Santorini is a volcanic island in the Cyclades, not far from the Greek mainland, located in the southeastern Aegean Sea. It has always been a dream destination for many and an attraction for visitors from all over the world in search of incredible views, crystal-clear sea and beaches of white, red and black sand: certainly the best-known island of the Cyclades and one of the most beautiful and iconic to visit. This island is to say the least magical, know all over the world for its white houses, the blue domes of its churches, cave-like hotels, and cliffs from which unforgettable sunsets can be admired.
Santorini has a lot to offer, and there are many things to do and see.
Santorini attracts not only for its landscape but also for the way of life that is almost unique in Greece. The ever-present sunshine and idyllic environment of this island, also called ‘Kallisté‘, cannot fail to seduce.
To help you plan your trip here are some tips on what to see and do in Santorini.
Visit Oia, Fira and the many small villages of Santorini
Oia, perched on the northern edge of the caldera, is probably the most charming of Santorini’s small villages. One thing that sets it apart is its perfect setting for enjoying a breathtaking sunset, an event that, especially at the most popular spots, attracts a large number of people.
However, if you want to avoid this inconvenient, just book a table at one of the restaurants overlooking the town, or go to the ruined castle near the windmill to enjoy this magical moment when the sun sets on the horizon and disappears into the sea.
In Oia, besides restaurants with panoramic terraces, you will also find art galleries, a maritime museum, and the ruins of a Byzantine castle located at the highest point of this picturesque village.
Oia, besides being famous for its sunsets, it is also beautiful to visit during the day. Strolling through its narrow streets, shopping, having a coffee with a typical pastry and taking pictures are simple things but have a strong emotional impact as you are in one of the most photogenic places in Santorini.
In Santorini, in most of the villages, you cannot transit by car. Therefore if you rent a car and want, for example, watch the sunset at a prime spot you should consider arriving there a few hours before the event to make sure you are able to park you car nearby. Unfortunately, not many parking spaces are available and in the late afternoon buses packed with tourists render the situation even worse.
Fira a part from being a fascinating village, perched on a cliff of the volcanic caldera 260 meters above sea level, is also the capital of Santorini. Fira also called Thira, is dotted with blue-domed churches, white houses with blue doors and windows, streets and narrow cobblestone alleys; every corner reveals suddenly splendid views, offering a stunning scenery of the caldera!!!
The main square of Fira, Theotokopoulou Square is crossed by odos 25-Martiou ( March 25 Street), the street that leads to the upper part of the town. Fira is the only place in Santorini where you can find nightlife, as all the other small villages are much quieter, both during the day and at night. If you are looking for a romantic place to celebrate a special moment, the best choice is Firostefani, a quiet little hamlet further north, right on the panoramic road.
One of the most fascinating things is to see Fira from afar with its houses built directly into the volcanic pumice stone, leaning one against the other and tastefully decorated, running as far as the eye can see. Wandering through the narrow and steep alleys looking for quiet and peaceful places is truly satisfying. Fira, during the months of July and August, is always crowded both day and night, and, when night falls, it lights up, accentuating the contrast with the dark sea.
Pyrgos is located 8 km southeast of Fira and still has the characteristics of a Venetian fortification. Pyrgos was one of the 5 fortified villages built on Santorini in the 1400s by the Venetians, and you can still admire the castle that surmounts the village. This small village built on top of a hill offers a stunning 360° panoramic view of the island and the Caldera.
Finikia is only 1 km from Oia and is one of the oldest settlements on the island. It is not directly located on the caldera but overlooks the opposite side of the island and is far from the mass tourist flows. Walking through its narrow alleys is like going back in time, in fact you can admire its beautiful houses painted in various colors, with vases and flowers at the windows, as well as finding, frequently, houses carved into the rock. The latter had the function of maintaining a pleasant temperature throughout the year: warm in winter and cool in summer. Some have become wineries or converted into luxury villas and hotels.
Take a boat trip around the island
For an unforgettable experience together with your loved one and to watch the sunset in a different way, I would recommend a sunset cruise like this one.
There are various cruises that give one the opportunity to choose the one best suited to one’s needs, even though they generally propose the same itinerary: a cruise around the Santorini caldera. Several stops are planned to give the opportunity to enjoy the hot springs, see the active volcano and explore the typical villages of Thira and Oia.
The diversity lies in the experience you want to have: you can choose between cheaper cruises that are always very crowded and cruises designed for small groups and exclusive services on board.
