I noticed one reviewer mentioning the trafic but that also has to do with where you stay. towns like kamares or apollonia are very busy with trafic as compaired to going to Kastro (we stayed at the Agean Eye). Parking was a minimal problem and Agean Eye overlooked the sea and also had a wonderful breeze. There is a regular bus service all around the island or car rental was great for independant travel (I found Sifano rent-a-car the best price for their smallest compact). Instead of just staying at the Port (Kamares) Kastro was a much better choice, a much quieter town meant to be more for walking since it isnt meant to be driven through. The beach below, be careful of urchins on the rocks they can be panful if you step on one or run into one.
On the road to Herinissos, on the right hand of the road there is a cafe called: Sunset at Troullaki that was amazing. it truely had a wonderful view of the sunset while enjoing AMAZING dishes. One in particular was very good, milk fed lamb (they raise them themselves). The one thing you do need to realize is the roads are dark at night though.
If you do go to Herinissos, be sure to visit the elderly master potter that has made a few pottery inventions he loves to amaze people with. He is a treat just to see him show off his mystery pottery.
Vathy was a wonderful beach. Parking is the big challenge getting there but the water was calm and the beach smooth

The roads running through Appolonia were the most congested because they were not originally meant to accomodate cars. with cars parked in inappropriate places and busses cumming around curves one should remember to drive carefully and a small car is easier to get around with than a large one.
This island is well worth visiting. as with most towns here, my best advice is to always park and then explore, be prepared to walk.

A group of 5 went island hopping in April 07 for 11 days, what a trip!!
We went to Athens then Mykonos and then Santorini next by ferry, the Flying Cat. We had no idea until we started to approach and saw the volcanic island of Santorini, what a sight. The next day we took a bus to Fira and we could not believe our eyes how beautiful the place was, we went back the next day again, to shop, eat and we met so wonderful, friendly merchants. I f you are buying jewelry please bargain, start at 50%. We previously went on a cruise to Greece but it 's not the same, you must stay a few days on each island. I still cannot get Fira out of my mind, I told my husband that this is the place that I want to die.
We cannot wait to go back again.

We spent a few weeks exploring Naxos, Santorini and Paros in October 2004 and had a fantastic holiday. Going in October means you miss the crowds and get good room rates, and you don't get bad weather either - we had plenty of opportunities to hang out on the beach and soak up the sun. The tavernas are less busy so owners can take the time to look after you, and you don't have to worry about finding a good spot on the ferries (or on the beaches - you get those to yourself sometimes).

My favourite island of the three we visited was Paros. The main town, Parikia, is a working fishing town and is lively without being trashy (although we were there off-season). Livadia beach, close to town, was lovely, as were the tavernas that lined it. It was easy to explore parts of the island, even without a car (the buses are great!). The inland village of Lefkes with its Byzantine path is a great day trip. Levantis in Parikia is a wonderful courtyard restaurant that we ended up going to twice - owned by really nice people.

My least favourite was Santorini - yes, it's stunning, and you experience a constant feeling of awe as you move around it. But Fira is overpriced, packed with cruiseliner tourists (the worst kind, in my books) and a little soulless. I preferred Ia, smaller and more colourful (although still packed!). My overall impression of the island was a bit like Disneyland - a fake world existing entirely for tourists that manages to maintain a veneer of reality. I preferred the other islands, where you felt that life goes on even when the tourists go home.