10 Things to Do in Santorini in November
Visiting Santorini in November will delight you because you can enjoy the scenery and the local culture in a pleasant climate. You will also be able to go on hikes and other pleasant walks.
During the month of November in Santorini, the tourist season is slowing down and there are fewer visitors than in the summer months. This means that you can enjoy the island's beaches and scenery without the crowds. November is also a good time to talk to the locals, immerse yourself in the island's culture and find some of the best things to see and do in Santorini.
On the other hand, the weather in November is cool and pleasant, so you can enjoy temperatures that are not too hot but not too cold either , making the weather perfect for walking and exploring the island. It's also a good time to sample the delicious local food and wine, as well as finding cheaper accommodation and activities.
1. Board the last cruise of the season
November marks the arrival of winter and with it, the arrival of the coldest and cloudiest days of the year, so outdoor activities may be more limited. However, in early November it is still possible to experience some warm days with sunshine, giving you a chance to enjoy the beach before the cooler weather settles in permanently.
As November progresses, Santorini starts to prepare for the winter holidays, so one of the things you need to take advantage of doing in this month is to sign up for the last Santorini cruise trip, which usually occurs during the last few days of the month. This is one of the most significant activities for the island because it marks the beginning of the winter season, and with it, the end of the high and most touristy season in the region.
Details of interest
- Price: the cruise trip usually costs around 100-120 euros per person.
- Timetable: Cruise schedules can vary, although they generally depart early in the morning and last half or full day. Some cruises usually depart at sunset and last just over three hours.
- Location: Cruises depart from the port of Fira.
2. Take part in the celebration of the religious icons
The importance of icons in the history of religion is highly valued by the Greeks and is considered a fundamental element in many religious traditions, especially the Orthodox. That is why every year, around 24 November, you can enjoy a celebration that pays tribute to religious symbols. This celebration takes place in Santorini's most important church at around 17:00, or late in the evening.
The following day the Divine Liturgy is also held, where besides learning about the religious values of this region, you will also have the opportunity to learn interesting facts about religious icons, especially those that were made during the years of Turkish rule and under the administration of the Frankish government.
Moreover, this event is an opportunity for you to learn more in depth about the symbolism and importance of icons in religious practice and how they have been made throughout history. By participating in this event you will have the opportunity to take a tour of Santorini, its history and culture, without the need to walk all over the city.
Details of interest
- Price: There is no fee to participate in these events.
- Time: Religious events usually take place in the mornings.
- Location: These events are usually held in the most important church of Santorini, which is located in Fira.
3. Take the walk from Amoudi to Thirasia
The walk from Amoudi to Thirasia in Santorini is a scenic route worth exploring, especially during the autumn months, such as November, when the temperature is more pleasant and there are fewer tourists. During this walk you will have the opportunity to enjoy breathtaking views of the caldera and the surrounding landscape, and you will also be able to see the activity of the fishermen in Amoudi.
It takes about an hour or an hour and a half to walk from Amoudi to Thirasia. In addition, the walk is on a rocky path, which makes the journey a little more difficult. You should start the walk early in the morning to avoid direct midday sunlight so that you can enjoy the walk more comfortably.
Once you arrive in Thirasia, you will realise that it is a small island that has a lot to offer its visitors, most notably its picturesque harbour and pristine beaches. During this tour you will also have time to enjoy a meal in a traditional taverna with local dishes and delicious Santorini wines. This is a tour you could also include in your list of things to do in Santorini in winter.
Details of interest
- Price: To do this tour with a guide will cost you around 30 euros per person. If you do it on your own, it will be free of charge.
- Time: I recommend doing this tour early in the morning to avoid problems with the heat of the sun.
- Location: The route connecting Amoudi to Thirasia is located in the northern part of the island of Santorini.
4. Join a wine tasting on the island
If there's one unique Santorini experience you can't miss if you're travelling to the island during autumn, it's joining a wine tasting and tour of the island's vineyards. These tours, which usually start on the 15th of November and usually include a tour of several vineyards where you can learn about local wine production and taste a variety of wines, including the aspa wines known for their rich mineral flavour.
Before you sign up for this adventure you should know that the vineyards in Santorini are really interesting because the vines are grown in baskets close to the ground, as part of a unique process that helps retain moisture from the rain. In addition, these tours offer you a great opportunity to admire the rural landscape, learn in depth about wine production and taste Greek snacks such as olives, bread and cheese.
During these tours, you will have the opportunity to walk through a volcanic vineyard and enjoy up to twelve different grape varieties, including the local vinsanto and assyrtiko. Your guides will at all times answer any questions you may have about local wine production, while telling you which wines are definitely not to be missed.
Details of interest
- Price: to enjoy this type of tour you will have to pay around 165 euros per person.
- Timetable: these tours usually start in the morning and usually finish after lunchtime, i.e. they last around half a day.
- Location: The tours will take place in the wine villages of the area such as Megalochori or Pyrgos.
5. Relax in the hot springs of Palea Kameni
With the arrival of November, temperatures start to drop and the atmosphere becomes ideal for you to look for other options for rest and relaxation, beyond the beaches. For this experience, while maintaining contact with nature, I recommend a visit to the natural hot springs of Palea Kameni. This place is located on the island of Santorini in Greece and is basically a natural attraction that offers you to relax in the hot springs.
