Beach: as with most of the Greek islands, some of the biggest attractions are the beaches. Santorini’s beaches are quite spectacular, featuring black sand that has resulted from volcanic activity, providing a contrast with the deep blue of the sea. Tourists flock to Kamari and Perissa, which both feature long expanses of sandy beach and are great for both swimming and water sports.

You’ll also find excellent restaurants, bars and tavernas and shops along these beaches. Akrotiri’s famous red beach is one of the most stunning sights on the island, as its reddish-black sand beach is surrounded by towering red lava cliffs. If you’re looking for a somewhat quieter beach, Cape Columbo, Perivolos and Vlihada are all worth a visit.

Jazz festival: Santorini is home to a popular annual jazz festival in August. For a decade now this event has attracted performers from around the world. The venue is the open-air cinema in Kamari and you’ll find the programme to be an interesting mix of modern and traditional jazz. Also in August, the island hosts another international music festival, making this a very special time for music lovers.

Eating out: as true on Santorini as it is elsewhere in Greece, eating out is a way of life - and you’ll notice that the locals spend long evenings at the island’s tavernas. There’s a good selection of tavernas offering traditional Greek food at reasonable prices, as well as other more upscale and expensive restaurants. A wide range of cuisine is on offer, with seafood being a specialty.

Visiting the nearby island: the most popular daytrip is to take a boat to the two small volcanic islands to see the Santorini volcano. Boats dock at Nea Kameni, where a short walk will take you to the volcano’s crater. The boat’s next stop is Palia Kameni, where you can enjoy a plunge in the hot volcanic springs before returning to the main island.