Heading To Santorini? This Is ELLE's Guide On Where To Stay, Eat And Explore
Santorini has long held a reputation across the globe as one of the most luxurious and romantic destinations for couples – often those who are soon-to-be-engaged at sunset on the island, we might add – searching for breathtaking (read Instagrammable) holiday photos taken among the blue-topped white domes of the island’s most coveted coastlines.
Located to the south of Athens and Mykonos, Santorini was once the site of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history, which occurred in the 4th Century, with the last eruption taking place just seven decades ago. As the most active volcanic centre in the South Aegean Volcanic Arc, the island – named by the Latin Empire in the 13th Century as a reference to Saint Irene, aka the name of the old church in the village of Perissa – boasts beaches and land that vary in colour, as a result of the solidified lava ranging from the colour black (the hue of the beach to the south of the island) to the Red and White beaches (the latter is accessible by boat or foot from the former).
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In recent years, Santorini has become a celebrity destination, with everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio and Rihanna, to Kendall Jenner and more frequenting its hotels, restaurants and beach clubs, during one of their numerous pitstops across the Aegean coast, which often involves island hopping to the likes of Mykonos and Kefalonia. As a result, it’s a must-visit for those who know their spanakopitas from their stifados.
Here's the ELLE UK guide to Santorini:
Where To Stay
While Fira – the island’s capital – boasts some of the best restaurants and shops, there’s plenty of culture to be soaked up there too, including the Museum of Prehistoric Thera and the Old Port, while Imerovigli (located to the north) is a village offering arguably the most beautiful 180-degree ocean views, with the opportunity to hike the Ekklisia Theoskepasti trail, which passes Skaros Rock and the blue-domed Theoskepasti Church at sunset.
Grace Hotel
If you’re on the search for true luxury, head to Imerovigli and immediately jump with arms wide open into Grace Hotel's embrace – a luxurious five-star spot nestled among the whitewashed houses and cobalt-domes churches that offers unrivalled privacy and serenity away from the hustle and bustle of tourist destinations like Oia, located to the north of the island. The Cycladic haven provides a range of suites, rooms and villas, all complete with indoor-outdoor spaces, including balconies (where you can enjoy private lunches and dinners through the property’s newly-launched Mrs Alice dining experience), plunge pools overlooking the caldera and The Light Salon LED Masks (in the Infinity Suites and two-bedroom Villa).
The hotel is well-revered thanks to its restaurant, Varoulko, which was opened by Michelin award-winning chef Lefteris Lazarou, and blends the perfect cacophony of Greek and Mediterranean flavours to be enjoyed overlooking the sea. The hotel’s bar – 363 bar (situated 363 metres above sea level) – also offers signature cocktails in an elegant setting and is the perfect place to watch the sunset with sundowners. Experiences can also be curated to guests’ desires, from private cruises exploring ancient ruins, to sunset picnics, caviar and wine tasting and rooftop yoga.
Rates at Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection start from £620.
Sandblu Resort
Opened in summer 2024, Sandblu Resort is quickly becoming the most talked-about hotel on the island – and for good reason. Located on the foothills of Thira Mountain, the resort delivers unparalleled privacy and breathtaking views from the village of Kamari, with two restaurants, 61 bedrooms, a spa and infinity pool.
Contrary to most visitors to the island who stay in the caldera for a maximum of three nights before traveling to another island, the resort is the ideal destination for couples, friends and families wanting to enjoy Santorini’s endless tourist offerings, from boat tours and wine tasting at vineyards, to hiking, cooking workshops, helicopter tours and more.
Designed with its own wine bar, natural wine cellar cave and bakery (yes, really), the resort is a home away from home, with numerous shops, a fitness centre, Kids’ Club, as well as suites with private pools and terraces. Currently, there are two family-friendly villas, but there are plans to expand the resort its large party stays.
Rates at Sandblu Resort start from £679.
