Caldera

Swim in Santorini’s unique waters

Santorini island is lined with unique beaches in exotic colours of black, red, and white, a product of its explosive past. At Kokkini Paralia (Red Beach), Aspri Paralia (White Beach), Perivolos, Perissa and Kamari, the earth has been naturally transformed into immortal works of art.

Scuba diving in volcanic waters

Explore Santorini’s mysterious depths: Cape Tripiti in Thirasia, the shipwreck at Taxiarchis, Palia Kameni, Adiavatis reef, the caves at Mesa Pigadia and the “Indian rock” in Akrotiri.

Lay back and let the luxury-fest begin

Santorini and luxury are synonymous. This is the island of infinity pools that flirt with the edge of the cliff, with the Aegean Sea laid out in front of you in all its glory. So how about starting off relaxing on a sunbed, a refreshing cocktail in hand? Or perhaps a romantic meal for two, paired with a fine wine (made locally, of course)? You’ll be in the mood to explore more in no time.

Explore Akrotiri, the Pompeii of the Aegean

Akrotiri is a prehistoric city that lies beneath a bioclimatic shelter. Walking over wooden bridges, you will encounter one of the most important and well-preserved civilisations in the Mediterranean, which was covered by the ashes of the great volcanic eruption of 1600 BC. Visit the museum of Prehistoric Thera, at Fira, to admire its famous frescoes, among them Spring, The Monkeys and The African. A world frozen in time awaits you on the island of Santorini.

Take a stroll along the rim of the caldera

Top (literally) of all the experiences to enjoy on Santorini island is to take a stroll along the rim of the caldera, from Fira to Firostefani and Imerovigli. The more adventurous can challenge themselves by taking the path to Oia, passing the Prophet Elijah’s Church, Chapel of the Cross and Black Mountain, which is iridescent at sunset.

Experience the world-famous Santorini sunset

Viewing the sunset from Oia, as thousands do each year, is a ritual. For a few minutes, the energy of the landscape is palpable. When the fiery sun sinks into the sea within the caldera, this scene will be forever cherished in your heart.

Taste the exquisite cuisine of Santorini

The cuisine of Santorini boasts extraordinary ingredients thanks to the nutrient-rich volcanic soil. Amongst the island’s specialities are its famous sun-dried cherry tomatoes, fava beans (split peas), capers, and white eggplant. The local chefs are always experimenting, combining traditional recipes with modern gastronomy, making the island a top culinary destination in Greece.

The wineries of Finikia

A stone’s throw from cosmopolitan Oia, you will discover the multicoloured settlement of Finikia. These old wineries have been converted into homes that are not your typical Cycladic stonewash white but rather are painted in ochre, blue and pink, and provide a beautiful contrast against the dark blue background of the Aegean. Walk the cobblestone streets, take a rest in the courtyard of St Matrona, with its huge palm tree, and taste the local delicacies in the area’s tavernas.

Enjoy a vineyard and wine tour of Santorini

When it comes to Old World wines, Santorini makes a special case for attention. Wine-making can be traced here to before the eruption of its legendary volcano, more than 3,000 years ago. So when you set out on a wine tour of Santorini, you do so in the knowledge that its viticulture roots run very deep.

Deeper even than the time of the phylloxera insect that decimated European vine roots in the late 19th century, but didn’t affect these vines because they were protected by the volcanic soil.

More than 50 grape varieties grow in Santorini’s vineyards – most famously Assyrtiko (producing the crisp whites that have propelled Santorini onto the international wine map and attracted multiple awards). And you’ll enjoy getting to know the PDO-awarded sweet dessert wine Vinsanto, made with sun-dried grapes and served as a liqueur.

But beyond grape varieties and local history (amphorae and wine-making utensils have been found at the Prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri), the story of Santorini’s wineries is about the characters who run them and their traditions.

The pruning system that curls vines into kouloures (baskets), protecting them from winds and intense sunlight and allowing them to absorb more water, is characteristic of many vineyards. And subterranean arched cellars, known as kanaves, are part of the architecture of many wineries.

As well as touring the vineyards and cellars, you’ll enjoy wine-tasting accompanied by local cheese and cold cuts. So much so that when you’re home and pop a cork of one of the bottles you’ve taken back with you, you’ll be taken right back to the vines and the people who produced them.

Take a boat trip to an island in the caldera

You can easily rent a boat or hop on a day cruise at Athinio, Gialos or Ammoudi and take a tour around the caldera. Discover the islands opposite Santorini, especially Thirasia where you can experience the Santorini of 50 years ago. Imagine being able to travel to Santorini as it was before the cosmopolitan vibe. To when the landscape was all about raw volcanic beauty rather than whitewashed glitz and glamour. Well, on a boat trip to Thirasia – one of the islands you can see from Santorini as you look across the caldera – you don’t have to imagine. Thirasia was originally part of the large island of Strongili, which collapsed during the Minoan eruption to form a cluster of islands (that includes Santorini and Palea and Nea Kameni) and the iconic caldera that unites them. As such, it shares the same volcanic geology as Santorini, and was similarly inhabited in the past, but it experienced none of its explosive growth as a tourist destination. So visiting gives you a rare glimpse of what Santorini was like with just over 300 inhabitants and a to slow-paced, unchanging way of life that will, most likely, still be the same 50 years from now.