Santorini holidays

Oia is arguably Santorini’s most scenic town, built into the rocky cliffside of the caldera on the island’s northern tip. It’s renowned for its sunset vistas, excellent restaurants and upscale shopping. It’s ideal for couples looking for a quiet break as there’s only a handful of bars. Get lost in its many narrow alleyways and admire the distinctive Cycladic architecture.

Fira (or Thera) is the island’s bustling transport hub and capital. It’s best known for its shopping and nightlife. There’s no shortage of trendy boutiques and craft stores to spend your money in. You can party in its many clubs and lounges right through until 6am in the summer months. Many establishments have been directly carved from the cliff face. One of the town’s main draws is undoubtedly the three-hour hike to Oia along the caldera path.

Imerovigli is perhaps the most tranquil of the caldera towns. Perched 300 metres high above the Aegean at the caldera’s highest point, it proffers sunset views to rival Oia’s. Behind the caldera lies a picturesque maze of tightly knit alleyways lined with bright blooms, whitewashed buildings and blue-domed churches. There’s no nightlife here to speak of and only a smattering of restaurants but they’re all of excellent quality.

Kamari is a great family-friendly beach town on the eastern side of the island. It offers a promenade, a pebble beach that’s ideal for swimming and plenty of low-key bars and restaurants. A handy bus service connects it with Fira and the rest of the clifftop towns. Don’t miss the fantastic outdoor cinema here.

The adjoined seaside resorts of Perissa and Perivelos are perfect for those looking for a bit more nightlife. Both beaches have bars, loungers and lifeguards, as well as black sand and midnight blue depths. The nightlife here is more akin to Mykonos, rather than the sleepy villages among the mountains of Santorini. At night you will see the transformation with cocktail bars, restaurants and clubs coming to life. The stunning blue-domed Church of Timiou Stavrou can be found in Perissa Square, which is well worth a visit.

Alongside the spellbinding ancient ruins at Akrotiri there is a quaint little village boasting some of the best views in Santorini. In the medieval period, Akrotiri was one of five fortified towns and the castle here is a great place to visit, although it was damaged in the earthquake of 1956. Further along the coast towards Fira, you will find Megalochori, where vineyards dominate the landscape. The centre square is a meeting place for locals, to drink fine wine and play backgammon in the afternoon sun.