Overview
Take a trip to Santorini on your Greece Vacation
Santorini is part of the Cyclades group of islands. It is an island, on a Greece vacation that you might imagine as an archetypal Greek Island with its white-washed houses and churches and blue sky. This very beautiful island was formed by a huge volcanic eruption which created a large lagoon in the middle of the island. It is consequently surrounded by steep cliffs on three sides. It still has an active volcano, the only one in the world whose crater is in the sea. The last big eruption occurred 3,600 years ago. Santorini has a reputation as being a romantic island with its crystal-clear waters perched on the rim of a volcano in the middle of the sea - add to this its amazing sunsets.
The capital is Fira, a town of proverbial white-washed houses which lies on top of a series of high cliffs. It is where you will be rewarded with panoramic views of the island and an amazing view of the volcano on trips to Greece. It is in Fira, on travel to Greece, that you can sit at a café, bar or restaurant and enjoy wonderful views of the harbour where the cruise ships call in. The Santorini Archaeological Museum in Fira has exhibits from Roman times to the 5th Century AD. For more dramatic views, take the cable from the town to the top of the cliff.
Akrotiri is an ancient city dating back to the Minoan civilization (2700–1420 BC) which was rediscovered only 50 years ago when it was found under the volcanic ash from an earthquake in the 1600’s BC. You can view three-storey buildings that survived plus roads, drainage systems and pottery. Like the Roman ruins of Pompeii, it is remarkably well-preserved. Excavated artifacts are shown in the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira.
At a Glance
Languages
GreekCurrency
Euro (EUR)What do the experts say?
Locals don’t rush—whether it's dinner at 10:00 p.m. or a three-hour coffee. The best way to experience Greece is to match its rhythm and let moments stretch out.
Delphi isn’t just a historical site—it’s deeply spiritual. Standing where the Oracle once spoke, you feel this pulse of ancient energy still alive in the stones
Athens is like a living labyrinth—layered, electric, and full of stories if you know where to look. Once you’ve seen the major landmarks, get lost in places like Psiri and Koulaki for a real local vibe
Goway’s supplier will handle the entire trip once guests arrive in Greece—it’s white-glove service from start to finish
It’s fairly easy to travel between islands by plane or ferry, but I love renting a dune buggy once I’m there—it’s more fun than taxis.
Mesa Gialos, Fira, Santorini, Greece
Santorini Island, Greece
Santorini Island, Greece
Enjoy a leisurely beach vacation on Thira, also...
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She was a good listener and able to provide tours, routes and guides tailored to our interests. She made our February trip to New Zealand entirely wonderful.
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