Perched on the rim of an ancient volcanic caldera in the southern Aegean Sea, Santorini is one of the world’s most iconic island destinations — defined by its dramatic cliffs, whitewashed Cycladic architecture, and the deep cobalt sweep of the caldera.

Long known as an ideal honeymoon destination and the Greek isle home to some of the world’s best hotels, Santorini delivers elevated romance. Standing out among the excellent properties is the Canaves Collection, four hotels from the Chaidemenos family. Back in the 1980s, the family embarked on a pioneering venture that would forever change the landscape of Oia, Santorini. As some of the island’s very first hoteliers, they turned 17th-century wine caves into spaces where guests could experience the magic of the island.

Formed by one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history, Santorini carries its geological past in every feature of the island: the black and red sands of its beaches, the minerality of its wines, and the sheer beauty of its landscape. The island’s volcanic origins have shaped not only its scenery but also its celebrated gastronomy. Indigenous grape varieties like Assyrtiko and Nykteri produce wines of extraordinary character, grown in basket-trained vines that have endured the Aegean winds for centuries. On the table, the volcanic soil yields ingredients found nowhere else in the world—cherry tomatoes of intense sweetness, silky white eggplants, golden split-pea favas, and capers that carry the island’s salt and heat in every bite.

Beyond its famous sunsets and postcard vistas, Santorini offers a deeply layered cultural experience—ancient Minoan ruins at Akrotiri, Byzantine churches scattered across its hilltop villages, and a refined hospitality scene that has made it an icon in luxury travel. Each of its distinct villages carries its own character, and we’re here to help you break it all down. From the labyrinthine alleys and blue-domed churches of Oia, the cosmopolitan energy of Fira, the medieval stillness of Pyrgos, and the preserved, unhurried charm of Megalochori, your SmartFlyer travel advisor can guide you through every step.

Where to Stay in Santorini

One can’t talk about where to stay in Santorini without detailing the passionate work of the island’s most storied hoteliers. What began as a small venture from the Chaidemenos family has grown into an operation that’s the benchmark for what family-owned-and-run hospitality should feel like. The Canaves Collection marks an iconic family-owned and operated group of boutique properties, including Canaves Ena, Canaves Oia Suites, Canaves Epitome, and Canaves Sunday.

Fittingly, Canaves Collections’ exceptional service has been recognized on the world stage. Managing Director Markos Chaidemenos was named Hotelier of the Year by Virtuoso in 2023, among a smattering of other accolades for Canaves Collection. For foodies, the properties each offer unique dining experiences under renowned Executive Chef Tasos Stefatos; there’s Petra at Canaves Oia Suites, serving up ultra-fine Greek Cuisine, the award-winning Elements, and the design-forward Omnia, at Canaves Epitome, and Veranda Tapas & Aperitivo Bar, serving up Japanese fusion with incredible rooftop views at Canaves Sunday.

For the Family Getaway

Canaves Epitome is a world unto itself. A serene, spacious retreat where the drama of Santorini’s sunsets and sea views unfolds against a backdrop of earthy calm and generous, unhurried space. With fifty-three suites and villas, two common pools—including the largest rooftop pool in Santorini—two restaurants, and a full spa and gym, it is an ideal property for families with children of all ages. Built in 2018 just outside Oia, each suite boasts an incredible sunset view and plenty of room to rest and play. The property offers a customizable Kids Program. A two-minute shuttle service directly connects the property to the heart of Oia, making this the perfect mix of seclusion and activity.

For the Wellness Lover

For those seeking an immersive wellness experience, Canaves Oia Suites hosts the spa, shared by all of the properties, built into a seventeenth-century wine cave and complete with state-of-the-art technology. In its recently renovated forty-six suites and two villas, each accommodation has its own infinity or plunge pool with unparalleled panoramic views of the Caldera and the Aegean Sea. Situated at the highest point in Oia, it is also the only property in Canaves Collection with an elevator—making it the most accessible option.

For the Romantic Retreat

Canaves Ena is an intimate, boutique stay with just eighteen suites. Designed with romance and elegance in mind, this is the property for anyone seeking an intimate escape on the island. Renovated in 2024, the property feels fresh and elevated, with the same whitewashed walls and neutral tones, and a special focus on couples. The property does not accommodate children under the age of thirteen, and most suites feature special touches designed to foster connection.

