The 10 best bars in Santorini
When the sun descends over the volcanic caldera, follow locals to one of the laidback clubs lining the island's black sand beaches, where international DJs spin their sounds beneath a wall-to-wall sky of glittering stars, or hang out in a traditional kafenion (traditional Greek café) where they sip punch-packing white spirit Tsipouro and listen to lively local nisiotika music. Or follow a more sophisticated crowd to sip signature cocktails in clifftop havens with spectacular views of that world-famous volcanic crater.
All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best bars in Santorini. Find out more below, or for more Santorini inspiration, see our guides to the island's best hotels, restaurants things to do and beaches.
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Best for a fun night out
Volkan on the Rocks
An easy stroll from Fira's scenic cable car and the Nomikos cultural centre, this hip haunt in the high-flung suburb of Firostefani (which translates as 'Fira's crown') is a café, bar and cinema rolled into one. Athenian food concept store Ergon is behind this all-embracing venue where locally-sourced snacks are served up alongside craft brews and creative cocktails – including Grandma's Yoghurt, a feisty blend of vodka, fresh lime, hazelnut syrup and yoghurt. All beneath starlit skies, whilst Mamma Mia! and other cinematic classics play in the background.
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The 10 best pubs and bars on the Isle of Wight
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Dunelm garden furniture is reduced to clear with 50% off and will give your space Santorini vibes
DUNELM shoppers can get hold of a gorgeous furniture set that's 50% off in the clearance sale. The Santorini 2 Seater Bistro Set is just £59.50 in the sale, down from an original price of £119. 1 It was previously reduced to £83.30 in June but it's now gone into the clearance section - meaning you can get it for a bargain price if you're quick. Remember, once something is in clearance then once it's gone, it's gone. Dunelm says the set will give your space Greek island vibes with its contrasting rattan and steel look. It comes in two colours, Natural and Jade Mist, but only the Natural version is in clearance. The Jade Mist version is still a little more expensive at £83.30. The set comes with two chairs and a coffee table. It's made from weather resistant and sturdy rattan and steel. The description on the Dunelm website says: "The Santorini Bistro Set brings a pop of vibrancy to your garden with its bold, contrasting colours and stylish rattan design. "This 2-seater set, complete with a coffee table, is crafted from weather-resistant materials and supported by a sturdy powder-coated steel frame, making it both functional and visually striking." It comes flat packed which means it should be easy to transport home but you'll need to assemble it yourself. I gave my bathroom a boujee but budget makeover - I used Dunelm bargains & cheap buys from Amazon made a huge difference Reviewers on the Dunelm website have raved about the set, with one saying it was "ideal" for their garden and "easy to put up". Another said: "Saw the set in store & tried it, have had it iny fave list, saw it had gone into a sale, bought it with no regrets! (sic) "Can't wait to use it in my new flat garden, will be running with Santorini inspo!" A third added: "Love it, super simple to put together, about 15 mins in total. "Really cute looking, got it on sale and for the price I'm really happy, chairs are comfier then I expected." Where else can you get discounted garden furniture? Several retailers have offers on garden furniture currently - just as another heatwave could be approaching. The Met Office has said a third heatwave could hit the UK by mid next week. Savvy shoppers have shared that Tesco has dropped the prices of some of its garden furniture. One of the supermarket's most popular outdoor tables, the Madrid Bistro Table, is currently just £16. That's £9 off its original price of £25. The table has been a staple of Tesco's garden furniture range for years and is even a shopping expert's favourite. Meanwhile the set of two Rattan Stacking Garden chairs are now available for £61.31, reduced from £82. The offer is only available until July 15. The Outsunny Foldable Sun Lounger, which comes with a side pocket and headrest, is just £23.19. That's down from £28.99.
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Seven European spots that really do feel like the Maldives – from worst to best
If there's one destination we associate with peak tropical luxury, it's the Maldives – and it hasn't gained that enviable reputation for nothing. With 160 of its islands occupied by resorts, it fulfils all the basic holiday paradise criteria: turquoise water, powder white sand, and year-round blue skies. But it's those dreamy overwater and beachfront villas, leading straight onto the sand or hovering above the ocean, that really set Maldivian luxury apart. Yet even paradise isn't perfect – most notably because it's a 10-hour flight from the UK and air tickets in peak holiday seasons can veer into the astronomical. The journey doesn't end once you've landed in the capital city of Malé, either: some of the nearer islands are accessible by boat, but most are a seaplane-flight away. As idyllic as it sounds, flying in a tiny aircraft that lands on water is not everyone's cup of tea. It's fortunate, then, that the Maldives is not the only game in town, so to speak. 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