Greece
Santorini
Our notebook to help you plan your trip to Santorini: the right season, where to stay and our ideas to make the most of it.
White houses and blue domes clinging to the cliff of a volcanic caldera: Santorini is famous for its sunsets and black-sand beaches.
Best weatherIn late spring and early autumn: warm weather, without the summer crowds. Off season, many hotels close.
A question?
Wéa answers about this destination: neighbourhoods, seasons, ideas.
When to go
Every season has its charm. Here's how to choose yours, depending on what you want to experience.
Aegean spring
Gorgeous light over the caldera, the Fira-Oia path to walk at your own pace and the first swims in June.
High summer
Sunsets in Oia, black-sand beaches and nightlife. Book early: it's high season.
Harvest and warm sea
Grape harvest in the island's vineyards, a still-warm sea and fewer people.
Secret Santorini
Some hotels close, but the island is calm, you can visit the villages in peace and prices are at their lowest.
Where to stay
The right neighbourhood depends on what you're after. Here are our favourite places to stay.
Oia
The sunset village, very romantic, but with lots of people in the evening.
Fira
The capital, on the edge of the caldera: views, restaurants and buses to the whole island.
Imerovigli
Calmer than Fira and Oia, with some of the most beautiful views of the caldera.
Kamari and Perissa
East coast: black-sand beaches and more affordable hotels.
Our favourites
What we love there: its history, its landscapes, its flavours and its festivals. Take your time, it's all there to enjoy.
The caldera and Oia
White villages clinging to the cliff overlook the caldera, the crater of a volcano flooded by the sea. The sunset from Oia is famous: arrive early.
Ideal for sunsets
Fira to Oia on foot
About 10 km of trail along the caldera ridge, between blue-domed churches and dizzying views. Set off early in the morning to avoid the heat.
Ideal for hikers
Akrotiri
This Bronze Age town was buried under the ash of an eruption over 3,500 years ago. Its multi-storey houses, remarkably well preserved, are visited under a large roof.
Ideal for history lovers
The volcano and island food
By boat, you can walk on the Nea Kameni volcano and swim near hot springs. At the table, try Santorini fava and tomatokeftedes, tomato fritters.
Ideal for food lovers