Things to do and see on your travels to Santorini Greece

Santorini, the quintessential Greek island and a traveller’s dream. It is one of the most iconic images of Greece, a unique postcard of the country and an island full of treasures to discover. From charming villages, paradise beaches and a rich history, find out all there is to do on this small Mediterranean island.

Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free to use, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.

Things to do in Santorini Greece

Fira

It is the central hub of the island, the administrative capital and the seat of all the main services such as banks, post office, main shops, etc. In addition, it has many bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs in its square and historic centre. Most of the hotels are also located in the capital.

The views and sunsets from Fira are beautiful, always facing the caldera of the extinct volcano.

Oia

This is the most famous village on the island thanks to its sunsets. Its location overlooking the west and its spectacular cliffs make it ideal for watching the sunset, enjoying a drink or having dinner. Because it is so popular the prices in bars and restaurants tend to be higher.

Oia is known for its typical houses with whitewashed walls and blue-painted domed roof, the most iconic image of Santorini. It is the end of a trekking route and at the foot of its cliffs is the port of Ammoudi.

Baxedes Beach

One of the beaches with the best sand, which is black and volcanic yet fine. A vast and pleasant beach, flanked by the Aegean sea and spectacular rock cliffs. Baxedes beach is north of Santorini and faces the other Cyclades islands.

Athinios

It is the main port of the island, located on the inner side of the crescent that forms the island of Santorini. A port for cruise ships and sailing boats, Athinios is a lively town, always full of tourists. The capital Fira is 10 kilometres to the north, up a winding and beautiful road. A bus links the two towns. Its cliffs and caldera scenery are spectacular.

Firostefani

Two kilometres north of Fira, this small village can be visited on foot. It is ideal for strolling down its narrow streets full of typical Santorini building, whitewashed houses painted in bright colours. The views of the caldera are the other great attraction of the village.

Imerovigli

Three kilometres from Fira, Imerovigli has now joined the capital and forms the balcony of Santorini. The edge of the island’s plateau offers this viewpoint overlooking the caldera of the ancient volcano. As it is on a hill a little higher than Fira, with stunning views. It is also a little quieter than the capital.

At the foot of the cliffs of Oia, this port is where guests embark for the caldera gulet cruises, visiting the neighbouring islands of Santorini, Thirassia and Nea Kameni, the cone of the volcano.

Emporio

8 kilometres south of Fira, Emporio is a small village that has maintained its medieval charm. It has typical island architecture, narrow streets and a medieval castle at the top. The surrounding vineyards that produce the famous Vinsanto (Santorini wine) and windmills give this beautiful village a special allure. As always, spectacular views are guaranteed.

White Beach, Aspri

The White Beach is located next to the Red Beach, and stands out for the pale colour of its rocks. Small and not very easy to access, the beach has a particular charm as it is the last beach on the south coast.

Akrotiri Archaeological Site

The site of Akrotiri, in the southern part of the island, is one of the most important prehistoric archaeological sites in the Mediterranean. Remains from the early Bronze Age have been found here, showing that Santorini was one of the most important urban centres in the Mediterranean.

It is an ancient underground city that was buried after the eruption of the Santorini volcano. In fact, its state of preservation is due to the solidified volcanic ash that covered it – it has been linked to the legend of the Lost City of Atlantis, and is also known as the “Minoan Pompeii“.

• Visits to the archaeological site of Akrotiri cost €6.

Red Beach, Kokkini Amos

Together with neighbouring White Beach, these two small beaches characterised by their eponymous coloured cliffs are located at the southern tip of Santorini, south of the village of Akrotiri. Very close to the Minoan site, these beaches are ideal for swimming after visiting the remains of the Cretan city.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What else is there to do in Santorini?

Wineries and vineyards of Santorini

An interesting activity to do during your trip is to visit the vineyards of Santorini. The wine of Santorini is among the oldest in the world. It is a sweet and aromatic wine made from sun-dried grapes, the most famous of which is called “Vinsanto“. The climate and the fact that the vines are cultivated in a particular way make it a delight for the palate. There is a dry white wine and a red wine, the “Vinsanto”, which can be tasted by visiting the different wine cellars in many of the villages of Santorini.

