Villa Rose is in Fira, the capital of Santorini, which stretches along the edge of the caldera, with white houses, narrow lanes and views of the volcanic islet. The hotel is on the town’s lower road, and the caldera is a three-minute walk away. The area suits you if you want a lively town, with museums, shops and tavernas around you, and a room to relax in after a walk.
In Fira, it is worth visiting the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, which houses finds from the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri, and the Archaeological Museum of Thera, with statues and pottery from the island’s ancient past. The cable car runs down from the town to the old port, where cruises to the volcano depart. Buses to Oia, known for its sunsets over the caldera, and to the beaches with black volcanic sand, such as Monolithos, Kamari and Perissa, leave from the central bus station. The airport is 3.1 km away.
The best time for beaches and cruises is from May to October. The meltemi often blows in July and August, and the town is busier, while in September the sea is still warm. One idea for your day: a morning walk along the caldera lanes, midday in Monolithos and sunset in Oia. Out of season, Fira quietens down, and the museums become the best reason to go for a walk.