Kivotos Santorini
You’ll instantly recognise Kivotos Santorini from its unusually black-coloured exteriors amid the whitewashed domes of the Imerovigli caldera. Inspired by the island’s volcanic landscape, the property is built atop the cliffside in the village and has over 180-degree unobstructed views of the northern coastline, with just 10 bedrooms, each with a variety of private indoor swimming pools, jot dubs and hammams. Our favourites on the site include the Honeymoon and Hideaway Suite, the latter complete with a plunge pool and double sun lounger that overlooks the ocean on the private terrace.
The hotel's signature restaurant MAVRO – launched by the award-winning chef Dimitris Katrivesis – recently debuted its all-new immersive sensory dining experience with three new tasting menus inspired by the phases of the moon (The Dark Side of the Moon experience, The Full Moon experience, and the Half Moon Experience), as well as an à la carte menu serving modern interpretations of Greek cuisine.
The hotel is perfectly located a short walk away from the base of Skaros Rock, a mound of castle ruins accessed by an arduous trail walk that’s best taken first thing in the morning or after sunset. Offering stunning caldera views, it provides a unique perspective of the island that has cobbled streets usually heaving with tourists straining their iPhones overhead to take that picture-perfect snap.
Rates at Kivotos Santorini start from £395.30.
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Mystique
For anybody who's ever doubted whether heaven is a place on earth, Mystique is confirmation that it is. The 41-bedroom, five-star property alone, which is carved into the cliffs of the Caldera that overlook the glittering waters of the Aegean, is the sort of beautiful that snatches the breath from your mouth.
You might come for the views, but it's the heart of the property that will keep you there. Guests are provided with a WhatsApp contact number for the concierge upon arrival to the property, making room service requests or restaurant reservations a breeze, while the hotel's Lure restaurant, which sits atop a volcanic clifftop, offers one of the most dazzling views of Santorini's signature rugged cliffs. The langoustine ravioli almost warrants a trip to Santorini in and of itself.
The staff promise to make your stay at Mystique, too. Another of the hotel's restaurants, Charisma, is also a must-visit with endless panoramic views of the stretch of blue sky meeting inky waters. Order a bottle of the Gavalas Santorini dry white wine, snack on its equally as delicious beef tartare and make friends with Konstantinos, a member of the hotel's staff who is warm, attentive and generous with his knowledge and advice for guests.
Once you're full of Greek white wine and have spent time relaxing by the infinity pool, Mystique's Elios Spa is deserving of a pitstop too. Celebrity facialist Teresa Tarmey has masterminded a facial for the spa that, if you didn't already feel like you were in heaven, certainly will deposit you at the apex of relaxation by the end of the hour-long session.
You will have to pinch yourself that such a beautiful hotel really does exist, but once you've established that it does, you will have the time of your life.
Rates at Mystique, a Luxury Collection Hotel, start from £597.
Santo Mine Oia Suites
For those who may have lusted over the sweet configuration of Soho Farmhouse’s piglet huts, imagine that Santo Mine’s newly-opened Oia Suites are the Grecian equivalent, all of which overlook Santorini’s Ammoudi Bay. There are 37 individual suites dotted along the stretch of property, all of which come with private pools or jacuzzis that overlook the endless expanse of the Aegean Sea.
There’s a little something for everybody at the five-star haven, which officially opened its doors in 2023. Among them is an outdoor gym, an outdoor screening space, a private church and a wine cellar, in addition to an infinity pool, a library and three treatment rooms in the property’s spa. Whatever your idea of a relaxing holiday might be, there is a little something for everybody.
There’s also the hotel’s restaurant, Ālme, which promises some of the best and most awe-inspiring views of the Santorini sunset you could hope for. The restaurant’s menu prioritises farm-to-table dining with innovative riffs on fish dishes that are truly one-of-a-kind (the red snapper ceviche is a standout). Order a dirty vodka martini as an aperitivo and a bottle of crisp Vassaltis Greek white wine to wash your meal down with. Even if just to avoid the heaving queues to catch a breath-taking view of the signature Santorini sunset, a reservation at Ālme is a must; simply sit back and relax as the sun dips its waist below the horizon.
Rates at Santo Mine Oia Suites start from £339.
