I visited one of the most overrated European islands — 1 thing made it an incredible trip

Santorini is one of the world’s most unique and beautiful islands, and that’s why I have to kind of disagree with those saying it’s overrated. The island was formed by one of the biggest volcanic eruptions in history, and it’s this eruption that created such a geological masterpiece that makes the island so breathtaking. Santorini is characterised by huge cliffs that surround a caldera, with whitewashed traditional Greek towns perched on top that benefit from amazing sea views.

When most people dream of visiting Santorini, they almost certainly picture the town of Oia or Fira, Santorini’s capital. When my friends and I started planning our holiday, I began reading about how crowded and touristy those two places were and getting a better mental picture of the whole island of Santorini. To avoid the crowds as much as possible, we decided to stay in two of the smaller, lesser-known Greek towns, and both had beauty and charm.

We went to Santorini in July during the peak of summer crowds and blazing hot weather, which resulted in us all getting some pretty painful burns.

While Santorini was as beautiful as the pictures people post all over social media, it was just as crowded as those pictures. That being said, other towns were nowhere near as crowded as Oia and Fira.

Sitting on the edge of an extinct volcano, Oia’s many cliffside buildings all offer gorgeous views of the deep-blue ocean. This is the Santorini you see on Pinterest.

However, the town of Oia experiences the biggest crowds, so much so that it almost felt suffocating when we walked around the popular spots. Finding photo opportunities without waiting in line or people crowding around you was hard, but not impossible.

Around 20 minutes away from Oia, you can find yourself in Fira. The walks along the cliffside provided incredible views, and there were lots of small spaces to explore, and interesting shops and restaurants to venture into.

Blue church domes stand majestically here amidst the sea of white, and as long as you cover up, it’s possible to peek inside some of Fira’s many churches.

The wider streets are often packed with visitors - the square outside the cathedral can get chockablock - but stray from the busier pathways to discover quiet, shaded pathways where only a few cats roam.

To escape the hecticness of Santorini, we decided against staying in Oia and Fira and stayed in Vothonas and Perissa, and it was the best thing we did. As the transport isn’t the best in these areas, we hired a car, which made the entire island accessible.

Vothonas, just 10 minutes away from Fira, is a traditional, beautiful Greek village with barely any tourists. It’s the place to go if you’re after a peaceful and relaxing setting for your holidays.

The village is built on a quaint ravine and presents traditional houses carved out of rocks. A stroll around the paved alleys presents you with white-domed churches and traditional houses.

If you’re looking for delicious, authentic Greek food that’s full of flavour, you need to visit Vothonaki in Vothonas. We wouldn't have discovered it if not for a local's recommendation, as it’s tucked away.

If you decide to stay here, I’d recommend hiring a car or a quad bike to get around, as taxis are expensive and buses are sparse.

Just 20 minutes south-east is the coastal village of Perissa, which has a unique atmosphere made of local warm hospitality, a serene beach promenade and delicious Greek food. With more to do in Perissa than Vothanos, this place has everything you need for a relaxing and fun holiday.

Perissa Beach is perfect for a lazy day of sunbathing and relaxation. The scenery is impressive, with black sand and dark blue, crystal-clear waters.

Importantly, as it’s relatively sheltered by Mesa Vouno hill, it has calm, pleasant waters for swimming and is less affected by the winds, which can be quite strong in Santorini, even in July.

My general thoughts on Santorini are that, of course, it is a touristy place, but it’s popular for a reason. However, it’s easy to see how some people may look past this if they don’t plan their visit to the island properly.

Santorini has reportedly seen a decline in visitor numbers this year, notably following a series of earthquakes between January and February. However, I think it’s definitely a place to tick off your bucket list.

If you’re looking for a picturesque and relaxing holiday in Santorini, I highly recommend staying in the smaller towns, hiring transport, and planning your trip thoroughly.