The island of Santorini (Thira to be precise) is part of the archipelago of the same name, consisting of the following islands and islets:
- Thira (Θηρα) – the largest and most famous island of the archipelago, with an area of 75.8 km2. It is where all tourist life is concentrated. Populated by more than 15,000 permanent residents, it is visited by millions of tourists from all over the world.
- Tirasia – the second largest island, with an area of 9.30 km². Much more sparsely populated than the larger Thira (according to the 2011 census, there were about 270 inhabitants).
- Nea Kameni – an uninhabited volcanic island located in the middle of the caldera, with an area of 3.4 km². It contains a volcanic national park, frequented by tourists arriving by boat from the island of Santorini.
- Palea Kameni – an uninhabited, smaller neighbour of Nea Kameni with an area of approximately 0.5 km². It is home to sulphur hot springs, popular with tourists.
- Aspronisi – a small, uninhabited, rocky islet with an area of 0.14 km2
Apart from the islands of the Santorini archipelago, the closest islands are:
- Anafi – distance from Santorini: 22 km / 13.7 miles
Anafi is a small Greek island of 40.4 km² (15.59 square miles), located in the Cyclades archipelago. It has been inhabited since ancient times, as evidenced by the ruins of two temples from the Archaic period (600 to 480 BC). The island is currently inhabited by approximately 270 people. The island of Anafi is first mentioned in Homer’s Odyssey, where it is described as the place where Odysseus was imprisoned for seven years before finally reaching Ithaca.
Some of the most important monuments on the island are the Panagia Church, which dates back to the 18th century, and Anafi Castle, which was built by Byzantine Emperor John III Dukas Vatatatzes in 1253. The castle also served as a prison during Ottoman rule.
In 1807, after an earthquake had destroyed Anafi, it became uninhabited for less than 100 years. The island was re-settled in 1912 by refugees from Crete who were fleeing Turkish occupation.
During the Second World War, the island of Anafi was home to an important naval port.
- Ios – distance from Santorini: 18.2 km / 11.3 miles
Ios is a Greek island in the Cyclades archipelago in the Aegean Sea. It is the smallest inhabited island of the six main islands that make up the Cyclades, with an area of 190 km2. It has a permanent population of around 5,000 inhabitants. The two most important towns on the island are Chora (the capital) and Kastro, both located on the island’s west coast.
The island is named after Io, a nymph who was one of Zeus’ most important lovers. The island of Ios is best known for its long, sandy beaches and nightlife. One of the most popular beaches on Ios is Vromolimnos, since xxxx considered one of the most beautiful beaches in the world.
- Sikinos – distance from Santorini: 29.6 km / 18.4 miles
Sikinos is a small island in the Cyclades archipelago in Greece with an area of 42,507 km². The island has been inhabited since ancient times. It currently has a population of less than 300 inhabitants and is one of the most sparsely populated islands in the Cyclades archipelago. Sikinos is known for its peaceful atmosphere and traditional architecture. The island’s main town, Chora, features whitewashed houses, winding streets and a Venetian castle.
- Folegandros – distance from Santorini: 40 km / 24.6 miles
Folegandros is a small Greek island in the Aegean Sea with an area of 32,216 km² (12,439 square miles) and a population of around 600. It belongs to the Cyclades group of islands and is located between Santorini and Milos. The island has a population of just over 500 people, most of whom live in the main village of Chora. Folegandros is a popular tourist destination due to its sandy beaches, clear water and lack of crowds of tourists. The island is also known for its hiking trails, which offer magnificent views of the surrounding islands.
