Santorini is one of the most famous islands in Greece, known for its white buildings with blue domes built on the cliffsides of the caldera. The crescent moon-shaped island was created when the Santorini volcano exploded causing the center of the island to collapse. Located in the Aegean Sea, Santorini is different than the other Greek islands with its unique history and attractions. This island is one of the most picturesque places I have ever visited. Here are 16 incredible things to do in Santorini Greece.
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How to Get to Santorini Greece
You can reach Santorini by ferry or plane. If you are arriving from Athens, I would recommend flying to the island to significantly shorten your travel time. The plane takes less than 45 minutes, but a ferry from Athens can take up to 10 hours. Also, the flight does not cost too much more than the ferry. If you are coming from another island in the Cyclades, the ferry system is the way to go. You can check ferry times and prices here.
Make sure to check out the latest travel restrictions due to Covid to enter Greece. The latest information can be found here.
When to Visit Santorini Greece
The best time to visit Santorini is in the shoulder months of April, May, September, and October. During these months, the weather is still warm but the summer crowds have died down. June through August marks Santorini’s most crowded and most expensive time to visit. November through March is the least crowded time to visit, but the temperatures are usually in the 50s and not ideal for Greek island activities.
Where to Stay in Santorini
The two most popular towns to stay in is the capital, Fira, and Oia. Oia is the more popular place to stay because of its luxurious style. With luxury, though, comes much higher prices for food and lodging. Fira is a bustling town with lots to do and is much less expensive than Oia. Other smaller towns, like Imerovigli, may be even cheaper to stay. Honestly, the island is so small that it does not really matter where you stay. All the towns are a short drive, and all are beautiful.
How to Get Around Santorini
The best way to get around in Santorini is by car or ATV rental. The roads are easy to navigate, and you will need a way to travel from town to town. According to the locals, taxis are expensive and not plentiful. Buses are slow and not reliable. The only problem with driving your own vehicle is parking can be somewhat challenging because lots are too small for the amount of people visiting.
Things to Know Before Visiting Santorini
- Do not drink the tap water. Tap water is just filtered sea water and is not suitable for drinking.
- The official language is Greek, but most locals speak English. Signage is usually written in Greek as well as English.
- The Euro is the currency of Greece.
- Greece uses the Type C electrical plug which is the same as the rest of Europe. The current is 220 volt.
- People drive on the right side of the road.
What to Pack When Visiting Santorini
- Swimsuit – Bring a stylish men’s or women’s swimsuit for the beaches.
- Sarong – Bring a sarong wrap as a swimsuit coverup. It can also be used to cover your shoulders if you are visiting a church.
- Microfiber Beach Towel – The microfiber beach towel can fold up very small.
- Packing Cubes – Keep your belongings organized with packing cubes.
- Plug Adapter – You will need an adapter if you want to plug in your dryer or electronics.
- Melatonin – Melatonin could help you beat jet lag.
- Flowy Skirt – Pack a cute outfit for a photo shoot. This is the skirt I wore.
- Tote Bag – A tote bag may be useful to carry to the beach.
- Sunscreen – You will need to protect your skin with all the time spent in the sun.
- Water Shoes – With the hikes to beaches and the rocky shore, water shoes are a good idea.
Things to Do in Santorini Greece
1. Hike from Fira to Oia
One of the best things to do in Santorini Greece is to hike the caldera from Fira to Oia. This 6.5-mile trek will take you from the Three Bells of Fira through the white buildings of Imerovigli to the marble streets of Oia. You can also add to your total walking distance with a detour to Skaros Rock. Make sure to start this hike early and take plenty of water. Once the sun rises, there is no shade along the trail. The path ascends and descends in elevation several times along the walk. This hike is a must do for the best views of the caldera and surrounding Aegean Sea.
2. Discover the Castle of Agios Nikolaos
At the end of the Fira to Oia hike, explore the Venetian castle of Agios Nikolaos. This castle was built at the top of the village in 15th century to observe possible pirate attacks. The castle suffered destructive when the earthquake of 1956 hit the island of Santorini. Today, the castle is used as a viewing spot of the caldera and a great place to watch sunsets.
3. Walk Down the Stairs to Ammoudi Bay
After meandering around Oia and the Castle of Agios Nikolaos, descend the nearly 300 steps to the small fishing port of Ammoudi Bay. This beautiful bay offers several tavernas with fresh seafood and picturesque views of hanging octopi sun-drying. You can take a donkey ride down the stairs, but it is recommended not to because of mistreatment of the animals. When it is time to leave Ammoudi Bay, you can walk back up the stairs to the bus stop or you can catch a taxi back to Fira. The taxi ride is more expensive than the bus, but it is more convenient, and you can save yourself the walk up the hill.
