Pretty whitewashed towns and world-famous sunsets set the scene on holidays to Santorini. But that's just the start of the island's charms.
Volcanic beginnings
Santorini is a Greek island in the middle of the Aegean Sea. Back in 1450 BC, a massive volcanic eruption caused the middle of the isle to collapse. It left a steep-edged crater known as a caldera peeping above the waves, which today is a spectacular sight from the island’s clifftops. Greece’s hot weather means a long summer season during which to enjoy the views, too – our Santorini package holidays span May to October.
Traditional Greece
It’s not just the geological make-up of the island that turns heads, though. With its whitewashed houses, blue-domed churches and never-ending vineyards, Santorini is Greece at its traditional best. Thira, the capital, is a popular place to stay – it’s perched on top of the caldera rim overlooking the Aegean. And the northern town of Oia, which also has a spot on the caldera, is the best place to see the island’s famous sunsets.
The east coast
Stay on Santorini’s east coast, which doesn’t face the sunset, and you might find your money goes a bit further. Plus, from Kamari and Perissa, it’s only a 20-minute drive to Thira, where you can watch the sun go down – so you get the best of both worlds. Kamari and Perissa line up some great beaches with silky black sand – a legacy of the island’s volcanic past. Kamari’s sweep boasts Blue Flag status, while Perissa comes with a good helping of watersports.
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Listen to jazz in Thira
Sunset views and plenty of Assyrtiko wine from the local vineyards mean nobody is in a hurry to leave Pyrgos’ tavernas. For…
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Go for drinks in nearby Kamari
Monolithos keeps things fairly laid-back after the sun sets – there are just a few watering holes around the village. Ifyou’re…
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Admire the ancient site of Akrotiri
Akrotiri, a half-hour drive from Monolithos, is Greece’s answer to Pompeii – a prehistoric city buried under volcanic ash…
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Design your own jewellery in Thira
There aren’t many places to shop in Monolithos. Instead, drive up to Thira, 15 minutes away, where you can dip in and out…
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Hike the caldera-edge path to Thira
The route from Oia to the island’s capital, Thira, is a scenic one. It’s not a marked path, but you just follow the caldera…
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