Santorini is a small, picturesque island located in the Aegean Sea, in Greece. It’s famous for its stunning sunsets, vibrant nightlife, and beautiful beaches. The island was formed after a massive volcanic eruption that happened more than 3,500 years ago, and its unique geological landscape attracts thousands of visitors every year.
Overall the dimensions of the island, Santorini is home to charming villages such as Oia, Fira, Pyrgos, Imerovigli, Megalochori, where narrow alleys, whitewashed houses, and blue-domed churches create a postcard-perfect scenery.
My experience as local tour guide is that unfortunately most of the tourists don’t enjoy all the beauties of the island and they are stuck in the common top spots as Oia & Fira…
So let’s share with you the most important things to do/see in Santorini:
1. Visit Oia – The most famous and picturesque village in Santorini, known for its blue-domed churches, breathtaking sunsets, and stunning cliffside views. The crowds do not help a lot to enjoy the views so better to spend a couple of hours.
2. Enjoy a sunset cruise – Watch the sunset from a luxury sailboat as La Maia Schooner while enjoying the beautiful scenery and crystal-clear water.
3. Explore Akrotiri Archaeological Site – A fascinating excavation that reveals the Minoan Bronze Age city buried in volcanic ash.
4. Photos at the Red Beach – A unique and stunning beach with striking red volcanic cliffs, unfortunately after years it is not safety anymore so better just to stay on top and take photos.
5. Hike from Fira to Oia – A scenic and adventurous hike along the cliffside with breathtaking views of the caldera.
6. Go wine tasting – Santorini is known for its unique wines, particularly Assyrtiko, and several vineyards offer tasting experiences, you can also join one of our wine tours if you want to discover the main wineries.
7. Visit the Monastery of Profitis Ilias – A beautiful Greek Orthodox monastery perched on the highest peak of Santorini, providing panoramic views of the island.
8. Discover the village of Pyrgos: Pyrgos is a traditional village located in the center of Santorini, on the slopes of Mount Prophet Elias. It was once the capital of the island and is now a popular tourist destination known for its beautiful architecture, stunning views, and cultural sites. Don’t forget to walk in the narrow streets up until the ruins of the Venetian Castle.
9. Visit Megalochori, a charming traditional village located on the southwestern part of Santorini, known for its quaint alleys, beautiful architecture, and authentic Greek atmosphere.
10. Visit Emporio, Emporio is a traditional village located on the southeastern side of Santorini, known for its picturesque alleys, historic sites, and beautiful architecture.
11. Enjoy the walk between Imerovigli and Fira, passing from Firostefani. Firostefani and Imerovigli are two adjacent villages located in the central part of Santorini, known for their picturesque setting, stunning sunset views, and laid-back atmosphere.
12. Hike Skaros Rock: A rocky outcropping that offers amazing views of the sea. It’s located between the two villages and makes for a fantastic photography location.
13. Explore the Ancient City of Thera – An ancient city and archaeological site dating back to the 9th century BC.
14. Discover the Lost Atlantis Experience – An immersive experience exploring the mythical lost city of Atlantis through multimedia exhibits.
15. Enjoy a seafood feast in Ammoudi Bay – Fresh and delicious seafood dishes served right on the waterfront.
16. Shop in Fira – Fira is the main shopping district in Santorini, offering a wide range of stores selling jewelry, clothing, and souvenir shops.
17. Enjoy beach life: Santorini is a volcano so all the beaches are dark and not pretty gold sand as someone could dream, but they are still beautiful. Enjoy so beach time in Kamari rich also of shops and taverns, or in Perissa, Perivolos where the black sand beach is perfect also for families with kids.
18. Discover Vlychada beach, Admire the lunar landscape – Vlychada Beach is known for its unique, otherworldly, and lunar-like landscape, formed by pumice stone cliffs.
19. Watch the sunset from the lighthouse, the most amazing spot that offers 360 degrees views of the Aegean!
20. Join a true Greek night show at Taverna Dimitris in Kamari where you will dance sirtaki and typical Cycladic ballets enjoying local food and destroying dishes…
