Santorini Overview

Probably the most famous and recognisable of any Greek isle, Santorini is located in the south of the Cyclades island chain. Although most people refer to Santorini as a single island, it is in fact a group of five islands: Thira, Thirassia, Palia Kameni, Nia Kameni and Aspronisi. The islands are the protruding remnants of the caldera of a gigantic underwater volcano and their creation was one of the most cataclysmic events in ancient history. Only Thira and Thirassia are inhabited, with the other islands too active to support permanent communities. Thira (or Fira) is by far the largest island and its capital, also called Thira, is centrally located on the west coast.

With its startling contrast of white buildings, azure sea and barren volcanic rock, Santorini is extremely picturesque and is a favourite with photographers, so much so that nearly everyone has seen a picture of the islands, whether they recognised it or not. It makes most people's top ten list of island holiday destinations, with its perfect weather and spectacular vistas. However, Santorini is not all views, beaches and sea. There is a wealth of enthralling archaeological and historical sites, educational museums, quality art galleries and some great entertainment venues.

The highlight of Santorini is the Santorini Volcano and submerged caldera, with the towns of Thira and Oia perched high above the sea atop 300 metre high cliffs, overlooking the crescent shaped bay in which the smouldering volcanic cone sits. There are several enchanting black sandy beaches on the outer (northern, eastern and southern) coast of Thira, while quaint towns and villages on the island have charming churches and monasteries, seemingly lost in time. Complementing the island's impressive history are plenty of excellent museums, archaeological sites and year-round festivals.

Shopping is varied and delightful on Santorini, with many cities and towns specialising in different buys. Thira is great for anything, while Oia is more upmarket and Kamari better for fashion. Pyrgos has some great handicrafts and local produce. Dining is an island pastime and features long, slow meals with plenty of wine and entertainment. Both local and international cuisine is widely available throughout Santorini.

Santorini has a wide range of accommodation options, from five-star luxury hotels to small village guesthouses. Generally, Thira and Oia have the best, although most expensive, variety of lodgings; expect to pay more if you want the most spectacular sunset views of the caldera. Families generally prefer to stay at one of the beach resorts such as Kamari or Perissa, so that the children can occupy themselves on the sand. As a rule, Thira and Oia are not as family-friendly.

Santorinians are typically Greek in custom, wearing their emotions on their sleeves and gesturing wildly. Welcomes and goodbyes are particularly boisterous, with lots of handshaking, kissing and hugging. They live life to the fullest, taking pleasure in daily activities such as eating and drinking. You'll find Santorinian hospitality bordering on overwhelming at times, but the friendliness of the people will leave a lasting impression and bring back fond memories.

Considered by many to be the site of the mythical island nation of Atlantis, Santorini has a long and interesting history, not the least of which was the catastrophic volcanic eruption that forever changed Mediterranean pre-history. Santorini was once a single, round island named Strongili, whose inhabitants were very influential in the region and shared many traits with the Minoans of Crete. Then, in about 1500 BC, the volcano beneath Strongili erupted with such force that the centre of the island became a huge sunken crater and the explosion caused tidal waves and freak weather conditions that some hold to be responsible for the fall of the Minoan civilisation. The eruption was one of the greatest ever in the earth's history and its result was the creation of a huge underwater caldera ringed by islands. The volcano remains active and most recently, it erupted in 1956, causing more havoc and sending the impregnable fortress of Rocca and its village plunging into the sea.

In modern times, Santorini has been a quiet part of Greece, with the locals involved in fishing, agriculture, wine-making and cheese production. Tourism is Santorini's main industry and thousands visit the island each year.

Part of the reason for Santorini's popularity with tourists is its idyllic weather. There is rarely any rain and even in summer, the temperatures are not as hot as in other parts of the Mediterranean. Spring and summer skies are almost always cloudless and deep blue, with the weather more changeable during the autumn and winter months.

Temperatures range from a daily average of 29°C in summer to 12°C in winter. The humidity can be very high however, meaning the horizon is often hazy, blocking views across the sea to Crete. Despite this, constant island breezes negate the sticky heat and make the majority of summer days quite comfortable, even when they get into the low to mid-30°Cs. Winter winds can be quite cool and temperature can drop to almost freezing at night.