Santorini is one of those places that genuinely looks unreal. Whitewashed buildings? Check. Blue domes? Obviously. Sunsets so dramatic they deserve an applause? Absolutely. But beyond the Instagram clichés, the island delivers a balance of rustic and luxury moments too. Expect great wine, sea views and questionable amounts of feta.
Where to stay
TUI BLUE Meltemi
The adults-only TUI BLUE Meltemi is a calm sanctuary right by Perissa Beach, which means you can roll out of bed and straight onto black volcanic sand in under a minute. Efficient! The vibe is chic but relaxed. There are multiple pools, spa treatments, fitness classes, yoga sessions and enough loungers to fully commit to doing nothing for hours. The resort also runs loads of activities in the evenings, if you suddenly decide your personality is now karaoke! Location wise, it’s ideal. One of the best things about staying in Perissa is the beach access. The sun rises on the shore, and early morning swims here hit differently: fewer crowds, cooler temperatures, and that peaceful 'I should move to Greece' feeling.
What to do in Santorini
Rent a boat
A morning catamaran cruise should be mandatory. You’ll sail past the island’s dramatic cliffs, hidden beaches and volcanic hot springs, while pretending your life is a European film. Expect crystal clear waters, aggressively beautiful scenes, and too many photos of your cocktail against the ocean. Oh, and pack plenty of suncream!
Stroll the streets
Santorini’s villages all have different personalities. Oia is the polished influencer favourite with the famous blue domes. The church domes are painted blue to represent heaven, matching the same colour as the sky. New blue domes are being built everyday. The narrow winding streets were built by fishermen to confuse pirates - you won’t find a street name or house number here, and that was intentional! Fun fact: street lighting is very limited here, the floor is painted white so you can find your way home in the moonlight. The area is full of gorgeous little artisan shops, for picking up a trinket or two to take home.
Wine tasting!
Santorini wine tastes unique because the grapes grow in volcanic soil. Famous for their white wine, try the white grape Assyrtico, which is one of the oldest varieties in the world. A tasting session is perfect for trying all the local wines while learning just enough about wine-making to become annoying at dinner later.
Discover the real Santorini with a villages tour
Once you get away from the busy tourist spots, the island feels way more authentic. Quieter villages, hidden viewpoints and tiny streets that look untouched by time. You’ll explore places like Emporio, with its maze-like alleyways and traditional Cycladic houses, before heading up to higher viewpoints for panoramic island views. Then there’s Akrotiri Lighthouse, with its dramatic cliffs, and endless 360 degree sea views. This experience feels slower and more local than the typical tourist route, especially when you stop for a long mezze lunch overlooking the caldera to soak it all in.
Take a Greek cooking class
Literally set right on the beach, this open plan, laid back experience is less “serious culinary school” and more “wine in one hand, olive oil in the other”. You’ll learn how to make all the traditional Greek dishes from scratch, using local fresh farms to fork ingredients and authentic techniques. Expect lavish, sharing portions of tzatziki, villager salad, stuffed peppers and domatokeftedes. It’s a great way to experience Greek culture beyond beaches and bars. There’s something very wholesome about cooking slowly, eating together, and comparing flavours whilst you look out onto the ocean.
All experiences can be booked with the TUI BLUE Guides and Reps directly at the hotel, or can be booked online via the TUI and TUI Musement website and apps, or in TUI stores prior to travelling.
Where to eat in Santorini
Sun Spirit
This island delivers elite dinner views. At Sun Spirit, expect tiny tables overlooking the perfect spot to catch the glowing sunset, sat right by the windmill. For cocktails and sunset vibes, this is absolutely where you need to be, to nail that Instagram pic. The sunset was so good here, people clapped. And yes, I joined in. It’s so popular that securing a table can be difficult, with bookings often made weeks in advance. However, the good news is tables are reserved for TUI guests as part of the TUI Musement Santorini Wine Lovers Tour.
Forty One
The vibe at Forty One screams bohemian. Golden decorations line the walls, while you chill under crochet canopies. You must try the fresh fish options such as octopus and red snapper, but also, anything involving feta honestly.
Seven‑night package holidays to TUI BLUE Meltemi start from £1,045pp with TUI, including flights, transfers, half‑board dining and 24/7 support via the app and in-resort reps, combining the reassurance of a package holiday with loads of choice over flights and travel dates.
