Santorini is an ever-popular honeymoon destination,and it’s not hard to see why. The stunning andcompletely unique island has everything you coulddream of to kick off your new life together and to havethe most amazing Santorini honeymoon.

Offering spectacular views, world-famous sunsets,unusual beaches, wine tasting, and dining optionsgalore, it has everything you could dream of for aromantic honeymoon.

Many people even choose to get married on Santorini or perhaps renew their wedding vowsthere. The island has many wedding planners who can help you with this.

We highly recommend talking to Gold Weddings who have been helping people make thisdream come true for over 30 years!

If it is just a celebrant you are after check out this directory of celebrants and their greatreviews.

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When to visit Santorini One of the great things about Santorini is it is a year-round destination. So, if you areplanning to take off on your Santorini honeymoon immediately after your wedding, you’ll bepleased to know that this Greek island beckons all year round.

The summer months of June, July, and August are the definite peak whenSantorini is absolutely bustling with visitors. This is when the weather is thewarmest and there are many great events happening. It is also when prices are attheir peak due to demand.

A good compromise is to travel in the shoulder season, especially April, May or September.In these months, the weather is still warm and there is plenty of buzz about the place, butyou’ll have a little more room to enjoy Santorini with your loved one, sans the crowds.

Traditionally the Greek islands haven’t been considered winter destinations, however, thismeans the cooler months can be ideal for a honeymoon on Santorini.

You’ll be able to enjoy the island’s picturesque beauty without the crowds – perfect forstealing away plenty of intimate moments. Plus, although some amenities do close, plentyremain open catering to both locals and off-season travelers.

Further reading: When to visit Greece

How to get to Santorini Long gone are the days where getting to the Greek Isles was an adventure in of itself. Whilethere can still be a bit of fun in finding your way to the island, Santorini’s popularity meansit is easy to reach.

Fly to Santorini

You can fly direct to Santorini from various European cities, especially in summer (there aresignificantly fewer direct flights off-season). You can fly direct from cities including London,Madrid, Paris, and Brussels.

If you are flying from outside Europe, or outside the peak tourism season, you may need tofly to Athens first. From Athens, you can either take a short daily flight or a longer (butmore adventurous) ferry.

Ferry to Santorini

Exploring the Greek Islands by ferry is one of the most iconic holiday adventures in theworld. The whole ferry experience is a big part of the appeal of visiting the Greek Islandsand it’s a very enjoyable and relaxing way to travel.

Ferries from Athens arrive on Santorini several times a day. You can either catch the fastferries which take about 5 hours or the slower Blue Star ferries which have big outdoordecks, restaurants and even cabins.

You can also arrive by ferry from neighbouring islands such as Naxos and Ios or even Creteor Rhodes.

Book your tickets through Ferryhopper who we both use and recommend.

Islands near Santorini

Dreaming of an island-hopping honeymoon? There are a few islands that are a short tripfrom Santorini, including other Cycladic islands like Ios, Amorgos, Paros, Naxos, Sifnos,Milos and also Crete and Rhodes in the Dodacannese group.

There are also some cruises and sailing trips which take in other islands, and these runquite frequently in the summer months.

Overwhelmed?

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This 5-day private tour includes 2 nights in Mykonos, 2 nights in Santorini, private transfersfrom Athens, a guided tour of the ancient island of Delos, a sunset cruise and dinner inSantorini, and more!

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Where to stay on Santorini

With a plethora of beautiful places, choosing a base for your Santorini honeymoon can be achallenge. However, this decision really depends on what you are looking for.

Perhaps your ideal honeymoon involves being tucked away in a hidden paradise – or maybeyou’d prefer to be right in the heart of the cosmopolitan action, being wined and dined.Whatever you’re looking for, chances are you’ll find it on Santorini.

Oia

The beautiful town of Oia, the second largest town on Santorini, is a popular choice forhoneymooners. Oozing charm and charisma, Santorini’s second-largest town really is adream honeymoon destination.

If you close your eyes and dream of Santorini, the scene you imagine probably looks a lotlike Oia. With its whitewashed historic buildings and epic surrounding views, it really isclose to what honeymoon dreams are made of.

For many visitors, Oia is “just right” in terms of size. It has an excellent selection ofrestaurants and some great shopping, however, it still has a calm atmosphere about it.

