Santorini Honeymoon – Live Your Dream in Santorini

Santorini occupies a category of its own. The island was formed by one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history, and that cataclysm left behind a landscape of surreal drama: a crescent of steep black cliffs encircling a submerged caldera, the villages of Fira and Oia perched at the rim, 260 metres above the sea. No amount of photographs prepares you for arriving by ferry and watching the island rise from the water.

Akrotiri

The archaeological site of Akrotiri, in the island's south, offers a fascinating counterpoint to the postcard scenery. This Minoan city was buried under volcanic ash more than three thousand years ago, its three-storey buildings, frescoes, and streets preserved in extraordinary detail. It's one of the most significant Bronze Age sites in the Mediterranean, and the connection to the legend of Atlantis makes it all the more compelling.

The Beaches

Santorini's beaches are unlike any others in Greece. Perissa and Kamari have long stretches of black volcanic sand and clear deep water, while Red Beach, named for the vivid ochre and red cliffs that surround it, is one of the most visually striking beaches in the country. Monolithos, with its shallow waters, is ideal for a relaxed afternoon.

Oia & the Sunset

The village of Oia, at the island's northern tip, is famous for its sunset, and deservedly so. The view from the castle ruins at dusk, with the caldera below and the surrounding islands catching the last light, is the kind of thing you plan an entire trip around. Arrive early; you'll have company. The Ammoudi port below Oia, reached by 300 steps, has tavernas right at the water's edge where the grilled octopus and fresh catch are exceptional.

Dining & Wine

For honeymoon dining, Santorini's local cuisine is built around remarkable ingredients: fava from the island's volcanic soil, cherry tomatoes with an intensity you won't find anywhere else, white eggplant, capers, and the dry crisp white wines that the caldera's mineral-rich earth produces. Save one evening for a proper meal at a caldera-view restaurant, it is, without question, one of the great dining experiences in Europe.