Enjoy Santorini’s Natural Beauty at Skaros Rock
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Santorini is one of those islands whose beauty seems other-worldly. Each year, visitors travel here in search of something magical, and they all find it in different ways. One of the things that really sets the island apart is that much of the geography is shaped by the volcanoes.
One of the most beautiful sights to see on this island is Skaros Rock. Not only is the rock itself gorgeous, but the views you’ll experience should you choose to hike it are breathtaking. Here’s more informationL
Getting to Skaros Rock
After arriving at the Athens airport, the easiest way to get to Santorini is to book a connecting flight to the Santorini airport. Once on Santorini, you’ll need to take a 15-minute taxi ride to the village of Imerovigli. From there, your outdoor adventure begins! The trail to Skaros Rock starts behind the Agios Georgios Church. Locate the large set of concrete steps that head down towards Skaros Rock. Once you have the rock in view, you’ll need to hike it in order to get to the top.
About Skaros Rock
Skaros was once the site of the most important fortified settlement on Santorini in medieval times. With its expansive view of the sea, soldiers stationed there would keep an eye out for pirates. If any invaders were sighted, the soldiers would ring a large bell, enabling the locals to prepare their defense. The castle at the top of Skanos was called Epano Kastro, and it was surrounded by a settlement of approximately 200 houses. Starting in 1650, several large earthquakes struck, causing considerable damage to the entire area. Skaros Rock was abandoned entirely by the early 1800s. Today, only a few ruins of the former buildings remain.
Hiking at Skaros Rock
The primary reason people visit Skaros Rock is to take in the sweeping views of the island and the surrounding sea. Be sure to bring your camera and plenty of batteries to record your journey. Should you choose to climb it, this will give you the best experience. Once you get to the top, you’ll be treated to some of the best views on the island. Spend time at the top enjoying the view and exploring some of the buildings at the top, such as the church.
You’ll need to climb down the valley and back up the other side to reach Skaros Rock. It’s less than a kilometer walk in total, but there are a lot of stairs, some very narrow paths, and some climbing over rocks involved if want to reach the top. When you’re about halfway there, the trail will split into two paths. The easiest walking trail is on the left, which leads to a viewpoint 20 meters below the pinnacle. The other path, which carries on straight, leads to the peak and requires more balance and fitness. Just make sure you’re prepared!
While on the island of Santorini, you should take the time to visit Skaros Rock. Sure, you can take pictures of it from a distance, but your best bet is to actually make the climb.
Categorized in: About Imerovigli, Greece, About Santorini, Greece, Greek Travel Guide
This post was written by Greek Boston
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