Santorini, Greece

A dream for lovers of the sun and sea

Vacation in Santorini

Most people have probably heard of Santorini – at least as many people dream of traveling there one day. White villages nestled along rough cliffs, surrounded by the deep blue water of the Aegean – that’s the classic image of the Greek island of Santorini. The southernmost island of the Cyclades is located about 120 km north of Crete, covers an area of 76 km², and about 17,400 people call the island home.

A place straight out of a picture book – and rightly a favorite destination for many vacationers. Great sunsets, a real vacation atmosphere, an exciting nightlife in stylish beach clubs. You’ll simply love this island – that’s a promise. So book your Santorini vacation now and fly directly from Frankfurt to Santorini with Discover Airlines.

Flight time approx. 3 hours

from Frankfurt

JTR Airport

Thira / Santorini

Why visit Santorini

✓ Landscapes and places to fall in love with
The famous blue domes and typical white-painted houses of Santorini look stunning against the sapphire-blue sea. Our favorite view!

✓ Fancy a little history?
Discover the ancient ruins of Akrotiri, often referred to as the “Greek Pompeii.” You can almost touch the history.

✓ High-quality Greek wines
A number of different vine varieties grow on the white island of Santorini, thanks to the volcanic soil, and numerous local wineries invite you to taste their wines. The vines are traditionally cultivated using the typical Kouloura basket training system, which protects them from wind and sun—a system that continues to shape one of the oldest wine-growing regions in the world to this day.

White houses facing the sea in Santorini
View over the Red Beach in Santorini

Head to the Red Beach

The Red Beach is not just called that; it owes its name to the red cliffs that surround it. What a view! It gets its color from the lava stone – the steep lava coastline extends for around 200 meters here. Why not take a morning bathe against this backdrop and swim a few laps? Priceless!

Beach lounge chair on Perivolos Beach

Perivolos Beach: sandy beach on the island of cliffs and gravel coasts

Long beach with extra-fine sand? Say no more: Perivolos Beach has both, and that’s not the only reason it’s so popular with visitors. It’s rarely full, because Perivolos Beach stretches from Perissa to Vlychada – and surrounds the three beach areas of Perissa, Perivolo and Agios Georgios. The number of visitors is, therefore, perfectly spread out!

White Beach on Santorini

White Beach: only accessible by boat

White Beach is a complete contrast to Red Beach: the white cliffs rising above the dark pebble beach provide the ideal backdrop for vacation photos and Instagram posts. The beach is flat here, so a visit is also suitable for families with smaller children. The beach is only accessible by boat – adventures guaranteed.
View of the caldera vineyards on Santorini

Visit to the Santo Winery

Wine lovers, and those who want to be, should pay a visit to the Santo Winery. Guests can sample different grape varieties against the truly breathtaking backdrop of the caldera and experience some of the really excellent Greek wines. The caldera—the volcanic crater filled with seawater—is the spectacular centerpiece of Santorini.

Vineyards on Santorini

Take a varied wine tour during your vacation on Santorini

Many people associate Greece primarily with Retsina, the well-known resin wine, but the variety of wines in Greece, which belongs to the Old World, is huge. There are 50 different grape varieties that grow on Santorini alone. How about visiting the eastern side of Santorini, with wine cellars like Gaia Wines, in the middle of Kamari and Monolithos and right on the beach—wine and an azure-blue sea, the perfect combination!

Wine barrels on Santorini

A tour of the island’s wine villages

Fancy picturesque Greek villages – perfect for bragging to those back home? There we go: the hamlets of Episkopi Gonias and Vothanas are just waiting to welcome visitors. Wineries like the vineyards at Argyros or Koutsoyannopoulos, which is built eight meters underground in a real cave, are definitely worth a visit. Something even more special? There’s also a labyrinth of tunnels here up to 300 meters long – with scenes of viticulture from the past.
Hiking along the crater from Fira to Oia on Santorini

From Fira to Oia

Santorini’s classic: a roughly 10-kilometer hike along the rim of the caldera, considered one of the most beautiful and impressive trails on the island. It winds through the villages of Fira, Firostefani and Imerovigli before continuing on to Oia via open, sometimes steeper sections. The route combines cobbled paths, narrow village streets and unpaved trails, offering consistently breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea, the volcanic landscape and the typical whitewashed houses. The tour should take 3 to 5 hours, depending on pace and photo breaks.

By the way, it’s worth spending more time exploring the starting point of the hike. As the capital, Fira offers a perfect mix of culture and atmosphere. At the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, you can discover the island’s history—from ancient finds to impressive excavations. During the day, stroll through lively alleyways; in the evening, Fira transforms into a hotspot for bars, restaurants and nightlife overlooking the caldera.

