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Santorini
Santorini
Santorini holidays
Out-of-this-world sunsets? Tick. Stunning sea views? Tick. Pretty whitewashed towns? Tick! Filled with chic bars, swanky restaurants and swish boutiques, photogenic Santorini will sweep you straight off your feet. There are two different sides to this superb island. Over on the west, iconic villages like Oia, Fira and Imerovigli overlook an enchanting caldera and the twinkling Aegean. While in the east, in resorts like Kamari and Perissa, it’s all about volcanic shores, where black-sand beaches beckon with turquoise waters. Romantic Greek escapes this way…
Language
Greek
Currency
Euro
Time difference
+2hrs
Cost of a beer
£2.20
3 course meal
£35
Flight times
4hrs
Hilltop hideaways
Oia and the capital, Fira, are two of the island’s most popular resorts. You’ll be blown away once you see them in real life and understand why visitors return year after year. Oia sits on the island’s northern tip, home to the island’s best sunsets, while Fira is more central and enjoys the hustle and bustle of island life.The island’s crave-worthy cuisine
Greece’s much-celebrated cuisine is on full show here, with caldera-side restaurants serving up dishes using local produce. Think stuffed white aubergines, pomegranate salads and fava beans with capers. Meanwhile, waterside tavernas showcase seafood, with lobster pasta, garlicky shrimp and grilled octopus on the menu. Pair your meal with wine from one of the local vineyards – crisp dry whites are the speciality.Beautiful volcanic beaches
Thanks to it volcanic past, Santorini’s sand beaches vary in colour from black to burnt orange. Many of these spots are framed by breathtaking cliffs, creating the perfect backdrop to a day of swimming and sunbathing. The darker sand gets extremely hot in the midday sun, so don’t forget to pop on your sandals!
Imerovigli
With front-row views of Santorini’s iconic caldera, Imerovigli places you on a panoramic platform for catching apricot-tinged Aegean sunsets.
Kamari
Cool Kamari sits on Santorini’s east coast, just north of soaring Mount Mesa Vouno. This traditional Greek village is lined with an ashy-black shore and is one of the island’s buzzier spots.
Megalachori
On the west side of the island, tucked into Santorini’s hinterland, you’ll find teeny Megalachori. Bright white buildings gleam under the sun, with contrasting doors and shutters painted in sapphire blue in a nod to the Aegean that laps Santorini.
Perissa
If you’re after easy-going vibes, low-key bars and basking in the sun, Perissa is for you.
Perivolos
This peaceful coastal town is nestled on the south-eastern seafront of Santorini, and merges into the neighbouring resort of Perissa.
Fira
You’ll recognise it from nearly every postcard you’ll see of Santorini – Fira, the island’s capital, is breathtaking.
Beaches
Santorini still technically sits above an active volcano, so expect to find most of its beaches showcasing a black or very burnt orange colour. But if only golden grains will do, Kamari Beach is one of the most popular and picturesque. Get ready to sit back and totally relax… See all beaches (7)
Perivolos Beach
Perivolos, Santorini
The black sands of Perivolos Beach await in the south-east of the island. A sprinkling of sunloungers and parasols adorn the long stretch of seafront, making it the ideal area to chill out and relax. It’s a...
Aspri Beach
Akrotiri, Santorini
Make a beeline for one of the island’s most stunning patches. Also known as White Beach, this stretch of shore dazzles with its dove-white cliffs, which contrast vividly with the black sand shore and...
Sights
Few sights are as iconic as the big, blue dome against the ice-white building – welcome to the Three Bells of Fira. Whether you choose to explore it or just snap a picture, it’s worth a visit. Ancient Thera is another must-see. Fascinated by Pompeii? Santorini’s Akrotiri has a similar story of devastation behind it. See all sights (8)
Ancient Akrotiri
Akrotiri, Santorini
Thousands of years ago, in 1613 BC, a volcanic eruption buried the ancient Minoan city of Akrotiri underneath a layer of volcanic ash. This Bronze Age settlement was hidden from the world until 1967, when...
Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral
Fira, Santorini
Overlooking the caldera edge, sits this beautiful whitewashed cathedral. Alongside its impressive archways and bell tower, it boasts a peaceful courtyard filled with flowers. Inside, you’ll see magical frescoes...
Activities
From scuba diving to visiting old vineyards, Santorini’s got the lot. With its rugged landscape past the preened towns, it’d be rude not to walk along the red rocks of the crater on Nea Kameni. This volcanic area will have you spellbound. Anyone for setting sail on a boat trip too? See all activities (5)
Fira cable car
Fira, Santorini
From the Old Port, you can jump on the cable car as it travels 220 metres up, passing whitewashed houses that cling to the cliffside. Within an impressive three minutes, you’ll have reached Fira. It costs...
Thrilling water sports
Perivolos, Santorini
Hit the beach and you can have your fill of all the exciting water sports that Santorini has to offer. While the locals know the best diving spots and places to enjoy a jet-skiing jaunt, who’s for a boat trip...
Eating and drinking
Grilled meats, freshly-netted seafood and sundried cherry tomatoes are all menu favourites in Santorini. But it doesn’t stop there on this island – expect locally-grown pomegranates to feature heavily as a garnish too. What’s more, white aubergine is a native vegetable that’s worth a try.
See all eating and drinking (8)
Seafront eateries
Perivolos, Santorini
You’ll be bowled over by the convenience of the eateries here in Perivolos. There are plenty of low-key restaurants backing the beach, while you’ll find a handful of cheery little eateries in the centre too....
The Athenian House
Imerovigli, Santorini
For an unforgettable fine dining experience, head to The Athenian House. Located in an original Santorini cave house with vintage Athenian decoration, this local gem serves the very best Mediterranean cuisine....
Shopping
The main towns of Fira and Oia are your best bets for buying souvenirs and enjoying a spot of retail therapy. While handmade jewellery and sculptures can all be browsed in local shops, you’ll also notice places selling books. How about a mosey around the market stalls as well? See all shopping (1)
Nightlife
Are casual cocktails up your street? Eager for an ice-cold beer on the beach? You can easily do both. Some of the island’s bars are low-key and atmospheric, while others will be a bit livelier. You’ll also find a sprinkling of jazz bars around, if saxophone-filled soirées are your bag.
See all nightlife (2)
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