visit Santorini, Greece

Few hear “Santorini” uttered without picturing whitewashed buildings climbing volcanic hills with blue domed churches that stand out like shiny baubles on a tree. To the ancient Greeks the island was known as Thera, after its mythical ruler Theras, but, despite a destructive volcano (which would eventually change the perfectly circular island to its current croissant-like shape), the island of Thera was relatively quiet during the age when Greek Gods mischievously roamed the earth.

Now its picturesque peaks and intense blue seas are far from quiet. Every peak of Santorini is dominated by those either trying to do its beauty justice with a camera phone, or staring out into the arresting blues of the Aegean Sea. While lovers of history, wine and luxury will find their own separate havens here, there is common ground to be found in the striking lure that Santorini lends the eye. Fail to see the white & deep blue pallets that decorate every corner of this archipelago and the taste of salt in the air will remind you to look around one more time.

Whitewashed buildings stand on a hill with a deep blue sea visible in the background — Oia, the coastal town on the northwestern tip of Santorini island.

an island stretches out over the sea with a cluster of white buildings seen at one distant side — The view of Oia from the walk to Santorini’s capital, Fira.

White buildings with a blue domed church standing at the highest point. The sky is a pinkish yellow — Oia in the morning light just after sunrise.

White buildings standing on a rocky surface surrounded by deep blue sea — Oia village in Santorini, pronounced La, is the island’s most visited village. It is several centuries old and was likely built in the 15th century.

a bell tower in the forefront with deep blue sea in the background. A flag of Greece blows to the right of the bell tower. — Bell towers on top of a church in Oia, Santorini

An orange building stood on rock with sea in the background. — Kastro Oia Houses, three newly refurbished historical houses in Oia with sea views.

A blue and white church dome with the deep blue sea acting as a background — The dome on the Church of Panagia Platsani.

A small building stood high on a rock viewed from the sea. — Looking up at Santorini Island from the sea.

A blue church dome with the sea visible in the background — Church dome in Fira, Santorini’s capital.

A white church arch on top of a rock with blue sky in the background — Church arch providing a view point to the sea.

A sun set with a sailing boat silhouetted by the sun. — Sailing around the island of Santorini.

For more destinations on the Mediterranean check out our photo journal for Campania & photo journal for Costa Blanca.