Santorini Holidays
Santorini Holidays,
Greece
Charming, romantic, and with a chilled-out pace of life that invites you to just slow down and relax, Santorini is one of the most popular of all the Greek islands. Its sugar-cube buildings cling to the cliff edges, and the cobbled streets wind up and down from the shoreline and harbours to the lush green olive groves above. It’s said to be one of the best places in the world to see a truly breath-taking sunset, and with luxury accommodation, great cultural sites, and award-winning restaurants to explore, it’s one of our top romantic getaways for couples. Families are welcome in Santorini too, with beaches that are both spotlessly clean and dusted with unusual black and red volcanic sand. The waters are crystal clear, so expect diving and water sports to be part of your package holiday to Santorini. With Qatar Airways Holidays, you get the chance to discover this beautiful island for yourself, where you can explore tiny villages and inlets before heading back to your exclusive accommodation for an evening of music and dancing.
- Explore the ruins of Ancient Thira, an atmospheric and remarkably well-preserved ruined city that dates back to the 9th century BC. Wander around temples, a market square and theatre, or simply sit and watch the sunset as it turns the ancient stones into a rainbow of different colours.
- The best location to see the sunset is Ia (also known as Oia), where you’ll get the longest view of the spectacular colours against the backdrop of the ocean.
- Take a boat excursion and go island hopping to nearby Thirassia and the volcanic island of Nea Kameni, where you can see the hot springs.
- Visit the Faros lighthouse, a great spot for photographers. While you cannot go into the lighthouse itself, the surrounding area is tranquil and crowd-free, especially in the busy summer months.
- Relax on the Red Beach and go snorkelling in the clear, shallow waters. For some crowd-free relaxation, Pori beach on the east of the island may be challenging to get to, but the glorious isolation and lack of crowds makes it worth the effort.
Santorini Holiday Packages
A holiday package to Santorini with Qatar Airways Holidays is your chance to rediscover some romance in your life. Perfect for that impulsive getaway with a loved one, it’s a destination that is guaranteed to relax you and transport you away from the everyday hustle and bustle. Cobbled streets lined with tiny boutiques and tavernas are just begging to be explored. The island’s unique volcanic structure makes it very different from the neighbouring islands, and the surrounding sea is a perfect spot for diving. A Qatar Airways Holidays package deal to Santorini makes sure that your flights, accommodation and transfers are all taken care of, so you can focus on relaxing and enjoying your holiday.
For food lovers, every Greek island has its own specialities, and Santorini is no different. Most famous is the island’s unique white eggplant, which plays an important part in local dishes. Look out for tasty yet simple food such as tomato keftedes (tomato slices fried in batter) and stuffed vine leaves. For the freshest fish and seafood dishes, head down to the harbour, where you’ll find award-winning restaurants lining the wharf.
Santorini Holidays FAQ (Frequently asked questions)
When is the best time to travel?
The most popular time to visit Santorini is between June and September, when the average temperature is around 27°C, with very low if any rainfall across the peak season months. The winter months see an increase in rainfall, with temperatures from December through to February hovering around 12°C on average during the day. The spring months of March, April and May see the temperatures rise steadily, although you may still catch the occasional sharp shower in early March. Sea temperatures climb into the mid to high-20s°C during the summer.
How can you travel to Santorini?
Santorini has its own airport (Santorini (Thira) National Airport: JTR), which is just north of Kamari and from May 2020 you can fly direct from Qatar. Book a package holiday to Santorini with Qatar Airways Holidays and you can relax knowing that you’ll be looked after by friendly, professional cabin crew all the way to your destination.
What is the best way to get around?
The most popular way of getting around this charming island is by bus. Look out for small, white structures at the side of the road – these are the bus stops used by both locals and visitors. If you prefer to set your own agenda then car rental agencies operate on the island. If you want to go exploring then renting an ATV or All-Terrain Vehicle is the best bet, as some of the roads up in the mountains can be a little challenging for the average family saloon! The island is crisscrossed by hiking trails, the most dramatic of which is the route from Fira to Oia. However, bear in mind that the terrain can be rocky and steep, but the views are well worth the effort.
Good to know
Eastern European Time UTC+2
Greek, English
+30
230V 50Hz
Euro
Santorini Holidays Experiences
- Horse riding in Exo Gonia is a great way to see the island from a different perspective.
- Diving is incredibly popular, and even novice divers can explore the underwater wonders of the submerged volcano and some of the wrecks that lay on the ocean floor around 14m below the surface.
- History is everywhere, and our top spot for those who love classical Greek ruins is Akrotiri in the south of the island. Preserved just like Pompeii in volcanic ash from the catastrophic eruption that tore the island apart in ancient times, it dates back 3,500 years and is an incredible window into the Minoan culture.
- Discover more about the creative side of island life with a visit to the Art Space Gallery and Winery in Exo Gonia.