Imerovigli

Walk through Imerovigli

Imerovigli is impressively located on a cliff with a view of the famous Crater Islands that face Santorini. If you haven’t seen the photos on Instagram or online, you’ll probably be taken aback the first time you visit—just one reason why a stroll just before sunset, for example, is a great idea. Narrow alleys, white-painted houses that contrast with the blue roofs. If this isn’t a Greek paradise, what is?

Excavations at Akrotiri on Santorini

Akrotiri and the Red Beach: luxury hiking

The route begins in the town of Akrotiri—often called the “Greek Pompeii”—which was buried by Bronze Age volcanic eruptions. The exceptionally well-preserved excavations show how the massive eruption of the Thera volcano around 1450 B.C. suddenly brought life at the time to a standstill. The hike continues across Red Beach towards the lighthouse. The tower was built on the southernmost cape in 1811 and provides a beautiful view of the Aegean Sea.

Bucket list for your vacation on Santorini

1. Must-do: go for a dip at the Red Beach
Swimming at Red Beach: visit the famous Red Beach and bathe in a perfect setting—and, of course, take a few photos. And it’s not just the beach that’s a real eye-catcher: the water here is clear and refreshing.

2. Sunset in Oia
Take our word for it: there’s no better place to experience the sunset in Santorini than in the narrow streets of Oia. The white facades and iconic blue domes create an atmosphere that you won’t find anywhere else. We don’t want to get too romantic, but there’s real magic here. And that means this should definitely go on our Santorini bucket list. So make a note, fly with Discover Airlines, and see it with your own eyes.

3. Visit the ancient town of Akrotiri
We cannot stress it often enough: Greece and its islands also mean lots of exciting history and fantastic trips into the past. A visit to the well-preserved prehistoric town of Akrotiri, often referred to as the “Greek Pompeii,” offers a perfect insight into the history of Santorini. This is a fascinating settlement preserved by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century B.C. with multi-story houses, narrow alleys and impressive murals still intact. A walking tour of the covered excavation site feels like immersing yourself in the everyday life of a sophisticated Minoan culture—complete with sophisticated architecture, storage rooms, workshops and living areas.

4. Greek food – top-class soul food
Anyone who travels to Greece will know about the great cuisine—Greek food is always also soul food, whether it’s plain home cooking, small meze in the taverns at the side of the road or casual fine dining in the modern restaurants in the villages on Santorini. On Santorini, this naturally includes white eggplants, creamy chlorotyri—the local goat cheese—as well as grilled octopus that no menu should be without.

5. Tastings for wine lovers and novices
Wine-tasting at a local cellar: Santorini is famous for its wines, especially its fresh-tasting Assyrtiko, which is a little reminiscent of a strong Riesling. Visit one of the many vineyards, such as Santo Wines or Venetsanos, where enjoying wine is perfectly paired with that vacation feeling, and you’ll never want to go home.

Weather & best time to travel

The best times to travel for your vacation in Santorini are from April to June and September to October. The weather is pleasantly warm during these months, but not too hot, perfect for those who like to be outdoors and want to explore the island without large crowds. Instagram user? Then the off-peak parts of the season are just right to take photos without the crowds and visit the highlights of the island without too many people around.

May–June

25–28°C & fewer tourists

July–August

up to 35°C & high season

September–October

Water temperature 23–24°C

November–April

Off-season

Getting around

There are many ways to get around on Santorini, but a rental car is a real must-have if you want to make your vacation on Santorini as exciting as possible. Even more thrills? How about a quad bike or motorcycle for a more exciting way to visit the interior of this vacation island? You can reach both the remote beaches and hidden vantage points with your own wheels. Spoiler: the streets and alleys on Santorini are often narrow, the roads are not always in the best condition, and parking spaces are very hard to find in popular places like Oia and Fira, especially during high season. If you don’t want to get behind the wheel, you can rely on the extensive bus network.

The easiest way is to take a pre-booked transfer, rental car or taxi to get from Santorini Airport to the center – or wherever you choose. Does that sound like a stress-free start to your vacation? It certainly is. If you like things a bit more comfortable but no less local, why not take the bus.

Cable car on Santorini

Do’s and don’ts on Santorini

✓ Try the local cuisine: sample local specialties like fresh fish, fava and “keftedes” (meatballs) in tomato sauce in one of the traditional taverns.

✓ Take to the sea: take advantage of the opportunity to experience the coast of Santorini from the sea and enjoy the picturesque view at sunset—a sailing trip along the coast is a must-do and will be a lasting memory to take home with you!

