Santorini
Currency
EUR
Language
Greek
Timezone
Athens
Continent
Europe
Discover Santorini
Santorini is the rim of a collapsed volcano, and the caldera explains the postcard: the white villages cling to the cliff because there is nowhere else to put them. Akrotiri, a Minoan town buried by the eruption around 1600 BC, is the major archaeological site — a Greek Pompeii, less well known.
When to go
May to June, September to October. July and August are crowded and expensive, with cruise ships emptying into Oia in the middle of the day. Many businesses close from November to March.
Getting around
The island is small but the roads are narrow and traffic is difficult in high season. Buses link the main villages from Fira. Scooters and quads are popular; these roads deserve caution.
Where to eat
Metaxi Mas has built a solid reputation with locals and visitors alike, which is rare on an island this touristed. The local cherry tomato and fava are the two products that recur everywhere, for good reason.
Good to know
Ten beaches are listed, including the Red Beach beneath its lava cliffs. Sunset at Oia is an institution — and a crowd; arrive very early or watch it from elsewhere. No halal addresses are listed on the island: plan ahead if that matters to you.
Cheap Flights to Santorini
€158
Best Hotels in Santorini
Caldera View Suites
648 reviews
Top Activities in Santorini
landmarkAkrotiri
from €20
viewpointSantorini
Free
parkFaros Akrotiriou-Oias (Thiras Thesi Kalnteras)
Free
museumMuseum of Prehistoric Thera
from €15
landmarkAncient Thera
from €10
landmarkCatholic Cathedral Church of Saint John The Baptist
from €12
landmarkRed Beach
from €9
museumArchaeological Museum of Thera
from €14
viewpointProfitis Illas
Free
museumTomato Industrial Museum
from €10
landmarkΜονή Προφήτη Ηλία
from €9
Mesa Vouno
Free
landmarkAssumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Catholic Church
from €9
Xylo Wood Design Santorini
from €12
Megaro Gyzi Museum
from €12
Citadel of Oia
from €8
Agios Nikolaos
from €8
Lost Atlantis Experience Museum
from €12
Adolf, the cat
from €8
joseph
from €8
Donkey Brewery
from €8
landmarkAkrotiri Castle
from €9
Argyros Mansion
from €8
Perissa beach
Free