Travel Kuoni

Santorini Holidays

Perch on the edge of a volcano’s caldera and enjoy some of the most iconic views in the Med on breathtaking Santorini holidays.

There’s that first fairytale moment that you set eyes on Santorini and see those snow-white layers on top of the cliff dotted with Tiffany blue pools tumbling down into the sea. Once you’ve got your bearings in the maze of pathways, you’ll be dining in pink-walled restaurants over lobster carpaccio or on butternut wood tables under the stars where Moet and oyster bars overlook stunning black sand beaches.

There are few that don’t know holidays to Santorini are unmissable, and the crowds that throng through the island’s prettiest town, Oia, are testament to this. We’ll tell you to explore early or late to miss the packs, instead spending delicious days on crisp-white restaurant terraces or in private pools looking out to the Aegean Sea. And there are plenty of these. Humble houses have been converted into minimalistic clean-lined cave hotels, infinity pools come with cliff-hugging caldera views and luxurious Champagne lounges are sprinkled with the talcum-white treatment too. Venturing out you’ll find Santorini holidays are all cable car rides dipping off the edge of the volcano, archaeological ruins that rival Pompeii, a zigzag of slender streets filled with sea green shutters and blue domed churches, and chalky white cliffs crumbling onto pristine grey sands.

Give us a call and discover first-hand why this stylish speck of an island is one of the most photographed in the world.

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Santorini Hotels

Our recommendations for the best places to stay in Santorini

Regina Mare Hotel

In a naturally magnificent setting, this boutique hotel comes with a warm welcome and chic accomm...

Grand Ambassador Santorini

A sugar-white coastal stunner carved into volcanic rock, where every room comes with a private po...

Aressana Spa Hotel and Suites

A classic slice of Cycladic elegance in Santorini’s pretty capital, this Small Luxury Hotel of th...

Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel

Tumbling down the caldera cliffside, this exclusive southern Oia hideaway offers effortless luxur...

Vedema, a Luxury Collection Resort

Contemporary design rubs shoulders with cobblestoned alleyways and a 400-year-old wine cave resta...

Sun Rocks Hotel

This photogenic and sophisticated couples-only hideaway is the perfect choice for a honeymoon or...

Santo Pure Oia Suites & Villas

In one of the best sunset-viewing settings in Santorini, this relaxed, stylish and grown-up retre...

Santorini Wine & Sunset Experience

Sample Santorini’s viniculture by visiting two local wineries. Your tour begins with a visit to Venetsanos Winery, located in a beautiful position with incredible views over the caldera and volcanic islands. Discover its unconventional structural design, constructed from above and moving downwards, before tasting three of its exceptional wines. Continue to Koutsoyiannopoulos Wine Museum, one of the largest estates on Santorini with a long family tradition in winemaking, combining the ancient traditions of Santorini to produce some of the most highly awarded wines on the island. Refresh your palate by tasting volcanic white wines and the island’s exceptional dessert wine. The last stop is Sun Spirit Bar in Oia. Enjoy your wine in this idyllic location as you watch the sun dip behind the horizon.

• Duration: half day
• Time: 3.30pm to 7pm
• Departs Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
• Operates from May to October
• Group experience

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Highlights of Santorini

Spend an afternoon exploring must-see locations across Santorini. A luxury coach will collect you from your hotel and drive you to Profitis Ilias, the highest point on the island. Take in a sweeping panorama of the island of Santorini and the deep blue hue of the Aegean Sea while learning about the island´s fascinating volcanic history. Wander around the courtyard of the 18th-century monastery that sits on top of the mountain, then visit the Saint Nektarios chapel and enjoy the tranquillity of your surroundings. Continue to the village of Pyrgos, a lesser visited but particularly lovely part of Santorini. Wander through its winding alleys and immerse yourself in its traditional atmosphere, where there are quintessential houses, blue-domed churches, and quaint shops. Take a walk to its imposing castle for beautiful vistas of the surrounding area. The next stop is Emporio, where you will join a guided walk and visit the small Venetian fortress, exploring the medieval village's doorways, windows, alleys, and arches. Continue to Perissa Beach, also known as Black Beach. There’s free time to swim in the sea or order lunch at a beachfront Greek taverna. Take the opportunity to taste local Santorinian wine and learn about the winemaking process in a private wine-tasting session comprising three wines made from local grape varieties. In the early evening, arrive at the cliff-top village of Oia with its famous, blue-domed churches. Take a guided walk from Saint George's Church, learn about Oia´s glorious maritime past, and admire elegant captains' mansions and cave-like houses along the way. Once you reach the bustling castle area, enjoy some free time to take photos, shop, or relax over a drink. Finally, watch an incredible sunset before boarding the coach for a relaxing evening journey back to your hotel.

