Destination Next: Santorini, Greece

Instantly recognizable for its romantic architecture and picturesque coastline, beautiful Santorini dazzles alongside the Aegean Sea. This coastal city is consistently named as one of the top travel destinations in the world, and ‘Thera’ is perhaps the most famous of all the Greek islands welcoming a staggering 520,000 tourists in 2019 alone and a healthy average of 470,000+ tourists per year in post-pandemic times.

About Santorini

A member of the Cyclades Islands, Santorini was formed in 16th century BC after a volcanic eruption ravaged the region resulting in the dramatic, rugged landscape that we see today. The incident was devastating, but locals adapted by building the island’s now-famous villages, windmills and dome-shaped architecture along the perimeter of the massive cauldron-shaped crater.

Today, Santorini is a coveted vacation spot beloved for its sun-kissed beaches, historical sites, picture-perfect sunsets, aquatic adventures, delicious Mediterranean cuisine, luxury accommodations and more. However, Santorini’s popularity has come at a price as the city is suffering the results of overtourism in the form of traffic jams, overcrowding and rising sea levels. Luckily, the local government is working on solutions to help travelers find ethical ways to visit by encouraging tourism in the off-season, limiting the number of cruise passengers allowed on the island each day and with much-needed infrastructure upgrades.

Grecian Romance

Travelers will be hard-pressed to find a destination that’s more idyllic than Santorini. And with romantic activities that are sure to make sparks fly, it’s no surprise that so many couples, destination wedding parties and honeymooners flock to the island to find their bliss.

A visit to SantoWines — one of the area’s most popular vineyards — will inspire travelers to live as the ancient Greeks did with award-winning wines grown from ash-rich soil on Assyrtiko vines. The result is a dry, highly acidic blend that tickles the tastebuds and delights the palate. As the day winds down, at least one evening in Oia is essential to witness what many consider to be the most incredible sunset in the world. As the sun begins its descent, a rainbow of gold and amber hues paint the sky, and the sparkling sea below creates a magical play of color that reflects off the picture-perfect coastline.

Endless Adventures

Adventurous travelers may also find Santorini to be their perfect match with plenty of opportunities for hiking, history and exploration on the high seas. Remember, life on Santorini isn’t new. In fact, experts believe that civilization on the island dates as far back as 3000 BC, something travelers can experience for themselves with a visit to the Akrotiri Archaeological Site, Ancient Thera and the Museum of Prehistoric Thira.

As the largest member of the Cyclades, Santorini is also famed for its ocean views and variety of sandy beaches — white sand, black sand and red sand. Amoudi Bay is one of the most popular spots for boaters to drop anchor while Kamari Beach is a fan favorite place to soak up some vitamin D, meander local shops and indulge in mouth-watering Mediterranean cuisine.

Originally featured in the fall 2022 issue of The Compass magazine.

About the Author

Senior Editor for VAX VacationAccess and world explorer, Jenna loves writing about all things travel. When she’s not busy creating content, she spends her time exploring the great outdoors, cuddling with her two black cats and researching her next big (sometimes strange) adventure.