Santorini, Greece: travel guide
Volcanic caldera cliffs, whitewashed villages and famous sunsets
Volcanic Cycladic island famed for its caldera, whitewashed cliff towns of Fira and Oia, and dramatic sunsets.
About Santorini
Santorini is a volcanic island in the Cyclades, shaped around a flooded caldera whose steep cliffs rise high above the Aegean. Whitewashed villages, including Fira and Oia, perch along the rim, with blue-domed churches and views across the water.
Things to do on Santorini include walking the caldera path between the villages, watching the sunset from Oia, tasting local white wines made from vines grown in volcanic soil and exploring the ancient site of Akrotiri. Boat trips visit the volcanic islets in the centre of the bay, and black and red sand beaches line the coast.
Santorini suits couples and photographers. Late spring and early autumn are good, with warm weather and fewer visitors than high summer.
- Country
- Greece
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- Europe/Athens
- Nearest airport
- JTR
Last updated
Top places to visit in Santorini
Oia Village & Sunset Point
Viewpoint · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Cliff-top maze of blue-domed churches and cave houses, home to Santorini's world-famous sunset.
Fira Caldera Path
Viewpoint · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
The capital's clifftop promenade with caldera panoramas, shops and the cable car to the old port.
Akrotiri Archaeological Site
Heritage · about 1.5 h · entry €12 (≈ ₹1,280)
Remarkably preserved Minoan Bronze Age town buried by the volcanic eruption, often called the Greek Pompeii.
Ancient Thera
Heritage · about 1.5 h · entry €6 (≈ ₹640)
Hilltop ruins of the Greco-Roman city on Mesa Vouno ridge above Kamari and Perissa.
Amoudi Bay
Nature · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Tiny red-rock fishing port below Oia with fish tavernas and cliff-jumping spots, reached by 300 steps.
Skaros Rock
Viewpoint · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Former Venetian castle promontory jutting into the caldera, a short hike from Imerovigli.
Pyrgos Village
Heritage · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Hilltop medieval village of narrow lanes and a Venetian kastro, the island's highest settlement.
Red Beach
Beach · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate
Striking beach backed by red volcanic cliffs near Akrotiri.
Perissa Black Beach
Beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Long stretch of black volcanic sand with beach bars, below Ancient Thera.
Museum of Prehistoric Thera
Museum · about 1 h · entry €6 (≈ ₹640)
Finds from Akrotiri including frescoes and the golden ibex figurine.
Things to do
- Santorini Caldera Catamaran Cruise Cruise · 5 h · from EUR 120 per person
- Santorini Wine Tasting Tour Food · 4 h · from EUR 95 per person
Day trips and tours
- Santorini Volcano, Hot Springs & Sunset Cruise 6 h · from EUR 110
Where to stay in Santorini
- Oia about EUR 350 per night
Iconic sunset village with cave-house suites and boutique hotels; the most scenic (and priciest) base.
- Fira about EUR 180 per night
The lively capital with caldera-edge hotels, restaurants, nightlife and the cable car to the old port.
- Imerovigli about EUR 300 per night
Quiet clifftop village between Fira and Oia with the best balcony sunsets and Skaros Rock.
Hotels
- Katikies Hotel 5-star
- Villa Renos 4-star
- Caveland Hostel 2-star
Where to eat
- Ammoudi Fish Tavern Greek, Seafood · about EUR 40 per person
- Roka Greek · about EUR 35 per person
- Metaxi Mas Greek, Cretan · about EUR 35 per person
- Lucky Souvlakis Greek, Street Food · about EUR 10 per person
- Anogi Greek, Mediterranean · about EUR 60 per person
- Nikolas Taverna Greek · about EUR 25 per person
Getting to Santorini
Airport: Santorini (JTR)
Getting around
- Bus
- Car Rental Self
- Taxi
- Walking
Safety and scams to avoid
Overpriced sunset spots in Oia
Oia, Santorini
Cafes and viewpoints near the sunset castle may charge premium minimum spends around sunset.
How to avoid it: Confirm any minimum charge before sitting down; free public viewpoints exist along the path.
More in Greece
Frequently asked questions about Santorini
- What are the main places to visit in Santorini?
- Places covered in our Santorini guide include Oia Village & Sunset Point, Fira Caldera Path, Akrotiri Archaeological Site, Ancient Thera, Amoudi Bay.
- Where should I stay in Santorini?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Santorini: Oia, Fira, Imerovigli.
- How do I get around Santorini?
- Ways to get around Santorini covered in our guide: City bus, Self-drive car, Taxi, Walking.
- What scams should I watch out for in Santorini?
- Scams reported to us for Santorini include Overpriced sunset spots in Oia. Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
- Which airport is nearest to Santorini?
- The nearest airport to Santorini has the code JTR.