Santorini Uncrowded: A Rare and Beautiful Escape

In the summer of 2021, I was fortunate to experience the magic of Santorini, Greece, during a rare lull between COVID waves—when the island was quieter than usual, offering a more serene version of its typically bustling beauty. It quickly became one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever visited, and it’s easy to see why it draws travelers from all over the world. We stayed at the Volcano View Hotel, a stunning and more secluded resort perched above the caldera, which offered panoramic views and a peaceful atmosphere—truly a perfect choice. Of course, we didn’t miss the iconic sights either, touring around the island’s famous spots and soaking in the charm of every whitewashed village and sunset-drenched cliff.

The hotel is situated well, close to the airport and offering a shuttle service to the nearby small town of Fira. It also boasts an amazing sunset view which is treasure box on this Island. While we did venture out to the famous Oia village, I felt grateful for choosing a more secluded place to stay. If Oia was this crowded during COVID, I can only imagine what it feels like on normal summer months.

Accommodation Tip: As mentioned you can not go wrong with the Volcano View Hotel. Beyond the magnificent views of the caldera and the beautiful infinity pool, every corner is photogenic and you can find some mindful secluded spots offering serenity. We stayed at a superior double with beautiful views to the Caldera. We were also fortunate that our room was at a corner offering a more intimate outdoor setting.

Gastronomy Tip: While a front view breakfast was a superb experience we did find the dinner in the hotel to not be as good as alternative options especially in Oia. You could eat out and come back to the hotel for the marvelous sunset views with a drink.

Excursion Tip: We visited both Fira and Oia. Fira is the more authentic and quiet of the two and for sure is worth a nice evening stroll. In Oia I felt under dressed :) The village seems to be very popular with the rich and famous and it was just as fun to do people watching as strolling through the beautiful decorated streets and shops. Should you plan to eat dinner at one of the more famous restaurants, I do recommend reserving in advance as they get booked up quite quickly.