Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • Canada
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Bing Gallery
  2. Canada
  3. 2022
  4. May 11
  5. The village of Oia on the island of Santorini, Greece
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios The village of Oia on the island of Santorini, Greece

May 11, 2022

The village of Oia on the island of Santorini, Greece

© Zebra-Studio/Shutterstoc

The ancient home of the Minoans. Santorini, Greece

Officially known as Thira, Santorini is perhaps the most famous of all the Greek Islands. Located at the southern end of the Aegean Sea, Santorini is part of the Cyclades group of islands and receives about two million visitors a year. That’s a lot of adoring attention for a small island (only 75 square kilometres) of 15,000 residents, and it’s no wonder why. The whitewashed, clifftop villages of Santorini, like Oia featured in this image, are postcard perfect. And so are the unlimited panoramic views of the azure Mediterranean Sea.

Its tranquil beauty belies the cataclysmic eruption that formed the island as we know it today. The Minoan eruption, about 3,600 years ago, was one of the world’s largest known volcanic eruptions. It destroyed what was a thriving Minoan city and created a giant caldera that sank below the sea, leaving behind the picturesque lagoon seen here. Volcanic activity has continued since then. At the centre of the lagoon is the uninhabited volcanic island of Nea Kameni, which emerged from the sea in 19 CE, according to Pliny the Elder. It's had several major eruptions over the past 300 years.

With millennia of experience, people have learned to live with the volcanic activity of these islands. Tourism is now the main activity on Santorini, along with a small winemaking industry. Throw in abundant sunshine, constant sea breezes, and meandering steps through storybook villages and you’ll never run out of reasons to visit.

sky nature outdoor water landscape mountain ship lake orange

Related Images

Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, ChileTorres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
The Milky Way framed by Double Arch in Arches National Park, Utah, United StatesThe Milky Way framed by Double Arch in Arches National Park, Utah, United States
Grove of redwoods in Redwood National and State Parks, California, United StatesGrove of redwoods in Redwood National and State Parks, California, United States
Bruce Peninsula National Park, OntarioBruce Peninsula National Park, Ontario
Spire Cove in Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska, United StatesSpire Cove in Kenai Fjords National Park, Seward, Alaska, United States
Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United StatesGrand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
Zion National Park, Utah, United StatesZion National Park, Utah, United States
Hot air balloons over Göreme Historical National Park in Cappadocia, TürkiyeHot air balloons over Göreme Historical National Park in Cappadocia, Türkiye

Today on Bing

An indigo bunting perched on a branch, Texas

An indigo bunting perched on a branch, Texas

May 11, 2024
Henningsvær Stadium, Norway

Henningsvær Stadium, Norway

May 11, 2023
Grinnell Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana

Grinnell Lake, Glacier National Park, Montana

May 11, 2021
The Old Patriarch Tree of Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

The Old Patriarch Tree of Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming

May 11, 2020
Historic windmills of Zaanse Schans near Amsterdam, Netherlands

Historic windmills of Zaanse Schans near Amsterdam, Netherlands

May 11, 2019

Related Tags

nature landscape sky outdoor mountain cloud water plant tree rock lake overlooking hillside valley canyon grass cave beach surrounded island
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.