10 Best Things To Do in Santorini

The Cyclades are Greece's most famous and most visited islands. The jewel in the crown of this Aegean archipelago is Santorini, a sun-kissed island of volcanic origin bathed in stunning blue waters that has been enchanting travellers from all over the world for generations.

They arrive attracted by the typical image of a seaside village of white houses with blue roofs, but they leave with a wealth of experiences because Santorini is so much more. Are you ready to enjoy the holiday of a lifetime? Check out the 10 must-see and do things to see and do in Santorini!

Santorini is an island with a seafaring soul. To contemplate from the water its silhouette of cliffs with the peaks crowned with white houses with blue roofs is a marvel. That's why I recommend you book a boat trip around Santorini during your holiday.

These excursions usually last several hours and are great fun. Some of them include Greek-style barbecues with music and dinner before watching the sunset from the sea.

It's a magnificent experience that every traveller should experience on Santorini at least once. If you want to know in detail what these boat trips around the island are like and what options there are, I advise you to read the article The best cruises and boat trips in Santorini...

Santorini is said to have the most beautiful sunset in the Aegean Sea. It is a mantra repeated by so many travellers that it has become a powerful siren song capable of attracting so many others who dream of also witnessing the sunset in such an idyllic place.

Actually, the fame of Santorini's sunset is more than justified. It is a mesmerising spectacle with a magical touch, where the landscape of whitewashed houses and blue domes on the volcanic cliffs crosses the horizon where the sun sets to make way for the stars.

No one wants to miss this moment and there are many places where you can enjoy the sunset in Santorini. Here are some of the most outstanding.

Oia

This is the most popular place to watch the sunset in Santorini. The best places to see it for free are the windmill or the ruins of the Venetian castle, although the latter is usually crowded so I recommend you go a couple of hours before to get a spot.

However, in Oia there are many bars with terrace-viewpoints where you can enjoy the moment with a drink, relaxed in your seat and listening to music.

However, if you are looking for a quieter and more secluded place to watch the sunset in Santorini I recommend you visit the beach of Katharos, a kilometre away from Oia. Watching the sunset on this virtually untouched beach hidden between cliffs is a marvel. I recommend you to book the sunset bus tour in Oia.

Fira

The capital of Santorini has many viewpoints to watch the sunset for free. I recommend the ones along the road from the Orthodox Cathedral to Kato Thira to watch the immensity of the Aegean at dusk.

As in Oia, in Fira you can also enjoy the sunset from one of the bars with a terrace overlooking the sea. If you opt for this option, I advise you to make a reservation in advance to ensure you get a seat.

Before sunset, I recommend you book a guided tour of Fira to get to know the capital and taste the delicious ice-creams by booking.

Pyrgos

Oia and Fira are the most popular places to watch the sunset in Santorini, but a few kilometres inland is Pyrgos, a charming medieval village from where you can also watch the sunset without the crowds.

Also, being the highest point on the island, you can enjoy spectacular views of the sunset. The best place? From the monastery of the prophet Elijah.

Akrotiri

Watching the sunset can be one of the most romantic things to do in Santorini. If you're looking for an intimate and secluded place to watch it as a couple, the scenery around the Akrotiri lighthouse towards the south of the island is breathtaking.

While you're in the area, you can take advantage of your stay to explore the ruins of Akrotiri and other areas in the south by booking a guided tour with wine tasting.

Aegean

An original way to enjoy the sunset in Santorini is to book a cruise along the island's coastline

. Not only will you have the chance to watch the most beautiful sunset in the Aegean but you will also have time to explore the coastline of this corner of the Cyclades archipelago by sea and land, climb to the top of Santorini's volcano, go snorkelling, swim in thermal springs and even enjoy a barbecue.

Santorini is a place blessed by nature with some of the most beautiful beaches in the Aegean with postcard-perfect landscapes of turquoise waters and coves of black, white and red sand.

For such a small island, Santorini is surprising for its variety of beaches. There are beaches of all colours and for all ages. Because during a holiday in Greece you also deserve a break and to lie in the sun.

Perissa Beach

This is considered to be the best beach on the island. Here you can go snorkelling, water skiing or jet skiing. I like it because it has a great atmosphere to go with friends and is surrounded by bars and beach clubs.

It is also known as the black beach because of its black volcanic sand that contrasts with the deep blue sea.

Kamari Beach

Ideal for families due to its calm and friendly atmosphere. It is a very touristy beach with a wide variety of bars and restaurants as well as playgrounds and leisure centres for the kids to have a great time.

White Beach

It rivals in popularity with the previous one, as it is the only one in Santorini that has this colour that contrasts so much with the water of the sea. The scenery at White Beach is beautiful and you'll be able to take lots of souvenir photographs.

And if you like snorkelling, you're in the right place because there is an abundance of fish to swim with.

Eros Beach

A few kilometres from Fira is Santorini's most romantic beach, named after the Greek god of love. Perfect for couples looking for peace and quiet and an escape from the crowds.

Red Beach

One of the most photogenic beaches on Santorini thanks to the contrast between its turquoise waters and reddish cliffs- a sight to behold!

As it is the only one on the whole island with this peculiar colour, it attracts many tourists and instagramers.

I recommend you to book a cruise from Red Beach after enjoying it from the coast to see it from afar and enjoy the views but with a different perspective.

