Santorini travel guide

Greece

Whitewashed villages above the Aegean blue

Santorini rises from the Aegean Sea in a crescent of volcanic cliffs topped with iconic whitewashed villages. Famous sunsets, blue-domed churches, and dramatic caldera views make this Greece's most photographed island.

Why Santorini

Best time to visit: May to June or September to October
Getting around: Buses, ATVs, and car rentals
Language: Greek
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Timezone: EET (UTC+2)

Neighbourhoods in Santorini

Oia Postcard-perfect village with blue domes, sunset views, and honeymoon luxury. // TODO: verify venue
Fira Main town with shops, restaurants, cable car, and caldera views without Oia prices. // TODO: verify venue
Imerovigli & Firostefani The quieter, upscale caldera villages between Fira and Oia, with the best luxury hotels and views without the crowds. Romantic and serene.
Pyrgos & the inland villages The old hilltop capital and the traditional inland villages of wineries and tavernas, away from the caldera crowds. The island's authentic heart.
Kamari & Perissa (the beaches) The black-sand beach resorts on the island's flatter eastern and southern coasts, with tavernas and water sports. The island's beach life.

Things to do in Santorini

Oia Sunset Witness the legendary sunset from Oia castle ruins—arrive 2 hours early for a good spot. // TODO: verify venue
Caldera Sailing Cruise Sail the volcanic caldera, swim in hot springs, and watch sunset from the water. // TODO: verify venue
Wine Tasting Sample Assyrtiko wines at volcanic vineyards like Santo Wines or Venetsanos. // TODO: verify venue
Akrotiri A remarkably preserved Bronze Age Minoan town buried by the eruption, sometimes called the 'Greek Pompeii'. Fascinating and under cover.
The caldera walk (Fira to Oia) A stunning clifftop path linking the caldera villages, with endless sea-and-volcano views. Do it in the cool of morning or late afternoon.
Wine tasting on the volcano Touring the island's ancient basket-trained vines and tasting the mineral Assyrtiko is a highlight for any wine lover. Unique volcanic terroir.
Oia art galleries & boutiques Oia's lanes are lined with art galleries, jewellery and resort-wear boutiques. Upscale island browsing.
Santorini wine & volcanic products Shops and wineries sell Assyrtiko, Vinsanto, capers and cherry-tomato products of the volcanic soil. Distinctive edible gifts.
Local ceramics & jewellery Studios sell handmade Cycladic ceramics and jewellery. Meaningful island mementoes.

Where to eat in Santorini

Metaxi Mas Hidden taverna in Exo Gonia serving exceptional traditional Greek dishes away from tourist crowds. // TODO: verify venue
Selene Fine dining institution celebrating volcanic terroir with innovative Cycladic cuisine. // TODO: verify venue
Lucky's Souvlakis Best gyros on the island—locals queue here for affordable, authentic Greek fast food. // TODO: verify venue
Elements (Canaves Oia) Theatrical modern-Greek cuisine on a volcanic-rock terrace over Ammoudi Bay. A special-occasion caldera dinner.
Roka Excellent, honest Greek cooking away from the Oia sunset crush, in a cosy, authentic setting. A local antidote to the tourist tables.
Ammoudi Bay fish tavernas Waterside tavernas at the foot of Oia's cliff, serving just-caught fish with your feet almost in the sea. Romantic and delicious.
To Psaraki A superb, well-priced seafood taverna by the marina in the south, loved by locals for its freshness. Away from the caldera prices.
Lucky's Souvlakis / gyros The go-to for a cheap, delicious gyros or souvlaki in Fira, a welcome break from caldera prices. Fast and satisfying.
Caldera-view cafés (Fira / Imerovigli) Café terraces perched on the cliff serve coffee and frappé with the caldera and sea spread below. The view is the point.
Pyrgos village cafés The old hilltop capital's cafés offer coffee and cake with panoramic island views, far quieter than the rim. Serene and local.
Oia bakeries Oia's bakeries serve Greek pastries, bougatsa and coffee for a morning before the crowds. A gentle start.

Where to drink in Santorini

Franco's Bar Iconic Fira cliffside bar with classical music and sunset views—dress elegantly. // TODO: verify venue
PK Cocktail Bar Craft cocktails in Fira with caldera views and DJ sets after sunset. // TODO: verify venue
Franco's / caldera sunset bars Cliffside bars serve cocktails timed to the famous sunset over the caldera. The island's essential evening.
Santo Wines / winery tastings The island's wineries offer tastings of volcanic Assyrtiko and Vinsanto on terraces overlooking the caldera. A superb sunset with a glass.
Fira nightlife bars Fira holds the island's liveliest late-night bars and clubs. Where Santorini stays up.

Hidden gems in Santorini

Vlychada Beach A dramatic moonscape beach on Santorini's southern tip, with sculptural white cliffs carved by wind and waves—a surreal landscape far from the crowds.
Pyrgos Village Medieval hilltop village with castle ruins and authentic local life away from tourists.
Ancient Akrotiri A Bronze Age settlement buried by the same volcanic eruption that destroyed Minoan civilization. The preserved frescoes and multi-story buildings rival Pompeii.
Megalochori Village A quiet traditional settlement where cave houses still function as homes and tavernas. The caldera views match Oia's without the crowds or the prices.
Skaros Rock The remains of a medieval Venetian fortress on a dramatic promontory. The hike from Imerovigli offers vertigo-inducing caldera views and absolute solitude.
The inland villages (Megalochori, Emporio) The maze-like old villages of the interior, of white lanes, blue domes and almost no crowds, show the island before tourism. Quiet and lovely.
Red Beach & the southern coast The dramatic red and white volcanic beaches near Akrotiri, and the long black sands of the south, are a wilder counterpoint to the caldera.
Caldera boat trip & hot springs A boat trip across the caldera to the volcanic islet and the warm sulphur springs, best at sunset with dinner aboard. A different perspective on the island.

Local tips for Santorini

Timing Visit April-May or September-October—summer is overcrowded with cruise ships.
Transport Rent an ATV or car—buses are crowded and don't reach the best beaches.
Photography The famous blue domes are in Oia, not Fira—head to Oia early morning for crowd-free photos.
Caldera Steps Fira and Oia are built on steep stairs with no lifts. Pack light and wear proper shoes rather than sandals.
Ferry Over Flights High-speed ferries from Athens and Crete are frequent and often cheaper than the short flight. Book ahead in August.

Browse all AVARA city guides