✓ Stay hydrated: it’s really important! If you’re on the road, you should always take plenty of water with you—especially on Santorini, with its many hours of hot sun.

X Not following the country’s rules: appropriate clothing should be worn in religious places.

X Only explore the hotspots: explore lesser-known parts of the island to avoid overcrowded places. This way, you’ll experience authentic island life, gain an insight into the life of the locals and enjoy some real Santorini experiences.

X Forget to greet people: Greek people greet one another a lot, and it’s your duty to respond in turn.

Get the best airfare now!

Flights to Santorini with Discover Airlines

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FAQs about your vacation on Santorini

The best times to travel for your vacation in Santorini are from mid April to the beginning of June and from September to October. During these months, Santorini reaches a pleasant 22–28°C, the caldera can be explored without heat buildup, and the crowds of tourists in Oia and Fira are kept to a minimum. In July and August, temperatures regularly climb to 30–35°C—ideal for pure beach days at Perivolos Beach, less ideal for the approximately 10 km hike from Fira to Oia along the crater rim.

Located in the southern Aegean, Santorini is the southernmost island of the Cyclades, about 200 km southeast of mainland Greece and about 120 km north of Crete. The island covers an area of about 76 km², has a population of about 17,400 and is geologically the remains of a volcano whose crater now forms the famous, seawater-filled caldera.

Santorini Airport is Thira Airport (JTR) in the southeastern part of the island. Discover Airlines flies to Santorini from Frankfurt (FRA) with a flight time of approximately 3 hours. From JTR Airport to the center of Fira is only about 6 km—reachable by pre-booked transfer, rental car, taxi or public bus.

Among the most scenic beaches on Santorini are four very different classics. The Red Beach in the south near Akrotiri is famous for its red lava cliffs, which stretch for about 200 meters. White Beach is right next door, accessible only by boat and features shallow waters. Perivolos Beach in the south, with its Perissa, Perivolo and Agios Georgios sections, is the longest sandy beach on the island. Kamari Beach on the east coast is known for its dark volcanic pebbles and the backdrop of Mount Mesa Vouno.

The Santorini Caldera is a seawater-filled volcanic crater and the geological heart of the island. It was formed by the Minoan eruption of the Thera volcano around 1600 BC, one of the greatest eruptions in human history. Today, the steep cliffs around the caldera rise up to 300 meters above the sea, shaping the typical postcard view of Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Oia with their whitewashed houses high on the crater rim.

Santorini’s wine is best known for its native Assyrtiko grape variety, a mineral white wine reminiscent of a robust Riesling. On Santorini, around 50 different grape varieties grow on volcanic soils, and the vines are traditionally cultivated using the Kouloura basket training method—a basket-shaped vine-training system that provides protection from wind and sun. Famous wineries such as Santo Wines, Venetsanos, Gaia Wines, Argyros and the underground Koutsoyannopoulos invite you to tastings.

Yes, Santorini is well worth visiting during the off-season—especially from November to March, when the island shows its quieter, more authentic side. Although water temperatures drop to around 16–18°C and some beach clubs close, hotel prices are much lower. Hiking around the caldera is ideal at 12–18°C, and places like Pyrgos and Megalochori feel almost like small mountain villages. If you want to experience Santorini without cruise ship day-trippers, travel at this time of year.

Santorini’s top attractions include four main highlights: Oia in the north, world-famous for its sunset over the caldera. Akrotiri, a Minoan city preserved by a volcanic eruption in the 16th century B. C. often referred to as the “Greek Pompeii.” Fira, the capital, with the Archaeological Museum and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera. Another highlight of a Santorini trip is the walking trail from Fira to Oia, a 10-kilometer stretch along the crater rim, crossing Firostefani and Imerovigli.

Renting a car on Santorini makes perfect sense, many scenic overlooks, beaches like Vlychada Beach and wineries in the interior are located away from the main towns. Alternatively, the KTEL bus network connects Fira with Oia, Akrotiri, Kamari and Perissa at very affordable prices. Pre-booked transfers, taxis, and scheduled buses run from JTR Airport to central Fira (approximately 6 km), but parking in Oia and Fira is limited during peak season in July and August.

Both Santorin and Santorini are correct: “Santorin” is the form commonly used in German, while “Santorini” is the international and English variant. However, the official Greek name of the island is Thira (Θήρα)—the JTR Airport (Thira) is also named after it. The name “Santorini” dates back to Venetian rule in the 13th century and derives from Saint Irene (“Santa Irini”).

Did you know?

These characteristic white houses with blue roofs don’t just look aesthetically appealing; they also have a practical use. The white reflects the sunlight and helps keep the interior cool.

Blue roofs and white houses seen against the sea on Santorini