Santorini dazzles with dramatic beauty born of ancient fire. From its legendary sunsets and soaring cliffs to volcanic beaches, fine wines and archaeological wonders, this iconic Greek island blends natural splendour with rich history and unforgettable charm.
You’ll struggle to find a more stunning Cycladic village than Oia, dramatically perched on the steep slope of the caldera.
Sail around Santorini on a private yacht, swimming off remote beaches, bathing in hot springs and securing a front-row seat for the sunset of your dreams.
Discover the secrets of Santorini wine making at a traditional vineyard before savouring the famed assyrtiko wine accompanied by Cycladic cheeses and other local delicacies.
Reach deep into the island’s past with a visit to the ruins of Akrotiri, an ancient Minoan city buried by the catastrophic volcanic eruption that formed modern-day Santorini.
Pull up a deck chair for an evening screening at Cinekamari, an open-air cinema showing films in English throughout the summer, complete with blankets, drinks and snacks.
Watching the sun sink into the indigo waters of Santorini’s largely submerged caldera may be a romantic cliché but it still takes your breath away. One of the biggest volcanic eruptions in history blew out Santorini’s heart around 3,500 years ago, creating the sea-drowned crater around which the island curls, as well as gorgeous black-sand beaches and multi-coloured cliffs 300 metres high.
Many of the best hotels and restaurants cling to the clifftops in spots like Oia and Imerovigli, at times spilling like icy cornices down the terraced rock. The eruption also preserved the fascinating Minoan site of Akrotiri (well worth a visit) and created the fertile ground for the assyrtiko grapes used to produce some of the finest wines in Greece.
Other notable distractions include the capital, Fira, whose caldera-edge views give way to bustling, narrow streets full of shops, bars and restaurants, and boat trips to the small volcanic islands inside the caldera, where craters still smoulder and you can swim in volcanic hot springs.
Perched atop the cliffs of Imerovigli near the highest point of Santorini’s caldera, along a scenic hiking road that connects Oia to Fira, Andronis Concept is a sophisticated wellness resort with service as polished as its smooth concrete surfaces and views as inspiring as any you’ll find in Greece.
Perched at the edge of Oia, the divine and secluded Andronis Arcadia boasts the largest infinity pool and most comprehensive spa in the whole of Santorini. Throw in mesmerising views of the Aegean Sea and sunsets to make you swoon and you’ve the perfect place to reset and unwind.
Santorini’s caldera views are world-renowned, yet there is another side to the island that feels quieter and more rooted. Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort, occupies a 400-year-old winery, thoughtfully converted to meet the needs of savvy travellers.
So private are the suites at Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas that it’s easy to feel you have the whole of Santorini to yourself.
Set across the grounds of a former Catholic monastery, Katikies Garden is a superb option for families looking to combine caldera views with a great location in the historic town of Fira. It’s the first of the much-loved Katikies hotels to welcome children to Santorini but has lost none of the brand’s commitment to luxury in the process.
The differences between the best Santorini hotels are very subtle but somehow Katikies Kirini feels that little more secluded, its infinity pool with caldera views is just that little bit more dazzling.