The most romantic island in the world — caldera views, cave hotels, the famous Oia sunset and extraordinary volcanic beaches
Flight Time
3h 30m–4h from UK
Best Time
April to October (avoid August peak crowds)
Country
Greece
Suppliers
our travel partners ·
Santorini is the most romantic island in the world — the famous Oia sunset, extraordinary cave hotels carved into the caldera cliffs, volcanic beaches and the Akrotiri archaeological site.
The cave hotels are the most extraordinary accommodation in Greece. The wine (Assyrtiko) is the most distinctive in the Mediterranean. Boat trips to the volcano are essential.
The best time to visit is April to June and September to October — beautiful weather without the extreme August crowds. We search across Travelpack, Emirates Holidays and JTA Holidays for the best deals.
Jan
13°C
Feb
13°C
Mar
15°C
Apr
19°C
May
24°C
Jun
29°C
Jul
32°C
Aug
32°C
Sep
28°C
Oct
23°C
Nov
18°C
Dec
14°C
Call us or send an enquiry and we'll find you the best deal across Travelpack and JTA Holidays.
Call 01282 960 460The caldera views, cave hotels and legendary sunset that make Santorini the most romantic and spectacular island in the Mediterranean.
The sunset at Oia is the most famous in the world — every evening, hundreds of visitors gather on the castle ruins and the streets of Oia to watch the sun set over the caldera. The sky turns extraordinary shades of orange, pink and purple. The sunset is best viewed from the castle ruins or from one of the many rooftop bars. It is one of the most spectacular natural events in the Mediterranean.
Santorini has the most extraordinary hotels in Greece — cave hotels carved into the caldera cliffs at Oia and Imerovigli, with private plunge pools, extraordinary caldera views and an atmosphere that is unlike anywhere else in the world. The Canaves Oia, the Katikies and the Mystique are among the finest hotels in the world. The experience is extraordinary but expensive.
Akrotiri is one of the most important archaeological sites in Greece — a Minoan Bronze Age settlement preserved under volcanic ash from the eruption of 1627 BC (the eruption that may have inspired the legend of Atlantis). The site is remarkably well-preserved, with multi-storey buildings, frescoes and everyday objects. It is one of the finest archaeological sites in the Mediterranean.
Santorini has extraordinary volcanic beaches — Perissa and Perivolos (black sand, lively beach bars), Kamari (black sand, more family-friendly) and the Red Beach (dramatic red volcanic cliffs). The beaches are unlike any others in Greece and the volcanic sand retains heat, making the water warm even in spring and autumn.
Boat trips from Fira and Oia to the active volcano in the centre of the caldera are one of the finest experiences in Santorini — visiting the volcanic island of Nea Kameni (with a short hike to the crater), swimming in the hot springs and visiting the island of Thirassia. The views of Santorini from the caldera are extraordinary.
Fira is the capital of Santorini — a beautiful, lively town on the caldera rim with extraordinary views, excellent restaurants, bars and shops. The cable car from Fira to the old port is one of the most dramatic rides in Greece. The Archaeological Museum of Thera in Fira has an excellent collection of Cycladic art.
Santorini has the most distinctive wine in Greece — the local Assyrtiko grape produces a crisp, mineral white wine that is unlike any other in the world. The volcanic soil and the unique basket-trained vines (kouloura) produce wines of extraordinary character. The Santo Wines winery, with its caldera views, is the finest wine tasting experience in Greece.
Santorini has the finest restaurant scene in the Cyclades — a wide range of restaurants serving Greek cuisine, fresh seafood and international food, many with extraordinary caldera views. The restaurants in Oia and Imerovigli are the most romantic and expensive. The local fava (yellow split pea puree) and tomatokeftedes (tomato fritters) are excellent.
Key areas, beaches and attractions across the island.
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