Santorini is the supermodel of the Greek islands, which is instantly recognizable to the whole world: colorful rocks unfold from a caldera drowning in the sea, full of whitewashed buildings.
With its reputation for dazzling panoramas, romantic sunsets and beaches with volcanic sand, it’s no surprise that the island features on many travelers’ bucket lists.
There is no denying the uniqueness of this destination or its immense charm – Santorini hosts 1.5 million tourists annually. Here’s everything you need to know if you plan to join that crowd.
Caldera settlements
Santorini’s commercial development is centered on the Caldera shores in the western part of the island, with large clusters of whitewashed buildings nestling in the heights, spilling out below the coves and offering jaw-dropping views from the sea or the sea.
Fira, the island’s bustling capital, is crossed to the north by the villages of Firostefani (about 15 minutes’ walk from Fira) and Imerovigli (the highest point of the caldera coast, about half an hour’s walk from Fira). A path through these villages is full of luxury hotels, restaurants and endless photo ops.
These three settlements attract the most visitors, along with the stunning and quite exclusive village of Oia in the north of Santorini. There are a growing number of hotels on the southern island, offering caldera views to the north and northeast. The views of Akrotiri arrive cheaper than Oia, but it’s a good way from the action of Fira.
Away from the edge of the caldera
The east coast of Santorini is less well known than the famous, elevated west coast. Here, the heights of the caldera have reached sea level, and the volcanic beaches and resorts offer a very different card. Eastern seaside resorts like Kamari and Perissa have a more traditional island-holiday appeal: beaches full of sunbathing, water sports, bars and tavernas.
The beaches on the east coast are lined with black sand. on the south coast, there are a number of beaches known for their colorful sand – the dramatic Red Beach is a traveller’s favourite.
The interior of the island is built with vineyards and traditional villages that allow you to see beyond the tourist traffic. Stop in Pyrgos for great food and wander the charming alleyways.
When to go
The peak travel time is in July and August, when prices go up and hotels, beaches and beaches are full of tourists. The summer months of April, May, early June, late September and October are good times to visit – things are marginally quieter on the edge of the caldera and significantly quieter on the east coast where accommodation opportunities are plenty.
Don’t miss a winter break, when the crowds are thin (and prices are low) while the scenery is still breathtaking. Santorini is all about positioning itself as a year-round destination.
What to do in Santorini 2022
Walking
The obvious activity is to walk the edge of the caldera and admire the views. The walks in and around Fira are amazing, starting from the north towards Firostefani and Imerovigli along Calderas street. Keep walking and you will eventually reach Oia, but be aware that this is no small undertaking and the path beyond Imerovigli can be rough. It’s about 9 kilometers in all, and a good three to four hours’ walk in one direction.
Wine tasting
Santorini’s acclaimed wines are its crisp dry whites and the amber-colored, colorless dessert wine known as Vinsanto. Both come from the native grape variety, assyrtiko. About a dozen local vineyards host tastings and some offer food, with scenery and local produce combining to excellent results. Start your research on the great, delicious SantoWines.
History
The intrigue of Santorini reaches deep into the past, with the fascinating point of Akrotiri showing a Minoan city destroyed by the volcanic eruption of 1613 BC. In Fira, the impressive Museum of Prehistoric Thera helps capture the history of the ancient Cape.
Sunset
Nature’s handiwork is on display from anywhere in the seaside village, but the sunset capital is in Oia, where thousands of tourists flock to admire (and applaud) the night.
Swimming
Take the plunge: in the hotel’s infinity pool or your suite’s private plunge pool, from the edge of a boat on a caldera cruise, or on a black-sand beach on the East Coast.
Santorini tours
Any tour your heart desires can be arranged – there are dozens of organizations ready to help you with winery visits, archaeological site tours, sunset watching and more. The most popular option is a cruise, and the classic itinerary takes in the volcanic islands of the Nea Kameni and Palaia Kameni caldera, including a stop at the former’s crater and hot springs.
Sure, there are viewpoints that stop you in your tracks and marvel at how tourists travel. But away from the Santorini travel headlines, there’s plenty to explore, from a gorgeous open-air cinema to a cool tiny, art-decorated wine cave and cooking demonstrations and classes celebrating Santorini’s growing food culture.
