If Greece isn’t on your holiday wishlist… it should be. And when it comes to dreamy Greek islands, Santorini is definitely up there. It’s often considered the star of the Cyclades – think whitewashed villages, blue-domed churches and some of the most unforgettable sunsets you’ll ever see. We spent seven nights soaking up what this iconic island had to offer – from lazy seafood lunches by the beach to wandering postcard-worthy streets, here’s how we spent a week in Santorini…
Day 1: Settling into island life
Our first day of any holiday is all about getting our bearings, so that meant dropping off our bags, having a quick look around the hotel and then heading off to explore the local area. There’s something special about wandering through the tourist shops on day one. Sure, many of them sell the same things, but you just don’t know when you’ll stumble across the perfect little trinket to take home. Plus, starting the search early gives you the whole week to decide what gifts to buy for family and friends (or better yet, yourself).
After taking in our surroundings and enjoying Santorini’s laidback atmosphere, it was time to start slipping into OOO mode.
Day 2: Seafood, sunshine and our first sunset
We picked the gorgeous TUI BLUE Meltemi as our base – this adults-only hotel has featured on Married at First Sight, so we were excited to see if it lived up to the hype. We stayed Half Board, which meant we got the chance to go out and explore local restaurants for lunch.
Today’s highlight had to be our first meal out on the island, and wow… seafood really does taste better when you’re staying by the ocean. It’s pretty hard to beat a fresh catch of the day when it’s served just metres from the sea. We spent the rest of the afternoon on the beachfront, soaking up the atmosphere before we got to experience our first Santorini sunset. The hues of orange and pink as the sun slowly sank beyond the horizon painted the perfect picture of what the rest of the week had in store for us. It’s easy to see why this island is known for its legendary sunsets…
Day 3: Underwater adventures
We started the day with breakfast at the hotel, before heading straight for the sea – armed with snorkel masks and a sense of adventure. It felt like time disappeared as we floated on the crystal-clear Mediterranean waters – picture colourful fish and complete peace and quiet. It really did feel like we were completely disconnected from everyday life.
Earlier in the week I had clocked one of Santorini’s famous blue-domed churches perched in the distance, so we decided to walk over to take a closer look. Although the church itself was closed, it was one of those moments that instantly reminds you that you’re somewhere unique.
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Day 4: Picture-postcard Fira
Day four became our biggest sightseeing day, and while planning our holiday, we’d researched cruise ship schedules. We knew timing was everything for us today – Santorini can become incredibly busy when several ships arrive at once. So, our alarms were set early and we headed for Fira before the crowds arrived. The views were every bit as spectacular as we’d imagined. Think dramatic cliffs, whitewashed buildings and endless blue sea stretching out as far as the eye could see. It looked exactly like the postcards, but so much better.
What really stole our hearts though, was Fira’s winding cobbled streets. Around every corner seemed to be another hidden gem – from quirky cafés tucked into tiny alleyways to a local art gallery in somebody’s living room and traditional Greek tavernas. These are the moments that make you fall in love with a destination, when you slow down and simply take it all in.
Day 5: Hotel day
With an early start the day before, we gave ourselves permission to do very little. Honestly, sometimes those are the best days you can give yourself. We spent the day around the pool making the most of the warm weather. For dinner tonight we’d picked the hotel’s themed restaurant. Like many TUI BLUE hotels, the menu at this restaurant celebrated local flavours, giving us yet another opportunity to experience authentic Greek food. The chef delivered – every course left us wanting more, even though by the end of the meal we couldn’t possibly eat another bite.
Day 6 and 7: The art of switching off
Our final couple of days were everything a break away should be. No alarms. No schedules. Instead, we spent our time enjoying long Greek meze lunches along the seafront, feasting on fresh mussels, prawns and other local dishes. We also visited Tranquilo Bar for cocktails and a laidback afternoon by the sea.
Some of the best memories are made sitting next to the sea with someone you love, enjoying good food and having nowhere else to be.
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Why we’ll always return to Greece…
Greece has a way of making us feel right at home, whether we’re discovering a new island or returning to an old favourite. Between the warm hospitality, incredible food and slower pace of life, it’s a place we’ll always keep coming back to. After a week in Santorini, it’s safe to say Greece remains our happy place.
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Author: Jordan Benney (he/his)
Last updated: 08/09/2026
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