You won’t likely find a more perfect site for a Mediterranean holiday than Santorini, with the hospitality of its residents, flavours of its healthy foods and inspiring mix of history and nature.
Locals have a special word for the hospitality you’ll experience when you visit Santorini: filoxenia. It comes from the Greek words meaning to love strangers. Whether you’re selecting produce grown locally, exploring historic ruins or sipping cocktails while watching sunsets, you’ll surely get warm welcomes from Santorini locals. Reciprocate with a relaxed smile as you explore the towns.
Besides magnificent views, the distinguishing feature of Santorini is its crescent shape. The island is essentially the partial rim of a volcano, with villages perched on high cliffs overlooking the submerged Santorini Caldera. Pick one of the main towns of Fira, Oia, Kamari or Perissa for your home base and then see all the most important landmarks.
Santorini Island highlights
History and nature provide attractions to suit all types of travellers visiting Santorini. The island was inhabited by Minoans as early as 3600 B.C., but much of the civilisation here, and as far away as Crete, was destroyed by a volcanic eruption in 1600 B.C. See traces of the early settlement known as Ancient Thera at the archaeological site at Akrotiri in the south. The Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira holds items excavated from the ruins. Also in Fira is the Megaro Gyzi Museumwhere you can see before-and-after photos of another eruption in 1956. Attend the Ifestia Festivalin August with fireworks and music celebrating the volcano.
The inside of Santorini’s crescent is the caldera, the remains of the volcano. Boat tours are offered to approach the lava rock and hot springs of Nea Kameni in the caldera’s centre. The caldera rim is high above the ocean, creating stunning landscapes from the sea and magnificent views from above. Centuries ago, poor fishermen and sailors dug into the caldera rock to create cave houses known as yposkafa, a form of Cycladic architecture. When you visit Santorini today, you can see several in their original condition or stay in stylish hotel suites converted from the cave homes.
Visit Santorini’s black-sand beaches, often covered with umbrellas and sun-loungers to accommodate sun-lovers. Kamari, Perissa Beach and Perivolos on the eastern and southern shores are great for relaxing in the sun and gentle waves or doing some snorkelling. Red Beach in Akrotiri, at the foot of crumbling red cliffs, is another pleasant oceanfront spot.
Dining in Santorini
The Mediterranean diet is acclaimed as not only delicious, but also excellent for long-term health. Naturally, when you visit Santorini, you’ll want to “eat local”. That means typical Greek dishes made from fresh produce, olive oil, yogurt and lamb. A Greek salad here has tomatoes, cucumber, onion, Kalamata olives and feta, never the lettuce or rocket that some chefs outside Greece include. Sample one and then buy ingredients from farmers markets to make your own.
Even more local than a salad is the Santorini dish of fava, appearing on nearly every menu as an appetiser or side dish. The staple is made from yellow peas growing exclusively on the island, somehow thriving on the volcanic rock. The puree of split peas, onion, capers and olive oil has a texture of hummus but a slightly sweet taste. Try another local veg, the white eggplant. Accompany your meals with bottles of Assyrtiko white wine made on Santorini.
Restaurants are everywhere on the island. In the north, Oia’s are a bit more elegant, with lovely sunset views over the caldera, especially near Ammoudi Bay. Perissa Beach has more casual beach bars and cafés. Book a wine tour to see vineyards and taste wines, always with stunning views.
Santorini nightlife
Fira is Santorini’s most popular spot for after-dark fun. When you search for nightlife in Fira, you’ll find some pubs and clubs described as being “on the caldera”. A few of these smaller and more intimate spots overlooking the central lagoon are actually in former cave houses. Head farther inland for the larger establishments, some with DJs or live music. On the weekend, you can visit Santorini’s nightspots until the wee hours, especially during summer. In September, Fira hosts the International Music Festival of Santorini, a notable event with chamber music, classical compositions and tango.
Kamari, on the eastern shore away from the caldera, has beach bars that are fun for eating and drinking during daytime sunbathing and become hopping nightspots after sunset. You’ll find similar spots in Perissa and Perivolos in the south, generally with smaller crowds. Oia’s elegant restaurants are perfect for lingering over cocktails after sunset dining. Catch a sunset here from the Castle of Agios Nikolaos. Several large restaurants also offer dinner shows of traditional Greek music and dance.
Wherever you are at night, take a moment to gaze around at the white buildings contrasting with the Aegean Sea’s dark waters. Warm lights on the terraced architecture and a glimmer of moonlight on the water give the scene a magical appearance.
Getting to and around Santorini
It’s so easy to visit Santorini that you may want to take an annual holiday here, as many travellers do. Fly from Athens to the airport between Fira and Kamari in less than an hour, with very affordable fares. The ferry from Piraeus Port to Athinios takes 4 or more hours but gives you a chance to enjoy the Aegean’s salt air. Some longer trips allow island-hops at Paros or Naxos. Santorini is also a popular cruise ship spot, with docking at the Scalafira Port and a cable car ride to the top of Fira.
Once you’re on Santorini Island, buses and taxis between villages are plentiful. Rent a car, scooter or ATV to explore on your own. Follow common-sense safety rules: drive or ride safely, lather on sunscreen and stay hydrated.
