Santorini holidays

You won’t find beaches the colour of talcum powder in Santorini. Instead, striking black sand beaches and volcanic pebbles circle the island. Even the island’s White Beach is actually a black-sand number – it’s named after the chalky cliffs that tower over it. It’s the same story for Red Beach. Also called Akrotiri, this sweep gets its name from its neighbouring terracotta-coloured cliffs. And thanks to the volcanic nature of the island’s coastline, there are fewer long, wide beaches and more tucked-away coves only accessible by boat. If you stay in the likes of Thira, you’ll be perched on higher ground, so there won’t be any beaches on your doorstep. The caldera views in these parts make up for it, though.

The black-sand Kamari Beach has earned Blue Flag status, which makes it a popular pick for families. You’ve got everything you need for a lazy day here, including a blanket of sunloungers and a beachfront promenade dotted with tavernas. There are watersports to try, too, if you fancy something more energetic.

If you’re looking for a quiet escape to a secluded spot, make a dash for Katharos Beach, in Oia. This pebble beach lines up those stellar sunset views that Oia’s famous for, and is overlooked by a lounge bar where you can grab a drink or a bite to eat.

Kamari and Perissa are good for unique souvenirs. Beachfront stalls and the stores down on the seafront promenades are filled with traditional pottery, handmade ceramics and olive wood crafts. Local sponges and bags of volcanic pumice stones – often used for beauty treatments – are great buys, too.

For something a bit special that won’t break the bank, you can pick up reasonably priced paintings and the likes in local art galleries in Oia. Or, mooch around the boutiques here for leather sandals and hand-woven textiles. If Santorini 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 by Greek fashion designers, to art galleries stacked with one-off pieces. Thira, on the other hand, is great for accessories – head to Gold Street for quality gold moulded into Byzantine jewellery and high-end watches.

Oia’s sunset spots are some of Santorini’s most-visited places. For the best views, either pack your own picnic and join the crowds outside, or book a table at one of the caldera-view restaurants that line the cliff edge for a romantic dinner. If you fancy something different and have a bit more money to spend, you can take sunset cruises from Thira for unobstructed views of the coast.

Thira is the island’s nightlife champion. The venues overlooking the caldera have amazing views, and lots of them have open-air terraces, so bar hopping around here is on the scenic side. Kamari’s also home to beachfront bars and cocktail lounges, where guest DJs set the pace come sunset.

Tomatokeftedes are a traditional taverna dish, often referred to as tomato balls or tomato cakes. This vegetarian meze is one of the most popular fried starters around here. It’s made by mixing diced cherry tomatoes with onion, herbs, feta and flour to form a batter, which is divided up into pancake-sized portions, and then fried until golden. The finished product is best served with a big dollop of tzatziki.

Fava is a local staple. This creamy dip is made with yellow split peas grown in volcanic soil, mixed with olive oil, onion and lemon. It’s often served with both warm and cold starters.

If you like fresh goat’s cheese, you’ll want to try chloro while you’re in Santorini – it’s got a soft texture and a mild flavour. But the handmade method of making this specific product is so time consuming that it’s difficult to get hold of it these days. That said, some of the island’s tavernas still feature it on their menus. It’s usually served with local salads, as it complements the traditional flavours.

If you’re travelling to Santorini for a wedding, you’ll probably be served koufeto – a spoon sweet made with honey and almonds. The wedding tradition is that the bride and groom have the first bite of this local dessert, as a symbol of happiness.

Santorini’s volcanic vineyards cultivate 36 different kinds of grape, including the sun-dried grapes used to make Vinsanto dessert wine. You can try some of this tipple, which is known for its sweet flavour, on a wine-tasting tour.