Best Things To Do in Santorini
Introduction
Santorini’s volcanic activity plays a role in many of the island’s popular activities, from swimming and sunbathing at the molten-dyed beaches (such as Kamari Beach) to exploring ancient ruins once buried in ash (Ancient Akrotiri). Even the flavor of wine here is affected by the island’s volcanic terrain, making a trip to one of Santorini’s many wineries a must-do activity for foodies. Outdoorsy types will enjoy hiking along the caldera from Fira, where the city of Atlantis was said to have once stood. Whatever you choose to do in Santorini, you can’t miss a sunset from Oia or while dining alfresco in Amoudi Bay.
Related Readings: Santorini Travel Guide, Santorini Less Than 48 Hours, Perfect Honeymoon in Santorini,
Best Attractions
Ancient Thira
Separating Kamari from Perissa on top of Mesa Vouna is Ancient Thira. This archaeological site, which was first claimed by the Dorians (ancient Greeks) in the 9th century B.C., is home to ruins from the Hellenistic (Greek empire built by Alexander the Great), Roman, and Byzantine (eastern Roman empire) eras. Stroll through Ancient Thira, and you’ll find ruins of ancient religious sites, a theater, old city administrative buildings, and even a gym for military trainees. Recent travelers found the ruins of Ancient Thira to be interesting, though many said the breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea were pretty distracting. Travelers who walked from the town of Kamari up to Mesa Vouna recommended the scenic walk if you’re in shape; it takes about an hour to get up, and there is minimal shade along the way.
Along with the incredible views, travelers loved the low price of admission to the ruins compared to Ancient Akrotiri. Admission to Ancient Thira is 4 euros ($4.46). The site is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. year-round. You can reach the site by bus from Kamari, car, or on foot. For more information, check out the Greek Ministry of Culture’s website.
Ancient Akrotiri
This fascinating archaeological site was first discovered in the late 1860s, but its buildings date back to earlier than the 17th century B.C. This former Minoan outpost, which, according to the Greek Ministry of Culture, is considered one of the most important prehistoric settlements of the Aegean Sea, was once a thriving port town. The city was later destroyed by a massive volcanic eruption, the same one that made Santorini look like it is today. Thanks to years of excavation, enough of the site has been uncovered (only one-third is said to have been excavated) to allow visitors to explore. Here, travelers can look at multi-level buildings, loads of pottery, and even drainage systems. What is absent, however, is any sign of its former residences. This has led scientists to believe that Akrotiri’s previous inhabitants knew of the eruption and fled the island accordingly.
Most travelers were impressed with Ancient Akrotiri. Visitors strongly recommended securing a guide to take you around the site and explain its rich history. Otherwise, as other travelers who went without a guide noted, you might end up spending your time staring at a bunch of rocks. Some lamented the high entrance fee, especially the extra fee for booking a guide, but those who did say the expense was completely worth understanding Santorini’s fascinating history. To get a better glimpse of the frescos and other art found at Ancient Akrotiri, visit the Museum of Prehistoric Thira.
Ancient Akrotiri of Greece is located on the southern end of the island. The site is open from April to August from 8 am to 2 pm Monday through Sunday and 8 am to 3 pm from November to March. In September, the hours are from 8 am to 7 pm. Admission is 12 euros ($13.40). For 14 euros ($15.64), travelers are admitted to Ancient Akrotiri and the Museum of Prehistoric Thira. To get to Akrotiri, you can take the KTEL bus from Fira.
Hike From Fira to Oia
This is the best thing to do in Santorini – it’s free! The views are incredible. The hike takes somewhere between 2 and 5 hours, depending on your speed and how many pictures you stop to take along the way. Start in Fira and move north through Firostefani and then Imerovigli (this part of the path feels more like a village sidewalk). From Imerovigli to Oia, it’s a largely rural path with only a few shops and restaurants. Most people will want to wear sturdy running shoes for the walk, but I’ve seen people do it in flip-flops. The route isn’t wholly marked, but it’s pretty intuitive: stay on the path that follows the edge of the caldera and walk north (when in doubt, stay to the left/west). Of course, it’s OK to wander in the opposite direction, but it feels more natural (to me) to walk north to Oia and the island’s tip. And walking into Oia from the hills above is an excellent finish. If it’s July or August, it is highly recommended that you start before 8 am.
