A rugged volcanic landscape, punctuated by whitewashed houses and pristine beaches of colourful sand - Santorini is all this and more. Though the unique scenery, traditional tavernas, and stylish bars are almost in your grasp, pre-holiday planning can be a less than relaxing experience, with seemingly endless decisions to make: Where to stay? Which bars to visit? Where to sample the best Greek salad? Your Santorini sojourn shouldn’t be stressful - here at Plum Guide, we’ve put in the legwork for you, and sought out the very best of the island. Just as with our accommodation, we pride ourselves on offering expert tips to make holiday planning a cinch. Dive into our Santorini travel guide to get the inside track.
When to visit
A view of colourful buildings clustered on the side of a mountain, Oia, Santorini, Greece
With nearly 300 days of sunshine per year, Santorini has a mild Mediterranean climate with hot, relatively humid summers, and cool (but largely clear) winters. Even in the heat of the summer, though, Santorini usually enjoys a breeze - the strong Aegean meltemi wind blows strongest in July and August. We recommend planning your Santorini adventure between June and September, when the weather is warm and the sea perfect for swimming - particularly towards the end of summer if you prefer a warmer sea. For a bargain break, May and October still usually boast warm weather, along with lower prices and fewer crowds - just be aware that a few restaurants, bars, and clubs may have already closed.
Monstera Leaf, Plum Guide home in Santorini, Greece
Where to stay
A view of colourful flowers and the famous white buildings of Oia, Santorini, Greece
As the island’s capital, Fira is the cosmopolitan beating heart of Santorini. Packed with restaurants, shops, and picturesque churches, the town is perched on a cliffside on the western edge of the caldera, boasting impressive views across the water. A gentle cable car ride brings you down to Fira’s old port, which lies at the foot of the cliffs and is home to a number of seaside eateries. For a more peaceful stay, all the while within walking distance of the action in Fira, we recommend next-door Firostefani. While Oia and the other clifftop villages of the island’s western coast seem to get most of the glory, if pristine beaches and parties are more your thing than panoramas, make a beeline for Perissa. In addition to one of the island’s best sandy stretches, Perissa is Santorini’s prime party spot, while its neighbour Perivolos (essentially an extension of the same beach), is a calmer beach escape. If your ideal holiday base features fascinating history, quaint cobblestone alleys, and a laid back vibe, look no further than Imerovigli - the “balcony to the Aegean” and formerly the site of the 13th-century Skaros Venetian Fortress.
The Way of Bliss, Plum Guide home in Santorini, Greece
Where to eat
A table full of food and wine overlooking the sea from a restaurant in Thira, Santorini, Greece
Need to get your souvlaki fix? Santorini holds its own when it comes to gastronomy - be sure to sample classic dishes like Santorini fava, a delicious puree of yellow split peas, often topped with onion and capers. Despite its cosmopolitan feel, Santorini has plenty of options for traditional local fare, with Katina’s Tavern in Ammoudi and Anogi in Fira among the most popular. For the ultimate in old-school Greek dining away from the hubbub of Fira and Oia, head down to Giorgaros at the island’s southwestern tip - expect the freshest of seafood and salads, with ocean views in every direction. If you’re in the market for something more refined than rustic, elevated Greek dining at Fira’s Selene, upscale takes on Santorinian favourites at Lauda in Oia, or seasonal specialities washed down with fine wines at Imerovigli’s La Maison might just hit the spot.
The Captain's Villa, Plum Guide home in Santorini, Greece
Where to drink
A woman drinking red wine overlooking the sea, Santorini, Greece
Though Mykonos may be Greece’s official party isle, Santorini too has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to options for an evening out (or that all-important mid-afternoon retsina). No Santorini travel guide worth its salt would fail to mention a stellar watering hole from which to watch a sunset or five - PK Cocktail Bar in Fira, Franco's Cafe in the traditional village of Pyrgos, and funky Hasapiko in Oia are among our top picks. For a laidback feel with DJs and dancing, Fira’s 2 Brothers Bar and Kira Thira Jazz Bar always deliver, while Tango Champagne and Cocktail Bar takes things up a notch in the elegance stakes. If you’re in the market for a chilled beach vibe, head straight to Tranquilo in Perissa.
Summer Wellness, Plum Guide home in Santorini, Greece
What to do
Discover Santorini’s finest wineries
Two glasses of white wine in front of the sea, Santorini, Greece
Not a fan of retsina or ouzo? Fear not - the Greek wine scene draws oenophiles from around the world, with Santorini a key player. The volcanic island has a 3,500-year winemaking history, with the most popular local varieties including Nykteri, Assyrtiko, and Vinsanto - all of which you can sample by booking in for a wine tasting at some of Santorini’s most beautiful vineyards. If you only have time to visit one winery, make it the renowned Venetsanos. Notable for its quintessential Cycladic architecture and unforgettable views of the caldera from its terrace, Venetsanos focuses on Assyrtiko and Mandilaria grapes. It also boasts a menu of cheeses and other Greek treats to complement your wine tasting. Other top spots for sampling some local vino include the Argyros estate, Art Space Winery (where contemporary art is a welcome accompaniment), and Gavalas.
Catch the iconic Oia sunset
White, Greek buildings and windmills against an orange sky at sunset, Oia, Santorini, Greece
Watching the sunset from Oia is practically non-negotiable when it comes to writing a Santorini travel guide. The most popular spot from which to admire the postcard-perfect sunset view, along with a captivating foreground of whitewashed houses and blue-domed churches, is by Oia Castle. Although, the inevitably huge crowds might not be conducive to the relaxed holiday atmosphere you’re after. Instead, head to the Oia Blue Dome viewpoint, or down the hill to the old castle walls. To take your sunset experience to the next level and be sure of escaping the crowds, book onto a sunset sail, and experience the changing colours as evening falls from the comfort and privacy of a catamaran.