If you are passionate about history, one of the most interesting places to see in Santorini is the archaeological site of Akrotiri. It's usually included when you book a tour of southern Santorini, which I recommend you do so that a local guide can show you the ruins in detail.

It's an ancient Bronze Age city which, like Pompeii, succumbed to the terrible eruption of the Thera volcano in the 16th century BC, which destroyed this thriving Aegean town that was closely linked to the Minoan civilisation.

Buried under ash and lava, Akrotiri has been well preserved for thousands of years and today we can learn about this city associated with the legend of Atlantis through the artefacts, vessels, sculptures and wall paintings that have been found.

If you're looking for a bit of adventure during your holiday on the island, one of the coolest things to do in Santorini is to take a 10-kilometre route between Fira and Oia that connects these touristy towns.

It will take you between 3 and 5 hours to complete but the views along the way are spectacular and will allow you to experience the magic of Santorini: from its beautiful white villages to the mountains, the volcano and the islands that make up the Cyclades archipelago.

Although the level of difficulty of this route is relatively easy and most of the path is paved, I recommend that you have a medium level of fitness to do it. If you are not up to it, you can always book a guided tour of Fira and Oia.

One of the most popular tourist attractions to see in Santorini is its volcano, which was responsible for a massive eruption in the 16th century BC that transformed the Aegean landscape as the caldera collapsed and gave rise to the small cluster of islands of Santorini that we know today.

Many researchers believe that the mythical Atlantis of which Plato spoke in his stories may have been found here, and that it succumbed to the forces of nature thousands of years ago.

So, whether you're on the trail of this legendary island of antiquity or you enjoy ecotourism, a trip to the islet of Nea Kameni and the hot springs of Palea Kameni is a must on your Santorini getaway.

What will you see on the trip?

• Nea Kameni: an uninhabited islet in the central part of Santorini's caldera. The ascent to the top of the volcano takes about 20-30 minutes on foot along a small path.
• The active volcano gives off vapours. In fact, the smell of sulphur is quite intense and if you dig a little into the ground you can find rocks so hot that they will burn your hand if you touch them.
• Palea Kameni hot springs, where you can relax for a swim or a mud bath - they're said to have medicinal properties!
• Thirasia Island, where you can enjoy the beauty of its coves and have lunch in one of its typical restaurants.

Don't forget to bring comfortable shoes for this excursion as well as sunscreen, a hat and plenty of water in your backpack as the heat can be sweltering.

Santorini, like all of Greece, boasts a delicious gastronomy based on excellent Mediterranean products and oriental influences through spices. In Santorini you will have a great time tasting the best Greek specialities:

• Fava hummus (cream of fava beans).
• Dolmades (small morsels of rice or veal wrapped in grape leaves)
• Keftedes (vegetarian meatballs)
• Gyros (Greek kebab)
• Roast lamb
• Sun-dried octopus

Santorini is also famous for its wine cellars and the quality of its wines, such as the white wine Nychtery, which is very popular on the island. And don't forget to try a cold Donkey, the typical Santorini beer. To make sure you don't miss anything, I recommend you to book a wine tasting tour in Santorini.

Don't forget to include a visit to the old harbour of Fira and Amoudi in your travel plan. It is another of the most beautiful and authentic places to see in Santorini.

The old port of Fira was the main port of Santorini island until it was replaced by the port of Athinios. I recommend going to the old harbour of Fira to dine in one of its restaurants and enjoy the sunset views.

The port of Amoudi is another of the most charming places to see in Santorini. It is a small harbour that I recommend you visit because it offers beautiful views of the contrast between the turquoise blue of the sea and the reddish cliffs of this part of the island. You can also book a cruise from Amoudi Bay.

Another way to get to know the island is to rent a car for a road trip or book a quad tour around Santorini. A very original plan to do in Santorini that doesn't require too much organisation.

Don't just stick to the coastal villages of Santorini and go ashore to explore the island! Drive from end to end and see the towns, cliffs, beaches, lighthouses and viewpoints to contemplate the grandeur of the Aegean and its unforgettable sunset.

At the end of the tour, head back to your starting point following the circular route. You'll come back with plenty of souvenir photos and an unforgettable experience to add to your travel log.

After a fun day at the beach, a great thing to do in Santorini is to go and see a film at an open-air cinema. As the island welcomes visitors from all over the world, the films are shown in English with Greek subtitles.

This open-air cinema is shaped like an ancient Greek theatre and is surrounded by greenery and decorated with candles to make for a pleasant and relaxing time. I really liked the way they take care of the ambience to make you feel at ease and immersed in the film.

Although it is a small cinema, the picture and sound quality are good and the screen looks good from all angles.

Although Santorini has pleasantly warm temperatures all year round, summer can be sweltering due to its Mediterranean climate (plus the large influx of tourists).

Winter on the Greek island brings the rains, wind and cooler temperatures, but as you might expect, you'll also be spared the crowds.

Spring in Santorini is the best time to discover the beauty of its landscapes and ensure a perfect 3-day stay on the island. In any case, if you're wondering what to do depending on the date you choose, be sure to check out our guides:

• 10 things to see and do in Santorini in January
• 10 things to see and do in Santorini in February
• 10 Things to See and Do in Santorini in March
• 10 things to see and do in Santorini in April
• 10 things to see and do in Santorini in May
• 10 things to see and do in Santorini in September
• 10 things to see and do in Santorini in October
• 10 things to see and do in Santorini in November
• 10 things to see and do in Santorini in December