Since 1980, thousands of couples from all over the world have chosen Santorini villages for their wedding, or honeymoon trip. It is estimated that more than 500 ceremonies take place each year. Orthodox weddings usually take place in churches overlooking the Caldera, such as the Fira Orthodox Cathedral, Aghios Minas, the Anastasi (Resurrection) church in Imerovigli, Aghios Georgios (Saint George) and Panagia Platsani (Virgin Mary) in Oia; Catholics choose the Fira Cathedral.
The Caldera and the whole cluster of the Santorini islands have been characterized as an area of outstanding natural beauty.
The three main islands form a"ring" around the Caldera, the bay which was created when the central part of ancient Strongyli sank to the seabed. Its dimensions are 8x5 km and its depth is as low as 370m.
The famous reference to ancient Atlantis, which sank about 9,500 years ago, in Plato's works Timaeus and Critias has initiated a global search and led to the formulation of numerous theories concerning the geographic location of the mythical empire.
The landscape here is impressive. A dirt road runs along the beach of Exo Gialos, with tiny black pebbles, dark blue waters, looming rocks from the wind and the rain. Also, salt cedars casting their much-coveted shadow. To get to Exo Gialos you will have to drive through the village of Karterados and all the way down to the coastline. From Exo Gialos you can drive towards Monolithos beach.