It's all Greek to me—fun in the island sun
The Greek island of Santorini is a place that was literally millions of years in the making. Formed from the remnants of a volcanic rim, the island is surrounded by the sparkling blue waters of the Aegean Sea, which flood the spot where the caldera once stood. Arrive at Santorini by ferry and the view will take your breath away, as tiny villages filled with blue-domed whitewashed buildings perch precariously on the island's sheer cliff edges. Your Santorini vacation rental is the perfect jumping-off spot for a day at the beach or an adventure at sea.
This place is in ruins! Say hello to ancient artifacts
Like most Greek destinations, the past is alive and well in Santorini. Tour the ruins of Akrotiri, an excavated village once buried in 1627 BC, or ancient Thera, the 9th-century BC version of a still-thriving island town. For a greater understanding of the past, visit the Archaeological Museum of Thera, which highlights ancient artifacts unearthed from local excavations. If you've booked a Santorini vacation rental strictly for leisure, spend your days strolling through the island's narrow brick streets, stopping to peruse cozy galleries and shops, or to sample local wines made from grapes grown right on the island.
Erupt into fun—volcano hikes and water adventures
Sunbathing on the beach is a great way to spend any day, but if you're looking to get your blood pumping, Santorini offers a host of thrilling water activities, including swimming, jet skiing, parasailing, waterskiing, and wakeboarding. During the summer, boats transport tourists to Nea Kameni, a small uninhabited island in the heart of the volcano's flooded caldera. Hike along active sulfur vents before climbing 425 feet for a peek inside the volcano's crater. For the perfect end to your day, make your way to Imerovigli, an elevated village with the best sunset-watching spots on Santorini.
The island way—surf, sand, and a sunny day
Crowds flock to the island in the summer when daytime highs are in the low 80s and island breezes keep things cool, so book your Santorini vacation rental early. The waters are too cold for swimming in the fall, but nice temperatures include daytime highs around 66 degrees. Santorini is relatively dry, but winter is the wettest season, with 2 to 3 inches of rain falling each month from November through January, and highs in the 50s. It doesn't stay cool for long though, as the island starts warming up in the spring, with highs climbing back into the 60s.
Rocky and sandy beaches—it's a shore thing
Santorini offers such a unique and gorgeous landscape, it can leave you speechless. How often do you get to swim in a massive lagoon, the flooded remnants of a volcanic caldera, while surrounded by nearly 1,000-foot-high sheer cliff walls? Even the island's beaches feature a rainbow of colors influenced by nature. While some beaches offer rocky or pebbly shores comprised of solidified lava, the island also includes red, black, and white sand beaches whose colors are determined by whatever geological layers are exposed in the area.
Traveling to and around Santorini
The nearest airport is in Santorini National Airport (JTR), located 0.9 mi (1.5 km) from the city center.
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