There are a couple of cocktail bars here but the nightlife is more subdued, making the feelof Oia a little more peaceful than Fira. That said, Fira is just a short taxi ride away if youwant to dance the night away.

The biggest highlight of Oia is its stunning sunset views, which attract visitors from all overthe island.

Prepare to be absolutely mesmerized by the beauty of the sunset over the caldera.

Hotels in Oia

We’ve done the hard work for you and written an entire article dedicated to the very bestand most luxurious Oia, Santorini accommodation. This covers the most coveted hotels inthe villages as well as a few alternatives for the budget-conscious as well.

It’s also worth considering some of the amazing Santorini Airbnb accommodation. In Oiathere are a number of incredible options including the Hector Cave House, which was oncea wine cellar, and 270 Oia View both of which are cave rooms with private pools andSTUNNING views.

Imerovigli

Ask those in the know about the best place to stay on Santorini for your honeymoon, andchances are you’ll hear the name Imerovigli.

Located right in the middle of Oia and Fira but also on the Caldera, Imerovigli is ideal if youwould prefer your honeymoon location to be very peaceful, and ever-so-romantic.

It’s impossible to mention Imerovigli without raving about the views, which are particularlygorgeous due to the town’s elevated location. The panoramas out over the caldera are handsdown some of the best on the island and are sure to take your breath away.

Despite their beauty, Imerovigli remains a peaceful locale on the island. It does have aselection of nice restaurants, however, there’s no real nightlife to speak of – perfect if you’djust prefer to cozy up with your new husband or wife at night.

Imerovigli is also an accessible walk (around 30 minutes) from Fira, so you can base

yourself there yet dip your toes into the more bustling amenities of Santorini’s largest town.

Hotels in Imerovigli

For hotel accommodation, Astra Suites and Santorini Princess Spa Hotel are two of ourfavourites with exceptional service and beautiful rooms and facilities.

For a very private and fully independent stay then Villa Cave has a heated plunge poollooking over the Caldera or Royal Suite has an outdoor Jacuzzi on its private and expensiveterrace. Both are amazing!

Fira

If your dream Santorini honeymoon involves nights filled with divine dinners and perhaps aspot of dancing cocktail in-hand, then Fira is an excellent choice. It’s Santorini’s largesttown, and year-round it is the most bustling locale on the island.

Here you’ll find the island’s best selection of restaurants, nightclubs, and shops from largedesigner stores to smaller boutiques. There’s also an impressive range of things to doincluding museums and galleries, and Fira is well-connected to the rest of the island bypublic transport and taxis.

If you’re looking to celebrate your union with a bang (and by that, we mean plenty ofdancing and lavish cocktails), then Fira is a great choice. It has some of the best nightlife onthe island, from small cocktail bars to large dance clubs.

That’s not to say you can’t find quiet moments in Fira – far from it. The town offers stunningcaldera views, which are just perfect for enjoying with your loved one as the sunsets. Itreally is a beautiful backdrop for a honeymoon.

Hotels in Fira

For some of the best Fira hotels for a honeymoon, our pick would be Limestone LuxurySuites which are quite new and very luxe. Marquise Suites is also perfect as it’s small,intimate and Adults Only.

Just outside Fira are the amazing Serenity Suites and Villa which overlook the port and areright next to some pretty church domes. These have 2 bedrooms so great if you have kids orcompany!

If you want to be a short stroll from Fira town then Premier Residence is a very charmingsmall, traditional Cycladic house with stunning panoramic views.

Kamari/Perissa/Perivolos

If you and your new spouse crave sun, sand, and surf while enjoying your Santorinihoneymoon, then you’ll want to look at the towns of Kamari, Perissa or Perivolos.

Santorini’s beaches are volcanic sand and generally fairly rocky, however, the swimming isgood and the sun lounges are plentiful.

Kamari Beach is one of the island’s most famous hotspots, partly thanks to its closeproximity to bustling Fira. The beach is pebbly but the atmosphere is laidback and inviting,and there’s excellent swimming her if you’re looking to cool off from the sun.

Being just 15 minutes by bus from Fira, it’s a great choice if you’re looking to enjoy all ofSantorini’s charms. You won’t have the famed Caldera views but you will have the beachAND prices are considerably lower.

