Guide to Santorini

Known as the ‘Black Pearl of the Aegean’, Santorini epitomises the picture-perfect Greek island experience and is the main island within the beautifully unspoilt Cyclades archipelago. Steeped in history as much as in scenery, the island was formed from a volcanic eruption in 1500 BC that caused its central point to sink into the sea, leaving a crescent-shaped rim of cliffs.

Today, it is these sheer lava cliffs of Santorini’s Caldera towering 300m above the cobalt waters of the Aegean Sea that make it iconic in its beauty and hint towards its mythical Greek legends. The volcanic nature of the island has also created naturally multi-coloured beaches, such as the black pebbled Kamari as well as the idyllic black-sand cove of Perissa in the south-west. The southeastern corner of the island is perfect for trying out the water toys on board your luxury charter yacht, and also boasts a lively nightlife with a great selection of chic bars and restaurants.

Santorini’s iconic bright white buildings that tumble down the cliff-sides provide some of the most picturesque backdrops in the world and are best seen approaching from the sea from the decks of a superyacht. A visit to the bustling main village of Fira offers a colourful display of traditional Greek gyros and an atmospheric piazza as well as a cosmopolitan collection of bars and clubs that boasts captivating views over the Caldera.

The northern village of Oia meanwhile is famous for its gorgeous sunsets and has successfully managed to maintain its natural, dramatic beauty despite its continued popularity. The Cyclades are most enjoyable in late spring – when the landscape is still green, the sea has warmed up to feasible swimming temperatures, but the crowds have yet to descend – and early autumn, when the summer hordes have departed and the sea is at its warmest.

If you want to experience the wonder of Santorini for yourself, why not start planning your next luxury vacation by viewing the entire fleet of superyachts available for Greece Yacht charters.