Your guide to Santorini
Santorini highlights
Cinematic sunsets
Watching the sun dip over the caldera is a highlight of any trip to Santorini. Oia draws the biggest crowds, so arrive at least 45 minutes before sunset to claim a good spot on the low caldera walls or nearby terraces. For a quieter scene, head to Firostefani or the lighthouse at Akrotiri.
Ancient ruins
Before it became known for its postcard views, Santorini was home to one of the Aegean’s most important Bronze Age settlements. Visit Akrotiri on the island’s southwest coast, a Minoan city buried by a volcanic eruption around 1600 BCE. On the east side, Ancient Thera sits on a mountain ridge, with temples dating back to the ninth century and Roman times.
Volcanic landscapes
Santorini’s defining feature is its sunken volcanic caldera, the only one of its kind in the world. The best views come from the cliffside paths linking Fira, Firostefani and Oia, where whitewashed villages overlook sheer drops to the sea below. There are regular boat trips from Fira’s Old Port to Nea Kameni, the still-active volcanic island at its centre.
Santorini: Know before you go
| Language | Greek |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Time zone | UTC+2 (EET) and UTC+3 (EEST) |
| High season | June - August |
| Low season | November - March |
Find the best time to go to Santorini
Weather in Santorini
March – May: Spring brings warm daytime highs around 18°C, with plenty of sun and gentle breezes. It’s the ideal time for exploring villages and hiking caldera paths before the summer crowds arrive.
June – August: Santorini summers are hot and sunny, with highs reaching 30°C. Sea temperatures are just right for swimming, but beaches and viewpoints can be crowded, especially in July and August.
September – November: Early autumn brings warm days and cooler evenings, perfect for sailing, hiking and vineyard visits. Fewer tourists make for laid-back sightseeing.
December – February: Winters are mild, averaging 16°C, with occasional rain showers. Some tourist services may be limited, but you’ll find fewer crowds and cheaper room rates.
Events in Santorini
Easter Celebrations (April or May): Greek Orthodox Easter is one of the island’s most important celebrations, marked by church processions, candlelit services and fireworks across Santorini. Head to the village of Pyrgos on Good Friday to see thousands of lanterns lining its streets after dark.
Santorini Jazz Festival (July): Held in Kamari, this popular festival brings international and Greek musicians together for open-air concerts, often timed for sunset over the caldera.
Ifestia Festival (September): Fira commemorates the volcanic eruption that shaped Santorini’s landscape with fireworks, re-enactments and live music performances.
Santorini Wine Festival (September): Wineries across the island host tastings, live music and meet-the-maker events, showcasing wines influenced by Santorini’s volcanic landscape.
The best neighbourhoods in Santorini
Pyrgos
The island’s highest village, Pyrgos offers sweeping caldera views and a labyrinth of narrow lanes far from Fira and Oia’s crowds. Wander past Venetian castle ruins, centuries-old churches and traditional cafes where locals linger over wine and conversation. The quiet streets are especially beautiful in the golden hours before sunset, perfect for uninterrupted photo ops.
Good for: Panoramic vistas, ancient ruins, quiet stays
Oia
Famous for its sunsets and blue-domed churches, Oia is best explored on foot along its cliff-edge streets. Galleries and boutiques line the main pedestrian paths, and cafes spill onto terraces with caldera views. Visit early in the morning or after 6pm to avoid the heaviest crowds, and take the side lanes to discover scenic chapels and quieter viewpoints.
Good for: Sunsets, luxury hotels, boutique shopping
Fira
Perched on the caldera edge, Fira is where to stay if you want to experience Santorini’s bustling capital, full of shops, cafes and museums. Walk along the clifftop promenade for panoramic views of the sea, and explore narrow streets weaving between whitewashed houses and boutique hotels. Caldera cruises leave from Fira’s Old Port.
Good for: First-time visits, cafes, caldera views
Things to do in Santorini
Beaches
Santorini’s beaches are known for their volcanic sands and dramatic coastlines. Head to Perissa and Kamari beaches for their distinctive stretches of black sand, or swap colour palettes for the russet cliffs and turquoise waters at Red Beach. For the best chance of escaping the crowds, make a beeline for local favourite Koloumbos Beach. Its nearby wineries are ideal for a sunset drink.
Shopping
Wander Ypapantis Street in Fira for handcrafted gold, silver and gemstone jewellery. Or pop into Oia’s galleries for paintings, ceramics and sculptures made by local artists. Beyond the main towns, small shops offer Santorini wines, olive oil, tomato preserves and other artisanal goods, making great souvenirs to bring back a taste of island life.
Nightlife
Expect relaxed evenings rather than late-night clubs in Santorini. You’ll find the island’s biggest concentration of bars in Fira, many with caldera-facing terraces. Wine bars highlight local Assyrtiko grapes, while beach towns keep things low-key with late dinners, casual bars and walks along the shore instead of struts across the dance floor.
Places to eat
Restaurants in Santorini stay closely tied to the island itself. Local tomatoes, fava beans, white eggplant and fresh fish appear across menus, whether you’re eating by the water or high above the caldera. Travelling on a budget? Bakeries and casual ‘souvlaki’ (grilled meat) spots make easy, cheap lunchtime detours between beach visits and evening plans.
Take in the culture
Take a break from the beach to explore the museums in Santorini. The Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira showcases frescoes and ancient artefacts dating back to the Bronze Age. In Oia, centuries of seafaring history unfold at the Nautical Museum. For something different, uncork the juicy history behind the island’s famous grapes at the Vothonas’ Koutsogiannopoulos Wine Museum.
Family-friendly
The island’s calm beaches offer clear waters great for paddling, and nothing beats the excitement of taking a boat trip around a live volcano’s caldera. The whole family will enjoy the hands-on history of Akrotiri. And when you need a pick-me-up, stop by an ice cream shop, or try freshly made ‘baklava’ (layered pastry dessert) from a local bakery.
Get ready for Santorini
Budget
This isn’t the cheapest Greek island, but an inexpensive trip to Santorini is still doable with some planning. Meals at casual tavernas can be less than 25 euros (€), while local beers and coffee go for around €5. Short taxi rides begin at €15, but consider using buses linking Fira, Oia and Perissa for a more affordable way to explore the island.
Day trips from Santorini
Boat trips from Fira focus mainly on Santorini’s caldera, with popular routes to Nea Kameni’s active crater and the warm springs near Palea Kameni. A short ferry also reaches nearby Thirassia, known for traditional tavernas. For farther-flung Cycladic islands, ferries depart from Athinios Port, with Ios about an hour away, prized for its beaches and the hilltop town of Chora.
Getting around Santorini
Santorini’s villages are compact but steep, so comfortable shoes are a must. Public buses run between main towns and beaches, though hiring a car is often a more convenient way to explore inland villages and quieter corners of the island. Taxis and ride-hailing services are also widely available, and ferries provide access to nearby islands like Naxos and Paros.
FAQs about visiting Santorini
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