Santorini is one of the most famous—not to mention gorgeous—islands in the Mediterranean. This Cycladic gem stands out due to its extraordinary volcanic landscape, its picturesque caldera with the whitewashed houses, the legendary sunsets, the stunning beaches, and unique-in-the-world products like its wine varieties, cherry tomatoes, and fava, to name a few.

The serpentine caldera brim is crowned with beautiful traditional settlements that seem to be hanging right on the edge of the steep volcanic cliffs, offering a mesmerizing spectacle as you gaze at them  from a vantage point. When in Santorini, you should visit at least some of those villages to take in the authentic character of Santorini.Fira is the capital town of the island, known for its cosmopolitan vibes, lined with shops, restaurants, bars, galleries, and museums. Firostefani, meaning the “crown of Fira”, lies close to the capital and constitutes a more serene version of it. Its blessed location on the volcanic cliffs makes it an ideal place to admire the commanding views away from the crowds. Imerovigli is another gorgeous village close to Firostefani, which is known as the “Balcony of the Aegean” as it lies on the highest point of the caldera, and Oia, a famous traditional hamlet for providing the most idyllic places to admire the magical sunsets of Santorini.