• Duration: half day
• Departs Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
• Operates March to December
• Group experience

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Santorini Your Way

Tailor your Santorini tour on a customisable private four-hour exploration with an expert driver-guide. Relax in a private, air-conditioned vehicle and enjoy the sights and activities as you’re chauffeured to wherever you want to go on the island. Explore traditional villages and volcanic beaches and stop at prime photo spots around the island. You can even add a visit to a traditional winery to sample Santorini’s exceptional wines or explore the 3,500-year-old Minoan ruins at Akrotiri.

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Discover Santorini from the Water

Witness the world-famous white-washed architecture for yourself as you set sail along the southern coastline of Santorini. Home to a sanctuary of stories and jaw-dropping scenery, this place is a seventh heaven that will leave you slack-jawed in amazement. Time slows and nature’s beauty takes centre-stage at the picturesque Red Beach, where a fiery carpet serves the ideal spot for a coastal stroll. One of the island’s lesser known wonders, this chilli pepper paradise is met by a lap of crystalline waves that were made for paddling in. From one sandy stretch to another, the powdery sands of the White Beach will quieten your whirring brain, while a stop at the Black Mountain lends a fresh glimpse at the volcanic isle’s many marvels. Boxed off with a beautiful lighthouse and a plunge into the irresistible hot springs, the fun-filled moments are fuelled by a mouthwatering on-board lunch with wine and dessert thrown in for good measure.

• Duration: Full day
• Daily departures
• Operates: Year-round
• Group experience

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Get to know Santorini and those important practicalities when planning your perfect holiday.

Capital
TIME DIFFERENCE

GMT+2

CURRENCY

Euro

FLYING TIME TO DESTINATION

4 hours

RELIGION

Christianity (majority Greek Orthodox)

LANGUAGE

Greek

Where is Santorini?
Santorini is one of a small group of Cycladic islands in the southern Aegean Sea, in the province of Thera. Sitting about 74 miles from Crete, the island was once an active volcano, and the caldera is now dotted with white-washed villages and towns.

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Oia
There’s the white-knuckle Fira cable car ride down to the old port, and the prettiest of towns, Oia, where you’ll get lost in a maze of streets. Experience sunset over the ruins of the Agios Nikolaos castle and sample catch-of-the-day dishes at vibrant tavernas which line the small port of Ammoudi Bay. For the perfect shot of the one of the most photographed blue domed churches in the world, the best view is from a tiny little alley just off of Gold Street.

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Exploring Santorini
Away from the busier areas on the island, you’ll find delicious wines and cheeses with sunset views at the Venetsanos Winery and beautifully preserved archaeological ruins in southwest’s Akrotiri. Quieter villages worth exploring include Megalochori, Pyrgos and Emporio, and Red Beach is a must for its russet coloured sands. The six-mile one-way Fira-Oia hike is worth it for the spellbinding view.

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Beaches
A hotspot of luxury hotels, designer boutiques, decadent restaurants and fish tavernas packed along the waterfront, there’s plenty to see and do on holidays to Santorini. You’ll find the most popular beaches of Monolithos and Kamari full to capacity with the fashion crowd, but you can also slink off to more hidden spots, such as Yalos, for much clearer water, more secluded sands and hidden coves that you can swim through for shade.

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Getting around
Buses provide a good network for getting around the island, with the central station in Fira providing connections across the island. However, during the summer months, they can become very busy and most travellers find hiring a car to be a far better option. Roads are safe and well made but also narrow and winding. Daily boat tours leave from the old port in Fira to explore neighbouring islands and the caldera. When it comes to tackling the steep staircases that seemingly cling to the side of the caldera, we skip the donkey and mule rides as there are very valid concerns for their welfare from animal welfare groups; we recommend opting for the cable car instead or if you are able, explore on foot.

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Food & drink
Those famous Santorini tomatoes, fava and saganaki, refreshing lemon sorbet, catch of the day at a waterfront taverna and fine dining complete with sweeping views of the caldera…. dining on Santorini is easy, breezy casual and sublimely romantic, but always with a side of spellbinding sea views. Booking ahead is thoroughly recommended for the best seats in the house whether you want 19th-Century mansions with gorgeous open-air terraces or tables on private beaches complete with Moet bars and nightly jazz.

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Santorini Weather

May - Oct

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