Santorini rises dramatically from the sea on a crescent-shaped basin, or caldera, formed by an ancient volcanic eruption. Its whitewashed villages tumble haphazardly down the cliffs, dotted with churches and windmills while, at its shoreline, colourful fishing boats bob and toss on the sparkling waves.The island was named by the Venetians who landed here in the 13th century and dedicated it to Saint Irene. A devastating earthquake in 1956 destroyed many of the ancient buildings, but it has been thoughtfully rebuilt in the traditional style and has lost none of its historic charm.The capital, Firá, is a popular stopping-off point for island-hopping cruise ships, with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars to keep the holiday crowd happy. Picturesque Oia on the island’s northernmost tip is known for its romantic sunsets and typical blue and white houses, while the timeless village of Pyrgos has plenty of friendly tavernas as well as a 15th-century castle. The eye-catching black sand beaches of Perivolos and Perissa are popular spots for sunbathing, while the rocky coastal strips around Mesa Pigadia and Pori are fun to explore on foot.Santorini enjoys a pleasant climate all year round, with temperatures averaging 29° C in the summer and around 15° C in winter. The narrow village streets and steeply banked harbours can get very busy during the peak tourist season though, so if you want to avoid the crowds choose a quieter time of year.There is an airport on the east side of the island served by both scheduled and charter flights and most of the main sites are accessible by road. An economical way to see this compact island is by hiring a taxi or renting a car to get from A to B.
Santorini Travel Guide
Santorini Travel Guide Video
Reviewed on 11 May 2024
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Reviewed on 23 Oct. 2023
Popular places to visit
Athinios Port
Explore the waterfront of Athinios Port and enjoy activities such as boating in Órmos Athiniós. Stroll along the beautiful beaches or discover the area's beautiful sunsets.
Ancient Thira
You can find out about the history of Santorini with a stop at Ancient Thira. Wander the seaside and beautiful beaches in the area.
Perivolos Beach
Why not spend a care-free afternoon at Perivolos Beach during your travels in Agios Georgios? While in this romantic area, you can enjoy the bars.
Oia Blue Dome Church Viewpoint
Find out about the history of Oia when you take a trip to Oia Blue Dome Church Viewpoint. Wander through the seaside and beautiful beaches in this romantic area.
Oia Castle
Find out about the history of Oia when you spend time at Oia Castle. Discover the beautiful sunsets and volcano viewpoints in this romantic area.
White Beach
If a restful holiday is part of your travel plans, White Beach might be the perfect place to visit during your trip to Akrotiri. Discover the sunsets and volcano viewpoints in this relaxing area.
Activities
Santorini: Top Sights Day Trip, Wine Tasting, & Oia Sunset
Santorini Day Tour with Sunset in Oia
Santorini Classic Catamaran Cruise with Meal Drinks and Transfers
Half-Day Exclusive Catamaran Cruise in Santorini with Meal and Open Bar
Santorini: Guided Tour to 3 Wineries with Wine Tastings
Semi Private Premium | Catamaran Cruise with BBQ on board & Drinks
Reviews of Santorini
5/5 - Excellent
Ticked off all expectations and more. Best place to have our honeymoon. Worth every penny!
5/5 - Excellent
I went in the low season ,the good t about going in the low season was the weather was fine and clear yet cloudy (22-24 degrees Celsius). Not too much tourist crowding around while you walk through very narrow streets of Thira.But there are drawbacks
5/5 - Excellent
Beautiful holiday destination.
5/5 - Excellent
We have stayed in Santorini multiple times
5/5 - Excellent
Santorini is a dream, perfect location for couples looking to explore and include romance. If you have enough time to stay in two locations, I would recommend this as there is more to the island than the sunset and caldera that draws the crowds.
4/5 - Good
the hike from santorini ot oia was very picturesque. santorini gets very crowded when the cruise ships visit