Start in Oia’s alleys for blue-domed photo spots, then hike the caldera rim to Fira for cafés perched above a flooded volcano. Sail past Nea Kameni’s steaming crater, swim in hot-spring coves and tour Akrotiri’s Bronze-Age frescoes. Red, White and Black beaches promise sun-lounger downtime, while wineries in Pyrgos and Megalochori pour mineral-rich Assyrtiko grown on volcanic soil. Finish with a sunset dinner overlooking the caldera, toasting the island’s timeless allure.
Things to do in Santorini
Caldera cruises
- Board a catamaran or wooden kaiki and circle the flooded crater.
- Hike the sulphur-scented rim of Nea Kameni’s active volcano.
- Drop anchor for warm-spring swims off Palia Kameni.
- Finish with an on-deck barbecue and sunset over Oia.
Volcanic beaches
- Bask on the black sand of Perissa and Kamari under organised umbrellas.
- Snorkel vivid lava pebbles at Red Beach beneath crimson cliffs.
- Kayak along the white-pumice shoreline of Vlychada for lunar photos.
- Seek quieter swims at Monolithos, a favourite with families.
Ancient Akrotiri
- Walk raised platforms above 3,600-year-old Minoan streets.
- View fresco fragments and storage jars in climate-controlled halls.
- Learn how volcanic ash preserved the town like a Greek Pompeii.
- Combine the visit with nearby Red Beach for a history-and-sun combo.
Cliff villages & sunsets
- Photograph blue domes and marble lanes in postcard-perfect Oia.
- Stroll Fira’s balconies for cafés perched 300 m above sea level.
- Climb to Pyrgos’ Venetian Kasteli for quieter golden-hour views.
- Toast the day with Assyrtiko at a caldera-edge wine bar.
Wine tasting & local flavours
- Tour basket-pruned Assyrtiko vines that hug the volcanic soil.
- Sample crisp whites and sweet vinsanto in underground canava cellars.
- Pair pours with tomato keftedes and fava purée grown on the island.
- Join a sunset food-and-wine pairing overlooking the caldera.
Hiking & viewpoints
- Trek the 10 km caldera trail from Fira to Oia, passing chapels and lava rock.
- Summit Profitis Ilias, Santorini’s highest point, for a 360-degree horizon.
- Take a short path to Skaros Rock for cliff-edge ruins and sea vistas.
- Pack early to beat the heat and capture dawn light on the water.
Island-hopping escapes
- Ferry ten minutes to Thirasia for time-stilled villages and harbour tavernas.
- Day-trip to Ios or Folegandros for extra Cycladic beaches without re-packing.
- Sail to Anafi for hiking trails and crowd-free sands.
- Combine routes with an island-wide ferry pass to maximise flexibility.
Why book holidays in Santorini
Caldera sunsets
Cliff-edge hotels and catamaran dinners serve front-row views of the volcano as the sky turns peach and lavender every evening.
Volcanic beaches
Black-sand Perissa, red-rock Akrotiri and white-pumice Vlychada offer snorkelling, sun-beds and dramatic photo backdrops in one island hop.
Cliff villages
Stay in cave-suite boutiques carved into Oia and Fira, waking to Aegean panoramas and marble-lane strolls to cafés and galleries.
Ancient Akrotiri
A 3,600-year-old Minoan town preserved in ash adds culture to every beach day and is easy to pair with Red Beach.
Volcanic wines
Wineries in Pyrgos and Megalochori pour crisp Assyrtiko and sweet vinsanto, perfect for sunset tastings after a day of exploring.
Island hopping
Fast ferries reach Thirasia, Ios and Folegandros in under an hour, adding new beaches and villages without changing your base hotel.
When to visit Santorini
January
14℃
114mm
Less Crowded
Low Prices
February
14℃
81mm
Less Crowded
Low Prices
March
16℃
66mm
Less Crowded
Low Prices
April
19℃
28mm
Moderate
Moderate Prices
May
22℃
14mm
Busy
Higher Prices
June
26℃
4mm
Busy
Higher Prices
July
28℃
1mm
Very Busy
Peak Prices
August
27℃
1mm
Very Busy
Peak Prices
September
25℃
13mm
Busy
Higher Prices
October
22℃
61mm
Moderate
Moderate Prices
November
19℃
69mm
Less Crowded
Low Prices
December
16℃
102mm
Less Crowded
Low Prices
Getting to Santorini
Popular airports offering direct flights
LGW
London Gatwick
CDG
Paris Charles de Gaulle
FRA
Frankfurt
FCO
Rome Fiumicino
Easiest airport to fly from
Athens International Airport
“Eleftherios Venizelos”
Athens, Greece
Popular ports offering direct routes
Athens
Piraeus
Athens
Rafina
Crete
Heraklion
Cyclades
Naxos
Ferry types and duration
High-speed catamarans (From Athens)
Piraeus → Santorini ~4 h – 5 h
Conventional ferries (From Athens)
~9 h – 10 h
Best places to stay in Santorini
Fira (Thira)
The island’s hub for buses, nightlife and shopping. Caldera-view hotels and budget rooms cluster around the centre, giving easy access to tours, dining and late-night walks along the cliff path.
Oia
Iconic sunset village with cave-suite boutiques and galleries. Ideal for honeymoon views and relaxed evenings; extensive hotel stock ranges from luxury suites to small guesthouses.
Imerovigli
Quiet, upscale caldera perch between Fira and Oia, popular for honeymoon suites and infinity-pool villas, with cliff-top dining and Skaros Rock on your doorstep. Plenty of hotels to choose from.
Kamari
Family-friendly black-sand resort with a long promenade, water sports and many seafront hotels and apartments, often better value than caldera towns.
Perissa / Perivolos
South-east beach strip for casual, good-value stays. Expect beach clubs, tavernas and a wide choice of hotels and studios near the sand.
Akrotiri
Calmer base near the archaeological site and Red Beach, mixing sea-view suites and small hotels with easy access to boat trips around the caldera.
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