Why visit
Santorini is the caldera island. Oia's whitewashed church domes, Fira's cliff-edge restaurants, red and black volcanic beaches, and Akrotiri's Bronze Age ruins.
Santorini at a glance
City population
16k
Elevation
150 m
492 ft
Time zone
UTC+2 (UTC+3 DST)
Europe/Athens
Airport
JTR
Santorini (Thira)
Founded
c. 3600 BCE (Minoan)
Getting around
Buses + rental cars/ATVs; walking between villages on cliff paths
Signature dish
Fava, tomatokeftedes, sfougato, white eggplant, Assyrtiko wine
Neighborhoods for travelers
FiraOiaImerovigliKamariAkrotiri
Greece at a glance
Country center
39.0°, 22.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
131,990 km²
50,962 mi²
Country population
10.3 million
78/km²
Subregion
Southern Europe
Currency
Euro (€)
EUR
Dial
+30
Language
Greek
Demonym
Greek
Internet
.gr
UN
Member state
ISO code
GR / GRC
Where in the world
39.0° · 22.0°
Greece
Open in Google Maps ↗
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world · CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Santorini was shaped by one of the largest volcanic eruptions in human history, c. 1600 BCE: possibly the source of the Atlantis myth.
- The white-and-blue color scheme isn't tradition: it dates to a 1974 government decree.
- Buildings cling to caldera cliffs 300m above the sea because the land remains seismically active and unstable.
- Greece has more than 6,000 islands but only 227 are inhabited.
- No spot in Greece is more than 137 km from the sea.
Bordering Greece
Traveler notes
- Oia sunset. Show up early for space
- Akrotiri minoan ruins preserved by volcanic ash
- Ferry to Crete (under 3 hours) for a bigger island
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Verify swim safety, ocean conditions, and water-quality reports by month.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Santorini
What currency is used in Santorini?
Santorini uses the Euro (€), ISO code EUR.
What languages are spoken in Greece?
The primary language is Greek.
What is the international calling code for Greece?
The calling code is +30.
What airport serves Santorini?
Santorini (Thira) (IATA: JTR).
Other Europe destinations
Belgium
Belgium is Brussels's EU density, Bruges's fairy-tale canals, Ghent's underrated old town, and the world's deepest beer culture.
Bosnia & Herzegovina
Bosnia & Herzegovina is a destination in Europe layered with historical sites and heritage routes. Plan an itinerary around ruins, old quarters, monuments, and museums.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria is a destination in Europe layered with historical sites and heritage routes. Plan an itinerary around ruins, old quarters, monuments, and museums.
Croatia
Croatia is Dubrovnik's walls, Split's Diocletian Palace, Plitvice's waterfalls, Hvar and Vis islands, and Istrian truffle country.
Czechia
Czechia is Prague's Old Town and castle, Český Krumlov's UNESCO village, Karlovy Vary spa culture, and one of the world's strongest beer traditions.
Denmark
Denmark delivers Copenhagen's design and food (world's best restaurant list regular), Aarhus's ARoS art museum, and the Jutland dunes.