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Another option is to charter a boat with a skipper, and opt for a half-day or full-day cruise. In my opinion, the best thing to do in this case is to let the skipper suggest an itinerary that includes stops at small bays and islands such as Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni.
–> BOOK this wonderful cruise to Nea Kameni with open bar
Visit the archeological site of Akrotiri
Akrotiri, the Greek Pompei, was an ancient port city dating back to the Age of Bronze located south in the ancient island of Thera, now known as Santorini. Akrotiri was destroyed and buried by the eruption of the volcano of Santorini in 1628 BC. It was unearthed in 1967 through excavations by the archaeologist Spyridon Marinatos.
To avoid the deterioration of the ruins, a bioclimatic roof was built that allows air to circulate making it ideal to endure the summer heat. The visit is facilitated by a wooden walkway that runs through the site.
Guided tours can be booked.
Visit the Old city of Thira
For those who love history and especially archaeology, it is possible to discover the ancient city of Thira. Santorini is an open-air museum, and the ruins of Thira that dominate Mesa Vouno hill are an example.
The Sanctuary of Artemidorus, overlooking the Aegean Sea, dates between the end of the IVth century and the beginning of the IIIrd century B.C. This site, founded by Artemidorus of Perge, is entirely dug into the rock. On the facade you can see epigrams and engravings, as well as symbols of the gods worshipped: an eagle for Zeus, a lion for Apollo, a dolphin for Poseidon. You can also see an engraving of the portrait of Artemidorus, founder of the sanctuary.
Treaking from Fira to Oia
For those who love nature this is one of the most beautiful things to do in Santorini. The walk from Fira to Oia is very nice and gives you the opportunity to enjoy the incredible views of the island. The hike takes between 2 and 5 hours, depending of course on the pace and photo breaks along the way.
One thing to keep in mind is that the path, while fairly intuitive, is not completely marked. It is important to stay on the path that runs along the edge of the caldera and walk from north from Fira.
You can also hike in the opposite direction, but in my opinion, the walk towards north to Oia and the tip of the island is much better.
If you hike in the summer, it would be a good idea to take advantage of the early hours of the morning which are cooler than the afternoon.
Go to the island of Thirassia
This island is beautiful, authentic and peaceful: you cannot go to Santorini without visiting Thirassia!!! It is the second largest island in the archipelago despite having a less touristic flow. In fact, the inhabitants prefer agricultural activities and those who come to this island do so to enjoy a vacation in harmony with nature.
Here you will find taverns where you can enjoy typical food, monasteries, the beautiful villages of Manolas and Potamos as well as the two main ports of the island.
In my opinion, a half-day cruise is enough, to immerse yourself in this different reality.
Go to the Hot Springs of Palea Kamini
Palea Kameni (which means Old Burnt Island) is the older sister of Néa Kameni, and, like its sister, has many resources. Palea Kameni is known for its so-called ‘grey‘ volcano, which is active and with viscous lava. In Palea Kameni you also have hot thermal springs.
You will be able to bathe in total relaxation in waters of almost 30°C, a blessing for body and mind: the red mud from the springs has positive effects on the skin !!!!
Visit the vineyards of Santorini
If you love Greek cuisine and you are a gourmet, you must absolutely visit the vineyards of the archipelago.
Elegant wineries, as the ones of Venetsanos, Vassaltis and Gaia, in perfect harmony with the Greek nature and culture, present themselves to the visitor who remains amazed and almost incredulous. Here you will find amazing wines with delicate, intense and complex aromas, enhanced by almost artistic fascinating shades of color.
You can take advantage of organized tours that include both wine tasting and, in some cases, cooking classes.
I would also consider a visit to the Wine Museum, founded in Santorini by the Koutsoyianopoulos family. This museum is open year-round from 09:00 to 19:00 and, at the end of the visit, you can taste four wines from the nearby Koutsoyannopoulos winery.
Santorini’s beaches
It is impossible to go to Santorini and not see its beautiful beaches!!! The archipelago of Santorini is surrounded by crystal clear waters and boasts magnificent black sand beaches dominated by many rocky cliffs. For those who love sunbathing and “dolce far niente” it won’t be difficult to find a beach that suits their needs.
Every beach in Santorini has its own identity and each one is different from the other. My favorite are:
Vlychada beach: even if not very popular is one of the pearls of the archipelago, here you will find peace and relax.
Kamari Beach: ideal for those who prefer organized beaches.
The Red Beach: certainly the most popular in Santorini where tourists from all over the world are attracted by its red and black shades.
