Chill out in picturesque Ammoudi

Ammoudi, a quaint port town, is a wonderful location for lunch and a stroll along the waterfront. The natural bay is lined with traditional white homes, fishing boats bobbing in the clear seas, and towering red cliffs maintaining watch above. It's just one of those spots where pictures can never do it justice.

The nearly vertical 300-step descent begins immediately below Oia Castle and winds along the rocky route carved into the caldera edge, revealing the island's famed geological layers and vivid red sandstone. Thirasia, Santorini's equally stunning sister island, is off in the distance, and the Aegean Sea's brilliant blue hues can be seen gleaming in the midday light between them.

On those sizzling summer days, an hour or so snorkeling off the rocky beach makes for a wonderful way to cool off – especially if you’ve worked up a sweat from the lovely cliff walk (also a fabulous location for sunset viewing).

Once you’re ready for an evening feed, find yourself one of the charming waterside tavernas where you can tuck into some of the area’s most tantalizing freshly caught seafood.

Location: Oia, Santorini