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Make a holiday villa in Santorini your home away from home

On HomeAway we have a wide selection of holiday villas in Santorini for you to browse. Santorini is a Cycladic island formed by a gigantic volcanic eruption in ancient times. This gives it a rugged, otherworldly landscape quite unlike anything you have seen before, but with all the activities and experiences you would expect. Santorini villas are all whitewashed in the traditional style, and thanks to the rocky nature of the island, many offer sublime views. You might prefer a location next to the sea to enjoy the island’s famous sunsets, or opt for a holiday rental in the rural heartland, surrounded by vineyards. You can also choose the guest facilities at your accommodation – at this warm destination, air-conditioning and pools are welcome extras at many Santorini holiday homes.

Things to do

-Beaches. The island’s rugged, volcanic landscape gives rise to some truly unique beaches, many of which are accessible only on foot or by boat. One of these is Red Beach, so called because of the natural hue of its rocks. Kamari is a more conventional example, and is backed up with a variety of amenities like bars and cafes.

-Natural landmarks. Santorini is home to its own active volcano, which can be visited via boat trips departing from Armedi and Ammoudi Bays. The volcano continues to produce gases and steam, and there’s other geological activity in the form of the hot springs that can be experienced at Sulfur Beach.

-Outdoor recreation. Thanks to its spectacular and unusual landscapes Santorini is the perfect destination to discover on foot or by bike. One of the essential walks here is the route of the Caldera, between Oia in the north and Fira. Along the way you’ll enjoy some absolutely unforgettable scenes. There are also some wonderful dives on offer around Santorini.

-Viticulture. Winemaking has been an important industry on Santorini for many centuries thanks in no small part to the quality of volcanic soils. Vinsanto is the most famous variety of wine produced on the island, and you’ll be able to see how it’s produced at a number of wineries that are open to visitors, such as Santo Wines and the Argiros Estate.

-History. One of the essential sights on Santorini is the town of Akrotiri, a Minoan settlement dating back more than 3,500 years that was enveloped by volcanic ash after an eruption. Today you can visit the excavation site and see buildings and objects in an impressive state of preservation.

Weather in Santorini

Santorini gets typically Mediterranean weather. This means if you head for Santorini between may and October you’ll encounter warm weather with highs ranging from 25 to 30 degrees. Sunshine is abundant, and there’s practically no rain in this season. Winters tend to be damper, and temperatures at this time of year tend to reach highs in the mid-teens. Spring conditions are mostly clear, with highs often getting up to the low-20s. Autumn weather is generally mild, with occasional rainy days.

Travel to Santorini

You can reach holiday homes in Santorini via Santorini National Airport – the island relatively unique in the Cyclades as it has its own air transport hub. There are flights here from a range of airports throughout Europe and Greece, although international flights tend to be available only in the summer months. Many visitors hire cars, and no destination on the island is more than a 45-minute drive away. Public transport is provided by buses, with a regular shuttle service to and from the airport and timetabled services running between the island’s towns.