What to see in Santorini

Tourist town, Lookout, Church

The town of Oia, located on the northwestern tip of Santorini, is one of the most beautiful places in Greece, but also in Europe. After all, Oia is known all over the world for its beautiful sunsets over the typical Greek churches with their white facades and blue roofs, standing on a steep hillside above the sea. [btn "Buy tickets to Santorini" /go-skyscanner] Oia battles it out with neighbouring Fira for the title of 'most beautiful village…

Tourist town, Church, Lookout, Cable car, Staircase

Fira is the largest city of Santorini and together with the village of Oia, it is one of the most photogenic and beautiful places not only in Greece, but without exaggeration in the whole world. Fira (sometimes also spelled Thira or Thera) impresses visitors with its typical blue and white houses built on a 260 meter high cliff above the sea. [btn "Buy tickets to Santorini" /go-skyscanner] The town is also the natural centre of all the action…

Black sand beach, Resort

Kamari is by far the liveliest and largest beach resort on Santorini and a popular bathing destination. It lies below the 360-metre-high Mesa Vouno hill, which provides a pretty backdrop to the otherwise flat coastline. [btn "The best beach resorts in Santorini" https://www.booking.com/beach/region/gr/santorini.html?label=p-santorini-kamari] At first glance, the town gives off a quiet, almost sleepy, impression. Most of the buildings here are…

Resort, Black sand beach

Perissa is the second largest resort on Santorini and, along with nearby Kamari, the only real beach resort on the island. Although Perissa looks small and quiet at first glance, you'll find all the services you'd want on a summer holiday. [btn "The best beach resorts on Santorini" https://www.booking.com/beach/region/gr/santorini.html?label=p-santorini-perissa] The seafront promenade in particular is bustling with life with many tavernas,…

Stony Beach, Sandy beach

The beach with black and red volcanic fine pebbles (or rather coarser sand) is located 12 km southwest of Fira and is probably the most famous and most photographed beach on the island. The sand of the beach consists of powdered volcanic rock, which is really dark red in colour due to the presence of ferrous metals, while the dark shades of Red Beach are complemented by particles of black volcanic sand. Among the locals, this beach is mainly…

Black sand beach

Perivolos beach is officially the longest beach on Santorini with a length of almost 3 km and is directly connected to Perissa beach, which together forms a continuous strip of flat sand more than 5 km long. It is located in the small resort of Agios Georgios, but part of it extends into Perissa. [btn "The best beach resorts in Santorini" https://www.booking.com/beach/region/gr/santorini.html?label=p-santorini-perivolos] Beach and swimming …

Black sand beach, Cliff

Vlychada Beach (sometimes spelled Vlichada) is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful beaches in Santorini. At the very least, it clearly shows the character of the island's coastline - rugged, rocky and volcanic in origin. The beach and the limestone cliffs Vlychada consists of a fairly narrow strip of black to grey volcanic sand with occasional pebbles, which stretches from the village of the same name along the pitorean…

Village, Lookout

Imerovigli is one of the most beautiful places on Santorini, along with Oia and Fira. It is one of the highest places on the island, its centre is 330 metres above sea level, which is only a few dozen metres from the town as the crow flies. Imerovigli is situated along the edge of a former crater, now a sea cliff over 300 metres high, and thanks to its location, it offers breathtaking views of all sides of the island. [btn "Find accommodation…

Lookout, Fortification

Skaros is one of the most famous symbols of the island and a popular viewpoint for watching sunsets. Just below the village of Imerovigli, 250 metres above sea level, a high, steep cliff rises, on top of which you can see the ruins of a former Venetian fortress from the 13th century. The most beautiful views are to be had immediately after descending the steps from Imerovigli with the small chapel in the foreground. [btn "Find accommodation in…

Harbour, Cliff

The small harbour in Ammoudi Bay is a popular place for a short trip from the famous village of Oia, below which it is located. Ammoudi Bay is surrounded by exotic-looking red rocks and azure blue sea and offers spectacular views of the bay with its two islands. [btn "Find accommodation in traditional houses" https://www.booking.com/region/gr/santorini.html?label=p-santorini-ammoudi] Tourists head to Ammoudi Bay mainly for the different views…

Archaeological site

Ancient Thera (sometimes spelled Thira) is one of the most important archaeological sites on Santorini. On an area of about 400 x 100 meters, the very well-preserved foundations of the ancient city still lie, which is worth a visit just for the beautiful views of the surrounding area. Ancient Thera is situated in a formerly strategic and inaccessible location 360 metres above sea level on the Mesa Vouno hill between the resorts of Perissa and…

Island

Nea Kameni is an uninhabited island in the middle of a sea-flooded volcanic crater. The islet is made up entirely of lava rock, and at the top of the islet is a still active volcanic crater. On Nea Kameni, you can take short and relaxing hikes to the crater, which will take no more than an hour. The entrance fee to Nea Kameni is 5 eur and is payable locally. Just a few dozen metres from Nea Kameni is the smaller island of Palea Kameni, where…

Archaeological site

Akrotiri is a village in the southern part of Santorini, famous for its huge archaeological site located about 700 meters south of the village center. The archaeological excavations of Akrotiri are among the largest and most important in the Greek islands and carry the message of one of the most important prehistoric settlements in the Aegean. [btn "Find accommodation in traditional houses" https://www.booking.com/region/gr/santorini.html?label…

Lighthouse

The lighthouse at Akrotiri, on the southwestern tip of Santorini, is one of the most romantic spots on the island. The Akrotiri Lighthouse is one of the most beautiful in the Cyclades with its rural character and pure architecture. The fact that the lighthouse stands in a secluded spot away from the hustle and bustle of the resorts on a cliff almost 100 metres above the sea adds to its magical atmosphere. Its directional position makes it a…

Church

Panagia Episkopi is the oldest surviving church on the island of Santorini. It was built during the 11th to 12th centuries as a Byzantine cathedral and was dedicated to Panagia, the Greek Orthodox name for the Virgin Mary. [btn "Find accommodation in traditional houses" https://www.booking.com/region/gr/santorini.html?label=p-santorini-episkopi] Architecture The church has the typical appearance of Byzantine ecclesiastical buildings. It is…

Island

Thirasia (sometimes spelled with two "s" as Thirassia) is the second largest island of the Santorini archipelago, but its importance is not even close to that of the main island itself. Thirasia has about 300 permanent inhabitants who still live a traditional way of life, mainly fishing. For example, electricity was only brought to Thirasia in the 1990s. A visit to Thirasia will take you to a world of peace and tranquillity, as well as…

Museum

The museum preserves unique artefacts from the different historical eras of the island and is one of the main cultural centres of the capital city of Fira. If you are interested in history, a visit is almost a must. It is open daily from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm except Tuesdays, when it is closed. Entrance is 6 eur, alternatively you can use the 15 eur for a discounted entrance fee for 3 locations: the Akrotiri, the ancient Thera and the…

Restaurant

One of the best wineries and the largest wine producer in Santorini. You can enjoy the wine here with a beautiful view of the cliffs and then shop at the local well-stocked shop: www.santowines.gr/en/.

Museum

The museum, located in an underground cave complex, introduces visitors to the interesting history of winemaking on the island. The tour also includes a tasting of delicious local wines: http://www.santoriniwinemuseum.com/en/the-wine-museum.

Restaurant

The island's most famous bakery offers a plethora of sweet and savoury pastries that will make you salivate. Although it's not one of the cheapest, a visit to the shop in Karterádos is well worth it: www.erotokritos-santorini.gr/en/.