When you think of a quintessential Greek island holiday you’ll probably conjure up dreamy images of Santorini. Without doubt, it’s one of the most breathtaking,romantic Greek Islands to visit. From the incredible architecture and exquisite views over the iconic whitewashed villages, adorned with vibrant floral decoration, to its blue-domed churches, the freshest seafood, Greek hospitality and of coursethe magnificent sunsets, this stunning island really has it all.

Santorini, or Thira to use its official name, is part of the Cyclades islands. It sits in the Aegean Sea almost halfway between Athens and Crete. Santorini suffered a huge volcanic explosion around 1500 BC, which completely destroyed centre of the island and sank into the Aegean.

The Santorini we know today is a crescent-shaped island with a huge crater (caldera) on its western side. The island of Thira is nearby to Oia and two smaller islands sit within the caldera, which make for the most incredible sunset views from Santorini’s steep cliff tops opposite.

From May through to early-October, the island buzzes with activity. July and August are especially busy during the peak of summer.In our opinion,the best places to stay in Santorini are the towns of Fira, Oia and Imerovigli. These towns are located along the caldera cliff on the western side of the island. They all overlook the volcano and caldera and consequently have extrordinary sunset vistas. 

 

Fira (Thira) is the capital of Santorini and the largest town on the island. It is one of the must-see stops on the island.There is a large selection of restaurants, bars and boutique shops, sure to please every visitor.At 260 meters above sea level, it seems like it is hanging off the cliff, dressed in starking white, causing every visitor's admiration. The unique location of Fira on the Santorini Caldera offers stunning views of Nea and PaliaKameni, and the southern Aegean Sea. Crowds flock to the populated area of ​​Fira at all hours of the day. Indulge in the special charm of the beautiful straits of Fira and let your gaze wander to the spectacular beauty of the Caldera of Santorini.

Oia is the most famous settlement on the island of Santorini, known to the ends of the world for its unique sunset.Oiavillage has all the tourist infrastructure of a modern destination. It boasts a rich market with restaurants, shops and public transport that connects it daily with many itineraries, especially in the summer months, with Fira, the island's capital, which is approximately 11 km away.It is built in the northern part of the Caldera, at an altitude of about 120 meters. It extends from the west to the east coast and maintains the unchanged traditional Cycladic architecture. The all-white houses that adorn the Santorini Caldera, along with the blue domes of the churches are the trademarks of the village.

Imerovigli, is one of the most impressive villages of Santorini and stands at the highest point of the Caldera since the Byzantine years. The settlement overlooks the impressive volcano from a height of 300 meters from the sea and is located approximately 3 kilometers northwest of Fira, on the road to Oia. The village is connected with the capital of Santorini, with a path that offers endless views of the unique volcanic landscape.

Today, Imerovigli is one of the most developed tourist spots in Santorini, with exquisite private villas, wonderful restaurants and boutiques, which welcome every year tens of thousands of visitors from all over the world.

Santorini is everything you would expect from an idyllic Aegean Island escape. The Caldera in Santorini offers the most magical sunset view one can experience. It’s unique beauty and otherworldly vibe andviewspromise a truly unforgettable vacation.