Santorini

Santorini – A blue and white dream on the edge of the volcano.

Greece

About Santorini

Santorini (Thira) is the jewel of the Aegean. Formed by a massive volcanic eruption, its dazzling white villages like Oia and Fira now perch spectacularly on the steep crater walls of the caldera. The contrast between the black volcanic rock, the deep blue domed roofs, and the azure sea makes Santorini one of the most photographed places on earth. Beyond its breathtaking aesthetics, the island offers unique volcanic beaches and a winemaking tradition that is among the oldest in the world.

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Highlights & sights

  • ✓ Oia Sunset
  • ✓ Fira Old Town
  • ✓ Skaros Rock
  • ✓ Red Beach
  • ✓ Akrotiri (ancient ruins)
  • ✓ Profitis Ilias
  • ✓ Ammoudi Bay
  • ✓ Wine Tastings
  • ✓ Caldera Hike
  • ✓ Nea Kameni (Volcano Island)

How to get there

Santorini Airport (JTR) receives direct international flights. The island is also a major hub for ferries from Athens (Piraeus) and other islands like Crete or Mykonos. On the island, rental cars or ATVs are ideal as the roads between villages are steep and winding.

Tips & info

Insider Tips

  1. Hike from Fira to Oia along the caldera rim – the views are priceless and better than any roadside lookout.
  2. Explore Oia in the morning to experience the alleys without the evening sunset crowds.
  3. Taste the local "Assyrtiko" wine at a winery (like Santo Wines) with a view over the abyss.
  4. Eat fresh fish in Ammoudi Bay – you’ll have to walk hundreds of steps down (and up), but it’s worth it.
  5. Visit the village of Pyrgos – it’s the highest point of the island and much more authentic and quiet than Oia.

Santorini & Surroundings

Santorini offers more than just views; it is a geologically fascinating area.

Nearby highlights:

  1. Nea & Palea Kameni (Hot springs in the crater)
  2. Thirassia (The quiet neighbor island)
  3. Ios (Party and beach island)
  4. Anafi (Untouched Cycladic idyll)

Best Day Trips

Volcano Tour

Take a boat trip to the center of the caldera to hike on the active (but dormant) volcano.

Akrotiri & Red Beach

Combine the "Greek version of Pompeii" with a visit to the iconic red lava beach.

Thirassia

Santorini’s little sister shows what the island looked like before the tourism boom – pure tranquility.

Best Time to Visit

  1. April to June: Flowers are blooming, temperatures are perfect for hiking, and prices are moderate.
  2. September to October: The sea is at its warmest and the light is most beautiful for photographers.
  3. July & August: Very hot and extremely crowded due to cruise ship tourism.
  4. November to March: Many hotels close, but the island offers a rugged, lonely beauty for individualists.