If you are traveling to Greece for the first time, Santorini is a great introductory island. You can stay in a cave like villa on the rim of a volcano crater, lounge at beach clubs on a black sand beach, enjoy spectacular views and wine tasting at a local winery or explore ruins of an ancient yet modern civilization called Akrotiri dating back to 5000 BC. Celebrities such as Simon Cowell, David Letterman, Jay Z, Beyonce, Diddy, Leonardo Di Caprio are just a few who frequent this island.
To describe Santorini in one word…OPA!
We stayed in Oia (pronounced ee-ah) which visually is a true escape from your daily reality. Blue domes, windmills and white washed cave residences dot the rim of the volcano crater as far as you can see. The Grand Canyon like views are awe inspiring and change throughout the day dependent on the sun’s positioning. The location is so popular that during golden hours the area becomes photo shoot heaven for photographers and poser’s alike. Girls in designer dresses and brides and grooms in full wedding regalia climb on top of cave dwellings or perilously perch on steep steps to get that perfect Instagram worthy shot.
Why is SANTORINI so exclusive?
When we were not lounging on our balcony gazing past the blue domes at the sparkling Aegean sea, we would wander throughout the small town filled with cafes and shops. We discovered a few cafes that are perfect for lunch. Terpsien Restaurant was our favorite. The food, service and atmosphere was the best in town. For fresh seafood and a small port experience, Ammoudi Bay is another fun option. Donkey taxi’s can be hailed to take you down the ancient switchbacks to the old port and it’s also where catamaran cruises depart daily to the volcano, hot springs and red sand beach.
Oia like Key West has a special area that everyone flocks to for the communal experience of watching the sunset. This is an exciting thing to do on the first night you arrive and will serve as an official kick off to your trip. Following the sunset, Pelekanos Restaurant is a lively yet romantic place to have dinner and has a great view of the Caldera (volcano crater).
If you are ready for a beach day to relax after your long journey, Perissa beach is the place to go. Tavernas and beach clubs with cosmopolitan lounge areas and DJs line the long black sand beach. If you are not into beach clubs, many of the tavernas also offer lunch service at the adjacent beach chairs with umbrellas for a rental fee.
For an unforgettable and unique wine experience, Venesantos Winery delivers. The winery was built into the side of a cliff and utilizes a gravity-flow design for its wine making process. The café on the terrace is an amazing place to view the Caldera and Oia at a distance for lunch or sunset.
And FLY LYFE powered by FLY ON MY JET are there to help you with anything from a restaurant reservation to a wedding and for wine lovers, a rare experience. Santorini is the oldest vineyard in Europe dating back to 3000 BC and you can still see the pruning techniques from ancient times over the landscape. The vines are pruned into bushes that appear to look like baskets and require no irrigation. This is one of the few areas in the world that you will find this type of cultivation technique for growing grape vines. Santorini is known for its white wine called, “Asyrtico” and its sweet wine called, “Vinsanto”.
On our final day in Santorini, we explored the ancient civilization of Akrotiri. Like the ruins of Pompeii, you will see a snapshot of what life was like at the time of the volcanic eruption in 1627 BC for this Bronze Age Minoan society. Excavation at the site shows two and three story buildings with advanced drainage systems, evidence of olive oil and wine commerce and furniture and frescos that are remarkably well preserved.
To describe Santorini in one word…OPA!
10 FACTS ABOUT SANTORINI
1.Santorini is not the islands original name. Santorini has been know as Strogill (the round), Kallisti (the most beautiful), and Theras (the son of a king). After the Crusades of the 13th Century, the island was once again re-named, this time by the Venetians in honor of Saint Irene or Santa Irini. Fast forward a few centuries and the world over knows this sparking gem in the Aegean Sea as Santorini.
2. There are only two ways to arrive at Santorini, by boat or by plane. If you arrive by boat you will travel up via the funicular or ride a donkey up the 980 feet above sea level.
3. This series of volcanic islands in the Aegean Sea is the only inhabited caldera (volcano crater) in the world. Many believe Santorini may be the Atlantis Plato wrote about. The Minoan Eruption at Santorini created a devastating tsunami in the Aegean Sea, believed to have destroyed the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete.
4. 3,600 years ago, someone saw the signs and knew when to get out. Scientists believe the nearly 30,000 residents of the island successfully evacuated prior to the volcanic eruption. In the late 1950’s archeologists uncovered the near perfectly preserved city of Akrotiri encased in three to six feet of ash.
5. Santorini remains an active volcano, in a quiet state. Scientists have found evidence of at least twelve large eruptions in the last 200,000 years. An small episode of unrest, now in remission, was recorded as recently as 2011-2012.
6. The volcanic activity of Santorini left behind stunning beaches in vibrant hues of red, white and black stone. On one side of the island, Akrotiri, you can hike the stunning Red Beach.
7. In the town of Perissa, you can enjoy the Black Sand beaches of Santorini. Side note here, the beaches are beautiful but can be painfully hot. The word sand, is used very loosely here as the black sand beach could be more accurately described as a black stone beach.
8. The black sand beaches are nearby at the end of street and there are plenty of beach clubs and cafés ready to welcome you to Santorini.
