The scenery is spectacular, with Santorini's famous white architecture set against a backdrop of the blue Aegean Sea.
Santorini appeals to everyone, from solo travellers to families needing a much-needed holiday. There are plenty of fun things to do and see, and if you are planning a first time trip to Santorini we have written this guide to highlight some activites you shoud miss.
Of course some popular activities like exporing the main towns and tourist shops go without saying, but there are also lots of hidden gems and places waiting to be explored where you can do more than your average visitor. Most things are also totally free or low cost, which is perfect way to save money on this luxury island.
Keep reading to learn about just a few of the things that you must add to your Santroni to-do list during your stay on this beautiful Greek island.
1. Stay at a Fabulous Santorini Hotel
Why stay at a boring cheap hotel when you are in beautiful Santorini?
To make the most of your holiday and the experience of being on this unique island, treat yourself and book a fantastic places to stay Santorini by searching hotels on Booking.com. There are so many hotels for all budgets.
If you want to treat yourself to a dream trip some accommodation offer stunning views, luxurious amenities like infinity pools, and are in convenient locations that make it easy to head out for your daily adventures on the island.
One thing is for certain: you won’t want to leave once you have stayed in a luxury Santorini hotel.
2. Watch Sunset
Santorini has unique and spectacular views and sunsets here are memorable. Be sure to grab a great spot, possibly at one of the viewing points and have your camera ready to capture magical moments. This is one of the best free things to do on Santorini.
There are hundreds of restaurants or bars on the clifftops with amazing views, sit back and watch the sun go down with a glass of wine or tasty Greek dinner.
3. Go on a Winery Tour
You might think of countries like Italy or France when you think about the best places to enjoy delicious wine, but the truth is that Santorini is actually one of the top wine destinations in all of Europe.
The locals there produce fantastic wines of all kinds, and you could even book tours of local wineries that are found around the island.
These fun wine tours are educational, give you access to yummy wines to taste, and also allow you to see new places on the island that you would otherwise miss out on.
Be sure to learn some basic Greek phrases to impress the local people you meet.
4. Go Hiking
Many travellers who make their way to Santorini make it a point to hike from Fira to Oia. Why, you ask when you can take a speedboat or ferry?
Well, this is a popular 9km hike that connects these two lovely towns, and the trek is considered the most scenic on the entire island.
It should take around three hours to finish the hike, but the total amount of time will depend upon how fast you walk and how many times you stop to enjoy the gorgeous view and take photos. Just be sure to wear comfortable clothes and shoes and give yourself plenty of time.
Then, once in Oia, treat yourself to a cocktail with lunch. Yum!
5. Spend Time at the Beach
Another thing that you must do while you are in Santorini especially during summer is spend time on a beach.
You are on an island, after all! Relax your cares away, and cool yourself off in the clear waters.
Santorini boasts some of the best European beaches, some of which might be totally different to what you have seen before.
Popular beaches to visit in Santorini include Red Beach, which features dark sand and red cliffs, and Kamari Beach, which boasts clean water and black sand.
Just don’t be surprised if these beaches get busy with other tourists during peak times of the year but there are also lots of ways to escape including island hopping boat tours.
If you enjoy water sports there are lots of options all year round with Santorni being one of the best surfing destinations in Greece.
6. Visit an Archaeological Site
Santorini is an island with a rich with a diverse history, and if you are keen to learn more about the past you can visit several local archaeological sites.
These are the perfect way to dive into that history and go back in time.
A great example is Ancient Akrotiri (pictured above), which was discovered during the 1860s. It features buildings that date all the way back to the 17th century BC.
Going on a guided tour with a local guide can help you see every impressive part of this unique site and learn more about it.
This is definately one of the more alternative and lesser-known places to see in Santorni, but well worth adding to your itinerary if you like this kind of thing.
Plan a Break to Santorini
With so many amazing experiences to be had while in Santorini, it’s no wonder that so many travellers return there, time and again. If you don’t manage to do everything on your first Greece tour, you will definitely want to book another holiday to see even more of what this island has to offer.
