Photography - Sue Stubbs. Styling - Sarah Cousens.

If someone makes reference to the beauty of a Grecian island, there's a good chance that they have Santorini in mind. A hot spot for tourism, the island refuses to have its appeal diminished just because it's a popular choice. Santorini is the most southern of the Cycladic islands, and, anchored in the azure, it makes a strong case for blue and white colour combinations. We've trawled the travel guides to bring you the best of this holiday-makers heaven... 

A mesmerising spectacle in the Mediterranean, the Santorini of today is crescent-shaped, formed by the violent eruption of a volcano around 1620BC. The empty caldera brims with majestic blue waters that seem only more blue when contrasted against the white architecture on the tips of the surrounding lava lip. Now formed into a wedge, the island is propped up on one side (the west) by a flurry of accommodation options that nestle amidst the cliffs, and peters down both in slope and popularity towards the beaches on the other.



The blue domed church that many associate with Santorini is located in the town of Oia. As the oldest settlement on the island, Oia is where to go if you're looking to amp up the romance. Packed with restaurants, perched amidst the cave homes carved into the cliffs, the whitewashed architecture frames some of the most spectacular sunsets. As people gather on well-trodden steps with their favourite tipple, it seems likely that turns of phrase such as “picture perfect” and “million-dollar view” were coined with this sort of scenery in mind.



The hiking trail between Oia and the capital, Fira, has cemented a top spot in recommendations again and again, so let's take a leap here and say that it's worthwhile adding to your to do list. Two equally beautiful destinations, Fira is the sister with the most going on. Ergo, if you're interested in partying on down, this town is probably where you want to be. But more is not necessarily more: Firostefani is a short walk from Fira and quiet in comparison. Imerovigli, also on the caldera, is the quietest of the four. It's a bus or taxi from Fira or Oir, but has at least a half-dozen brilliant restaurants of its own. We've also heard a whisper that it's got the best views, so it's really just a matter of preference.

Aenaon Villas designed by Giorgos Zacharopoulos and completed in 2009.

When it comes to hotels, motels, and holiday inns, there's plenty to choose from. Most people will stay along the caldera, and whilst there's a case to be made for the beaches, we're not going to swim upstream on this one. To drop a few names, the Grace in Imerovigli seems like a pretty sweet spot to lie your head, as does the Vedema Resort in the traditional township of Megalochori (it comes with some great looking restaurants, plus Cavana – a 400 year old wine cellar), or the Aenaon Villas in Imerovigli, whose interiors are certainly a lesson in concrete and minimalism. Of course, there are plenty of more affordable options too, starting with Ampelonas Apartments, again in Imerovigli, or Rena's Suites in Fira, but they usually involve their fair share of steps and less spectacular views.

Image via Sphinx

Ever driven by the rumbling in our tummies, we can point you in the direction of a few good food spots. Sphinx, Koukoumavlos and Argo Restaurant are all based in Fira and are notable mentions, whilst 1800 in Oia appears to be both the oldest and best spot in town. Additionally, Aktaion Taverna is a 1920s family-run, traditional Greek Taverna that offers raw local ingredients and seems to be a Santorini must. With no shortage of great food on Santorini, Amoudi Port appears to be one of the top spots for sunset dinners. Thirsty? Oia's Hasapiko (we're told it's best known by the name of owner, Mary-Kay) was a butcher's store turned upbeat bar, whilst Domaine Sigalas is just the ticket for delicious nibbles and a fine vintage drop.



To round things out, we're calling out a few things to keep you busy when you tire of wondering the Bougainvillea-lined-streets or floating in an infinity pool (first world problems, huh?). If a donkey ride isn't your thing, take a cable car in comparative luxury from Fira down to the old port. It's the best way to scale the lava ledge as it glides some 300 meters in mere minutes. If you need a little courage before-hand, a trip to a winery such as Santo Wines or Domaine Sigalas could be on the cards. And last but by no means least, hit the beach. There's Monolithos, Perissa or Kamari, which are lovely enough black sand beaches due to the lava. There's also Red Beach located 20 minutes drive south of Fira which is as described, or Amoudi Bay (alright, technically not a beach, but a great spot for a dip).

Click here to shop our Santorini sale event.