Santorini holidays

You won’t find beaches the colour of talcum powder in these parts. Instead, striking black pebbles and dark-grey sands circle the island. And they’re framed by steep, craggy cliffs that were shaped by Santorini’s volcanic beginnings. Just so you know, Thira, one of the island’s main resorts, is perched high up on the caldera, so you won’t find any beaches there.

Kamari is one of Santorini’s most popular places to stay, and that’s largely down to its beautiful Blue Flag beach. A dark mix of sand and pebbles, it’s over five kilometres long. It caters for holidaymakers with a backdrop of ice-cream parlours, bars, and restaurants serving up fresh-from-the-net seafood.

Katharos Beach is tucked away in Oia, just a couple of minutes’ walk from the village centre. It’s hidden between rocks and cliffs, so you get a real sense of seclusion. There’s a little restaurant overlooking it, as well.

Kamari and Perissa are good for traditional souvenirs. The stores down on the seafront promenades, in particular, are filled with authentic pottery, ceramics and handmade beach bags. Another popular take-home is a bag of the island’s volcanic pumice stones, which are often used for beauty treatments.

Oia leads the way when it comes to art. Its views have been the inspiration for thousands of painters over the years, and you can pick up reasonably-priced pieces in the galleries here. If wine is more your thing, visit the Canava Roussos Winery in Kamari to pick up a vintage bottle of the stuff.

Oia has its fair share of blow-out boutiques, from little clothing stores like B.LOOSE and Eponymo to art shops like Oia Treasures Art Gallery and Oria Gallery. Thira, on the other hand, is great for jewellery – head to Gold Street for quality gold moulded into Byzantine-style designs.

The sunsets in Oia are legendary, and visitors to the town tend to plan their evenings around them. For the best views, either pack your own picnic and join the crowds outside, or book a table at one of the restaurants that line up along the edge of the caldera. Alternatively, if you’ve got a bit more money to spend, you can join a sunset cruise from Thira for amazing views of the coast.

Thira is the island’s nightlife champion. The bars and clubs overlooking the caldera have amazing views, and lots of them have open-air terraces. You’ll also find live music dens tucked away in the cobbled streets that step down the cliffside. Kamari and Perissa are also good choices for a night out. The seafront cafés in these towns turn into lively bars when the sun goes down, with extended happy hours and guest DJs setting the pace.

This dish is often referred to as tomato balls or tomato pancakes. It’s made by mixing diced cherry tomato with onion, herbs and flour to form a batter. The batter is divided up into pancake-sized portions, and then fried until golden. The finished product is best served with a big dollop of tzatziki.

This creamy dip is made by pureeing fava beans, which are abundant in Santorini thanks to the island’s volcanic soil. The dip is usually used to garnish meat or vegetable dishes, but it’s just as tasty spread on a big chunk of crusty bread. If you find the flavour a bit strong, try squeezing a bit of lemon juice over it.

The handmade method of making this mild goat's cheese is so time consuming, it’s difficult to get hold of the final product these days. That said, some of the island’s tavernas still feature it on their menus. It’s usually served in a salad, alongside tomatoes, capers and grilled vegetables such as aubergine.

This dessert is usually served at island weddings, and its two ingredients – honey and almond – are thought to symbolise a happy marital life and good fertility. The bride and groom will traditionally have the first bite, in the hope that their new life will be as sweet as the pudding.

The volcanic explosion that created Santorini also produced the perfect conditions for wine-making. These days, the island cultivates 36 different kinds of grape. One of the most sought-after wines is Vinsanto, a sweet, red dessert wine.