09 August 2023

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 romantic Greek Islands to visit. I visited Santorini as part of a cruise around the Mediterranean. I wasn’t sure if it was worth visiting. This was largely due to many negative reviews I had read about overcrowding on Santorini and the island’s reputation as being a tourist hotspot. I decided that the only way to find out was to go check it out for myself and I was so thrilled I did. Santorini is everything you’d expect from an idyllic Aegean Island getaway, and so much more. How to get to Santorini Santorini forms part of the Cyclades group of Islands and can be reached by either air travel or ferry. Flights to Santorini There are frequent flights from the UK to Santorini during the peak season May to October. Flights are much reduced from the UK out of season. How to get from Santorini Airport to your hotel and back I recommend including a private transfer to make your journey stress-free. There is no taxi rank at the airport and you won’t need cash for your driver and your transfer will be stress-free. The driver will monitor your flight or ferry in case of late arrival, and be waiting for you with a welcome sign. When to visit Santorini From November through to March, are not the best months to visit since the weather conditions and availability of activities and experiences may limit what you can see and do. Many bars, restaurants and accommodations don’t open until April/May. From May through to early-October, the island buzzes with activity. July and August are extremely busy and crowded during the peak of summer. As such, I would recommend you consider visiting either May through mid-June or mid-September through October to make the most of your stay and to best avoid the busy period. Where to stay in Santorini The best places to stay in Santorini are the towns of Fira, Oia, Imerovigli, Firostefani. 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 fabulous sunset vistas. Everyone will have different accommodation requirements depending on interests and budget. Fira (Thira) is the capital of Santorini and the biggest and most cosmopolitan town on the island. There are plenty of restaurants, bars and boutique shops. Oia is Santorini’s best known town for sunsets but because of that it has its drawbacks. Every evening crowds of people arrive in Oia to catch the sun going down. Oia has a good range of high end restaurants and shops. It’s also the most expensive town on the island for accommodation. Admittedly there are some absolutely fabulous places to stay – think boutique cave hotels with private plunge pools overlooking Santorini caldera. If you have the budget or it’s a special occasion then go for it. Oia is located at one end of Santorini so it’s not central if you want to easily explore the whole of the island. Imerovigli is lovely and within easy walking distance (20 mins) to all the nightlife and activity of Fira and also has incredible views out over Santorini caldera. It’s far less crowded in Imerovigli and quieter than Fira or Oia. Imerovigli also has some of the most beautiful hotels in Santorini although they do come at a price. Here is a selection of my top things to do in Santorini. Hike from Fira to Oia Are you an outdoor enthusiast that loves nature and hiking? Then you should definitely consider the hike from Fira to Oia along the cliff path. The hike itself is roughly 7 miles and can take anywhere between 2 to 5 hours to complete. This, of course, depends on your level, speed of hiking and stops for photographs. Take a sunset cruise It’s only fitting to book a sunset cruise to end your Santorini days off the best way possible. Santorini is known for its seafood and Ammoudi Bay is one of the best places on the island to find it. If you’re doing the Fira to Oia hike and you love seafood then it’s the perfect spot to stop for lunch. You won’t get fresher seafood than in Amoudi Bay. It’s often caught and brought ashore right in front of you and is the perfect spot to sample some traditional Santorini food. I recommend the grilled octopus and saganaki – a delicious fried cheese. Katina’s Taverna is always packed but it’s worth the wait. Wine tasting in Santorini What many travellers don’t know about Santorini is that the island is renowned for its wine production. The predominant varieties of wines produced on the island include white as well as the sweeter Vinsanto wines. Red wines only account for around 20% of the islands wine production. Watch a movie under the stars at Kamari open air cinema Set in a lush garden with a massive projector screen beaming English language films, this was definitely a highlight. The cinema also offers a small bar where you can buy drinks and popcorn. Explore Santorini’s beaches Admittedly, the beaches in Santorini are not the usual white sandy beaches you may find on other Greek Islands. But this doesn’t mean you should give them a miss. Unusual in nature, due to the black volcanic pebbles you’ll encounter here, beaches such as Perissa or Kamari are well worth a visit. When in Santorini you have to head to Oia and see the sun dip below the horizon at least once. It’s what people go to Santorini for. Head there early, find yourself a prime spot and just enjoy. You’ll need to book in advance if you want a meal with your view.. Take a Santorini food tour Take a guided food tour with a local to really get to know the best of the Santorini food scene. You’ll taste all kinds of local food from seafood cheeses, olives, baklava, wine and traditional Greek dishes. You’ll need to arrive hungry. See the sun set over Santorini Caldera When in Santorini you have to head to Oia and see the sun dip below the horizon at least once. It’s what people go to Santorini for. Head there early, find yourself a prime spot and just enjoy. You’ll need to book in advance if you want a meal with your view. Summing up Santorini… Santorini is truly as romantic and beguiling as you’d expect it to be. From exquisite views over white-washed villages with blue domed churches, beaches, the freshest seafood, local wine, and Greek hospitality, this stunning island really has it all.