The tranquil south-western coast of Santorini has endowed Akrotiri area with some of the most beautiful places to explore in Santorini. Akrotiri offers an idyllic backdrop for the Grand Ambassador Hotel's guests to enjoy exquisite prospects of the island, from entrancing sunset views and uninterrupted vistas over the volcano to the picturesque caldera and the charming villages that crown it. While staying at Grand Ambassador, you will get to explore two of the island's top historical attractions: the Akrotiri Archaeological Site and the Castle of Akrotiri, aka "La Ponta", as well as saunter down the imposing Lighthouse on the Akrotiri cape, and, of course, enjoy swimming at the Red and White beaches.
At the archaeological site of Akrotiri, one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean, you can meander through its lanes and learn about the amazing ancient civilization that flourished there, studying frescoes, artifacts, everyday objects, elaborate drainage systems, and sophisticated multi-story buildings, dating back to the Bronze Age. Another important historical site is the Castle of Akrotiri, called "La Ponta", which was one of the five fortified settlements of Santorini. Goulas tower, circa 13th century, is situated right in the middle of "La Ponta", offering a stunning panoramic view.
Reaching the extreme western tip of Akrotiri peninsula, you will see one of the oldest and most beautiful lighthouses in Greece. It is the famous Akrotiri Lighthouse, a whitewashed building loftily standing like a sentinel on the edge of a rocky cliff overlooking the Aegean. The best time to visit the Lighthouse is, of course, during the golden hours of the sunset, when the sun's rays glare upon the surface of the sea, and slowly start to flood in the Lighthouse. It is an excellent and quiet spot to relish the legendary sunset of Santorini!
Your Akrotiri exploration would not be complete, without visiting the extraordinary volcanic beaches of the area. Two wondrous seafronts, the famous Red and White beaches, offer their visitors amazing landscapes to marvel at, while swimming or sunbathing. The unique, Martian-like scenery in Red Beach will leave you breathless; Its shore is surrounded by reddish maroon rocky cliffs, contrasted by the deep blue waters of the Aegean, and it is an idyllic spot to enjoy a carefree day by the sea. The captivating White Beach is encircled by impressive alabaster-white cliffs stretching down to the crystal clear, cerulean waters, creating a wildly beautiful backdrop to revel in your moments by the sea.