The natural hot springs are one of the most popular attractions on the island and are known for their healing properties and are one of those places you can't miss if you visit Santorini in January or February when it's winter, but I also recommend you to visit them during the autumn. A bath in these hot springs is a unique experience that will help you relieve stress and anxiety, but it will also provide different benefits to your skin and blood circulation.
Details of interest
- Price: For a guided tour to the hot springs of Palea Kameni, you will have to pay just over 70 euros per person.
- Opening hours: I recommend you visit this place all month long, starting at 10:00.
- Location: The hot springs are located in the Palea Kameni area, about 15 minutes by boat from Fira.
6. Enjoy a donkey ride in Santorini
A unique and fun experience on the island of Santorini during the month of November is to take advantage of the cooler weather to ride a donkey up the steep hills of Fira. This activity is popular all year round, but November is an even more special time to enjoy it thanks to the cooler temperatures and the arrival of the low season.
Riding a donkey up the steep hills of Fira is an experience that allows you to enjoy the spectacular views of the island. But also during the trip you will be in contact with nature and the donkeys, which are generally friendly, intelligent and hardy animals that are known for their great ability to cope with the steep roads of the region.
Interesting details
- Price: Donkey rides can cost around 20-30 euros per person.
- Hours: Donkey rides are available from early in the morning until late in the afternoon.
- Location: One of the best donkey rides is the route from Fira to Oia.
7. Take a Jeep Tour of Santorini
November is a perfect month for a jeep tour thanks to the pleasant temperatures and also because there is very little rainfall during this month which marks the beginning of autumn. In fact, November is considered by many to be the best time of the year to explore the island in an off-road vehicle, although it is also an activity that I would include in the itinerary of things to do in Santorini in December.
You will love taking a jeep tour because it is a great way to see some of the most spectacular scenery and the most remote and intricate areas of the island. Many of these areas that you will visit are only accessible by off-road vehicle, so this jeep tour will take you to some truly breathtaking places that you might otherwise miss out on.
Also, keep in mind that jeep tours give you a unique opportunity to experience the island's nature at its best. You will be able to see its green areas, its rocky cliffs and also its beautiful white sandy beaches.
Details of interest
- Price: An off-road tour of the island of Santorini will cost you around 50 to 60 euros per person.
- Time: These tours usually last half a day or the whole day, so they usually start around 10:00.
- Location: Most of the time these tours start in Fira, which is the capital of Santorini, and take you all over the island.
8. Go for a quad biking adventure!
Taking a quad biking tour in November is a unique, fun and exciting experience not to be missed. This month is ideal for this activity because the temperatures are moderate and there is hardly any rain, so you can enjoy the perfect weather throughout the adventure. Quad biking is a fun and exciting way to explore the island and discover some of its most hidden and spectacular corners.
One of the biggest advantages of quad biking is that you will be able to access places that are not accessible by other means, so throughout your adventure you will be in direct contact with nature. This is one of the activities that I recommend you to do if you are travelling with your family, especially with children, and you want to make your holidays different and full of adrenaline.
Interesting details
- Price: the price of this activity usually ranges between 50 and 70 euros per person.
- Time: I recommend starting this tour in the early hours of the morning, so that you can use a little more than half a day to complete the tour around the whole island.
- Location: Quad biking tours usually start from Fira and take you all over the island.
9. Go paragliding and enjoy an incredible adventure
Paragliding in November is an exciting activity that has become very popular on the island, and in fact, this month is perfect for paragliding thanks to the ideal weather conditions that combine moderate winds and clear skies. This is definitely a great way to enjoy the scenery from the air and feel the adrenaline rush of free flight.
During your paragliding flight, your guide will show you an exciting way to see the island from a different perspective. From the flight you will be able to get beautiful panoramic views of both the beaches and the spectacular cliffs that surround the island, but you will also have the opportunity to take amazing photos of the moment. If at any time you are afraid to venture into paragliding, you should know that the instructors are highly trained to ensure your safety.
Interesting details
- Price: the cost of this sport as a tourist could be around 100 euros per person.
- Timetable: you will have to do this activity in the morning, in order to get a better perspective of the area.
- Location: Paragliders usually depart mostly from Black Beach in Perissa.
10. Make the most of the weather for windsurfing
Windsurfing in Santorini is an exciting activity that will allow you to make the most of the sea and its winds, and what better time to do this than November. During this month the island's coastline has constant winds that turn this place into a paradise for water sports lovers. Although you may think it's only a good idea to do this activity in Santorini in September, when it's still summer, you should know that November is a good month for windsurfing thanks to the stronger winds.
Part of what I recommend you to do this kind of water sports in Santorini, is to have the right equipment and to know well the weather and sea conditions, but if you have no idea about any of this, you should know that there are many expert guides on the island that can help you to enjoy this sport to the fullest, because not only will they give you all the knowledge you need, but they will also tell you which are the safest areas and which are forbidden for windsurfing.
Details of interest
- Price: This activity in Santorini can cost around 100-110 euros per person.
- Time: I recommend you to do this tour from 10:00, when winds are stronger.
- Location: You can do this activity at famous beaches in the region such as the black beach in Perissa.