Things To Do in Perissa

For one day in September, the blue-domed Timios Stavros – the largest church on the island – has its annual festival. Following Mass, the church grounds fill up with local village folk – from olive-skinned children to silver-haired grandmothers. Local musicians play in the shade of the pine trees, there’s a spot of Greek dancing, too, and the local wine flows until late into the night.

With its purple-cushioned sofas and tree-shaded garden, Yazz is the place to unwind. The drinks menu is first-class – chocolate milkshakes, exotic cocktails with real fruit, or Santorini’s own-brewed Crazy Donkey beer. During the day it’s packed with people in sarongs or shorts who’ve come from the beach. At night, you get live bands or DJs spinning chill-out tracks.

The beachfront is the place to be when night falls. There’s a line-up of mellow bars where you can sip a mojito or two, kick back to some soothing tunes, and chat late into the night. Plus, at weekends, you’re likely to find live bands or a disco. If you’re after a more authentic slice of Santorini, look out for the Greek nights. Cue bouzouki music, dancing and even some plate smashing.

Perissa’s 7-kilometre beach is a really chilled affair. You can park your sunlounger right in front of the sea and, when you fancy a dip, take a snorkel with you as the water is crystal clear. Plus, if you’re melting in the afternoon sun, head to Cremeria Vienna, at the Mount Vouno end of the beach – peach, melon and crème caramel are just some of the Italian gelatos on offer here.

Perissa serves up a masterclass in Greek cookery at its tavernas and fish restaurants. You’ll find Greek mezes on the menu, as well as more unusual local specialities like fish in ouzo, stuffed squid, and mussel souvlaki. To wash it down, go for a local Santorini wine like the Skalani or Naoussa – they’re from the Boutari Winery that’s just down the road.

Perissa is limited when it comes to shopping options. There’s a large supermarket, a couple of 24-hour bakeries and a handful of minimarkets where you can stock up on the usual Greek Island souvenirs, like blue evil eye beads and alabaster statuettes. But a 20-minute bus ride away is Thira, the island’s capital, where you can while away an afternoon in its jewellery shops and boutiques.

The chalky ruins of this 3,000-year-old-city are just above Perissa, at the summit of Mount Vouno. You’ve got an amphitheatre, an agora, and a sanctuary dedicated to Achilles, hero of the Trojan War. Rumour has it that many of the ancient artefacts on display in Athens’ museums were originally from here. Ruins aside, the bird’s-eye views of the Cyclades islands from here are epic.