Discover Cyclades
Discover Cyclades
Ο πλήρης τοπικός οδηγός για τη Σαντορίνη. Ανακαλύψτε την Καλντέρα, την Οία και τα ηφαιστειακά κρασιά, με insider συμβουλές για την αποφυγή του πλήθους.
Ηφαιστειακοί βράχοι, ηλιοβασιλέματα στο ηφαίστειο και λευκές κυβέλες πάνω από την καλντέρα: η εμπειρία που ορίζει την Ελλάδα
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Santorini, Greece is a volcanic island in the southern Cyclades, famous for its clifftop villages of Oia and Fira, volcanic black sand beaches, and deep caldera views. Sitting in the southern Aegean Sea, it is reached by a 45-minute flight from Athens or a 5-hour high-speed ferry from Piraeus. Δείτε δρομολόγια και τιμές Αθήνα–Σαντορίνη (2,5–3,5 ώρες ταχύπλοια).
Η Σαντορίνη δεν είναι απλώς ένα ακόμη νησί στις Κυκλάδες· είναι ηφαιστειακός κρατήρας σμιγμένος από μία από τις μεγαλύτερες εκρήξεις στην ιστορία. Οι οικισμοί της Οίας και της Φήρας κρέμονται πάνω από το Αιγαίο, ενώ κάτω από τα βράχια βρίσκονται μαύρες παραλίες, θερμές πηγές και αμπέλια Ασύρτικου.
Για ηλιοβασίλεμα, η Οία συγκεντρώνει το ενδιαφέρον, αλλά υπάρχουν ήσυχες παραλίες, οινοποιεία και μονοπάτια από τη Φήρα προς την Οία. Το νησί συνδέεται καθημερινά με ακτοπλοϊκά προς Μύκονο, Πάρο, Νάξο και τον Πειραιά.
Σχεδιάστε διαμονή με θέα στην καλντέρα, κλείστε εισιτήρια πλοίου από το λιμάνι Αθηνιών και χρησιμοποιήστε τον οδηγό μας για παραλίες, φαγητό και κρασί στη Σαντορίνη.
Santorini doesn't just show you scenery; it changes how you look at the sea.
Οία και Ημεροβίγλι για ζευγάρια· Φηρά για πρώτη επίσκεψη. Ξενοδοχεία Σαντορίνης.
Handpicked hotels with exceptional reviews and local character.
Detailed breakdowns of every neighborhood and village.
Expert Recommendation
For the first-time visitor, staying in the main Chora provides the best balance of accessibility and atmosphere.
Around 1600 BC, a massive volcanic explosion blew apart the ancient island of Thera. This left behind the deep caldera gulf we see today. The eruption buried the Minoan town of Akrotiri in thick volcanic ash, preserving streets and houses for thousands of years.
Archaeologists at Akrotiri have uncovered a wealthy Bronze Age settlement with multi-story houses, wall paintings, and drainage. It shows that Santorini hosted a thriving maritime society in the Aegean long before Classical Athens took shape.
The island was called Thera in antiquity. Crusaders renamed it Santorini in the 13th century after Saint Irene. Under Venetian rule, the wine trade grew, and locals dug cave houses into the soft cliffs to shelter from the wind.
A severe earthquake in 1956 damaged many villages and forced residents to leave. By the 1970s, the island began drawing travelers. Old cave dwellings became luxury hotel suites, the local grapes found international buyers, and the sunsets in Oia became famous worldwide.
Explore the heart of Σαντορίνη
Oia sits on the northern cliff of the caldera. It's famous for its cobalt blue domes, stacked white houses, and marble paths. Most visitors come for the sunsets at the old castle ruins, but the village is best in the quiet morning hours before the day-trippers arrive.
Fira is the island's busy capital, set high on the cliffs with views of the volcano. The town has a mix of museums, bars, and restaurants, with narrow alleys that get crowded in summer. A cable car links the clifftop to the old harbor below.
Imerovigli is the highest village on the cliff edge. It's quieter than Fira and Oia, offering clear views across the water. Here you'll find cave hotels and the trail out to Skaros Rock, the headland where a Venetian fortress once stood.
Pyrgos rises above the central plains, built around a medieval Venetian castle. It doesn't get the intense crowds of the cliffside towns. Instead, it offers quiet alleys, old churches, and great views across the vineyards to the sea.
Megalochori is a quiet village in the southern wine country. It's filled with traditional wine cellars, archways, and a quiet square. Several local wineries are within walking distance, making it a good base to try Assyrtiko away from the capital.
Boutique villas, cave hotels, and sea-view suites — all in one place.
The best shores of Σαντορίνη
A red sand cove backed by sheer rust-colored cliffs. It's a striking sight and one of the most photographed spots on the island.