4. Jump Off a Cliff
Once you reach Ammoudi Bay, turn left, and continue walking around the corner to reach the cliff jumping spot. Soon you will reach a small area where people are sunbathing and leaving their belongings. You will see the rock where you can cliff jump from this spot, and you will need to swim a short distance to the rock. Climb to the landing about 20 feet above the sea. Make sure to get a running start and jump away from the rocks below. If the 20-foot jump is too scary for you, there is another platform just a few feet above the water that you can jump from.
5. Marvel at the Sunsets
One of the most famous things to do in Santorini Greece is to watch the sunsets in Oia. People start lining the streets of Oia for the perfect view of the sunset long before the sun actually sets. The crowds can hinder your views if you visit during crowded times, so make sure to get your ideal spot early. The sunsets in Oia are magical and cannot be missed on your Santorini visit.
6. Tour the Wineries
The most famous winery in Santorini is Santo Wines which offers wine tasting with a view. However, there are several wineries on the island that you can tour. We opted for a wine tour that chauffeured us around to several wineries and ended at a bar in Oia with great sunset views. Santorini is more known for white wines, and the vineyards have a unique way they grow their grapes. Because of the high winds, the vines cannot climb supports. Instead, the vines are shaped into baskets, and the grapes grow on the ground.
7. Get Educated at the Wine Museum
Located in a cave 25 feet below ground, the Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum shows the history of wine making on the island of Santorini. While the displays in the museum are a little cheesy, the information is rich in history and stories of the past. You can also sample the wine at the boutique winery located next to the museum.
8. Eat Traditional Greek Food
I love eating Greek food at home, so I was so excited to eat Greek food in Greece, and I was not disappointed. I got my fill of souvlaki, gyros, moussaka, and Greek salad. You can also find lots of fresh seafood on the menus as well as traditional Italian dishes such as risotto. After your meals, do not be surprised if you are served a plate of watermelon or other fruit or a shot of Ouzo, Greek-made liquor.
9. Explore the Ruins
One of the most amazing things to do in Santorini Greece is explore the prehistoric village of Akrotiri. This settlement is known as Greece’s Pompeii as it was destroyed and covered by ash following a volcanic eruption in 16th century BC. The town was excavated in 1967, and many artifacts such as pottery were recovered.
10. Sunbathe at the Beaches
Several locals said that Santorini was not known for their beaches, but we thoroughly enjoyed our time seaside. Be prepared for short hikes from the parking areas to the beaches. The most popular beach is Red Beach because of the turquoise waters that are surrounded by red rocks. Other popular beaches include Perissa Beach (Black Beach) and White Beach.
11. Admire the Blue Dome Churches
The tiny island boasts over 600 religious temples used for prayer as a defense against volcano eruptions and earthquakes. The structures and churches in Santorini are white to help keep the buildings cool in the hot temperatures. The domes of some churches were painted blue so the white and blue buildings match the colors in the Greek flag. However, one local said the domes are painted blue to match the color of the heavens in the sky.
12. Pose for a Photo Shoot
The whitewashed buildings with the occasional blue down along the caldera hills make the perfect backdrop for Instagram-worthy pictures. You can hire a professional photographer to take flying dress pictures, but this is quite pricey. I recommend spending a couple of hours wandering the streets of Imerovigli taking your own pictures. Be careful not to walk into privately owned areas or on top of roof buildings where you are trespassing.
13. Cruise Around the Caldera
When we visited, we did not participate in a catamaran cruise, but we heard a lot of good things about them. Depending on what you are looking to do, you can cruise around the caldera visiting beaches and watching the sunset on the horizon while enjoying unlimited Greek barbecue and drinks. Some boat tours will take you to Santorini’s volcano and its hot springs.
14. Ride the Cable Car in Fira
There are two ways to get from the cruise ship port to the town of Fira: one is by walking up the cliff’s edge via staircase and the second is by cable car. If you choose not to walk the more than 500 steps up or down, the cable car is the way to go. Even if you are not trying to get to the port, you can ride the cable cars for the views. In 2021, the one-way adult ticket price is 6 EUR.
15. Taste the Olive Oil
The Greek people love their olive oil, so what better place to try some than while in Santorini than to do an olive oil tasting. Book your tasting online at the Stoa Bar in Fira, and try local olive oils and honey. Learn about how olive oil is made and how to tell if the oil is good. Make sure to arrive hungry as you will get a plethora of bread, olives, and cheeses to enjoy with your olive oil and honey. The Stoa Bar also offers a Greek Cocktail Experience.
16. Shop for Greek Souvenirs
Before ending your visit, you must shop for souvenirs to remember your time in Greece. It does not matter if you are staying in Oia, Fira, or another village, you will have plenty of opportunities to souvenir shop for Greek treasures. One of the most popular souvenirs to get is the Evil Eye which is supposed to keep away evil spirits and bring good fortune.
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