Take a walk to the Rock of Skaros
The Rock of Skaros is a large rocky promontory jutting out from the island just below Imerovigli. Once on this promontory stood an ancient castle and fortresses. It is now a popular spot for those who enjoy photography and hiking.
You can explore the paths on the promontory allowing you to admire the views of Imerovigli and the ruins of the ancient fortresses.
To get there, you must take the zigzag path from Imerovigli to the church of Agios Ioannis and continue until you reach the Rock of Skaros.
If you have enough time it is worth visiting the Akrotiri lighthouse located at the opposite end of the island from Oia.
If you have a small car or a quad (the island is rather small and can be easily toured by quad), it would be the best solution to see the coast, admire breathtaking views and soak in the ‘incredible Greek charm.
Dine at a tavern or starred restaurant for a romantic evening
If you want to book a romantic restaurant in Santorini here are few that also have unforgettable views.
Petra Restaurant – Canaves (Oia): this is the magnificent restaurant at the Canaves hotel in Oia the ideal place for a special and truly unique occasion. Definitely very expensive, but it has an incredible view of the sunset and offers a gastronomic and culinary experience worthy of the best European restaurants.
Remvi Restaurant – Firostefani: This restaurant has one of the most beautiful panoramic terraces on the island and is very well known for its excellent cuisine. Advance booking during summer season is highly recommended. The cuisine is inspired by the Greek one and is suitable for both lunch or for a romantic dinner. The costs are definitely high well worth the money.
Pyrgos Restaurant – Pyrgos: Located in the charming village of Pyrgos, on the highest point of Santorini. Here you will find traditional Santorini gourmet cuisine, including touches of international taste; no wonder this restaurant is well known for exclusive events !!! Here you have a 360-degree view of the whole island.
Fanari – Fira: In this classic Greek tavern you will enjoy simple, but truly delicious food in a beautiful location. This tavern becomes extremely crowded at sunset as you have one of the best views that Fira can offer from its terrace.
Where to stay in Santorini
Usually when on holiday one spends most of the day exploring the city and its surroundings. However Santorini leads the visitors to take advantage and enjoy the hotel much more than in other places, this because of the beautiful scenery, and in some case, even from the poolside. Santorini is known for its fantastic hotels, here are a few of my favorite ones:
Best luxury hotels:
Grace Hotel Santorini, Auberge Resorts Collection – Located 2 km from Fira in the village of Imerovigli, this luxurious and exclusive boutique hotel offers free Wi-Fi, incredible sea views, an infinity pool and spa treatments directly in your room.
Sun Rocks Boutique Hotel, Firostefani – perched on a hilltop about 300 meters above sea level, this hotel boasts a swimming pool on the cliff with lounge bar and poolside restaurant. Perfect for a romantic getaway in Santorini, it’s less than 1 km from Fira and 15 minutes from the port and airport.
Canaves Oia Suites & SpA, Oia –built on the side of a cliff overlooking the Caldera, Canaves Oia Suites & SpA offers luxury accommodations, spacious and beautifully appointed suites and rooms.
Best hotels for honeymooners
Cavo Tagoo Santorini, Imerovigli – located 5 km from Fira and 6 km from Oia, this exclusive all-suite hotel offers luxurious accommodations with sunset views and personalized service.
Katikies Santorini, Oia Caldera – perched on the cliffs of Oia at an altitude of 100 mt. Its infinity pools enjoy breathtaking views of the Caldera.
Best hotels with sunset views
Celestia Grand, Fira– situated on the edge of the cliff overlooking the caldera, the Celestia Grand offers luxurious villas with pool and Jacuzzi.
Best family friendly hotels
Aria Suites & Villas, Fira – located in the heart of Fira, the Aria Suites offers intimate and luxurious accommodations with family rooms.
Andronis Arcadia Hotel, Oia – located in Oia about 6 km from the beach of Cape Colombo and 300 mt from the Naval Museum. The hotel boasts an outdoor pool with sea views, a restaurant and a bar.
Best budget hotels and guesthouses
Kavalari Hotel, Fira – located at the summit of the Santorini caldera, it is a Cycladic-style property with panoramic views of the Aegean Sea and the old harbor, a sun terrace and free Wi-Fi.
Costa Marina Villas, Fira – small guesthouse 200 meters from the central square of Fira. The guesthouse was built with an emphasis on typical island architecture and decor. Within walking distance of the guesthouse you will find shops, restaurants, bars and bus stops.
So what are you waiting for to visit Santorini!!!! Believe me you will not regret it.