9. Due to its harsh, dry climate, Santorini has a limited supply of water. Many believe there is more wine than water on the island, you’ll enjoy some of the most delicious and fresh Greek food available. Volcanic soil is mineral rich and the produce on the island.
10. Renting four wheelers and cruising around is a popular way to get around.
Right Now · June 2026
Where to Eat
Lauda Restaurant, Oia. Built on the caldera's edge in 1971 — Oia's original gathering place — Lauda today honors that history through a devotion to volcanic-soil ingredients, native Assyrtiko grapes, and Cycladic technique. Service is precise, the views are commanding, and the tasting menu, by nearly unanimous account, is extraordinary. Request a window table and let the sommelier lead on the local wines.
Ambrosia Restaurant, Oia. Ambrosia seats diners on a panoramic caldera terrace by candlelight, with an indoor sala for those who want the gourmet Greek menu without the open sky. Reviewers consistently praise the fine cuisine, attentive service, and the level of refinement on the plate. The cook's way with seafood — particularly the day-catch preparations — is among the most-recommended on the island.
Selene, Fira. Among the most serious kitchens on Santorini, Selene draws praise for service that is both knowledgeable and educational, with a lobster dish described by regulars as a benchmark. The half-moon tasting menu covers every course with confidence; it is expensive, and by most accounts worth every euro. Set within the grounds of Katikies Garden, the monastery architecture gives the room a distinctive calm.
Metaxy Mas, Exo Gonia. Nestled in a picturesque hillside location slightly off the tourist circuit, Metaxy Mas is known for authentic Greek flavors and generous portions. Travelers who compare it to everything else they ate across Greece and Athens routinely single it out as the most memorable meal. The lamb shank braised in orange and the complimentary raki-and-cheesecake finale are the reasons people reserve three nights running.
La Colline, Fira. La Colline draws persistent commentary for the combination of caldera views and a kitchen that the crowd says matches the scenery — the calamari starter and whole sea bass are the dishes most frequently flagged. It appears across multiple best-of Fira lists, and in June the terrace is at its most uncrowded before high summer fully arrives. Book ahead regardless.
After Dark
PK Cocktail Bar, Fira. A fifty-year-old family-run bar on three levels, with a statue of Aphrodite on the top tier and caldera views from every floor. It is among the most-recommended cocktail addresses on the island. Ask for the Tommy's Margarita, a recipe owner Vassilis brought back from a San Francisco bar he once visited. Reserve during high season.
Highlander Bar, Fira. Whether the mood calls for something relaxed or something louder, Highlander is cited across nightlife guides as adaptable to both. The space operates across two levels with views of Fira and the caldera, and the energy — good music, an engaged crowd — holds well into the evening. Drinks are professionally made and served by staff who take hospitality seriously.
Koo Club, Fira. Koo Club projects a more upscale and refined vibe than the average Fira venue, making it a better fit for those who want volume without disorder. It is among the most-referenced dance club addresses in Santorini, drawing praise for music, atmosphere, and staff, and is well-positioned for those who want a proper night out rather than just sundowner drinks. Arrive after midnight.
Out of Town
Caldera Volcano and Hot Springs Boat Excursion. From the port at Athinios, traditional boats make for Nea Kameni island, where passengers hike the active crater's rim, then swim to the sulfurous hot springs of Palia Kameni before sailing on toward Thirassia. Guests consistently cite the volcanic hot springs swim and the surrounding snorkeling as among the strongest experiences on the island. Half-day and full-day formats are available; the sunset return is the obvious choice in June.
Santorini Wine Adventure. A multi-winery tour that combines twelve tastings, tapas boards, and a sunset in one afternoon. The circuit typically includes three estates; Estate Argyros is among the ones drawing the most consistent praise. Domaine Sigalas, an award-winning winery ranked among the world's top 100, is another anchor of the island's wine landscape. June, before harvest pressure begins, is an excellent time to taste.
Fira to Oia Caldera Hike with SantoWalkingAdventures. The 10-kilometer trail traces the caldera's rim through charming villages and increasingly rocky terrain — good shoes are non-negotiable. Guide Panos brings local depth to every turn of the path, sharing the island's geological history and pointing out viewpoints the unaccompanied walker tends to miss. Set out in late afternoon for golden light and arrive in Oia in time for the evening.
On the Calendar
Cine Kamari Open-Air Cinema, July–August 2026. The open-air cinema in Kamari screens films through the summer months in a setting full of character and charm, with comfortable seating and access to drinks and snacks. Attendees describe watching films under the stars — Mamma Mia is a perennial — as genuinely magical, with a relaxed, convivial atmosphere unlike any indoor theater. Tickets are modest in price; the setting is not. Confirm the schedule at cinekamari.gr before you go.
Santorini International Music Festival, August 2026. Held during August, this month-long celebration of music and art is anchored at the Megaro Gyzi cultural center. The festival also incorporates live entertainment across other island venues through the summer weeks, making it a reason to time a late-summer visit. Programming typically spans classical and contemporary forms; check megarogyzi.gr for the 2026 schedule.
