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Whitewashed houses of Oia above the Santorini caldera

No. 1 25 Great Islands to Visit 2026

Santorini

Cyclades, Greece

White villages on volcanic cliffs above a flooded caldera.

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Photo: Norbert Nagel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Overview

Santorini is the remains of a volcano whose huge eruption, about 3,600 years ago, left a crescent of cliffs around a sea-filled caldera. Whitewashed villages such as Fira and Oia line the rim.

Visitors come for the views and sunsets, black and red sand beaches, wineries and the excavated Bronze Age town of Akrotiri. It is very busy in summer, especially when cruise ships call.

Three domes of Oia in Santorini Photo by Giles Laurent
Three domes of Oia in Santorini Photo by Giles Laurent. Photo: Giles Laurent, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
Crater rim - seen from cape Akrotiri - Santorini - Greece
Crater rim - seen from cape Akrotiri - Santorini - Greece. Photo: Norbert Nagel, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Caldera of Santorini - Nea Kameni - seen from Fira Thira
Caldera of Santorini - Nea Kameni - seen from Fira Thira. Photo: Norbert Nagel, CC BY-SA 3.0, source

Best time to visit

May, June, September and October are warm with fewer crowds than July and August. Many hotels and restaurants close in winter.

Highlights

  • 1

    Oia

    The village at the northern tip, famous for its sunsets.

  • 2

    Fira to Oia walk

    A cliff-top path of roughly 10 km along the caldera rim.

  • 3

    Akrotiri

    A Bronze Age town preserved under volcanic ash, under a protective roof.

  • 4

    Caldera boat trips

    Cruises to the volcanic islets of Nea Kameni and the hot springs.

  • 5

    Beaches

    Dark-sand beaches at Kamari and Perissa, and the Red Beach near Akrotiri.

Getting there

Santorini has an airport with flights from Athens and, in season, many European cities. Ferries and fast boats from Piraeus take roughly 5–8 hours.

Practical tips

Opening & tickets
Opening times, ticket rules and transport timetables change, so check official information before you go.
Time needed
Three to four days.

Official information: Visit Greece: Santorini. Check opening hours, prices and entry rules there before you go.

Map

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