Santorini shopping centres on the lanes of Oia and Fira, with jewellery on the famous Gold Street, handmade ceramics, art galleries, textiles and local wine and olive oil. This guide covers where to shop, what to buy, the best souvenirs and tips for shopping on the island. Browsing the boutiques is a pleasure of the … Read more
Finikia is a quiet, authentic Cycladic village on the northern side of Santorini, barely a mile from Oia, offering traditional whitewashed lanes, charming tavernas and far fewer crowds than its famous neighbour. This guide covers what Finikia is like, what to do, where it is and how to visit. Finikia is a peaceful alternative within … Read more
The Santorini windmills, most famously the white round mills of Oia, were 18th and 19th-century grain mills powered by the island’s strong meltemi wind, now restored as iconic photo landmarks and unusual places to stay. This guide covers what they are, the history, where to see them and tips for visiting. The windmills are a … Read more
The Santorini blue domes are the famous blue-roofed churches of Oia, the island’s most photographed sight, with the classic three-dome view found near the Anastasis church. This guide covers what they are, where to find them, the best photo spot, the best time and photography tips for the blue domes. The blue domes are the … Read more
Oia vs Fira is the key decision when choosing where to stay in Santorini. Fira is the central, lively, cheaper capital, best for first-timers, buses and nightlife; Oia is the quieter, most romantic and photogenic village, famous for the sunset and luxury cave suites. This guide compares them on convenience, looks, cost and atmosphere. Choosing … Read more
The best Santorini restaurants range from clifftop fine dining and caldera-view tavernas to fresh seafood at Ammoudi Bay and cheap, excellent gyros, spread across Oia, Fira and the villages. This guide covers where to eat in Oia, where to eat in Fira, seafood, budget options and tips for dining. Eating out is a real pleasure … Read more
The Santorini caldera is a vast, flooded volcanic crater, around 4 kilometres wide, formed when a colossal eruption 3,600 years ago collapsed the centre of the island into the sea. Its sheer cliffs, crescent shape and clifftop villages define Santorini. This guide covers the formation, the size, the best viewpoints and how to see the … Read more
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
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