10 Things to Do in Santorini in January

January is the rainiest and one of the coldest months on Santorini, so it is an unpopular time to visit. However, this also means that if you travel to the island during this month, you will have the opportunity to enjoy its state of tranquillity and peace, which you are unlikely to find at other times of the year.

Although many restaurants and hotels close at this time of year, you can still sign up for some of the best things to see and do in Santorini. There is no doubt that visiting Santorini in January is a different and interesting experience, which you can enjoy to the fullest as long as you take into account the particularities of the weather.

On the first day of January the Greeks celebrate the Feast of St. Basil, a celebration that is no stranger to the island of Santorini. It is a centuries-old tradition in which the so-called New Year's Cake is given as a gift and eaten. This cake is a kind of Greek dessert that resembles the Spanish Roscón de Reyes and contains a hidden coin inside. Tradition dictates that whoever finds this coin will have good luck throughout the year.

As for the celebration of St. Basil's Day, beyond the gastronomic tradition, you will find an island full of joy and enthusiasm that is contagious to all tourists. The locals gather in the main squares and streets to share this delicious tradition with family and friends, making it a good time to share and get to know the local culture.

In addition, you can enjoy different recreational activities such as games and live music. I recommend getting to know the city through a tour of Santorini, before going to enjoy the vibrant celebration in the streets of the island.

Interesting details

• Price: You don't have to pay anything to enjoy this sharing.
• Time: Generally occurs throughout the day, although the sharing usually takes place in the evening hours.
• Location: This activity usually takes place in different corners of the island.

The sixth of January marks another important holiday in Greece and that is the Blessing of the Waters, and on the island of Santorini this tradition is also observed in full. It basically involves throwing a cross into the sea, while volunteer swimmers also dive into the water to rescue it. It is the priests who throw the cross into the water, while the lucky person who manages to bring it to shore, according to tradition, will have a year full of good luck.

The Blessing of the Waters is a highly anticipated event by the locals of Santorini and is synonymous with an atmosphere full of excitement, which you will love to experience at least once in your life. You can watch as tables of food and drink are set up along the island's coastline, as family and friends gather to share a meal and enjoy the spectacle of the blessing of the waters together.

After the cross is rescued, those present celebrate and applaud the winning swimmer, while everyone toasts to a year filled with good fortune and prosperity. This is an experience not to be missed if you want to at least smell the smell of the sea during the winter when there are few Santorini cruise tours on offer.

Details of interest

• Price: You don't have to pay anything to enjoy this tradition, so you can watch it without any problem.
• Time: This activity usually takes place in the morning hours, although the exact time tends to change from year to year depending on weather conditions.
• Location: This takes place in the coastal villages of the island.

The 8th of January is considered one of the most important days for women in Greece, as it commemorates Women's Day. In Santorini this day is celebrated in style, and as in the rest of Greece, women gather in different parts of the city, usually bars, to celebrate their important role in society, while men and children stay at home.

During the camaraderie that takes place in the local bars and tavernas, women also share food and drink while having fun and enjoying the day. Tourists often find this tradition very interesting, which is why you might want to get involved in the celebration of Greek women.

Interesting details

• Price: Entrance fees to the bars and taverns are usually free, but you will have to drink inside them.
• Time: Women's gatherings usually take place during the night.
• Location: This happens in every village on Santorini because it is a kind of bank holidays.

It is worth remembering that January is winter on the island, so it is one of the coldest months of the year and activities are reduced by half. One of the activities that you will surely love to do to start the year off on the right foot is to sign up for a walk along the road from Fira to Oia. This is definitely a good experience because this trail is considered to be the most beautiful on the island, both for its natural beauty and for the panoramic views that you can enjoy along the way.

To walk the whole trail you will need at least three hours, during which time you will be walking and seeing each of the picturesque houses that you will come across along the way. I recommend you prepare yourself with proper shoes and enough water to hydrate yourself along the way. The pictures you'll take will surely include views of the Aegean Sea and the island's cliffs, as well as the various churches along the way.

Interesting details

• Price: If you go on your own, there is no charge for this activity. If you take a guided tour, you will have to pay a little more than 30 euros per person.
• Time: This tour is best done early in the morning.
• Location: The trail is located on the cliffs of the island, making it one of the more adventurous routes.

Santorini is a dream holiday destination, and one of the most fascinating experiences you'll have on the island is watching the sunset from Oia. The sunset will enchant you especially for its combination of orange colours that is typical of when the sun descends behind the volcano. This spectacle attracts thousands of tourists every year, but as you'll be going in January, when it's winter, you'll have the sunset all to yourself.

What makes the sunset from Oia even more special is that its cobbled streets are decorated with colourful houses, giving the place a cheerful atmosphere as the sun sets. A spectacle not to be missed if you travel to Santorini in winter.

