Santorini
Santorini
Dramatic cliffs, volcanic beaches and the most iconic sunsets in the world
Romantic
Santorini caldera villas - book early for best selection
Caldera-view villas are the most sought-after in Greece. Reserve early to avoid disappointment.
Santorini is the southernmost of the main Cyclades islands, about 200 km south-east of Athens. It is the rim of a volcano: an eruption in the 17th century BC collapsed the centre of the island into the sea, leaving the caldera, a ring of cliffs up to around 300 m high around a flooded crater. The villages on the cliff tops look west over the caldera and the sunset, while the east and south of the island slope gently down to long black-sand beaches.
We list villas and hotels in the caldera villages and in the quieter villages inland. Below: what each area is like, who it suits, the best beaches, how to get here and when to come.
Caldera, inland or beach: where to stay
The caldera villages are the reason most people come. Fira, the main town, sits in the middle of the cliffs, with the most restaurants, shops and bus connections. North of it, Imerovigli is the highest point of the caldera rim and quieter, with views of Skaros rock. Oia, at the northern tip, is the most photographed village on the island and the busiest at sunset, with the small harbour of Amoudi below it. Finikia is a small village just behind Oia, away from the crowds. The caldera suits couples and anyone who wants the view from their terrace.
The villages inland are quieter and closer to everyday life on the island. Vourvoulos, north-east of Fira, is a traditional village away from the caldera crowds, and Mesaria is in the centre of the island, close to the airport and the wineries. They suit families, longer stays and people who want more space for their money.
The beach villages of Kamari on the east coast and Perissa and Perivolos in the south are built along the black-sand beaches, with tavernas and beach bars. They suit beach holidays and families.
The best beaches on Santorini
Santorini's beaches are volcanic: black or dark sand and pebbles, which get very hot in summer, so bring beach shoes.
- Perissa and Perivolos: one long stretch of fine black sand in the south of the island, the longest beach on Santorini, with sunbeds, beach bars and tavernas.
- Kamari: black sand and pebbles on the east coast, below the mountain of Mesa Vouno, with a seafront promenade.
- Vlychada: dark sand below pale, wind-carved cliffs on the south coast, and usually quieter.
- Amoudi: not a beach but a small harbour below Oia, with fish tavernas and deep, clear water for swimming from the rocks.
- Red Beach: the famous red cliffs near Akrotiri. The path to the beach has been closed several times after rockfalls, so view it from the boats that leave Akrotiri harbour.
What to see
The walk along the caldera rim from Fira to Oia is about 10.5 km and takes three to four hours, through Firostefani and Imerovigli. In the south, the archaeological site of Akrotiri is a Bronze Age town buried by the eruption, one of the best-preserved prehistoric settlements in Europe, with two-storey houses and streets still standing under a protective roof. The island's wineries are known for their white wines from the Assyrtiko grape.
When to go
The sea temperatures below are monthly averages for Santorini.
April and May: mild and quiet, the best time for walking, with the sea still cool at about 18 to 19°C in May. June: about 22°C, and warm enough to swim. July and August: the warmest sea, about 23 to 25°C, and the busiest and most expensive weeks of the year, with the most cruise ships, so book early. September: the sea is still about 24°C, the crowds thin out and prices fall. October: about 21 to 22°C, quiet and good for the caldera walk.
Getting here
Santorini airport (JTR) is about 5.5 km from Fira, around 10 minutes by car, or up to half an hour in summer traffic. Ferries from Piraeus take from about 5 hours on the fastest boats to 11 hours on the slowest, and arrive at Athinios, the main port, about 8.5 km south of Fira. Cruise ships anchor below Fira, where a cable car and a path of 587 steps climb the cliff to the town.
How we choose where you stay
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Browse villas and hotels in Santorini, or ask for a shortlist.
From Santorini to the villas
Santorini has its own airport and three harbours: Athinios, the main ferry port; the old port below Fira, used by cruise ships and caldera boats; and Amoudi below Oia.
By air
The airport (JTR) is in the east of the island, about 5.5 km from Fira. There are flights from Athens all year and, in summer, direct flights from many European cities. From the airport to Fira takes about 10 minutes by car, or up to half an hour in July and August traffic.
By ferry
Ferries from Piraeus take from about 5 hours on the fastest boats to 11 hours on the slowest. In summer there are also ferries to and from other Cycladic islands, including Mykonos, Paros, Naxos and Ios, and to Heraklion in Crete. Ferries arrive at Athinios, about 8.5 km south of Fira, where buses and taxis meet the boats; the bus to Fira takes about 20 minutes.
Cruise ships
Cruise ships anchor in the caldera and bring passengers by tender to the old port below Fira. From there a cable car climbs about 220 m to the town in around three minutes, or you can walk up the path of 587 steps.
Getting around the island
Buses run from Fira to Oia, the airport, Athinios and the main beaches. Taxis are limited in summer, so book airport and port transfers in advance. A small car or quad bike is useful for the wineries, the south coast and the quieter villages, but parking in Fira and Oia is difficult in July and August.
Areas in Santorini
Choose your villa or hotel in Santorini
Around Santorini
Part of South Aegean.
Santorini: questions guests ask
Four or five nights suits most first visits. That gives you time for the caldera walk from Fira to Oia, a boat trip around the caldera, the archaeological site of Akrotiri, a winery, a sunset in Oia and a beach day without rushing.
Three nights is enough if Santorini is one stop on a longer trip. Many visitors combine it with another island, such as Mykonos or Paros.
Where is Santorini
All villas and hotels in Santorini, by area
Imerovigli1 hotel
Imerovigli · 1
1 hotel
Elsewhere in Santorini10 villas and hotels
Fira · 5
5 villas
Akrotiri · 1
1 hotel
Exomitis · 1
1 hotel
Finikia · 1
1 hotel
Mesaria · 1
1 villa
Vourvoulos · 1
1 hotel
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