Santorini · With kids

Kilometres of black sand with shallow, calm water and sunbeds in front of tavernas. The sand gets scorching by eleven — bring shoes.

A Bronze Age town under a modern roof, with shaded walkways and preserved streets. Good for ages seven up; about an hour inside.

Small, air-conditioned and mercifully brief — frescoes and gold from Akrotiri, forty minutes in Fira when the midday heat wins.

Half-day catamarans stop at the volcano crater and the hot springs. Choppy after lunch, so take the morning departure with younger children.

Fira and Oia are stair towns — carriers beat strollers everywhere. Base yourself flat in the south, nap at two, eat from seven.