The Santorini villages beyond Oia and Fira reveal a quieter, more traditional island: hilltop Pyrgos with its Venetian castle, the living medieval fortress of Emporio, wine-country Megalochori and clifftop Imerovigli, the balcony of the Aegean. This guide covers the best villages and what each offers. The inland and clifftop villages are the authentic heart of … Read more
Santorini food is shaped by the island’s volcanic soil and sea, giving distinctive dishes such as tomatokeftedes (tomato fritters), creamy fava, sweet cherry tomatoes, white aubergine, capers and fresh seafood, all paired with Assyrtiko wine. This guide covers what to eat, the local specialities and where to taste them. Eating well is one of the … Read more
Santorini wine is among the most distinctive in the world, grown in volcanic ash on ancient basket-trained vines and led by the crisp, mineral white Assyrtiko and the sweet, sun-dried Vinsanto. This guide covers what makes the wine special, the grapes, the best wineries and how to do a Santorini wine tour. The island’s wine … Read more
Akrotiri Santorini is a remarkably preserved Bronze Age Minoan town buried by the volcanic eruption around 1600 BC, often called the Greek Pompeii. Its multi-storey houses, drains and famous frescoes survive under a vast roof. This guide covers what to see, the history, tickets, the frescoes and how to visit. Akrotiri is the cultural highlight … Read more
The best time to visit Santorini is May to June and September to October, when the weather is warm and sunny, the sea swimmable and the crowds far thinner than the July and August peak. September is many travellers’ top choice. This guide covers the seasons month by month, the crowds, the winds and when … Read more
Fira Santorini is the island’s lively capital, perched dramatically on the caldera cliffs, with a famous cable car down to the Old Port, museums, shopping, restaurants and the island’s best nightlife. This guide covers what to do in Fira, the cable car, the caldera views and how to visit the central hub of Santorini. Fira … Read more
Oia Santorini is the island’s most beautiful and photographed village, a cascade of whitewashed cave houses, blue-domed churches and clifftop terraces on the northern tip of the caldera, famous above all for its sunset. This guide covers what to do in Oia, the sunset, Ammoudi Bay below it and tips for visiting. Oia is the … Read more
The Santorini sunset is the most famous in Greece, watched each evening as the sun drops into the Aegean behind the caldera. The classic spot is Oia, but Imerovigli, Fira, Ammoudi Bay and a sunset cruise offer the same spectacle with fewer crowds. This guide covers the best spots and how to beat the crowds. … Read more
A Santorini itinerary of three to five days lets you enjoy the highlights without rushing: the Oia sunset, a caldera cruise to the volcano, the Fira-to-Oia hike, a wine tour, the Minoan site of Akrotiri and a black-sand beach. This guide gives day-by-day plans for 3, 4 and 5 days and how many days you … Read more
Where to stay in Santorini depends on your trip: Oia for luxury, honeymoons and the classic sunset, Fira for convenience, transport and nightlife, Imerovigli for quiet caldera views, or the black-sand resorts of Kamari and Perissa for beaches and value. This guide covers the best areas and who each suits. Choosing the right base shapes … Read more