White-washed buildings teeter on cliff edges on the Greek island of Santorini

This vineyard-strewn island is the most stunning and photographed in Greece's Cyclades archipelago.

Transparent blue waters lap at the base of sheer cliffs while stark white cubic houses with blue trimmings look down from lofty heights.

The hefty tourism market has not compromised the island's traditional architecture. Visitors come here in droves year-round to wander Santorini's narrow cobbled alleyways, bask on its scorching black volcanic sand beaches, gawk at breathtaking sunsets from tranquil cliffside towns and eat fresh seafood from portside tavernas.

Once shaped like a round bread roll, Santorini now resembles a half-devoured donut, the result of thousands of years of devastation from volcanic eruptions and earthquakes. Around 1500BC, Santorini was the victim of one of the largest volcanic eruptions in known history and the ensuing tidal wave is believed to have wiped out the Minoan civilization on Crete 110km to the south.

The most recent destructive earthquake occurred in 1956. As if to tempt fate, the locals have built dozens of quaint blue and white churches on the most unstable-looking precipices and on tiny offshore rock formations that are only accessible by row boat.

Most visitors to Santorini take a day excursion to the island's still-active volcanic crater where steam still wafts from the jagged lava rock.

Santorini's capital, Fira, is home to pricey cliff side accommodation and restaurants that serve mousaka and Greek salad with panoramic balcony views.

The island has a number of picturesque swimming spots where you can paddle in the gorgeous aqua sea. Koloumbo beach is for those who prefer to bathe au natural. Perissa beach is the chilled backpacker hangout lined with budget accommodation, outdoor bars and tavernas. Red Beach is a secluded cove framed by red cliffs that loom like a tidal wave over sunbathers. Ammoudi - more a port than a beach - lies 300 steps below the quiet cliffside town of Oia on the northwestern tip of the Santorini. Here, you can dive straight into the depths of the submerged crater and soak up some rays on the concrete port.

Getting around the island is possible by taxi, car, scooter or public bus, the latter which has frequent links to Fira, Oia, Perissa, Akrotiri and Kamari.

Santorini is serviced by flights from Athens, Mykonos and Rhodes. It is connected by ferry to Piraeus in Athens as well as Mykonos, Iraklio, Ios, Naxos and Paros. Santorini's main port is located 10km from Fira. There is also a port used by smaller boats located just below Fira.