A long black sand beach beneath the tall cliffs of Mesa Vouno. It's lined with tavernas, beach bars, and sunbeds.
The chic southern continuation of Perissa — kilometres of black sand fronted by stylish beach clubs and cocktail bars. Santorini's go-to for a sun-lounger-and-music day.
An organized black sand beach with a paved promenade of tavernas and shops. It's popular with families.
A small cove named for the pale pumice cliffs rising behind it. You'll need to take a water taxi from Akrotiri to get here.
A quiet beach backed by tall, wind-sculpted ash cliffs. It has a wilder, artier feel than the resort beaches.
The small harbor below Oia. There's no sand here, but you can swim from the rocks around the corner after a lunch of fresh fish.
Explore every beach and hidden village at your own pace.
Explore every beach, village, and hidden corner with your own wheels
Trusted local agency with no-credit-card bookings, cruise-ship-friendly pickups and 24/7 service. Unlimited kilometres on every car so you can reach Oia, Akrotiri and the south-coast beaches freely.
Family-run fleet of 12+ vehicles from the Fiat Panda to the Fiat 500 Cabrio and a 7-seater Doblo, with free delivery 09:00–21:00 across the island and friendly cash discounts.
Quad, ATV and scooter specialists based near Oia, with free port delivery, helmets and a full safety briefing — the fun way to explore the caldera villages and Kamari.
The island's dry volcanic soil and sea winds shape local ingredients in surprising ways.
A smooth purée of yellow split peas grown in the dry fields, topped with capers and olive oil.
Crispy fried cakes made from local sweet cherry tomatoes, onions, and fresh mint.
A sweet, mild variety of eggplant that grows well in the dry volcanic soil.
A soft, slightly sour fresh goat's cheese made in small batches on the island.
The main local white wine. Wineries grow the vines in low baskets to protect them from dry Aegean winds.
A sweet dessert wine pressed from sun-dried grapes and aged in oak barrels for years.
From sunrise to sunset in Σαντορίνη
Walk the path out to the ruins of the Venetian fortress on the headland. It's a quiet spot for early views of the caldera before the heat sets in.
1.5 hoursExplore the ruins of a prehistoric town preserved under layers of volcanic ash since the Bronze Age. The covered site shows multi-story buildings and ancient plumbing.
2 hoursVisit local cellars to try Assyrtiko and Vinsanto. You'll learn how growers weave the vines into basket shapes to survive the dry summer winds.
3-4 hoursWalk the 10-kilometer dirt track along the high edge of the cliffs. It's a long walk with constant views of the deep caldera below.
4-5 hoursTake a wooden boat to the volcanic islet of Nea Kameni to walk up to the crater, then stop to swim in the muddy warm springs nearby.
5 hoursGrab a table on a Fira terrace for a slow lunch of local fava and tomato fritters with views across the deep blue water.
2 hoursSail along the cliffs, stop for a swim near the red beach, and eat dinner on board as the sun goes down.
5 hoursWalk to the northern tip of the island to see the sunset. It gets very busy in summer, so head down early to find a spot near the castle ruins.
1 hourSailing trips, sunset cruises, diving, cooking classes and more.
Find the perfect time for your Σαντορίνη trip
Ferry routes and travel connections
Ferry tickets
Search live ferry schedules from Piraeus (Athens) to Σαντορίνη.
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Ferries, hotels, car rental and neighbourhood guides — everything you need after reading this Σαντορίνη guide.
Σαντορίνη connects to 17 nearby islands by ferry. These are the live island-hopping routes from Σαντορίνη, with direct connections drawn from our full Cyclades ferry catalogue.
A dramatic clifftop Chora and unspoiled Cycladic authenticity with no mass tourism.
Mylopotas Beach and a buzzing nightlife scene, making it the closest island hop from Santorini.
80+ volcanic beaches including Sarakiniko and the dramatic sea caves of Kleftiko.
World-famous nightlife, beach clubs, and cosmopolitan energy.
The longest beaches in the Cyclades, the Portara, and outstanding farm-to-table cuisine.
Charming Naoussa, golden beaches, and the perfect island-hopping hub.
Curated tours and activities
Sail the caldera with stops at the volcano, hot springs, Red Beach, and White Beach, including BBQ lunch and sunset on board.
Visit three acclaimed Santorini wineries, tasting Assyrtiko and Vinsanto wines with cheese and local meze pairings.
Guided archaeological tour of the Minoan city of Akrotiri followed by the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira.
Insider tips for your Σαντορίνη trip
Hand-picked Cyclades photography — refreshed weekly from Pexels.
Photography via Pexels — credit shown per image.
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Everything you need to know about Σαντορίνη
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From clifftop sunsets to volcanic vineyards, ancient ruins to blue-domed churches, Santorini is ready when you are.
