Santorini: Is Greece's Most Famous Island Still Worth Visiting?
- Written by: The Times
Whitewashed villages perched on volcanic cliffs. Blue-domed churches overlooking the Aegean Sea. Sunsets that attract applause from thousands of visitors every evening.
Santorini has become one of the world's most recognisable travel destinations. It is also one of its busiest.
For many travellers, however, the island remains firmly on the bucket list.
The question is not whether Santorini is popular—it clearly is. The question is whether it still delivers the experience that made it famous.
Why Santorini became an icon
Santorini's dramatic landscape is unlike anywhere else in Greece.
Thousands of years ago, a massive volcanic eruption created the island's distinctive caldera, leaving steep cliffs that today are lined with villages such as Fira, Oia, Imerovigli and Firostefani.
Those cliff-top settlements, combined with traditional Cycladic architecture and sweeping sea views, have become synonymous with the Greek islands.
The island has also benefited from decades of international tourism, cruise ship visits, films, social media and travel photography that have cemented its global reputation.
When to visit
July and August are the busiest months.
Visitors should expect large crowds, premium accommodation prices and popular sunset viewpoints filled well before sunset.
Many experienced travellers instead recommend the shoulder seasons.
May and June generally offer pleasant temperatures, long daylight hours and fewer visitors.
September and October combine warm seas with more comfortable conditions after the peak European summer.
Winter is much quieter. While some hotels and restaurants close for the season, visitors who prefer peaceful streets and lower prices may find it an appealing time to experience the island.
Accommodation options
Santorini caters to almost every budget, although value becomes harder to find during peak season.
Luxury travellers can choose cave hotels and boutique properties built into the caldera cliffs, many featuring private terraces and plunge pools overlooking the sea.
Mid-range hotels and apartments are available in Fira and nearby villages, while family-run guesthouses offer more affordable options away from the busiest tourist areas.
Budget-conscious travellers often stay further from the caldera, trading dramatic views for lower prices.
Advance bookings are strongly recommended during the European summer.
Getting there
Santorini is well connected.
Direct flights operate from Athens throughout the year, with additional seasonal services from many European cities during summer.
High-speed ferries also connect Santorini with Athens and neighbouring islands including Mykonos, Naxos and Crete.
Many Mediterranean cruise itineraries include Santorini as a port of call, although cruise arrivals can significantly increase visitor numbers during the day.
Food and dining
Greek cuisine is one of Santorini's great attractions.
Fresh seafood, grilled meats, local cheeses, tomatoes grown in the island's volcanic soil and traditional dishes such as moussaka and fava feature prominently on many menus.
Cliff-top restaurants offer spectacular views but often command premium prices.
Travellers looking for more authentic local dining can often find excellent family-owned tavernas in villages away from the busiest tourist precincts.
Local wineries are another attraction, producing distinctive wines from grape varieties adapted to Santorini's volcanic landscape.
Beyond the postcard
While Oia's sunsets remain famous, Santorini offers more than photography.
Boat cruises around the caldera, walks between Fira and Oia, visits to archaeological sites, volcanic beaches with black sand, winery tours and small museums all provide opportunities to experience another side of the island.
Allowing several days rather than treating Santorini as a one-day stop generally rewards visitors with a more relaxed experience.
Costs
Santorini is among Greece's more expensive destinations.
Accommodation, dining with caldera views and peak-season travel can be significantly dearer than on many neighbouring islands.
Travellers willing to stay away from the cliffs, travel outside peak season and explore local eateries can often enjoy Santorini at a more moderate cost.
The Times View
Santorini has become a victim of its own success. It is crowded, often expensive and no longer the hidden Greek island of decades past. Yet its extraordinary landscape, distinctive architecture and rich history continue to justify its place among the world's great travel destinations.
For travellers who plan carefully, visit outside the busiest weeks and look beyond the most photographed streets, Santorini remains more than an Instagram backdrop. It remains one of those rare places that deserves its reputation, even if sharing it with others has become part of the experience.