For the Culture Seeker

As the most intimate in the collection, Canaves Sunday offers only eight suites in the walking-friendly heart of Oia. Perfect for those who want to be at the center of local culture yet remain ensconced in their own bubble of serenity and privacy, here you’ll receive highly personalized service with a three-to-one staff-to-guest ratio. This boutique property can also be completely privatized—making it perfect for anyone planning special occasions who wants to create an exclusive home base for friends and loved ones.

Where to Unwind in Santorini

The Canaves Collection offers expansive wellness offerings, including yoga and Pilates programming, in-room custom treatments, and massages at Canaves Epitome, as well as a top-of-the-line spa at Canaves Oia Suites with treatment rooms set inside caves. All Canaves Collection guests have access to the Oia Spa. Canaves Oia Suites is less than a ten-minute walk from Canaves Sunday and Canaves Ena, and Canaves Epitome provides a shuttle to Oia that takes two minutes.

The spa is powered by exclusive partnerships with esteemed brands like Valmont, Cinq Mondes, and Kos Paris. Every treatment is tailored to the guest, ensuring an experience that transcends expectations. We love the Sparta Ritual, where Cinq Mondes’ massage revives the European tradition of athletic massage, as described in Hippocrates’ writings on preparing athletes for the Olympic Games.

Where to Explore in Santorini

There is an abundance of private and semi-private experiences available across Santorini, each customizable to your preferences. Want to dig deep on Aegean history? Take a private tour of Bronze Age ruins. More interested in spending the days gently rocking on the waves, soaking up the sun, and sipping on something bubbly? Set sail on one of the yachts or catamarans available exclusively to guests of Canaves Collection. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor can coordinate each of the experiences below, tailored to your exact needs.

Exploring Santorini

• Dive into the island’s alluring history: Learn about the island’s extensive past with a guided tour of the Akrotiri archeological site, an important Minoan Bronze Age settlement. Still covered in 16th-century volcanic ash, the site is a portal to centuries of Greek and Aegean history.
• Explore traditional Santorini settlements with a private driver: Led by an experienced local guide teeming with insights, explore the quieter parts of Santorini. You’ll discover the secrets of the southern part of the island, including the picturesque traditional settlements. Wander along winding village streets, visit boutiques, and mingle with locals in traditional tavernas in villages such as Pyrgos, Megalochori, Imerovigli, and Emporio, soaking up the essence of life in Santorini.
• Get active on a hike from Oia to Fira: The island’s most celebrated walking route stretches just over six miles, tracing the caldera rim through some of Santorini’s most striking villages. Suitable for all levels, the trail rewards visitors with panoramic views of the volcano, the Aegean, and the full sweep of the caldera. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor will match you with a guide for a cinematic experience that spans Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Oia.
• Ignite your senses with private cooking classes: Take an immersive culinary workshop led by experienced chefs from Canaves to explore the techniques and traditions behind authentic Greek cuisine. You’ll learn how to incorporate fresh ingredients and vibrant herbs from time-honored recipes. A hands-on experience that brings the flavors of Greece home with you.
• Take a Pottery Class at Earth & Water Studio: Attend tailored workshops with award-winning ceramist Andreas Makaris, whose creations are inspired by Santorini’s extraordinary light and rich history. Classes are available across skill levels, and finished pieces can be shipped worldwide.
• Watch a movie under the night sky: Watching a movie outdoors is a summertime classic, and Canaves Epitome is upgrading the experience with panoramic sea views, a delicious selection of cocktails, and a lineup of acclaimed international films.
• See the splendor of Santorini from the sky: Experience the sights with a helicopter tour over the volcano and caldera, offering a unique perspective on this enigmatic island.

