The 3,500-year-old city of Akrotiri offers a unique insight into prehistoric civilization. The volcanic eruption that blew out the heart of Santorini buried this Minoan settlement under ash. Discovered in 1967, only a fraction of the site has been excavated (uncovering the entire city could take a century). It’s worth visiting with a guide; contact our Bookings Team to arrange a tour.

Santorini is all about its spectacular caldera views, but this open-air cinema offers evening panoramas of a different kind. The fun, alfresco theater is tucked into a leafy enclosure on the southern part of the island, and plays a rotation of newly released movies, which air in English (with Greek subtitles).

This tiny museum is crammed with furniture, figurines, tools and ceramics unearthed at Akrotiri, a Bronze Age Pompeii on the island’s southern tip. The prize exhibits are fragments of Akrotiri’s stunning wall paintings, featuring monkeys, birds, fishermen and boxers.

Otherworldly Santorini is a strong contender for the lost city of Atlantis. You probably won’t find an underwater city if you go diving in the deep volcanic caldera, but you will see spectacular lava formations, underwater caves and reefs teeming with marine life.

The most spectacular way to see Santorini’s dramatic landscape is from the sea. This outfit has a fleet of sailboats and speedboats and a friendly English-speaking crew who know the island inside out. Cruise around the sizzling crater of Palia Kameni, wallow in the waters at Nea Kameni or explore the deserted beaches of Thirassia, a small island opposite Santorini that’s miraculously untouched by mass tourism.

Santorini’s volcanic soil produces exceptional wines, especially the bone-dry Assyrtiko and sweet Vinsanto. Domaine Sigalas winery, close to Oia, is a peaceful spot to watch the sunset as you sample award-winning wines and delicious mezze.