Have you ever dreamed of living in a postcard? Well, visiting Santorini will make you feel just like that! It’s no wonder that Santorini is the most coveted Greek island thanks to its stunning view, unique architecture and well its volcanic past. This is probably one of the few islands that beaches aren’t a priority. Not that they are not clean, but they have black sand due to the volcanic minerals. The picturesque village of Oia and the “capital” of the island Fira with their whitewashed buildings and beautiful view over the sea (where once the volcano crater used to be) make up for the no t so exotic beaches.
Last time I visited Santorini was in 2012. I was there for 5 days and really made a good use of my time: I walked in Oia, I saw the sunset from Fira, I tasted wine in 2 wineries, I ate…well a lot, I visited the archaeological site in Akrotiri and I swam in the sea, which surprisingly was not ice cold at the time (as it is usually in the Aegean Sea).
What to See/Do
Of course Oia and Fira will be on top of the list. Walking, exploring, taking pictures, making memories. The best time to explore this beautiful villages is late afternoon when the sun isn’t so harsh…trust me, I learned the hard way (p.s. if you notice my photos where taken during midday). Also it’s highly likely that you may even get jammed in order to watch the sunset! If you’re lucky and it’s a cloudless and humidity free day, you’ll even see the sun setting in the sea!
The archaeological site in Akrotiri should be on your list as it is amazing! Here you’ll see a whole village with its roads and buildings (see photo below) that was demolished during the volcano explosion way back when. The site is restored and preserved thanks to a modern ceiling that allows air and sun to come in but protects the ruins from corrosion.
If you like wine, then I suggest that you check a few of the islands wineries. The volcanic soil makes Santorini’s wines unique. My husband has friends who work in the wineries of Boutari and Sigalas, so we visited both! In the first winery we tasted the white wines Kallisti and Nychteri, the red wine Mandilaria (that’s the grape’s name) and the sweet wine Vinsanto made from sun dries grapes (to be drank with fruits/desserts). The next day we visited the Domain Sigalas winery where we tasted the Cavaliere wine (it’s a white one) (p.s. we had already tasted their Vinsanto wine, which has to be my favorite)! The Domain Sigalas has a very nice courtyard with nice view of the vineyards and the sea, where you can taste your wine!
Beaches to visit
As I wrote in the introduction, Santorini isn’t known for it’s beaches, as the sand is usually black-ish due to the volcanic minerals. Notable beaches are Perissa, Perivolos and Kamari. The Red Beach (photo above) near Akrotiri is also one of the well known beaches of the island (due to it’s color). Last, I really liked Vlychada (photo below)for its peculiar stone formations and not-so-dark sand.
Related: 10 Greek beaches you shouldn’t miss
When to visit
You can visit anywhere from May to October really. In the beginning of the season the sea is still cold (and we’re talking about an open sea here), but if swimming isn’t part of your itinerary, by all means May would be ideal for you as the island won’t be crowded (and prices lower than the summer months). I would visit in September and avoid August at all costs! The beaches are spacious, but Oia and Fira have narrow cobblestone and it can be a hustle to walk during high season!
What to shop
Well, wines of course! I personally like Nychteri, a dry white wine. It takes its name from the Greek word for night (nychta) as the grapes were pressed during the night after the harvest so as to keep temperatures down and avoid the wine’s oxidization. I also like Vinsanto which was also mentioned above.
Fava beans should be your next option if you’re looking for local produce, as Santorini is famous for them. That way you can create your own fava paste at home.
How to get there
Santorini has an international airport so there are daily flights from Athens and many European cities. Option number two would be the ferry! There are daily trips from Piraeus and there is connection with Heraklion, Crete as well! You can check out information about trips (and book tickets) via Open Seas.
Related: The Essential Info Guide to getting around the Greek Islands
P.S. I’ve gathered all my suggestions about Santorini in the following map.
Have you visited Santorini? If not, would you like to?
I'm Anna and this is my lifestyle and travel blog! 
