Perissa beach is one of Santorini’s best and liveliest black-sand beaches, a long, organised stretch below the towering rock of Mesa Vouno on the south-east coast, with watersports, a promenade of tavernas and bars, and good value. This guide covers the beach, what to do, the amenities and how to visit. Perissa is a top … Read more
Red Beach Santorini is one of the island’s most striking sights, a cove of dark sand framed by towering rust-red volcanic cliffs near Akrotiri. Spectacular but prone to rockfall, it must be visited with care. This guide covers how to visit safely, by foot or boat, the safety concerns and what to bring. The Red … Read more
The Santorini volcano lies at the heart of the caldera on the islet of Nea Kameni, an active volcanic island you can hike to steaming craters, usually paired with a swim in the warm, iron-rich hot springs of Palea Kameni. This guide covers the volcano, the hot springs, the boat tours and how to visit. … Read more
Santorini’s finest walk, the Fira to Oia trail, is a roughly 10.5-kilometre caldera-edge trail from the capital to Oia, taking two and a half to five hours past Firostefani, Imerovigli and Skaros Rock with non-stop views. This guide covers the route, the distance, the difficulty and the tips you need to walk it. The cliff-top … Read more
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