Luxury Holidays to Santorini

On a Luxury holiday in Santorini, all that glitters is an ocean of blue

The platinum lifestyle awaits in Santorini and direct flights will get you to there from the UK in just under four hours. Transfer to Thira and Perivolos are only 20 minutes after that, with many of the top hotels laying on transport.

You’ll be hard pressed to find a slice of Santorini that isn’t postcard-worthy. This volcanic island is positively paved with whitewashed buildings scaling upward into the hillside, capped with vibrant blue domes and leading down to sunbed-lined shores. With scenery like this, it’s not really possible to have a holiday here that’s anything less than luxurious. Couple this with wineries and spas, and it’s a bona fide island palace.

Thira is Santorini’s capital and therefore a top place to start when looking for luxury. Cosmopolitan by nature, it’s packed with art galleries, spas and cocktail bars. Meanwhile, Perissa is a waterfront town that’s heavy on the local vibes, especially where wining and dining are concerned. And another in Santorini’s luxury pack is Perivolos, which, with its seven-kilometre long beach lined with classy beach bars, is nothing to be ignored.

Living the high life in Santorini

Whatever your brand of luxury, beautiful Santorini has you covered. The stunning beaches make for an ever-elegant backdrop, then there’s the spa variety in Thira, where little fish nibble your toes or deep tissue massages bring the ultimate relaxation. The capital city is also home to upscale jewellery stores selling handmade wares and a cosy dinner theatre, where you can enjoy a cultured night out the Greek way.

Perivolos is more of a party animal, with classy beach bars tucked up along the coast hosting DJs. Perissa, on the other hand, is where you’ll want to head for dinner with a 5* view as a number of restaurants specialise in beach views with a side of locally-made wine. The island’s regional wine is known as vinsanto, made predominantly from the island’s indigenous grapes and best accompanied by a famous Santorini sunset.

Other popular holidays in Greece

If you’re still itching for a luxury holiday in Greece but aren’t entirely sure on where to go, we’re happy to make a few suggestions. Try other Greek islands like Mykonos and Skiathos on for size. But if your heart’s still set on Santorini, have a look at our travel guide for in-the-know information on this island in the sun. In the meantime, here are our top five hotels for a luxury Santorini holiday.

Other popular luxury holidays

Sardinia | Corfu | St Lucia | Cyprus | Majorca

El Greco Hotel

Styled like a boutique Greek palace with a rose-and-cream palette, this gorgeous hotel overlooks the Aegean Sea and comes with its very own range of spa treatments. Here, you can expect everything from massages and beauty treatments to open-air whirlpools and five swimming pools, plus an additional indoor one. What’s more, each bedroom comes with a balcony or terrace, so your views of the waterfront are always on point.

Majestic Hotel

You’d think the plush pool scene would be the main event at the Majestic Hotel, but nothing compares to the views this deluxe spot affords. Here, you’re overlooking the Aegean Sea and Santorini’s famous caldera. Also on hand are a spa and Turkish bath, lounge, bar and a gourmet restaurant. The shops and restaurants of downtown Thira are 10 minutes off, though room service is just a call away.

Santo Miramare Resort

This 4* hotel takes up an impressive amount of space along Perivolos’ coast. And when we say along the coast, we mean it’s just across the street, so views of the water are always on hand. Upgrade to a suite and you’ll have even more beach-heavy vistas, that are completely private to the hotel. You’ll also have one seriously massive pool scene and a bar, plus wellness facilities like a Finnish sauna and massage treatments.