Santorini, a jewel of the Cyclades archipelago, is renowned for its stunning beauty, unique volcanic landscapes, and vibrant culture. We have been here a few times and it is always spectacular, just more and more crowded. At least now you can fly in directly from many major airports.
These are 3 of the major towns that we love.
Fira is the island’s bustling capital, known for its vibrant nightlife, shopping, and dining options. The caldera edge offers panoramic views, and the town is home to the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera.
Oia is famous for its stunning sunsets, Oia is a picturesque town with narrow streets, charming boutiques, and traditional Cycladic architecture. The old castle ruins, the blue-domed churches, and various sunset viewing spots.
Imerovigli which we saw on the cauldron hike has the Skaros Rock and spectacular views, as well as luxury hotels and restaurants. Known as the “Balcony of the Aegean,” Imerovigli offers some of the best panoramic views of the caldera and a quieter atmosphere compared to Fira and Oia. The hotels here and the views are incredible. The downside now is that the island is so popular that the government appears to be limiting visits in the prime season. We had friends that took a cruise there and told us the wait to take the cable car up was over 2 hours. However, it is still probably the most beautiful island in the world.
