Santorini
Santorini holidays
Out-of-this-world sunsets? Tick. Stunning sea views? Tick. Pretty whitewashed towns? Tick! Sensational Santorini is an all-round winner. Its white and blue villages that cling to the cliffside overlook an enchanting caldera, while below, the turquoise Aegean waters meet a crisp-white shore. 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, Thira, 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, overlooking a vast caldera, while Thira is more central and enjoys the hustle and bustle of island life.
The island’s crave-worthy cuisine
World-renowned Greek fare is made even better with a few Santorini specials. Pomegranates thrive in this sun-drenched region, so expect these tiny red jewels to feature in many of your meals. The rich volcanic soil also gives you the chance to sample white aubergine. It’s bright-white in colour and much sweeter than its purple counterpart.
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 (5)
Perivolos Beach
Perivolos, Santorini
Aspri Beach
Santorini
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 (7)
Ancient Akrotiri
Fira, Santorini
Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral
Fira, Santorini
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
Thrilling water sports
Perivolos, Santorini
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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Seafront eateries
Perivolos, Santorini
The Athenian House
Imerovigli, Santorini
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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