Ammoudi Bay is the picturesque little fishing harbour directly below Oia, reached by about 300 steps down the red cliffs, famous for its waterfront seafood tavernas, cliff-jumping spot and a sea-level sunset away from the crowds. This guide covers the bay, the seafood tavernas, swimming and how to get there. Ammoudi is one of the … Read more
Firostefani Santorini is a quiet, charming caldera village just a kilometre north of Fira, with sweeping views over the volcano and the Aegean, the iconic Three Bells of Fira blue-domed church, and beautiful sunsets without the crowds. This guide covers the village, the caldera views, what to do and how to visit. Firostefani offers caldera … Read more
Emporio Santorini is the island’s largest village, once its trading hub, famous for the remarkably preserved medieval Kasteli castle at its heart, a labyrinth of narrow alleys, tunnels and stairways, alongside windmills and blue-domed churches. This guide covers the village, the castle, what to see and how to visit. Emporio is an atmospheric, history-rich village … Read more
Megalochori Santorini is the island’s enchanting wine-capital village, a quiet, traditional settlement of old captains’ mansions, blue-domed churches and shaded squares set amid the vineyards a short drive from Fira. Home to renowned wineries, it is a peaceful escape from the crowds. This guide covers the village, the wineries, what to do and how to … Read more
Perivolos beach is Santorini’s longest black-sand beach and the heart of its beach-club scene, an extension of Perissa on the south-east coast with fine black sand, stylish beach clubs, watersports and a lively, younger crowd. This guide covers the beach clubs, the watersports, the atmosphere and how to visit. Perivolos is the island’s chic beach-club … Read more
Vlychada beach is one of Santorini’s most surreal and beautiful shores, a long grey-sand bay on the south coast backed by tall white cliffs that the wind and sea have carved into a lunar, moonscape-like landscape. Quieter than Perissa or Kamari, it has a marina and a few tavernas. This guide covers the beach, the … Read more
Ancient Thera is Santorini’s dramatic clifftop classical city, perched on the rocky ridge of Mesa Vouno between Kamari and Perissa, with temples, an agora, Roman houses and breathtaking views. It is the island’s second great archaeological site after Akrotiri. This guide covers the history, what to see, tickets and how to visit. Ancient Thera is … Read more
Santorini vs Mykonos is the classic Greek island dilemma: Santorini wins for dramatic scenery, the famous sunset, romance and history, while Mykonos wins for golden-sand beaches and world-class nightlife. This guide compares the two on scenery, beaches, nightlife, romance and who each island suits. Both are Cyclades stars but very different, a useful comparison within … Read more
The Santorini cruise port is a tender port: ships anchor in the caldera and ferry you ashore by small boat to the Old Port below Fira, from where the cable car climbs to town. With Fira, Oia and the volcano all reachable, it makes a spectacular day. This guide covers tendering, getting up to Fira … Read more
Santorini nightlife ranges from romantic caldera sunset cocktails to the buzzing bars and clubs of Fira. Fira is the island’s nightlife hub, Oia the place for elegant sunset drinks, and Kamari and Perissa for beach bars. This guide covers the best bars and clubs, the areas and what to expect after dark. The after-dark scene … Read more