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 the dramatic caldera and twinkling Aegean from their cliffside spots. 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…

Costa Grand Resort & Spa

Kamari, Santorini

Our rating

Based on 329 reviews

Simply Luxe
Idyllic beachfront location
Modern style
Great range of facilities
Laid-back atmosphere

Aegean Plaza Hotel

Kamari, Santorini

Our rating

Based on 785 reviews

Great pool area
Close to the beach and resort centre
Traditional Cycladic style

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Language

Greek

Currency

Euro (€)

Time difference

+2hrs

Local beer

£3.70

Meal for two

£32.52

Average flight time

4hrs

Hilltop hideaways

Oia and the capital, Fira, are two of the island’s most popular resorts and they're connected by a must-do walking route. You could even hire a car to reach them. You’ll be blown away once you see them in real life and understand why visitors – especially honeymooners – 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! You might even want to hop on a water taxi to get from A to B.

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.

Perissa

If you’re after easy-going vibes, low-key bars and basking in the sun, Perissa is for you.

Fira

You’ll recognise it from nearly every postcard you’ll see of Santorini – Fira, the island’s capital, is breathtaking.

Perivolos

This peaceful coastal town is nestled on the south-eastern seafront of Santorini, and merges into the neighbouring resort of Perissa.

Firostefani

See the island’s renowned white houses and brilliant blue domes from Firostefani.

Agia Paraskevi

Go-slow Santorini breaks begin in Agia Paraskevi with its pretty, black-pebbled beach and Greek village feel. It’s on the island’s east coast so you can expect plenty of sunshine.

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 (9)

Agia Paraskevi Beach

Agia Paraskevi, Santorini

This pebbled shore is a relatively quiet spot with only a handful of loungers and umbrellas to hire. It’s the perfect place to lay down your towel and get stuck into a good book while soaking up those toasty...

Monolithos Beach

Monolithos, Santorini

Inky-black sands and shallow waters are about the size of it at Monolithos Beach. Rock up and you can take your pick from sunlounger spots or bring your own towel and set up for the day. With little ones?...

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 (6)

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.

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Gaia Winery

Monolithos, Santorini

You’ll find Gaia Winery just outside of Monolithos, nestled by the sea. A visit here includes a tasting of its range of wines, as well as a tour of the beautiful stone-built building. And the beach location?...

Galini Restaurant Tavern

Agia Paraskevi, Santorini

Fancy devouring a delicious Greek feast with the serene Santorini sunset as your backdrop? Then you’ll want to take a seat in this welcoming taverna. Fresh fish and seafood dominate the menu but there are...

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.

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