Santorini

Santorini (Σαντορίνη), officially Thira, is the southernmost large island of the Cyclades. Its crescent shape is the rim of a flooded caldera, left by a great volcanic eruption in the Late Bronze Age. Villages cling to the top of the steep inner cliffs, with views across the water to the volcanic islets of Nea and Palea Kameni.

Fira is the main town, linked to Oia by a cliff-top path through Imerovigli, where Skaros Rock juts into the caldera. Oia is famous for its sunsets, cave houses and blue-domed churches, with Amoudi Bay below. Inland lie Pyrgos, Megalochori and the medieval village of Emporio. Boat trips visit Nea Kameni and the warm springs of Palea Kameni. At Akrotiri a Minoan-era town buried by the eruption has been excavated, and Ancient Thera crowns a ridge above Kamari. The beaches are of dark volcanic sand, at Kamari, Perissa and Perivolos, while Red Beach sits below reddish cliffs where access can be restricted. Show more

The dry volcanic soil yields Assyrtiko wine and sweet Vinsanto, small tomatoes and fava from yellow split peas. The island is reached by air via its airport or by ferry to the port of Athinios.