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  • These are the Instagram images you see of the Greek island Santorini.

  • Beautiful blue dome churches, the amazing red beach and white buildings with a beautiful sunset.

  • And you'll have them all to yourself.

  • But what's it like in reality?

  • This volcanic island with its charming villages perched high on the cliffs is one of the country's top tourist destinations.

  • Over two million people visit each year.

  • We're going to check out three spots to see if they live up to reality.

  • Our first reality check is in the town of Fira, the island's tourist hub and capital.

  • This is where most tourists stay.

  • It's the heart of action on the island with an active nightlife scene, restaurants and plenty of stunning views.

  • The city is located two to three hundred meters above sea level and its buildings seem to hang off of the caldera, which formed during volcanic activity many centuries ago.

  • In the upper parts of the city you'll also find the famous Three Bells Church of Firostefani with its typical blue dome.

  • People come here from all over the world.

  • I come from Peru, Miami, Florida, United States, Pennsylvania, Sicilia.

  • So is Fira as amazing as it looks on social media?

  • Basically it's a lot of tourists and we came from Mykonos where it is quiet and this is a different setting than it is.

  • I try to take pictures and it doesn't look the same, like you have to see it in person.

  • Well, you can't leave Santorini without visiting Fira, but be prepared to wait in line for some of the best photo opportunities.

  • Or explore early in the morning before the cruise ship passengers arrive.

  • Our next stop is the popular Red Beach in the south of the island.

  • This is arguably the most famous and beautiful beach in Santorini thanks to its stunning red cliffs.

  • The island's volcanic activity is responsible for its multicolored sands like this deep red hue.

  • However, it's actually forbidden to access this beach since it can be dangerous.

  • Landslides are frequent here and people do get injured when rocks fall from the high cliffs, although many people ignore the warnings.

  • Instead, we recommend taking a picture from this vantage point or by taking a boat or kayak tour since most of them stop here.

  • So, does the Red Beach live up to its image on social media?

  • Yes, it looks absolutely amazing, especially from afar.

  • However, be aware that you're taking a risk if you decide to lay here.

  • Our final stop is the fishing village of Oia, the most popular Instagram spot on the island and maybe in Europe.

  • You've definitely seen people posing in front of its blue-domed churches and other impressive whitewashed buildings.

  • Instagram has helped transform this town into a full-blown tourism hotspot in the last decade.

  • The most popular photo spots are the Anastasi Church and the Church of Panaia Platzani, but beware, it can be chaotic.

  • In high season, you will probably have to wait in line for a photo in front of one of the famous churches.

  • Kostas Sakavaris has been a tour guide on the island for decades.

  • He's seen it change.

  • Social media has started defining the way we perceive or what we desire during our travels.

  • And people are in the chase of the perfect shot, to find themselves within it.

  • And they want to also confirm with the way they travel what they have already seen themselves in the social media.

  • It's like a loop.

  • It goes on and on, over and over again.

  • And be aware that it's illegal to step on private property, so be sure to observe no trespassing signs.

  • And then there's Oia's famous sunset.

  • Each day, hundreds of people come here to watch the sunset over the terraced buildings of Oia.

  • But if you come in high season, it's easy to be overwhelmed by the crowds.

  • Most popular sunset in the world, I think.

  • And it's amazing, yes.

  • I love it.

  • It's so beautiful and so crowded.

  • Oh my God.

  • It did, and it didn't live up to my expectations.

  • I thought the sunset itself was beautiful, and the view of the town with the flowers and the Greek flag was blowing in the perfect direction.

  • That was great.

  • But honestly, it was pretty crowded, and I had to really kind of like elbow my way through the crowd.

  • So I really enjoyed the experience.

  • I would do it maybe once.

  • But I think for my rest of this day in Greece, I'm going to try to find a more quiet spot for the sunset.

  • So, does it live up to its Instagram image?

  • Yes and no.

  • Although it looks pretty in real life, one thing you don't see in the photos are the hundreds of other people crowding the village's small streets at sunset.

  • So if you want the perfect shot, just be aware that there's more happening than what you see in the frame.

  • The bottom line?

  • Santorini is a beautiful island, but if you want to see the main sights, either go in the off-season or be prepared for the crowds.

These are the Instagram images you see of the Greek island Santorini.

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Santorini: Magical Island or Overcrowded Nightmare?

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    VoiceTube posted on 2024/11/26
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