Quick facts Location: the northern tip of Santorini’s caldera rim, about 11 kilometres from Fira. Known for: its sunset views from the ruined Castle of Oia, blue domed churches, and cave houses and former captain’s mansions built directly into the cliff face. History: a wealthy maritime village through the nineteenth century, home to Santorini’s shipowning … Read more
At a glance: Central Santorini, around 2 kilometres southeast of Fira. A small village built along a ravine, with cave houses cut into the rock and old mansions from its 19th century prosperity. Best suited to travellers who want a quiet, walkable base a few minutes from the capital, with Monolithos Beach close by. Is … Read more
At a glance: Central Santorini, around 4 kilometres southeast of Fira. A small village built into a 5 kilometre volcanic ravine, where many houses are carved directly into the rock rather than built on top of it. Best suited to travellers who want a genuinely local, low key stop combining wine history with unusual architecture. … Read more
At a glance: On the caldera rim, about 1 kilometre north of Fira and roughly 10 minutes on foot along the cliff path. A small, quiet village whose name means crown of Fira, known for the Three Bells church and caldera views without the crowds of the capital. Best suited to travellers who want to … Read more
At a glance: Southern Santorini, around 9 kilometres from Fira, at the foot of Profitis Ilias Mountain. The largest village on the island, built around one of its best preserved medieval castles. Best suited to travellers who want genuine, working village life inland, with Perissa and Perivolos beaches only a short drive away. Is Emporio … Read more
At a glance: Southern tip of Santorini, around 11 kilometres from Fira. A quiet farming village that shares its name with one of the most important Bronze Age archaeological sites in Europe, a short walk from Red Beach and a Venetian castle ruin above the water. Best suited to travellers combining history with a beach … Read more
At a glance: Central Santorini, around 6 kilometres from Fira and 5 kilometres from the airport and Athinios port alike. The highest village on the island, built around a Venetian castle from the 16th century. Best suited to travellers who want medieval streets, wide views and a genuinely quiet alternative to the caldera towns. Is … Read more
At a glance: North of Fira, on the highest point of Santorini’s caldera rim, around 3 kilometres away. A clifftop village of whitewashed houses, upscale hotels and quiet terraces, known locally as the balcony to the Aegean. Best suited to travellers who want caldera views and a sunset to rival Oia, without Oia’s crowds. Is … Read more
At a glance: South western Santorini, around 5 kilometres from Fira and 4.5 kilometres from Athinios port. A small hilltop village built around wine growing, with neoclassical mansions, whitewashed lanes and a shaded central square. Best suited to travellers who want a quiet base away from the caldera crowds, with Fira, Akrotiri and Red Beach … Read more
At a glance: Capital of Santorini, built along the edge of the caldera cliffs roughly in the centre of the island. About 6 kilometres from the airport and 8 kilometres from Athinios, the main ferry port. Known for its cliffside views, its cable car down to the old port, and being the busiest, most central … Read more