Exploring off Santorini

• Indulge in a yacht day: For the ultimate privatized experience, gather your crew and set sail aboard a premium Pardo or Feretti yacht. You’ll glide through azure waters on an unforgettable journey while being looked after by your carefully chosen crew. A day exploring Santorini by private yacht offers sophistication, with everything from chef-cooked meals and wine tastings to scuba diving expeditions, depending on your preferences. There is also the option to choose from a selection of private and semi-private catamaran experiences. Explore the volcanic islet of Palaia Kameni and the striking red, white, and black sand beaches.  
• Soak up the sun while on an island-hopping sail: Discover the beauty on the doorstep of Santorini with a day-long cruise to the neighboring islands of Folegandros, Ios, and Anafi. This exploration is tailored to help you discover remote, whitewashed villages and hidden beaches. Consider this your adventure to dig a bit deeper into Greece’s Cycladic culture and history.
• Zip through the untouched terrain of Thirasia: For a true off-the-beaten-path adventure, take a private tour of Santorini’s quieter sister island, crossing wild landscapes, stopping at a traditional wood-fired bakery, and concluding with lunch at an old winery, with local Cretan delicacies, wine, and raki. This adventure provides a rare glimpse of the Aegean as it once was.
• See what’s under the surface scuba diving with Atlantis Oia Dive Center: In collaboration with one of the island’s most respected dive centers, the Canaves Collection offers an elevated private introduction to Santorini’s underwater world, ideal for both first timers and experienced divers. The volcanic seabed creates an utterly unique diving environment found nowhere else in Greece.

Where to Dine

For intimate fine dining experiences, casual waterfront plates of fresh seafood, and traditional Greek dishes steeped in tradition, Santorini offers it all in spades. Below are the dining options available through the Canaves Collection and across the island.

Dining in Santorini

• Melitini: Greek tapas served fresh, tucked into the alleys of Oia and run by a team who have rejected the mass tourism mentality for something more authentic. A charming, relaxed spot for a leisurely midday meal with a distinct local character.
• Armeni Fish Tavern: An off-the-beaten-path waterside tavern tucked beneath Oia, where the focus is entirely on fresh fish in an authentically simple setting. You will arrive by boat, and it is the kind of hidden gem that you will remember long after leaving. Order the catch of the day and pair it with a local Greek beer.
• Ammoudi Fish Tavern: When you think of a classic, cinematic Greek scene, Ammoudi is what you picture. A seafood restaurant right on the waterfront of Ammoudi Bay, down a stairwell 300 steps below Oia Castle, framed by the volcanic red rock and overlooking the Aegean Sea. Fresh catch, clear water, and the sound of waves — as close to a perfect seafood lunch as Santorini offers. Plan to order fish by the kilo.
• Mia’s: This restaurant, from daughter-father duo Sellia and Chris Georges, is helmed by Executive Chef Elli Mitrai. Mediterranean cuisine is served on the cliffside in Oia, combining elegant cooking with one of the island’s most dramatic natural settings.
• Naos: In a mansion built in 1845 in the heart of Oia, Naos’s menu reimagines Greek and Mediterranean comfort food rooted in authenticity and showcasing seasonal ingredients. It’s also well-suited to those who enjoy creative cocktails—we highly recommend the Imerovigli, a Stoli-based drink with raspberries, acai berries, saffron, ginger, and lime.
• Roka: A traditional and modern Greek tavern in Oia, beloved for its honest cooking and convivial atmosphere. Set in a building built in 1912, dine in a courtyard bursting with warm color and blooming trees. Don’t miss the traditional Greek moussaka served in a clay pot.
• Fino: A traditional Greek cuisine spot in Oia. It is intimate, straightforward, and reliably delicious. This is a local favorite for those who know where to look. The meze menu is made for those looking to share a few classic Greek dishes.
• The Athenian House: Located in the secluded village of Imerovigli, this award-winning restaurant is on the World’s 50 Best Discovery List and is lauded for lamb moussaka. With an entirely plant-based menu and an extensive wine list, this is an easy crowd-pleaser.

 

Dining at Canaves

• Veranda Sushi & Sunset Bar: The go-to spot before sunset for cocktails and sushi bites, Veranda offers stunning 180° views of the Aegean and Caldera from the highest point in Oia at Canaves Sunday. Enjoy the vibrant sky as you savor creative, made-to-order sushi combinations featuring fresh, locally sourced ingredients that blend Japanese and Greek flavors.
• Adami: Adami is inspired by the Greek word ‘αντάμωμα’ (antamoma), meaning ‘meeting.’ The restaurant’s menu comprises generations-old recipes, offering a passport to Greek tradition poolside at Canaves Ena. Expect soulful, generous food that speaks to the best of the island’s culinary heritage.
• Omnia: Omnia translates to “everything.” The restaurant playfully highlights a breezy fusion of local fresh fish and other treasures from the archipelago at Canaves Epitome. Generously feeding the eye and the soul, Omnia also stuns with unobstructed views, fresh, organic architecture, and an unexpected Cycladic backdrop, featuring calming elements like stone, wood, linen, and other natural materials that add depth and value to this scenic floating garden.
• Elements: An interactive gourmet tasting journey enjoyed in distinct stages, set against one of Santorini’s most spectacular sunset backdrops at Canaves Epitome, and one of the most refined dining experiences on the island. Overlooking an infinity pool and framed by stunning vistas, the restaurant invites you to indulge in a dining experience as unforgettable as the view. Elements’ culinary philosophy is a celebration of the senses.
• Petra: With awe-inspiring views of the Caldera and volcano, this intimate fine dining experience at Canaves Oia Suites offers top-tier Greek food. There is an excellent tasting menu, with an alternative vegetarian offering. Prepare for an unforgettable gastronomic experience, where exquisite flavors, meticulous presentation, and warm hospitality converge in an intimate and elegant setting.