Perissa and Perivolos both have slightly better sand than Kamari, so are great choices for

serious beach lovers.

Actually, the two beaches merge together, and it’s hard to tell where one starts and theother begins; however at the far end of Perivolos you’ll find a smattering of luxe hotels,while Perissa is a little more budget-friendly.

Beach hotels in Santorini

La Belleza Eco Hotel is our pick for a honeymoon in Kamari while Anastasia Princess LuxuryResidence in Perissa (Adults Only) and Petri Suites in Perivolos are both gorgeous.

If you’ve had a destination wedding and have family or friends staying with you then AeolisHoliday House in Perissa is amazing! Sleeping up to 14 people in 9 beds this luxury househas a huge swimming pool that is a feature of the home. The beach is just a few minute’swalk and it even features a ‘romantic room’ on the upper floor facing the pool.

Akrotiri

A slightly more unusual choice for your Santorini honeymoon, Akrotiri is arguably the mosthistoric area on Santorini. There’s certainly something ultra-charming about ancienttreasures, and Akrotiri has them in spades.

So, if you and your loved one are history buffs – or you’re just looking for a beautiful, quietspot to enjoy your honeymoon – consider Akrotiri.

The village is most famous for the ancient site of the same name. Dating from the BronzeAge, the ancient town of Akrotiri was startlingly well-preserved due to a volcanic eruption (ala Pompeii) and is today the town’s biggest attraction.

You’ll find a modest selection of restaurants and shops in Akrotiri, although it’s far morelimited than Fira or Oia. You may also like to enjoy a trip out to the nearby lighthouse,which is very charming and also enjoys beautiful views out over the sea. A perfect hiddenhoneymoon hotspot!

If choosing Akrotiri, you’ll ideally want your own transport so you can travel around andenjoy more of the island. In particular, there are several beautiful beaches nearby, and youmay also like to enjoy a spot of wine tasting as well.

Akrotiri Accommodation

Elements of Caldera Suites are 12 newly built suites carved into the cliffs and are stunning.Phos the Boutique is also lovely and perched on the edge of the Caldera with spectacularviews and amenities.

Again there is a great option in Akrotiri if travelling with a group at Seascapes Suites. This asuper stylish Cycladic house with 6 bedrooms and a pool with multiple terraces. It’s veryprivate too, on its own road and with no neighbours!

The best Santorini restaurants for honeymooners

Of course, you couldn’t have a wonderful Santorini honeymoon without enjoying your fairshare of the local cuisine.

Santorini boasts some of the world’s best restaurants, from glitzy Michelin-starred optionsright through to modest family-owned tavernas. All the options have their own charm, andare well worth trying.

Being an island, seafood is a popular choice and an indulgent seafood basket is certainly agreat option for you and your loved one.

You might also like to try Fava me Koukia, a popular local dish that will definitely have you

heading back for seconds!

There are so many great restaurants on Santorini it’s hard to choose favourites. But some ofthe best include:

Athenian House (Imerovigli) – amazing views and perfect service, all in a charmingatmosphereAmbrosia (Oia) – widely regarded as the most romantic restaurant on SantoriniAmmoudi Fish Taverna (Ammoudi Bay) – for mouthwateringly fresh seafood that feelsso authentic

Sip a cocktail

Finally, an important part of any Santorini honeymoon is raising a glass to your future.Luckily, you’ll find plenty of cozy cocktail bars to cuddle up and toast to a long and happymarriage.

Best Santorini restaurants for lunch

While dinner time might the domain of oh-so-fancy degustation menus and the like, by dayit’s all about long, lazy lunches, often overlooking the sea and perhaps with a chilled bottleof white or sparkling on hand to add some pizazz. Of course, seafood is an obvious choice,but whatever you’re looking for in your long and romantic lunch, you’re sure to find it onSantorini.

Armeni Restaurant

Enjoy a delicious and sumptuously fresh seafood extravaganza the way it’s supposed to be –with the ocean breeze in your hair and overlooking the ocean. For this, Armeni Restaurant isa fabulous choice, with its breezy decor, laid-back vibes and utterly delicious fresh seafood.It’s perfect for a romantic lunch, best paired with some local white wine.

