"No photograph does Santorini justice. The caldera has to be seen to be believed."
Santorini is the result of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history — a catastrophe that hollowed out the island's centre and left behind a crescent of cliffs plunging into a flooded caldera. The white-washed villages of Oia and Fira cling to those cliffs, their blue-domed churches and infinity pools stacked improbably above the sea. It is one of the most visually arresting places on earth, and it knows it.
The key to Santorini is timing and positioning. Visit in April, May, or September and you get the beauty without the July–August crush. Stay in Imerovigli rather than Oia for the same caldera views with a fraction of the crowds. Eat at the restaurants that face west. Hire a private boat for a day. And accept that you will take more photographs here than anywhere else you have ever been.
"Stay in Imerovigli. Same caldera views as Oia — a fraction of the crowds."
TastesOf Editorial
At a Glance
What Not to Miss
Sunset from Oia
The most photographed sunset in the world, and it earns every frame. Position yourself at the castle ruins an hour before dusk and watch the caldera turn gold, then crimson, then violet. Arrive early — the whole island has the same idea.
Caldera Boat Tour
Charter a private catamaran or join a small-group sailing tour around the caldera. The volcanic hot springs at Palea Kameni, the red and white beaches, and the view of Oia from the water are all unmissable. Sunset tours book out weeks in advance.
Wine Tasting in Pyrgos
Santorini's volcanic soil produces Assyrtiko — one of Greece's finest white wines. The hilltop village of Pyrgos is home to several excellent wineries. Santo Wines and Domaine Sigalas are the benchmarks.
Akrotiri Archaeological Site
A Bronze Age city preserved under volcanic ash — Santorini's answer to Pompeii. The frescoes are extraordinary, and the scale of the excavation is humbling. One of the most significant archaeological sites in the Aegean.
Black Sand Beach at Perissa
The volcanic black sand beaches on the island's eastern coast are unlike anything in the Mediterranean. Perissa and Perivolos are the most developed, with excellent beach clubs and tavernas.
Dining in Imerovigli
Perched higher than Oia and far less crowded, Imerovigli offers the same caldera views with a fraction of the foot traffic. The restaurants here — particularly those with terrace seating — offer some of the finest dining on the island.
Where to Stay
Canaves Oia Epitome
Ultra-LuxuryThe finest address in Oia. Infinity pools, cave suites carved into the caldera cliff, and service that anticipates every need.
Grace Hotel Santorini
LuxuryPerched above Imerovigli with one of the most dramatic infinity pools in the world. The champagne terrace at sunset is legendary.
Andronis Boutique Hotel
Boutique LuxuryIntimate, beautifully designed, and positioned perfectly on the caldera rim. The cave suites are exceptional value for the category.
The Verdict
One of the world's great visual spectacles — best experienced slowly, off-season, and from the caldera rim at dusk.