Book cheap flights to Santorini

The ideal time to visit Santorini is between late April and early November when the weather is warm and there is hardly any rain. The months between June and September provide the best conditions for swimming, sunbathing and maximising the nightlife. The island can get rather hot, so for a more comfortable sightseeing experience go between April and June, or September and November.

South African Passport holders need a Schengen visa to visit Santorini, Greece. Leave plenty of time for visa processing, and remember to check that your passport is valid for 3 months after your departure from Greece, and that you have 3 blank pages available for entry stamps. Passports may not be older than 10 years.

This is one of the safest holiday destinations and crime is generally unheard of. Take the usual precautions of guarding your valuables when walking along the streets or on the beach. Be aware of scams carried out by rental agencies, tour operators and taxi drivers. Should there be an issue involving local police, interpreters are usually available.

All water on the island is bottled, although tap water is fine for showering and teeth-brushing. Thira Town has a good hospital and excellent clinics while larger towns, like Oia and Kamari, have suitable outpatient services.

If you choose to holiday in Santorini, you should definitely stay in the towns! The towns of Fira, Oia, Firostafani and Imerovigli are located on the western side of the island. These charming towns are what make Santorini so special and unique, and the views from the cliffs are breath-taking. The restaurants and clubs are quite trendy, while the hotels offer more luxurious

Fira is the largest town and is where all the action happens. Just ten minutes away, Firostafani is less crowded but just as vibey! For the best sunset views and a relaxed atmosphere, Imerovigli is a good choice. For a romantic retreat, Oia is lovely.

The beaches are situated along the east of the island, a 20 minute drive from the main towns. The beach towns are cheaper, less busy and have an authentic ‘Greek’ feel to them.

Travelling around the island of Santorini is really easy and convenient. You can choose between renting a car, driving a scooter or taking the bus. Of course, there’s no real need to drive around as you’ll want to appreciate the beauty of the towns by walking through the streets.

Many tourists opt for a scooter as it’s more convenient and you can zip between towns with the wind blowing through your hair.

The bus system is very cheap and efficient as it reaches all the major tourist attractions; however, buses stop running after midnight so if you’re partying till late, you’ll need to get a taxi back to your hotel.