Lefkes

Since arriving on the island in 2016 as the brainchild of a passionate group of foodie friends,Lefkes has established a big reputation. It’s certainly hard to go past its delicious cuisine,which is true to the traditional style but with modern twists, paired with its epic wine listand beautiful setting. A romantic and charming lunch spot in a unique and beautiful venue.

Ammoudi Fish Taverna

If you’re looking for a unique and romantic experience that’s laid back and authentic, thenyou’ll certainly love Ammoudi Fish Taverna in the tiny village of Ammoudi Bay. With thelocation’s long fishing and maritime history, there’s no more fitting place to dine on adelectable, plucked-right-from-the-ocean seafood basket. The decor is breezy andreminiscent of a sailboat, and the service is friendly and hospitable. Perfect for a moreinformal romantic lunch.

Best Santorini restaurant for romantic dinners

As night falls, tables all over Santorini fill up with excited diners, ready to experience theisland’s world-famous gastronomy. There are few places on earth where there are so manydelectable restaurants in such a small space, and where romance is proudly on the menueverywhere. There are many great choices for romantic dinners in Santorini, but here aresome of the best.

Tip: it’s worth making bookings for these restaurants as early as possible, and asking if theydo anything special for honeymooners. Whether it’s a total package or just an extra-specialtable, they may be able to make your evening even more special.

Lycabettus

For a truly unforgettable and magical dining experience, there’s Lycabettus. You’ll feel likeyou’re suspended on a platform above the Aegean here, with absolutely mesmerising viewsas far as the eye can see in every direction. If you’re looking for dinner with a very generousside of WOW factor, this is the place to be.

There are only a couple of highly sought-after tables, so be sure to book well in advance.

Caldera Romantica

Set in the historic village of Akrotiri, Caldera Romantica is a wonderful place to get dinner –perhaps after a day of exploring the nearby ruins. The hint is in the name – this venue pridesitself on its romantic flair, and even offers special packages for lovers and honeymooners.With this, you’ll get a few special surprises to make your dinner even more memorable.

Be sure to call ahead to make it happen!

Ambrosia

Repeatedly named as one of the most romantic and beautiful restaurants in the world,dinner at the famed Ambrosia restaurant in Oia is certainly an unforgettable experience.Perched on a hilltop, its elevated position means it offers beautiful views, while some of theworld’s top chefs craft meals that are melt-in-your-mouth incredible. It’s all good, but theirdecadent desserts are a particular highlight.

Best Santorini sunset restaurants

If you didn’t know before reading this article, you surely know now – Santorini’s views arereally, really magical. It’s hard to picture a more perfect backdrop for a romantic meal (ordrink) celebrating your new life together.

While there are many fabulous restaurants with a view in Santorini, these are some of ourtop picks.

FlyAway Creative

Innovative and delicious cuisine, attentive and warm service, and fabulous views to boot?Yep, FlyAway Creative is definitely one of our picks for the best honeymoon dinner inSantorini. It’s a little more relaxed than some of the other options on this list, but its warmthand cosy factor is all part of its appeal.

Plus, it gets amazing sunset views as well.

La Maison

With its totally stunning sunset views and mouthwatering menu, La Maison in Imerovigli is adefinite favourite amongst romantics. The restaurant offers some of the island’s most jaw-dropping sunset views. You might think it’d be hard to look away, but with their luxe anddelicious menu (plus a divine wine list), the meals are worthy of just as much attention.

Villa Bordeaux

There really are few places in the world like Santorini, where you can enjoy absolutelysumptuous cuisine while gazing over at views that seem too perfect to be real. This iscertainly what’s on offer at Villa Bordeaux, a luxury hotel which also offers a stunninglyromantic restaurant.

You’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful views over the caldera from the terrace, which pairsperfectly with the delectable menu and fabulous wine list.

Image @Lycabbetus

Things to do on Santorini

There’s no shortage of things to do in Santorini while on honeymoon. Here are some of mytop picks.

Take in the sunset views

Did you notice how many times “sunsets” and “views” were mentioned above? Yep, thesestunning vistas are certainly unmissable when you visit Santorini on honeymoon.

The sight of the sun lazily dropping down over the caldera and illuminating the whitewashedbuildings is truly spectacular.