Santo Pure Oia Suites
Located just a five-minute walk away from Oia (not that the serenity of the hotel itself would bely its buzzy location), Santo Pure is a true Grecian gem. Located on the same stretch of property that lines the Aegean as its younger sibling Santo Mine, Santo Pure is the answer to any and all holiday quandaries you might have. The property boasts 83 suites and two villas, all of which are in close proximity to its fresh water swimming pools and the Akratos Poolside Bar, which is not only open all-day but also offers fruit-based cocktails as well as those of the alcohol-based variety as well.
If deciding on a place to eat feels impossible, rest assured too that Santo Pure's Alios Ilios al fresco restaurant not only offers unparalleled views of the sunset but also deliciously hearty Greek cooking. Plus, if you can't make your mind up between the tour properties then split your trip in half and allow the hotel's buggies to whiz you between the two.
Rates at Santo Pure Oia Suites start from £451.
Where To Eat
Oia
If you dare venture into the tourist trap of Oia (it’s an essential at least once, let's be honest) then be sure to take time out of your schedule to hydrate and get your fill on some of the island’s most delicious food and tipples.
Armenia is one of the most popular restaurants, which serves freshly caught seafood daily by the water (think grilled octopus, grilled lobster, fresh calamari, and sardines), while Meltini provides the most chilled environment, serving meze dishes and tapas, from hummus with flatbreads to olives and cheeses.
Fira
Selene has long been one of the most popular eateries for years, and is one for a special occasion. The restaurant is based on fine dining from Michelin-starred chef Ettore Botrini and offers dishes like nduja spaghetti with sea urchins and swordfish carpaccio.
Yalos Beach Club meanwhile is the best place for those on the search for a chilled boho vibe, offering traditional Mediterranean dishes like dips, breads and salads. You can tuck into food in the restaurant or snack at the beach.
Megalohori
You absolutely ought not to visit Santorini without visiting the Medieval village of Megalohori, which translates into Greek as 'big village', the blink-and-you'll-miss it home of Vedema, a 74-room hotel situated within the confines of a 400-year old winery. Its restaurant, Alati, is nestled in the heart of the original canava that inspired the property to become what it is today. As the sun sets, sip Martinis on the rooftop of Alati before ordering the beef tartare and lobster pasta (trust us).
Kamari
After sunset, we suggest heading to Sandblu Santorini’s Apnea restaurant, offering freshly-caught fish of the day, whether it’s blue crab to sea bream and octopus. Enjoy dishes like poached sea bream, milk-fed lamb, grilled scorpion fish, aubergine and black Angus ribeye.
What To Do
Watch the sunset
You won’t be forgiven for missing one of Santorini’s beautiful sunsets. So, to ensure you don’t miss out, head to Oia – officially the best vantage point for watching the sun coming down. Most tourists head to castle (expect queues), but the Byzantine castle offers equally as good views, as does the caldera of Imerovigli.
Visit Saint Nicholas Chapel
You will not swim in clearer waters than those surrounding the Saint Nicholas chapel, which is a must-visit for anybody visiting the island. A walk along the cliff from Oia to the chapel will take no longer than 45 minutes and, once you arrive at your destination, you'd be hard-pressed not to dive straight into the shimmering waters, which is exactly what you'll find the locals doing there.
Visit the beaches
White Beach is one of most photographed beaches in Fira, whereas Perissa Black Sand Beach offers the chance to easily dip into the island’s crystal-clear waters. Red beach is located to the south of the island and is one of the most unusual spots given its Mars-like landscape.
Go wine tasting at a vineyard
Best known for producing for dry white wines and sweet vinsanto, both based on the island's signature grape variety, Assyrtico, Santorini has a plethora of wineries that are perfect for wine tasting. Head to Domaine Sigalas, Venetsanos Winery, Vassaltis Vineyards, Estate Argyros and Gaia Winery for an afternoon of tantalising tipples.
Visit the Prophet Elias Monastery
If you’re a culture vulture, you’ll likely want to stretch your legs at one of the most churches of the island located in the southeast part of the island, near the village of Pyrgos atop Mount Profitis Ilias. Built over 500 metres above sea level, it’s situated at the highest point of Santorini and built in 1711. It has its own museum, bell tower, and houses monks who still live there and make wines, which are available to purchase.
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