On the other hand, if you have no problem with getting up very early, I recommend going to see the sunrise in Santorini during the winter, mainly because it is a less crowded natural spectacle. Both are certainly different, but equally fascinating experiences, and you will be able to enjoy them much better during the winter season.

Details of interest

• Price: You won't have to pay anything to see the sunrise or sunset. However, there are some terraces that charge a fee to watch this spectacle. Prices may vary according to the season. As January is low season, you may have to pay less.
• Time: I recommend checking the specific time the sun rises or sets in winter on Santorini.
• Location: From anywhere on the island you can enjoy a good sunrise or sunset. However, it is true that Oia is one of the best places.

A visit to the Prehistoric Museum of Thera is one of the most enriching experiences you can have in Santorini. The museum is located in the town of Fira and is open in January, so as it's a winter month, it's a great way to get to know a bit more about the island. Inside you'll find a variety of ancient objects and artefacts dating back to the Bronze Age that were excavated from different archaeological sites on the island.

Among the objects you will be able to see are some funerary urns, pottery for different uses, including home decoration or product identification marks. You can also see everyday tools and jewellery in original and colourful shapes and styles. A visit to this museum is a must, especially in January when the crowds thin out considerably.

Details of interest

• Price: Tickets to the museum can cost around 30 euros per person.
• Opening hours: The museum's opening hours are usually between 8.30am and 3.30pm every day, except Tuesdays when it is closed.
• Location: It is located in the town of Fira.

If you like nature and adventure, one of the activities you can do during your trip to Santorini in January is hiking the Caldera. This hiking route is on the edge of the island's volcanic crater and is definitely an exciting outdoor activity to do at this time of year.

On the route you will be able to walk very close to the heights while enjoying the incredible panoramic views of the island. You will also admire the Caldera landscape, observe the volcanic stone cliffs and appreciate the beauty of the island in winter, when everything is lightly covered with snow. In addition, if you take this guided tour, your guides will tell you interesting facts about the geology and history of Santorini.

Interesting details

• Price: You don't have to pay anything for this tour, but if you take a guided tour, you will have to pay around 20 euros per person.
• Time: I recommend you to do this tour during the afternoon.
• Location: The hiking activity will take place in the Caldera area.

One of the most recommended and delicious activities to enjoy in winter in Santorini, especially during the first month of the year, is tasting the wines and traditional food of the region. Santorini's wines are world-renowned for their taste and quality, while its gastronomy is characterised by the use of fresh, local produce, cooked with techniques that have been passed down from generation to generation.

During the month of January you can find a gastronomic offer focused on seasonal foods such as legumes, feta cheese, artichokes, fresh fish and the delicious Santorini cherry tomato which is known for its sweetness. If you stay on the island during this first month of the year, you will have the opportunity to visit several wineries and traditional tavernas to taste the local wines and typical dishes.

Interesting details

• Price: The typical dishes of the region can range in price from 20 to 50 euros per dish.
• Timetable: You can sign up for traditional meals in the afternoons or evenings, according to your travel schedule.
• Location: All over the island you can find different restaurants where you can sample traditional food and local wines.

One of the most incredible things to do in Santorini in January is to take a trip to Volcano Island. This is a unique adventure that will take you up close and personal with the geological and volcanic history of the island, but you will also enjoy some of the most spectacular views of Santorini and its natural landscape.

Volcano Island was formed by volcanic activity in the region and is one of the most iconic places in Santorini. During the tour, you will walk along the slopes of the volcano while looking closely at the lava cavities formed in the ground by the volcanic activity. In addition, during the tour your tour guides will tell you interesting and relevant facts about the volcanic eruption and the history of Santorini.

It's a good activity to do in January because the temperatures are low, so you won't have to worry about the heat. Both on the tour and on the island I recommend wearing appropriate footwear that allows you to walk long distances on uneven ground.

Interesting details

• Price: For these volcano tours you will have to pay just over 100 euros per person.
• Timetable: Times vary, although generally these experiences start in the morning and finish in the early afternoon.
• Location: The tour departs from Oia or Fira to the volcano island.

The ancient city of Akrotiri is one of the most popular tourist destinations on Santorini, and is a good place to visit in January when the influx of visitors drops off for the winter season. This is a prehistoric settlement, which was buried under volcanic ash from an eruption over 3,600 years ago. From the time of its discovery to the present day, this site attracts thousands of visitors every year to see the ruins of that settlement.

As you will be going in January which is the low season, you will have the opportunity to explore the ancient city of Akrotiri with more space and comfort. However, you should be aware that the weather may be variable and rainy, but you should not let this hinder your visit to the ruins of this prehistoric settlement. You can walk around Akrotiri at your own pace to admire the ruins that were once buildings and tombs, streets and squares.

Details of interest

• Price: To enjoy this tour you will have to pay around 120 euros per person.
• Time: Generally these activities take place from the morning, although depending on the tour you choose to do, the activity may start after midday.
• Location: The ruins of Akrotiri are located on the island of Santorini.