts and hence, we were determined enough to hike up to the crater. If you haven't enjoyed outdoor activity, I have to warn you because the hike is strenuous. There are no steeps, but the hot sun will surely consume a lot of your energy. It is better to limit your luggage and we carried only water with us. Once we reached the crater, we realized that we made a worthwhile trip. The view of island from the top was incredible. You can get a nice 360 degree view of the low lying islands, something no one wants to miss. We took a lot of snaps of the island. We didn't take hot springs tour mainly because we didn't want to get wet. However, we saw many people enjoying the springs despite the horrible smell.
