The barren rocky cliffs of Santorini rise straight out of the blue Aegean—their tops are dusted by what at first looks like a sprinkling of snow.

To travel to Santorini, it’s best to approach this Cycladic island from the sea. The barren rocky cliffs of Santorini rise straight out of the blue Aegean—their tops are dusted by what at first looks like a sprinkling of snow. Then, as you get closer, the snow takes the shape of Cycladic buildings hanging precariously off the hillsides. Zigzagging lines across the rock face become recognizable as roads that lead up from the sea to whitewashed houses perching on the cliffs.

Santorini owes its geological peculiarities to a massive volcanic explosion some 3,500 years ago that blew out the centre of the island. It’s not surprising that the island’s spectacular setting has made it one of the most visited islands in Greece.

Fira, the capital of Santorini, is the largest of several towns perched on the rim and is known for its charming shops, bars and restaurants and wonderful sunset views. Fira’s small port can be reached via a funicular cable car, on a donkey or by climbing down some 600 steps.

Santorini is also renowned as a culinary trendsetter. Its typical local produce (pea-type fava, white eggplants and tiny tomatoes), is used by innovative chefs to create excellent fare. Gourmet restaurants here are among the country’s best. Sunsets from Oia village atop the cliffs are magnificent.

When to travel to Santorini

The summer heat in Santorini can be very intense and so can the crowds. However, a lot of tourism in Greece shuts down in the winter and there are few travellers. This makes the spring (April, May) and autumn (September, October) the best time to visit the Greek islands.