Museum of Prehistoric Thera
Going to the Museum of Prehistoric Thera is a great way to finish exploring the ruins of Santorini’s ancient cities. This tiny museum in the heart of Thira houses frescoes and other archaeological treasures found during the excavation of Ancient Akrotiri, destroyed by the volcanic eruption that made Santorini look like it does today. Some of the pieces here date back several thousand years (some of the pottery on display is leftover from 3,000 BC) and offer insight into early human life on the Greek Islands, making this an exciting place to check out if you’re keen to learn more about the island’s history.
Travelers said this is best explored after you visit Akrotiri, as many say it gives greater context to the story of Ancient Akrotiri. Also, having an interest in art or history helps. Visitors who weren’t big on either found the museum to be a bit boring. However, the museum is pretty small, so even if you have the slightest interest, a visit here won’t take up much of your time (some travelers said they spent only about 20 minutes here).
The Museum of Prehistoric Thera is open Tuesday through Sunday from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is about 3 euros (around $3.38 per person). If you’re traveling from within Fira, the best way to get to the museum is on foot, but you’ll need to take a taxi if you’re staying in another part of Santorini.
Sunset, Caldera, and Volcano Boat Tour
Do two fantastic activities in one boat tour: walk the volcano and swim in the hot springs. Be sure to get a tour that also takes you to the sunset. There are also tour options that visit Thirassia (a small populated island that forms part of the caldera ring with Santorini) and Red and Black Beach. Boats usually depart from Vlychada Marina at the south of the island or from Ammoudi Bay below Oia, and most tours offer hotel pickup to get you to the boat. All tour companies are legitimate, so buy the best tour that suits your timing, interests, and transportation needs.
Walk the Volcano
The island in the middle of the caldera is called Nea Kameni. Here, you’ll find the island’s active volcano—the top point of interest in Santorini. The crater is 130 meters up and takes about 20 minutes to walk. Sulfur vents are found along the way. The only way to get here is by doing a volcano boat tour or hiring a chartered boat.
Winery Tour
When conjuring up images of famous wine destinations, one might think of France or Italy, but believe it or not, Santorini is considered a premiere wine destination in Europe. That’s because the soil in which the wine grows in Santorini, which is partially composed of volcanic sediment, creates an exciting flavor that is difficult to find elsewhere. Also, vine trees are often formed into circles and grown on the ground (instead of propped upright in rows) to protect the crop from strong ocean winds. Wineries are all over the island, but most are concentrated in central Santorini. Santo Wines in Pyrgos is the largest winery on the island and is considered one of the most popular in Santorini. Other choice spots among travelers include Venetsanos Winery in Megalochori (about a half-mile south of Santo Wines) and Domaine Sigalas in Oia. Travelers also enjoyed the Wine Museum Koutsogiannopoulos, found in Fira. Located in a cave, the museum showcases Santorini’s history as a wine producer and offers visitors a tasting with their ticket. When visiting a winery, patrons tend to receive a complimentary snack, such as bread and cheese, along with their tasting. Many of Santorini’s wines are featured in the island’s restaurants for those who may not have the time to make a day out of visiting wineries. Ask your server about local wines or watch for Vinsanto (a dessert wine), Nychteri, or Assyrtiko, both white wines. Boutari Winery, the first winery in Santorini, allows a winery of four for 30 euros per person ($33.62). Domaine Sigalas will also enable visitors to tour its vineyard.
Kayak Tour
Wonderfully fun! The Morning Tour and Sunset Tour explore the south coast of Santorini (cool, but you don’t get to see the caldera). The Round The Lighthouse Tour goes into the caldera and provides incredible views of the cliffs. There’s also a good snorkeling tour (but it doesn’t go into the caldera).
