Santorini

Travel Guide

Santorini
Oia showing general coastal views, a coastal town and a luxury hotel or resort
Santorini
Santorini
Santorini

This Aegean island has been charming visitors for centuries with its pretty villages, romantic sunsets and tranquil pace of life.

Santorini rises dramatically from the sea on a crescent-shaped basin, or caldera, formed by an ancient volcanic eruption. Its whitewashed villages tumble haphazardly down the cliffs, dotted with churches and windmills while, at its shoreline, colourful fishing boats bob and toss on the sparkling waves.The island was named by the Venetians who landed here in the 13th century and dedicated it to Saint Irene. A devastating earthquake in 1956 destroyed many of the ancient buildings, but it has been thoughtfully rebuilt in the traditional style and has lost none of its historic charm.The capital, Firá, is a popular stopping-off point for island-hopping cruise ships, with plenty of shops, restaurants and bars to keep the holiday crowd happy. Picturesque Oia on the island’s northernmost tip is known for its romantic sunsets and typical blue and white houses, while the timeless village of Pyrgos has plenty of friendly tavernas as well as a 15th-century castle. The eye-catching black sand beaches of Perivolos and Perissa are popular spots for sunbathing, while the rocky coastal strips around Mesa Pigadia and Pori are fun to explore on foot.Santorini enjoys a pleasant climate all year round, with temperatures averaging 29° C in the summer and around 15° C in winter. The narrow village streets and steeply banked harbours can get very busy during the peak tourist season though, so if you want to avoid the crowds choose a quieter time of year.There is an airport on the east side of the island served by both scheduled and charter flights and most of the main sites are accessible by road. An economical way to see this compact island is by hiring a taxi or renting a car to get from A to B.

NOŪS Santorini

NOŪS Santorini

5 out of 5
Mesaria, Santorini, Santorini Island
The price is €291 per night from 8 Oct to 9 Oct
€291
8 Oct - 9 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury resort in Santorini. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (108 reviews)
"This was an amazingggg resort in Santorini. Close (walkable) to many shops and restaurants down the road. The property is beautiful and spacious.Amazing pool, the main one and personal room pool! The spa has free to use sauna etc . Staff was welcoming. Breakfast delicious. I will definitely be coming ..."

Reviewed on 3 Sept 2025

NOŪS Santorini
Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas

Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas

5 out of 5
Oia, Santorini
The price is €316 per night from 12 Oct to 13 Oct
€316
12 Oct - 13 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Santorini. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the pool and the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (463 reviews)
"Amazing Service"

Reviewed on 8 Sept 2025

Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas
Antoperla Luxury Hotel & Spa

Antoperla Luxury Hotel & Spa

5 out of 5
Perissa, Santorini
The price is €278 per night from 16 Oct to 17 Oct
€278
16 Oct - 17 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Santorini. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (241 reviews)
"Regardless of the transport being a challenge and very pricey (specifically the taxis), the whole atmosphere of Santorini was beautiful and we felt so welcomed. Many things we needed were a walking distance away so that was extremely helpful: including the beach which was only a 2 minute walk for ..."

Reviewed on 7 Sept 2025

Antoperla Luxury Hotel & Spa
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Aqua Luxury Suites

Aqua Luxury Suites

5 out of 5
Imerovigli, Santorini, Santorini Island
Stay at this 5-star luxury aparthotel in Santorini. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (209 reviews)
"Everyone was super nice and treated us like family, 10/10 recommend and will be back again! You wont be disappointed with this hotel, the view from the room was the best"

Reviewed on 6 Sept 2025

Aqua Luxury Suites
Lava suites

Lava suites

Nomikou, Fira
Stay at this aparthotel in Santorini. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and in-room massages. Popular attractions Athinios Port and Kamari Beach are located ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (8 reviews)
"The feedback highlights its fantastic location, offering stunning views of the caldera and easy access to nearby attractions. It truly seems like the perfect spot for a memorable getaway. I believe this could significantly enhance our offerings and attract more visitors looking for a quintessential ..."

Reviewed on 22 Aug 2025

Lava suites
Sun Rocks Luxury Suites

Sun Rocks Luxury Suites

3 out of 5
Fira - Firostefani, Santorini, Santorini Island
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in Santorini. Enjoy an outdoor pool, room service, and onsite spa services. Popular attractions Athinios Port and Kamari Beach ...
9.6/10 Exceptional! (165 reviews)
"First time visiting for honeymoon. The staff are friendly and welcoming, stunning views, the bar/ restaurant staff serve the best drinks, the room is clean and the hotel near shopping and restaurants. The receptionist will schedule a taxi for anywhere you would like to go. I would recommend this ..."

Reviewed on 6 Aug 2025

Sun Rocks Luxury Suites
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Things to do

Reviews of Santorini

4.7
Top destination
5 - Excellent
512
5 - Excellent 71%
4 - Good
182
4 - Good 25%
3 - Okay
26
3 - Okay 4%
2 - Disappointing
5
2 - Disappointing 1%
1 - Terrible
1
1 - Terrible 0%

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

I was in winter so a lot of renovation

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Beautiful island and unbelievable views. Worth going now before it becomes too filled with tourists.

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

Beautiful scenery and very quiet during the Winter season. You'll be able to enjoy this beauty without all the crowd.

5/5 - Excellent

JT

Lovely city with incredible views

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Well worth it's reputation but too many tourists make getting around quite hard. We couldn't get taxis unless pre-booked and the buses were over-crowded in a way I have never seen before. Santorini has become a victim of its own success.

5/5 - Excellent

Family

Santorini in particular Fira and Oia is great place to be. Really enjoyed the place.