Santorini is an archipelago of 5 volcanic islands in the Cyclades group of the Greek islands in the southern Aegean Sea, about 200 km southeast of mainland Greece. It used to be a single island, but was obliterated around 1600 BCE by an enormous volcanic explosion that destroyed the earliest settlements on the former island and created the current geological caldera.
Photos: Wikimedia Commons contributors.
Santorini is between Ios and Anafi islands in the southern Cyclades. On a clear day, you may be able to see Crete, about 100 km to the south. The name is a contraction of Saint Irene, after an old church in Perissa. The Santorini archipelago used to be a single island, until a volcanic eruption around 1600 BCE tore it apart. The eruption was among the most massive in human history. There is a local legend that Santorini was once home to the Lost City of Atlantis, destroyed by the eruption. Most historians dispute this claim, but the myth's parallels to Santorini's explosive past are tantalizing.
KTEL Santorini, the public bus service, connects all points of the island with Fira, costing €2.00-2.80 one way (2025), depending on the route. This is probably the only cheap thing you'll find on the island considering the buses are comfy and air conditioned! Tickets can be purchased on the bus, with cash only — so bring some coins. The fare collector can (usually) make change. 4 Fira Bus Station is the hub of the bus network, and almost all the lines "branch out" from this hub.
For an archipelago its size, Santorini has a wealth of attractions to offer a curious traveller. From fascinating museums to Bronze Age city ruins to black sand beaches, Santorini is a worthwhile visit in every season. Fira is the fiery capital, a marriage of Venetian and Cycladic architecture, whose white cobblestone streets bustle with shops, tavernas, hotels and cafes, while clinging to the rim of the caldera 275 m (900 feet) above its port. Just above Fira is Imerovigli, where you can take in the magnificent views of the island's unique scenery from the tiny town, as it is the highest point of the Caldera cliffs. At the north end of the island is the quintessentially Santorininian to…
Santorini's breathtaking volcanic landscape, with steep cliffs and smouldering craters, is what draws more adventurous travellers to the archipelago. It does not have water parks, theme parks, or zoos, but when strolling through narrow streets in villages such as Pyrgos or Oia gets monotonous, there are ample opportunities for hiking and water activities. There aren't as many dedicated footpaths as one might expect, and cycling or mountain biking infrastructure is absent entirely.
Santorini's volcanic soil, dry climate, and near absence of tree coverage has had its impact on the island's agriculture. It forced the cultivation of carefully selected variants of fruits and vegetables. Since the 1980s, several factors have contributed to the decline of the archipelago's agricultural diversity. The introduction of desalination plants has largely resolved the traditional water scarcity, which enabled cultivation of fruits and vegetables with higher yield that are not traditionally native to Santorini. The growth in tourism has also led to farmland being sacrificed to build hotels, villas, and other tourist accommodation.
Because the island receives so little rain, and has no rivers or lakes, fresh water is scarce. Prior to the early 1990s, water was delivered via tanker from Crete. However, most hotels and homes now have tap water from a few desalination plants scattered across the island. This water is potable and meets minimum EU safety standards. However, it is rather salty, and there are health concerns around its long-term consumption, so most everyone drinks bottled water while visiting. Bottled water is widely available in supermarkets and its price is regulated, which means it's relatively cheap at €2 for a 6-pack of 1.5L bottles.
Be aware of rental scams, especially with agencies working only with motorbikes and ATVs. There are a lot of rental agencies, and some of them are ready to cheat. They will offer faulty motorbikes or ATVs for a lower price, but in case of accident they will demand that the customer pay for the whole cost of damage. They are offering only basic insurance but will present it like full insurance. Also, there is a possibility of serious injuries. These rental agencies aggressively attract tourists and offer lower prices than others. Employees in front of these type of agencies will be loud and ready to promise everything until the contract is signed.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
In Jul, Thira typically sees ~31°C daytime highs and 0 rainy days.
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