Landmark
Santorini caldera
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The Santorini caldera is a massive, crescent-shaped basin formed by a catastrophic volcanic eruption around 1600 BCE, which collapsed the center of the island and flooded it with seawater. Today, it is the defining feature of Santorini, with steep cliffs rising from the deep blue water, dotted with whitewashed villages like Fira and Oia. Visitors can take boat tours across the caldera to the volcanic islands, hike along the caldera rim for breathtaking vistas, or simply relax at a cliffside café and watch the sunset. The caldera's unique geology and beauty make it the primary reason people visit Santorini, offering unforgettable views from nearly every vantage point on the western coast.
Don't miss
- Watch the sunset from Oia or Fira with the caldera as a backdrop
- Take a boat tour to the volcanic islands Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni
- Hike from Fira to Oia along the caldera rim for continuous panoramic views
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Santorini caldera
You can see Santorini caldera on your own. A tour is worth it for the story behind it, for transport, or for combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inSantorini Volcano and Hot Springs Cruise Tour from Fira Old Port4.2★ · 1,282 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$35 per personSee dates →
Best full daySantorini Caldera Cruise Tour (Volcano, Hot Springs, Thirassia)4.4★ · 1,371 travelers~6 hoursFree cancellationFrom$41 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleSantorini's Famous Fira to Oia Hike: A Private tour Adventure5★ · 71 travelers3-5 hoursFree cancellationFrom$134 per personSee dates →Getting there
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