50 Stunning Photos Of Santorini, Greece That Will Make You Wish You Lived There

Santorini is a windswept, volcanic island in the Cyclades. Magical sunsets in Oia, photogenic blue dome churches, and a myriad of colorful beaches attract thousands of visitors annually, making this one of Greece’s most popular destinations. If you plan a trip to this beautiful island, here are the best things to do in Santorini.

Santorini is the southernmost island in the Cyclades. Its official name is Thira (Thera in classical Greek).

This island is the site of one of the most significant volcano eruptions in recorded history. About 3,600 years ago, the volcano erupted, causing an enormous tsunami that hit the island of Crete, leading to the eventual downfall of the Minoan civilization. Santorini is a water-filled crescent, the remains of this ancient volcano. The towns of Oia, Fira, and Imerovigli are all perched along the rim of the caldera.

There are more churches than houses on the island, although most of these are very small and private.

Wine is a significant industry here. The hot, dry climate is perfect for growing grapes, and if you like to visit wineries and go wine tasting, you’ll love Santorini. By the way, the vines are grown in coils on the ground rather than on a trellis like you typically see in many other vineyards worldwide. This is done because it’s very windy on Santorini.

And yes, expect windy conditions. January, February, July, and August are the windiest months on Santorini. While we were here, there were wind gusts strong enough to knock people over, literally. (H/T)

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