Donkey rides

A typical excursion in Santorini is a donkey ride, a well-known sightseeing tour that is not to everyone’s taste, but we will tell you about it. The tour involves arriving in Fira by donkey or mule up the many stairs from the harbour. Some people prefer to go on foot because of the steepness of the slope, and others believe that it is animal cruelty.

What to do in Santorini in two days?

Day 1:

• Baxedes Beach
• Fira
• Imerovigli

Day 2:

• White Beach, Aspri
• Oia
• Akrotiri Archeological Site

What to do in Santorini in three days?

During your third day you can’t miss the charming villages and incredible beaches. Here is a list of some suggestions for your third day in Santorini:

• Red Beach
• Firostefani
• Emborio
• Athinios

How to get to Santorini Greece?

The island of Santorini is a small island at the end of the Cyclades archipelago. The quickest way to get there is by plane to Santorini (Thira) airport (JTR) which is south of Monolithos, about 8 kilometres from Fira. You can also fly to Athens or Crete and then take a ferry to the island.

Numerous airlines connect the main European capitals and major Spanish cities with Athens and Heraklion in Crete. There are direct flights from Barcelona, Bilbao and during the summer from Madrid, Valencia, Seville, Asturias, Mallorca and Malaga.

• The flight takes about 3 hours from Spain.
• The journey from Athens to Santorini (from Piraeus) varies between 5 and 8 hours, depending on the type of ferry.

Where to eat in Santorini Greece?

• The Flame of the Volcano is located on the edge of the cliff, near the arrival point of the funicular. If you can, ask for a table facing the caldera. The view is spectacular. The menu is made up of Greek specialities.
• The Poseidon is located halfway between the main square of Fira and the bus station. Greek music, palm trees and a full menu with grills and seafood.
• The Naoussa is on the main street of Fira. The cuisine includes typical Greek dishes and tasty dishes of the day. Don’t forget to try their cakes for dessert. It is usually full, so try to book or eat before or after midday.
• Mamas Cyclades, a short walk up Odos 25 Martiou Street (towards Oia). Its opening times are more flexible and it is open late. The breakfasts and mixed dishes are tasty and plentiful, and the menu is inventive.

Where to stay in Santorini Greece?

• Hotel Asteras Villas – Fira 3 Star. A good three star hotel with the benefits that come with its proximity to the centre of Fira. It has a view over the caldera and other priceless services such as relaxation and massage rooms and whirlpool baths, laundry and dry cleaning, multilingual staff, rental and taxi services and free parking.
• Avaton Resort and Spa – Imerovigli 4 stars. Very close to the centre, the Avaton Resort and Spa offers tranquillity within walking distance of the lively centre and the full services of a modern spa. Wellness centre with massages, sauna, Turkish baths, whirlpool, swimming pool, nice and quiet bar. The pool is open 24 hours a day and the staff speaks several languages.
• Hotel 1864 The Sea Captain’s House – Oia 5 stars. In Oia, the village with the most beautiful sunsets on the island, we find this luxury hotel. Close to the Naval Museum, the Castle of Oia and situated above the beautiful beach of Baxedes, this hotel offers 19th century charm and all kinds of services.

Tips for your trip to Santorini Greece

• The island’s high season runs from the end of May to the beginning of September, with July and August being the busiest months for tourists.
• We recommend visiting Santorini in low season to enjoy its authentic seaside charm and to find better value for money in terms of accommodation.
• The climate on the island is pleasant practically all year round, with temperatures averaging no lower than 14°C.
• To be safe, walk around with your backpack or bag in front of you and watch out for pickpockets in tourist areas.
• Tap water is safe to drink.
• Wear comfortable shoes.
• Plugs in Greece are the same as in Spain.

How to organise what to do in Santorini Greece?

Sign up or download the app to discover all of its useful features.

• Get inspiration from the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions to it.
• Add the spots you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by days and according to their location (you can take inspiration from the routes presented in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the necessary modifications and you are ready for your trip.
• Finally, share your experience. Upload photos of each of the places you have visited to the app so you can inspire other users.

If you have any doubts about how to plan your itinerary, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

FAQs