Santorini rulez!! Beautiful guide my dear =)
Beautiful! Thank you, Anna, for the guide! Lovely views, and the sky and sea are insanely blue!
I could look at photos of Santorini all day – it really does look dreamy and there seems like there is a fair bit to do too if you can tear yourself away from the gorgeous beaches and blue skies x
Indeed there’s a lot to do in Santorini! Mind you the villages are more picturesque than the beaches!
Loving your photos, as always! Visited Santorini briefly once as part of a Greek Island cruise. Such a beautiful beautiful island, really hope to go back again to stay a bit longer. I’m pinning this up for my future trip! 🙂
Indeed a cruise stopover is little time to explore the island…you need at least a weekend!
What beautiful photos. I did not know the islands had vinyards (I guess I hadn’t thought about it)
Yes Santorini has many vineyards and produces unique wines!
I’ve always wanted to go to Santorini!!! Your pictures are absolutely stunning! Thanks for all the useful tips, especially about the wine!
You’re welcome! I hope you’ll get to visit soon!
I didn’t realise Santorini had such volcanic beaches. Sounds like the wines were a hit. When I was last in Greece (Mykonos), I didn’t love the wines but am willing to give them another go! Sounds like a fab trip #mondayescapes
Yes it has many volcanic beaches! Greece has many wines, so most probably you’ll find one that you like!
I would love to visit Santorini, it’s so ridiculously picturesque and the wine and sunsets sound wonderful. I’ve been to different islands and parts of the mainland a few times but never made it here (yet) #MondayEscapes
well one day you will! It’s so easy to get to Santorini as it has direct flights from the UK (unless you’re into island hopping as well)!
I love the photos in this post, they are amazing. I’ve been to Santorini once, as part of a cruise itinerary and loved it. I’d love to go back on holiday there properly. It is like walking into a postcard.
#mondayescapes
It is like walking in a postcard! Hope you’ll get the chance to visit again soon!
Hello! Stopping by through the Monday Escapes linkup! Santorini is #1 on my long list of places I want to visit in the next year so I absolutely adored reading this piece. I’ve bookmarked it for when I’m planning the trip! I love your blog and your photo quality! xo
Thank you for your kind words! I hope you’ll get to visit next year and let me know if you have more questions!
Wow you ave taken some lovely photos, we are actually thinking of visiting next year with my parents and an almost 4 year old so that you for the tips I am sure they will be put to good use. 🙂 #MondayEscapes
Glad you like my photos! You’re going to love the island! Let me know if you have more questions!
I have never made it to Santorini (I have visited other islands) but hope to make it one day. I would like to walk between the two main towns and visit the red beach. I am sure there is plenty of pictures to take.
Santorini entices you to take photos all the time! Especially in Oia and Fira!
A great guide. I love Santorini. We stayed in Perissa and hired a car to explore the rest of this stunning island. Your photos capture it perfectly! Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes
Glad you liked Santorini! Exploring by car is definitely the way to go!
Oh wow, your photos of Santorini are stunning! I hope to make it to Greece sometime soon. Thanks for sharing, love your post. #MondayEscapes
Thank you Kat! I hope you’ll make it to Greece soon!
Santorini has been on my bucket list for a while now. Good things come to those who wait 🙂
#mondayescapes
Hopefully you’ll make it there some day!!
Such beautiful photographs! I’ll admit – I went through this post at least five times just looking at the pictures before I started reading. And then five more times to look at the pictures some more. I have serious travel envy right now! 😉 (Catching up on our #MondayEscapes!)
Ah thank you! I always strive to take nice photos and Santorini is so photogenic!
Santorini is the best! I loved it when I went earlier this year. Perfect blue water and skies.. Loved every minute of it.
Perhaps to add to your guide, you can check out the post I’ve written on the hike from Fira to Oia. (http://www.abitofthisandalotofthat.com/best-way-to-see-santorini-fira-to-oia-hike/) and of course, the sunset at Santo Wines. One of the best sunsets… ever!!!
Glad you liked Santorini! I remember your post about the hike, I’ve left a comment there as I didn’t know about the hike before!!