Explore the Paths, Alleys, and Stairwells of Fira, Firostefani, and Imerovigli
This is basically the hike from Fira to Oia, but instead of continuing to Oia, you can stop in Imerovigli, explore a little, and turn back around. All three towns have beautiful views and are worth a walk-through. You might get a little lost here and there, but that’s half the fun.
Walk to Skaros Rock
Descend the cliff to the path that leads to Skaros Rock—the path starts just south of Grace Santorini hotel. Explore the far side of the outcrop (there’s a little church hidden on the far side) and climb to the top of the rock if you’re brave enough. There are great views from all points.
Tomato Industrial Museum
A former tomato paste factory has been turned into a museum celebrating the history of the island’s tomato industry in Santorini. When the factory opened in Vlychada in 1945, there was no electricity. Coal powered the machinery, and seawater was pumped to wash and steam the tomatoes. Farmers once reached the building with mules carrying woven baskets full of produce. For years, the factory served as a gathering place for islanders, who took immense pride in the singular tomatoes produced from their soil.
The island’s climate and geology uniquely mark Domati Santorini. Santorini sits on an active volcano, whose 1646 BC eruption covered the island in rich volcanic ash. The local tomatoes’ sweet flavor, pungent aroma, and thin skin come from nutrients in the ancient ash. The already concentrated flavor made exceptional paste, or pelte, and tomato factories flourished from the 1920s to 1970s. The tomato business has since declined, but the iconic crop is still a pillar of Santorini cuisine, and its history is alive at the Tomato Industrial Museum.
Despite the dreary name, the museum’s exhibits give a fascinating insight into a lost side of the island before tourism became its primary industry. Beyond processing equipment and historical materials, the museum shows interviews of elderly former factory workers telling stories about a bygone era. Afterward, you can visit the museum cafe to enjoy tomato-based delights, including soup and bruschetta, washing it all down with a glass of local wine.
Beaches
- Kamari Beach: It offers good swimming (though it’s a pebble beach) and many restaurants. The pedestrian-only street along the coast is fun to walk on at night when it gets busy.
- Amoudi Bay: For beautiful views of the caldera, descend the 300 steps from the northern city of Oia to the charming port of Amoudi Bay. Surrounded by striking red cliffs and dotted with white-washed buildings typical to Santorini, this little village features several quaint tavernas serving up the catch of the day.
- Red Beach: It’s important to know that since 2013, Red Beach has been on watch for landslides. Vulnerable parts of the beach are roped off so visitors do not have to enter. If you’re uncomfortable visiting this attraction but want to see red cliffs, visit Amoudi Bay.
- Perissa & Perivolos Beaches: Perissa is the best swimming beach in Santorini and has excellent sand. (It’s black sand, so it does get hot in the summer.) Good restaurants are spread along the beachfront. Tranquillo is the best beach bar in Perissa. Perissa is about a 30-minute drive from Fira and 45 minutes from Oia. Perivolos Beach is the southern part of the same sand stretch, with newer luxury hotels and great restaurants.
Symposium Music and Mythology Cultural Center
Housed in a late 18th-century winery in the traditional village of Megalochori, Symposion immerses its guests in Greek mythology, music, and ancient instruments. Exhibits showcase Greek bagpipes (tsabouna), the lyre, tsabouna, doubaki (Cycladic drum) and the lute. Interactive tours, hands-on workshops (build your instruments), wine-tasting, and musical performances provide a unique educational and entertaining experience in a beautiful setting.
Akrotiri Lighthouse
The lighthouse is the destination, but the draw is the incredible view looking north into the caldera – very different than the views from looking down from Fira or Oia because you can see the circular nature of the caldera from this vantage point. It is also famous for its excellent sunset views. Located on the southern tip of Santorini, the only way to get there is by car.
Wine Museum
The Koutsoyannopoulos Winery, located in the center of Santorini, has a super cool 300-meter-long wine cave that displays exhibits on the history and development of Santorinian wine throughout the last five centuries. Admission to the museum includes four wine tastings from the Koutsoyannopoulos winery.