Where to Shop

Bringing back jewelry for yourself? Wine for a friend? Here’s where to shop in Santorini for handmade goods and well-made finds.

• Oia Village Boutiques: The winding alleyways of Oia are lined with some of the island’s most curated independent boutiques, selling everything from handcrafted jewelry to local art, ceramics, and artisan textiles. Shopping here is an experience in itself—unhurried, beautiful, and full of one-of-a-kind finds. Head to spots like Calisti Boutique, Kisira Concept Store, and The Silk Store for flowy dresses, wide-brimmed hats, and other special items to bring home.
• Local Jewelry Ateliers: Santorini has a strong tradition of fine jewelry design, with several independent ateliers across Fira and Oia producing pieces inspired by the island’s volcanic landscape and Aegean palette. In Fira, a twenty-five-minute drive from Oia, there’s Apollo Jewelry, Koukla Art, Devous Jewelry, and Kallisti Jewelry. In Oia, stop by Poniros, Santia Jewelry, and Andronis Fine Jewelry.
• Firostefani and Imerovigli Small Shops: These caldera-side villages offer a more peaceful shopping experience, with small shops selling handmade items, local ceramics, and artisan products that reflect the island’s craft heritage without the foot traffic of the main villages. Imerovigli and Firostefani are both twenty-minute drives from Oia.
• Pyrgos Artisan Stores: The hilltop village of Pyrgos is home to a handful of artisan shops and galleries that reward curious visitors. Think hand-thrown ceramics, local olive oil, and Santorini wine, ideal for bringing a genuine taste of the island home. Pyrgos is a thirty-minute drive from Oia.
• Earth & Water Pottery Studio: Located in Megalochori, a thirty-five-minute drive from Oia, the studio of award-winning ceramist Andreas Makaris has called Santorini home since 1985. His work draws inspiration from the island’s extraordinary light and layered history, and pieces can be shipped worldwide.
• Winery Shops: Several of Santorini’s historic wineries—particularly around Megalochori and Pyrgos—have on-site shops where you can purchase bottles of estate-produced Assyrtiko, Nykteri, and Vinsanto directly. Try Gavalas Wines and Venetsanos Winery in Megalochori and Santos Wines in Pyrgos.

When to Visit Santorini

The best time to visit Santorini is late April through September. July and August are lively but busy, so you’ll want to plan your time in Oia accordingly, keeping in mind that cruise ships do dock during the day. We love visiting in late September and even into October for the best balance of warmth, light, and quieter streets.

Getting to Santorini

Santorini is in the southern Aegean Sea and is the southernmost member of the Cyclades island group. The island is 145 miles south of Athens, reachable by flight or ferry. Ferry rides to Santorini’s Thira port from Mykonos take just over two hours, three hours from Paros, and between five and seven hours from Athens.

Twenty-nine miles long, the crescent-shaped volcanic island of Santorini is home to about 13,500 permanent residents, a figure that is dwarfed by the 3.4 million people who visit annually. Oia, the former sleepy fishing village where the Canaves Collection originated, is on the northernmost part of the island. The village has the prime vantage point overlooking the caldera, a large and mostly submerged volcanic crater that sits on the interior curve of Santorini’s crescent shape.

To get to Santorini, your SmartFlyer travel advisor will book your seamless transfer to Santorini National Airport, which is a twenty-five to thirty-minute drive from the Canaves Collection properties. Santorini is a forty-five-minute flight from Athens International Airport and accessible via direct flights from many major U.S. hubs. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor will pre-arrange your airport transfer, as taxis are scarce and in high demand.

READY TO GET PLANNING YOUR ESCAPE TO SANTORINI? Contact your SmartFlyer travel advisor.