With features formed by one of the biggest volcanic eruptions ever recorded, the Greek island of Santorini is a honeymooner’s paradise or an ideal family vacation destination. Located in the Aegean Sea, Santorini has a lagoon bordered on three sides by cliffs that reach heights of over 300 meters. Many of Santorini’s houses are built over or nestled directly into these cliffs. The island is saturated with beaches covered in sand and pebbles made of solidified lava. Black Beach, Red Beach, and White Beach take their names from the shade of the geologic layer exposed on their shore.

Santorini is known for its signature wine, Vinsanti, and cherry tomatoes, both nurtured by the lush tropical soil. Grapes used to make Vinsanti are left to dry in the sun for over ten days, then barreled for at least 20 years.

The capital of Santorini, Fira is right on the edge of a 260-meter high cliff. Fira offers generous shopping, mostly along the street of Erythrou Stavrou, and panoramic views along Ypapantis. Visitors can take a bus from Fira to the village of Vlychada for an underwater tour of the volcano and surrounding islands in a submarine.

Eleven kilometers from Fira, Oia is the best village from which to catch Santorini’s famed sunsets. Oia features a stunning view of the volcano, as well as other islands Palia, Nea Kameni, and Therasia. Oia has a plethora of art galleries, as well as taverns, cafes, and other tourist-friendly establishments. Perivolas is a luxury hotel on the edge of a cliff in Oia, surrounded by vineyards and other tropical plants.

Located fifteen kilometers southeast of Fira, Perissa is the beach that affords the most protection from the Aegean summer winds, partly due to the aid of the Profitis Ilias mountain it borders. Perissa is a black-sanded beach featuring a gigantic rock protruding from the sea known as Mesa Vouno, famous for its night-lit beauty. The town is geared toward tourists, with a liberal helping of cafes, restaurants, beach bars, and night clubs. From Perissa, visitors can walk or ride a donkey across a small mountain path to view the ancient Thera ruins.

Kamari is directly opposite the island from Perissa, with a green landscape on a vacation-ready beach. Like most of the other Santorini beaches, Kamari offers water sports, but they are the most organized here. Kamari’s crowded shores are lined with resorts, but should an avid fisherman desire more solitude, a traditional fishing boat is available to transport holiday-goers to the more peaceful isle of Anafi.

Santorini is a desirable location for honeymooners searching for a place to enjoy spectacular oceanic and volcanic sunset views while sipping on signature Greek wine. With its multitude of resorts, restaurants, and shops, Santorini is a welcoming vacation destination for families as well. Whether gazing into a partner’s eyes during romantic beach strolls or cementing familial bonds over fast-paced water sports is the goal, Santorini, Greece is the ideal destination.