With its ubiquitous white houses clinging to caldera-edge clifftops, blue-domed churches and show-stopping sunsets that are (rightfully) regarded as among the most beautiful in the world, Santorini is one of the most popular Greek Islands, frequented by everyone from honeymoon couples to photographers. It got its wonky crescent shape from a huge volcanic explosion around 1630 BC; today pretty whitewashed villages cling to the steep cliffs overlooking dark sand beaches and peer out over the smoking islands of Caldera Bay.
The most popular places to stay are Imerovigli and Oia, where you can enjoy the classic Santorini landscape of the sun setting over whitewashed houses - perfect for a romantic Greek honeymoon. Somewhat off the beaten track is the east coast, where most of Santorini’s black-sand beaches are found – some beaches, like the aptly-named Red Beach, have beautiful, multi-coloured sand, making Santorini one of the most fascinating geological places on earth. As you move to the centre, you will find lush greenery, vineyards and little Greek villages where you can visit microbreweries and wine caverns and sample some scrumptious traditional mezes like Tomatokeftedes (Santorini tomato fritters) and Greek coffee.
