Bucket list destination:
Santorini, Greek Islands, Greece
Some 2,600 years ago, a volcanic eruption turned this island upside down and created the stage for one of the most dramatic Greek island destinations.
The cliffs of Santorini’s semi-circular volcanic rim are frosted with sugar-cube villages, and boutique hotels are carved out of the cliff face, a giddying 300m drop to the sea. Dubbed the ‘black pearl of the Aegean’ because of its black sand beaches, the island’s volcanic soil also produces superb wines.
Its stark mystique and spectacular sunsets have long made it the ultimate setting for seduction.
Santorini lies in the southern Cyclades. The action is centred in the capital Fira, all gold shops and overpriced cafés catering to day-trippers from the frequent cruise ships.
Five-star hotels and gourmet restaurants are lined up along the caldera, the flooded volcanic crater that created the island’s vertiginous cliffs.
Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia are the most spectacular settlements on the caldera. Inland, a few more rustic villages, such as Megalochori and Pyrgos, have survived.
Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers
Santorini
Price €110
Min age 0
Rating 4.82 / 5 [1788 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Santorini
Price €59
Min age 4
Rating 4.36 / 5 [938 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Santorini
Price €90
Min age 0
Rating 4.93 / 5 [514 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Santorini
Price €90
Min age 0
Rating 4.85 / 5 [364 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Santorini
Price €160
Min age 0
Rating 4.92 / 5 [340 ratings]
Tour supplied by:
Little Santorini swarms with tourists in July and August – avoid if you can.
Greek Easter (usually in April) is a wonderful time to experience the spring bloom and local traditions, but it’s too chilly for swimming.
May, June, September and early October are the best times to go; the weather is reliably hot, the beaches, restaurants and resorts are less crowded, and prices are lower.
Pretty much everything shuts down between November and March.
The small airport (domestic and charter flights) is near Monolithos. There’s a regular bus service to Fira, where you can get connecting buses to other destinations. There’s often a long queue for taxis. Most hotels charge for port and airport transfers.
Ferries dock at the tiny, shabby port of Athinios. Cruise ships moor off the old port of Gialos, from where it’s a dizzying cable car or swaying donkey ride up the sheer hill to Fira.
Local buses are infrequent and taxis are scarce and pricey; it’s better to hire a car or moped to explore the sights. Many tourists rent quad bikes, but they’re not the safest form of transport.
First-time guests usually choose to stay on the caldera – you pay a high premium for that stunning view, but it really is worth it. Imerovgli and Oia are the prettiest and most coveted places to stay here.
Crowded, noisy Fira is best avoided unless nightlife is a priority. Bars are few and far between on the rest of the island. Inland, Pyrgos and Megalochori offer a taste of more traditional island life.
