Charming whitewashed houses, dramatic coastlines and cobalt blue skies
Floating in the southern Aegean Sea is a little slice of Greek heaven. A huge volcanic eruption 3,500 years ago left a caldera which turned the then- circular Santorini into a crescent shaped island, one that has been charming visitors ever since.
Santorini is the largest island in a small archipelago, wrapping its arms protectively around the islands of Palea, Nea and Thirasia. Sheer cliffs hundreds of metres high shield coves and beaches made up of red, white and black sand, while pretty villages of limewashed cubic houses creep up the sides, nestled into every nook and cranny.
This sea of white in the charming town of Oia is punctuated by blue domed roofs and the occasional house painted a rebellious shade of pastel. Wander its streets past the famous windmills and wind your way up to the ruined castle, which serves as a lookout point with views across the sparkling Aegean Sea. At sunset enjoy the twinkling lights of the town and the soft glow of the whitewashed walls.
At the opposite end of the island lay the ruins of Akrotiti, a Bronze Age settlement that was destroyed in the Theran eruption and buried in volcanic ash. Beautiful preserved frescos were discovered during excavation and can be admired along with other artefacts in the Museum of Prehistoric Thira.
Santorini has a small but flourishing wine industry, the indigenous Assyrtiko grape used to produce beautifully crisp white wines that are best enjoyed with a bowl of fresh seafood.
Highlights
Watch the beautiful sunset from the village of Oia
Wander Oia’s charming streets and encounter its famous windmills
Sample some of the island’s local volcanic wine
Enjoy a fresh seafood meal beside the sea
Go pre-historic with a visit to the ruins of Akrotiri
Take a boat trip to the Volcano of Santorini
Luxury accommodation in Santorini
Why book with Jacada?
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Places to combine Santorini with
Athens
Often referred to as the cradle of Western civilization, it’s a city bursting at the seams with culture, intrigue and beauty.
Discover moreMykonos
Mykonos might be one of the smallest islands in the Cyclades complex but it makes up for it in character. Its reputation as a glamorous party destination has stuck since the 50s and while it’s true people here know how to have a good time, the island is incredibly beautiful, its beaches and secluded corners offering refuge to those who seek it.
Discover morePeloponnese
The southern peninsular of Peloponnese, separated from the mainland by the Corinth Canal, encapsulates everything that is wonderful about Greece. It is both rich in culture and naturally beautiful.
Discover moreCrete
Crete was home to Europe’s earliest civilisation, the Minoans, and the legendary birthplace of Zeus. That’s quite a claim to fame but not content to just be historically interesting, the island also has a wealth of natural beauty and some of the country’s best beaches.
Discover moreSpetses
Despite this rather diminutive size, it has a rich history dating back millennia and has been a favourite of well-to-do Athenians for over a century, now hosting a handful of wonderful boutique hotels.
Discover moreMilos
The southwestern-most of the Cyclades, it encapsulates the beautiful beaches, rustic white-washed houses, cyan waters, great food and rich history of its neighbours without the crowds of Santorini or Mykonos.
Discover moreFolegandros
Positioned in the southern reaches of the Cyclades and surrounded by the glistening blues of the Aegean Sea, Folegandros is a beautiful and largely undiscovered island, currently emerging as a rewarding and laid-back haven.
Discover moreParos
Paros is an idyllic Greek island, which decorates the already beautifully mesmerizing Aegean seas, as part of a group of islands known as the Cyclades. It is the second largest island here and is famous for its bright sandy beaches which are lapped by perfectly turquoise waters, as well as its quaint yet traditional villages, connected by unrivalled Byzantine footpaths.
Discover moreMeet your Europe team
When to visit
Blessed by a lovely climate and warm temperatures for much of the year, Santorini can easily be split into a distinct winter and summer season. Rising temperatures and regular sunshine tend to emerge in March, gradually rising before peaking in August. The island sees greater visitors during the core summer months of July and August, making May, June and September particularly rewarding.
Summer
May - September
Hiking
March and October
Beach Breaks
June - September
Plan your trip to Santorini
Whatever you want from your adventure in Santorini, our team of expert travel designers are ready to help.
We just returned from a wonderful trip to Greece. Our experience with Jacada was great from the start. They listened to our wish list. Provided some good feedback, and helped us put together a wonderful itinerary customized to our preferences. Once in Greece, our transportation was on time and very comfortable. Our guides for excursions were engaging and knowledgeable. Restaurants…
Murray and Symmone planned an unforgettable trip to Greece. Our favorite locations were by far Crete and Paros. Athens and Santorini were worth visiting just once, but a bit crowded for our liking. Murray planned some wonderful spots off the beaten path and paired us with top-of-the-line expert, private tour guides. The food, accommodation, and experiences were priceless. I didn't…
From start to finish, everything was taken care of. The choice of accommodations was amazing. The guides were all really knowledgeable and friendly. The drivers the same. Every transport was prompt. The couple times we had to call the on site number for assistance, it was answered immediately and our concerns addressed. If you are looking for a luxury trip,…
The Jacada customer service planning and execution was outstanding. The service at each location superb and the hotels were first class. The guides were exceptional and well versed in the country history. A tremendous experience and would highly recommend Jacada as a travel agency. They do it the right way!!
We have taken two trips arranged by Jacada and both have been amazing. They pick the best hotels, restaurants and guides. This summer Melania and her team pulled together a 10 day trip in the Greek isles with only three weeks advance notice! Nothing about our itinerary felt rushed or not up to the standards of our previous trip. We…
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