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Greece · Cyclades

Santorini travel guide

Cliff-top villages, volcanic beaches and famous sunsets

Oia at sunset. Photo: TomasEE, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

3h 45mflight from London
JTRnearest main airport
26° in Augwarmest month
14° in Jancoolest month

Santorini is the remains of a huge volcano, with white villages perched along the rim of a flooded crater. The views over the caldera, especially at sunset from Oia, are among the most famous in the world.

It's also busy and pricey, especially when cruise ships are in. Stay in a caldera village for the views, or on the east coast for beaches and better value.

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What Santorini is known for

  • Sunsets

    Crowds gather in Oia to watch the sun drop into the sea.

  • The caldera

    A flooded volcanic crater ringed by cliffs.

  • Volcanic beaches

    Red and black sand on the south coast.

  • Assyrtiko wine

    Crisp white wine from vines grown in baskets.

Top things to do in Santorini

  1. 1

    Oia

    Blue domes, windmills and the famous sunset. Get there early for a spot.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    The Fira to Oia walk

    A 10km cliff-top path along the caldera, best in the morning.

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  3. 3

    A caldera boat trip

    Sail to the volcano, swim in the hot springs and watch the sunset from the water.

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  4. 4

    Akrotiri

    A Bronze Age town buried by the eruption, under a protective roof.

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  5. 5

    Red Beach

    A dramatic beach below red volcanic cliffs.

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  6. 6

    A winery tour

    Taste Assyrtiko and Vinsanto at the island's cliff-top wineries.

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See all tours and tickets in Santorini

Where to stay in Santorini

Find a hotel in Santorini

Best time to visit Santorini

Best value: Apr–May, Sep–Oct. May, June, September and October: warm, sunny and calmer than July and August.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
13.6 C14°J13.6 C14°F14.8 C15°M16.5 C16°A19.6 C20°M23.3 C23°J25.2 C25°J25.8 C26°A24 C24°S21.1 C21°O18 C18°N15.1 C15°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Santorini, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 3h 45m from London to JTR, and flights from most UK airports.

Buses link Fira with the villages and beaches. A quad or car helps, but parking is hard in summer.

Find flights to Santorini (JTR)

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Good to know

  • Avoid the caldera villages in the middle of the day when cruise passengers arrive.
  • Don't ride the donkeys up the Fira steps: use the cable car or walk.
  • Book caldera-view rooms many months ahead for summer.
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Santorini FAQ

How many days do you need in Santorini?

Two or three days is enough for most people.

Is Santorini good for beaches?

It has interesting volcanic beaches, but other islands such as Naxos have better sand.

More places in Greece

Back to the Greece travel guide + Add Santorini to your bucket list