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Stay healthy on Santorini
Yes, we know that there may be more exciting things to consider for your trip than how to avoid getting sick and planning for the event of an accident during your stay.
And most likely the only Santorini health issues you will experience are the beneficial ones!
In fact, the great positive influence on our well-being is one of the main reasons why we keep coming back to the island.
Nevertheless, this page is intended to inform you of some potential Santorini health hazards so that you can stay fit during your visit to Santorini.
In a nutshell, you need to protect yourself from the sun and drink a lot of water.
Read on below for useful info about emergency services, sun protection and drinking water.
What to do if you are in an accident or taken ill
Should you happen to suffer an injury or be taken ill and require medical assistance during your stay on Santorini, please rest assured that the island has all the expected emergency care of a tourist intense location.
And you are most likely to be serviced in English.
In case of emergency, the number you call is 112.
If you need to seek medical help, the main Santorini health center is located in Fira. Five additional Santorini health and first aid stations can be found in Emporio, Kamari, Oia, Pirgos, and Thirassia.
Various specialized doctors can also be found throughout the island.
The phone numbers for Santorini health facilities and physicians are listed at the end of this page.
Enjoy the sun, but...
There is no doubt that the wonderful clear blue skies and the hot sun is a great attraction for the millions of tourists that come to the greek islands each year.
It is a gift to enjoy to the fullest!
And you will get a lot of sun on Santorini. During the summer months, the island gets an amazing 13 hours of sun each day!
But beware, all that good stuff comes with some responsibility.
The Ultraviolet Radiation Index on Santorini is almost consistently around 9-10, which is well into the area where prolonged exposure is associated with high risk of harming your skin and eyes.
As a comparison, the UV index in the UK never exceeds 8 and even 7 is extremely rare.
Many are the tourists from less sunny parts of the world who spend too much time out in the sun and end up getting a sunstroke or a sunburn.
This can really ruin your vacation, so don't let it happen to you!
You must take proper care to protect your skin and eyes. Apply a high factor sunscreen (yes, even under your t-shirt), wear sunglasses and a hat.
Take extra care of your young children. They are much more sensitive to the sun and the heat than you are.
Try to avoid staying in the direct sun during the hours when the sun is at its highest position (ca 11 am-3 pm during summer months).
Why not take cue from the locals? This is a good time for a nap or perhaps a long lunch in a shaded taverna, or both.
Drink a lot of water! Dehydration is one of the more common Santorini health problems.
Finally, keep in mind that the comfortable sea breeze sweeping over Santorini can make the sun feel a little less hot. Don't let this fool you, the UV radiation is just as strong regardless of the cooling wind.
Food safety
If the sunny weather is the main attraction of Greece, then the Greek food is the obvious runner-up.
Fortunately, food poisoning is a rare event on Santorini and it's not something you should be concerned with more than normal.
Cooked food on the island are sold through genuine food places, such as restaurants and street bars, which keep a good standard throughout.
You are not likely to see people selling cooked food in the streets. If you do, it is best to avoid buying from them.
Drinking water
Santorini really has no sources of natural drinking water.
While a couple of new sea water desalination plants have been able to supply the main cities with clean water, many households still rely on collecting the winter rain fall in large tanks that sit on top of many houses.
It may surprise you to hear that up to 50% of the villages on Santorini are not connected to a water system. They in fact rely on having water delivered to them.
Needless to say, bottled water is a popular product on Santorini!
We recommend that you always use bottled water for drinking.
Washing up and brushing your teeth can be safely done using tap water throughout the island.
New Santorini health center under construction
To deal with the increasing demands of healthcare for the masses of tourists that come to Santorini each year, the construction of a new and modern Santorini health center was started in January 2009.
The estimated cost for the new hospital is 14 million euros and it will cover some 4,600 sq.m.
It is expected to open in the fall of 2010.
Phone Numbers - Santorini Health Services
| Health Service | Location | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency Call | Anywhere | 112 |
| Health Centre | Fira | 228 602-2237 |
| First Aid Station | Emporio | 228 608-1222 |
| First Aid Station | Kamari | 228 603-1175 |
| First Aid Station | Oia | 228 607-1227 |
| First Aid Station | Pyrgos | 228 603-1207 |
| First Aid Station | Thirassia | 228 602-9144 |
| Pharmacy | Fira | 228 602-2700 |
| Pharmacy | Fira | 228 602-3444 |
| Pharmacy | Fira | 228 602-5310 |
| Pharmacy | Oia | 228 607-1464 |
| Pharmacy | Kamari | 228 603-2440 |
| Pharmacy | Messaria | 228 603-2566 |
Phone Numbers - Santorini Private Doctors
| Speciality | Name | Location | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Surgeon | Dr Argyros | Santorini | 694 537-0159 |
| Dentist | Dr Belova | Fira | 228 602-3685 |
| Dentist | Dr Nikolitsis | Fira | 228 602-3769 |
| Dermatologist | Dr Dimitropoulos | Fira | 693 265-1939 |
| Gynecologist | Dr Vlachos | Fira | 228 602-4100 |
| Gynecologist | Dr Fokas | Messaria | 228 602-8502 |
| Ophthalmologist | Dr Grapsas | Fira | 228 602-5488 & 693 785-3362 |
| Orthodontic | Dr Dionysopolou | Fira | 228 602-5753 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | Dr Roussos | Fira | 228 602-3769 & 693 234-7814 |
| Physiotherapist | Dr Spatharis | Vothonas | 228 603-1517 |
| Psychologist | Dr Manousarido | Emporio | 228 608-2273 |
| Radiologist | Dr Gavalas | Messaria | 228 603-3294 |
| Chest Specialist | Dr Vossos | Messaria | 228 603-2916 & 694 476-7697 |
| Veterinarian | Santorini | 228 603-1482 |
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