Oia and Imerovigli are two of the best places to see the sunsets, although Fira also offerssome epic views. There are many ways to take them in, however enjoying them over adelicious meal, glass of Santorini wine in-hand sounds pretty amazing to us.

While Oia is the most famous location for sunset-seekers, it does get very popular so be sureto book your table ahead. Another option (and great contrast) is to head to a less populatedpart of the island – the view from the Monastery of Profitis Ilias is also absolutely epic.

Sail or cruise around the island

The sight of Santorini is absolutely amazing from the island, however, you can take in yetanother sublime viewpoint by enjoying a romantic cruise on a boat around the island.

This way, you can take in the unique geology, and perhaps enjoy a glass of bubbles as thesunsets. How romantic!

Many of the Santorini boat tours will take you for an amazing adventure right into the heartof the caldera. This is an amazing way to take in the beauty of the island, and also afabulous addition to any honeymoon.

You’ll be able to choose from small private boat tours, right up to larger luxury group tours

where you’ll share the experience with other travellers.

As well as the caldera boat tours, there are also other options including day trips to nearbyislands. You can also try some unique options including a kayak tour or an fishing trip thatincludes lunch if you prefer to be a bit more active on your honeymoon!

Wine tasting

What goes hand-in-hand with a romantic Santorini honeymoon? Delicious Santorini wine, ofcourse!

Wine tasting is a popular activity on Santorini, and also makes a fabulous addition to anyhoneymoon.

You can sample some delicious local wine and learn about traditional methods of viticulture,all with a generous dose of Greek hospitality.

There are many wineries located towards the center of the island, particularly aroundMegalochori and the stunningly beautiful village of Pyrgos. Some of the most famouswineries include Santo Winery and Argyros Estates, however, there are plenty to fill anafternoon (or a day) with. There is an excellent sunset-wine tasting combo tour that isperfect for a Santorini honeymoon!

Visit the beach

Truth be told, Santorini’s beaches don’t have the mega reputation of other islands likeMykonos, largely as they are typically volcanic with black sand.

However, for many people this really only adds to their unique appeal, and you can certainlyspend plenty of time lazing by the sea on Santorini.

As mentioned above in places to stay, three of the most popular beaches on Santorini areKamari, Perissa, and Perivolos.

Another beautiful and unique beach is Red Beach, so named after the ochre-coloured rockycliffs that surround it.

If you’re looking for a hidden gem to enjoy with your love away from the crowds, then Irecommend the suitably named Eros (the Greek God of love and desire) locate at thesouthern end of Santorini.

Visit historic sites

A large part of Santorini’s charm is its long and unique history, which is particularlyfascinating as it’s filled with a few myths and legends.

So, if you want a side of mystery and culture with your romantic honeymoon, then be sure toleave some time to tour the historic sites.

Of them all, the most famous is the well-preserved Bronze age village of Akrotiri, which isjust near the modern village of the same name. It was destroyed by a volcanic eruptionmany centuries ago, however, this also preserved the ruins under the hardened lava.

Fun fact – it’s widely believed that the volcanic eruption of Thera (which created theSantorini we know today) inspired the tales of Atlantis. Perhaps you’ll find evidence of thelost city on your honeymoon?

Hike!

While there’s nothing wrong with endless lazy days on Santorini, a hike is a perfect optionfor more active couples.

You’ll surely love wandering hand-in-hand, taking in the spectacular scenery, and stoppingto capture a few of the magnificent moments.

Hiking is particularly fabulous on Santorini due to those amazing views I can’t stop ravingabout.

There are a few popular options for hikes, which are good for even inexperienced hikers.

One of the most popular is the walk between Fira and Oia, which takes in all the beautifulcaldera views you’d expect. It does take a couple of hours, so wear comfy shoes!

Another popular hiking destination is to the top of Santorini Volcano, which is actually just ashort boat ride away on Nea Kameni island.

It’s a great day trip and you can also cool off by taking a quick dip after your walk.

Horse Riding

Horse’s and donkeys are common in Greece and much loved as both working animals and

pets.

There’s something very liberating about riding a horse especially along a beach and to do itsurrounded but the extraordinary landscapes of Santorini is truly something special.

Horse Riding in Santorini is a very romantic activity and one to definitely try and do as thesun goes down.

Further reading:Santorini vs Mykonos

3 days in Santorini

How to get from Athens to Santorini

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