Covent Garden, London

Mon–Fri: 08:00 – 19:00

Covent Garden, London

Mon–Fri: 08:00 – 19:00

Covent Garden, London

Guides

A First-Timer's Guide to Santorini

A First-Timer's Guide to Santorini

Emma Clarke

6

min read

Base Yourself Wisely

Where you stay shapes your entire Santorini experience, so it's worth thinking carefully before you book. Oia, at the island's northern tip, is the quietest and most photogenic, famous the world over for its sunset and its cascade of whitewashed houses. Fira, the capital, is livelier — more restaurants, more nightlife, and the island's best transport links.

For a calmer, more local feel without sacrificing the views, consider Imerovigli or Firostefani, both a short walk from Fira along the caldera rim. Wherever you land, try to book a room with a caldera view at least once; waking up to that vast blue expanse is an experience in itself.

Santorini has a way of living up to the postcards — and then quietly exceeding every one of them.

Ali Tufan - Trip Advisor

Chase the Light

Beyond the famous sunset, Santorini packs a surprising amount into a small island. Prioritise these while you're here:

  • Caldera catamaran cruise — sail past the Red and White beaches with a swim stop at the volcanic hot springs.

  • Ancient Akrotiri — a Bronze Age town frozen in volcanic ash, remarkably preserved and far quieter than you'd expect.

  • Wine tasting — the island's volcanic soil produces crisp Assyrtiko whites; a clifftop winery at dusk is hard to beat.

  • Oia to Fira walk — the scenic caldera-edge trail links the two towns in a few unforgettable hours.

Rent a car or ATV for a day if you can — the island's best corners often lie beyond the reach of the bus routes.

Beyond the Postcard

A word on timing: Santorini's sunset is legendary, but Oia's main viewpoint gets impossibly crowded in high season. For a calmer show, watch from a caldera cruise, the terraces of Imerovigli, or the ruins of the Byzantine castle a little away from the crush.

And don't let the sunset be the only slow moment in your day. Some of the island's magic lies in the unhurried hours between sights — a long lunch above the water, an aimless wander through blue-domed lanes, a swim off a black-sand beach. Santorini rewards those who don't rush.

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ADDRESS

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London WC2E 9HE, United Kingdom

WORKING HOURS

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Sat–Sun 09:00–21:00

© 2026 Trevana. All rights reserved.

Trevana

NEWSLETTER

Receive Inspiration In Your Inbox

4.4 - 59,645 Reviews

ADDRESS

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WORKING HOURS

Mon–Fri 08:00–22:00

Sat–Sun 09:00–21:00

© 2026 Trevana. All rights reserved.

Trevana

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