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Holidays in Santorini

White houses perched on a dark volcanic cliff edge, awe-inspiring sunsets, and luxurious all inclusive hotels: Santorini is an idyllic Greek holiday destination. As well as sun, sea, and spectacular views, the island offers fabulous hiking, shopping, and fine wines.

Santorini’s defining feature is its caldera, formed when an enormous volcanic eruption caused the volcano to collapse in on itself more than 3,500 years ago and giving us the islands we see today. You'll only truly understand the Greek island’s legendary beauty once you glimpse it from a boat. Layered volcanic cliffs with whitewashed villages and blue-domed churches on top overlook the vivid Aegean Sea.

For the best on-land perspective of the island's magical landscape, follow the pathways along the edge of the caldera – especially between Fira and Oia, via Imerovigli. A gentle stroll around Fira is an easy way to take in Santorini’s wow factor, too. Or head to the black, red, and white beaches along the multi-coloured coastline.

Alongside its spectacular scenery, Santorini’s history is equally captivating, stretching back thousands of years. The most impressive archaeological site is Akrotiri, a Minoan town preserved for millennia under volcanic lava. Ancient Thira is also fascinating, comprising the ruins of ancient temples, a theatre, and mosaics that date back to the 9th century BC.

Santorini holidays are hopelessly romantic, too. Make unforgettable memories walking hand in hand through Oia’s winding lanes, dining in one of the high-end restaurants, and ending your evening watching one of the village’s iconic sunsets. Equally charming are the traditional villages and vineyards of the island’s interior – exploring these is a wonderful way to escape the crowds.

When to go to Santorini

The best times of year for holidays in Santorini are late spring and early autumn when temperatures average around 25C. Fewer visitors means the attractions are less crowded, and it's possible to nab cheap holiday deals to the island, too. The rain starts in earnest by late autumn and many facilities close for the season, so while holidays may be cheap, expect a much quieter Santorini.

Peak months are July and August, which could be worth skipping, too. Temperatures hover around a scorching 30C, prices for hotels and services are at their highest, and the island is swarming with travellers. Unsurprisingly, it's difficult (but not impossible) to find decent deals to Santorini at this time of year.

Unlike many other Greek islands, Santorini also welcomes holidaymakers in the winter. You may not fancy a dip in the sea – average temperatures in January are a chilly 16C – but it’s a great time to explore without the hordes.

What to do in Santorini

It’s easy to fill your days lounging on black-sand beaches or exploring Santorini’s intriguing historic sites. In between the two, be sure to catch a sunset or two and take a boat trip around the island’s stunning rock formations. A ride on the cable car between Fira and the old port, Fira Skala, is also a must for spectacular views of the caldera.

Beaches

Beyond the picturesque cliff-edge villages, Santorini’s volcanic-sand beaches are a highlight. Dive into the bright blue sea from Períssa’s dark-sandy shores or settle in for a day’s sunbathing and cocktails at Kamari – both beaches have sunbeds, bars, and restaurants.

Red Beach is unique for its striking deep-red cliffs, rust-coloured pebbles, and turquoise sea. And near Santorini’s southern tip, Vlychada’s pale rock formations have earned it the nickname White Beach.

Winery tours

Winemaking in Santorini dates back thousands of years, and the island has some of the oldest vineyards in Greece. Wine tours are one of the most enjoyable activities on a Santorini holiday, with many wineries across the island hosting cellar tours and tastings.

Head towards the island’s southern interior to have your pick of places to try Santorini’s crisp white wines and renowned dessert wine – Vinsanto – made with the local assyrtiko grape.

Ancient Akrotiri

Away from the beaches, this extraordinary archaeological site tops the list of tourist attractions in Santorini. Stroll across wooden walkways through the remains of Akrotiri, a Minoan city of three-storey buildings and a well-developed plumbing system – all buried beneath volcanic ash since some time before 1,600 BC.

The Minoans lived on Santorini from around 2,000 BC, and the disastrous eruption that destroyed Akrotiri also started the dramatic collapse that created Santorini’s trademark caldera and landscape.

Museum of Prehistoric Thira

The Museum of Prehistoric Thira showcases some of the remarkable artefacts excavated from Akrotiri. Immaculately preserved frescoes, painted pottery, and jewellery detail Minoan life. The museum also takes you even further back in time, exhibiting fossilised olive-tree leaves thought to have fallen in 60,000 BC.

For a rewarding cultural day, visit this museum in the morning, then follow up with an afternoon tour of the archaeological site.

Volcano tours

Take a boat trip in the caldera to see Santorini’s volcanic landscape from a different perspective. Many organised tours take in Nea Kameni and Palia Kameni – Santorini’s mini volcanic islands – with options to climb the caldera, explore the crater, and enjoy a dip in the hot springs.

If hiking appeals, there are walks of varying difficulty to explore the caldera and its many pathways.

Where to stay in Santorini

For families

Períssa is a popular choice for family holidays in Santorini, with a good selection of hotels and apartments, and plenty of places to pick up snacks and drinks. You’ll also enjoy watersports, children’s playgrounds, and a relaxed atmosphere in the bars and restaurants come evening.

If you’re travelling with toddlers or tots, you may prefer Kamari, which is quieter than Períssa but still kitted out with shops, bars, and cafes. Both villages have good links with Fira if you want to see the caldera or take a boat trip.

For food and drink

Oia, famous for its sunsets, is also home to many of Santorini’s gourmet restaurants. Along charming streets, award-winning chefs serve creative dishes that use local ingredients grown in the volcanic soil. Hotels in Oia are suitably stylish and come at a price, but the views while you dine are unbeatable.

Further inland, Pyrgos is a traditional village close to several of the island’s vineyards. Its fantastic restaurants serve the local wine, and some even offer cooking classes.

For nightlife

Fira has its fair share of cocktail bars and nightclubs that keep going until dawn. There’s a good choice of hotels, too – from high-end luxury to more affordable places with decent rooms and swimming pools. Tourists flock to Oia every evening for the sunset show, which kick-starts a lively evening atmosphere.

For a younger vibe, head to Perivolos at the north end of Períssa. An excited crowd descends upon the late-night bars throughout the summer season. Central Períssa also has a decent nightlife, with several laidback restaurants and beach bars to choose from.

For culture

The capital, Fira, is one of the best places to stay in Santorini for culture. It’s home to the Museum of Prehistoric Thira, a beautiful Orthodox cathedral, and is an excellent transport hub to reach the island’s other attractions. Plus, you’ll experience the full wonder of the caldera views from the town’s stunning vantage point.

Akrotiri also has a small selection of hotels and apartments close to the Minoan ruins. It’s quieter than Fira and the other coastal villages, but it has the advantage of being close to Red Beach, so you can get there early to secure your sunbathing spot.