Santorini's blue-domed churches and cliffside villages cling to the caldera rim left by one of history's largest volcanic eruptions. It's compact and easy to fall for at first sunset, though the same views draw enormous crowds to Oia in peak season.
Good to know
- Rent an ATV or small car — buses run infrequently and taxis are scarce, especially around sunset in Oia.
- Book a sunset viewpoint or restaurant table early; Oia gets extremely crowded by early evening.
- The volcanic black and red sand beaches get very hot underfoot by midday — bring sandals.
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The island's capital, strung along the caldera edge with a maze of stairs down to the old port.
Terraced bars cut into the caldera cliff, best for a drink after the sunset crowds have thinned out.
Frescoes and artefacts recovered from Akrotiri, giving context to the Bronze Age site before or after visiting it.
A Bronze Age settlement buried by the eruption and preserved almost like Pompeii, now under a protective roof.
A small beach beneath dramatic red volcanic cliffs, reached by a short walk from the parking area.
Santorini's volcanic soil produces distinctive Assyrtiko whites, tasted at wineries perched above the caldera.
A quiet hilltop village with a ruined Venetian kastro and views rivaling Oia's, without the crowds.
The famous blue-domed village at the island's northern tip, where crowds gather along the castle ruins to watch the sun drop into the sea.
A boat trip to the still-active volcanic islet at the centre of the caldera, with a swim in naturally warm sulphur springs.
A tiny fishing harbour below Oia, reached by 300 steps down, with tavernas serving the day's catch by the water.
A roughly three-hour clifftop trail linking the island's main villages, with the caldera in view the whole way.
A half-day sail around the caldera with stops to swim at the hot springs and the red and white beaches.