Thira Holidays

Not many towns sit on the rim of an extinct volcano, but Santorini’s capital, on the island’s west coast, is among them. It’s certainly a beauty – its whitewashed houses and blue domes are the ones you see in all the brochures. There are museums, cathedrals and galleries to explore, but the pace of life stays slow – you can only travel by foot, cable car or donkey.

Thanks to their unique black and grey sand, Santorini’s beaches are some of the most dramatic you’ll ever see. Thira doesn’t have its own, but you can head seven kilometres northwest to Oia and find 2 secluded stretches, Amoudi and Armeni. These are home to a couple of tavernas, where you can enjoy the west coast’s knockout sunsets.

From the port you can take a boat trip out to the volcanic islands that sit off the coast. There’s an active crater at Thirassia, and you can swim in the waters of Palea Kameni beach, where the hot springs mean the water temperature reaches 35 degrees. Meanwhile, if you fancy doing some island-hopping, there are regular ferries from Thira to Mykonos, Naxos and Paros.