23 July 2025
A Week in Santorini:
Sun, Sea, and a Few Surprises
We flew from Manchester to Santorini and honestly, the journey couldn’t have been easier. Once we landed, we’d pre-booked a taxi through Sun Transfers (highly recommend!) and it was all very smooth. In no time, around 15 minutes we were pulling up at the Splendour Resort in Firostefani and wow, what a welcome. Our stay was for 7 days and I was soon very glad that we’d not come here on a cruise. You’ll soon see why!
The hotel staff were brilliant, and to top it all off, they upgraded us to a stunning suite with sea views and a balcony. Waking up to that view every morning was something else. The hotel really lives up to its five stars: peaceful, well located, and beautifully maintained. And the sunrise at 5 a.m. from the hotel? Absolutely amazing – worth the early alarm. The breakfast literally offered everything and the pool area was perfect.
Fira, the capital, was just a 15 to 20 minute stroll along a gorgeous coastal path. So easy to get to and full of little shops and restaurants. It stayed fairly quiet unless a couple of cruise ships were docked in the bay. That’s when things got noticeably busier. There were a decent amount of restaurants and most had absolutely spectacular views. We liked Vanilla as it offered great food, service and views.
Oia was the place to head to it just wasn’t for us because of the cruise ship crowds. It’s undeniably beautiful, with postcard-perfect views, but the tiny alleyways get absolutely jammed with tourists, especially around sunset. Food and drink there was extremely expensive even by Santorini standards. My advice? Snap your pics, take it all in, and then head back to Firostefani, Thira/ Fira, or Imerovigli for a much calmer and a less expensive experience.
The rest of the island feels like a dream: unspoilt, peaceful, and full of charm. Perissa Beach on the sandy coast is a bit more commercial, but still lovely and not too pricey for a beach day. If you eat at one of the beachside cafes you can keep your sun beds and umbrellas for the day.
The island is stunning. Everywhere you go, you spot those iconic little churches with the blue domes. They’re designed to bring you closer to heaven and somehow, they really do. Some of the wedding venues overlook the sea and it really would be the most breathtaking place to tie the knot.
One of our favourite days was visiting a local vineyard. The Santorini wine is absolutely spot on, fresh, light, and perfect in the sunshine.
We also went on a boat trip across to the volcano, which used to be part of Santorini. I even jumped off the boat (quite a height for me!) and swam in the warm volcanic springs. Such a unique experience. The trip ended with a stop on Thirasia island, where we had a proper Greek meal and, of course, more wine. So cheap too, amazing how just one little island hop can make such a difference to your budget.
Would I go back? Absolutely. But not on a cruise I’d do at least a 4 night break. But probably not in the height of summer. Santorini is truly special, you just have to know when and where to enjoy it.
Excursion links below 👇
A link to the fantastic island cruise trip https://www.getyourguide.com/santorini-l753/santorini-volcanic-islands-cruise-with-hot-springs-visit-t134943/?partner_id=XPQDYZC&utm_medium=online_publisher
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