Watch the sunset over Oia
Gazing at this spectacular sight has to be one to tick off the bucket list. The picturesque Oia village is at its best when observed at the magic hour of dusk, when locals and tourists alike gather on the ruins of Agios Nikolaos Castle on summer nights to witness the sun edge over the horizon. Whether your viewing platform is accompanied with a bustling atmosphere – or you prefer to privately experience from a table in a local tavern – a sunset from this northwest point is unmissable.
Take a wine tasting tour
From private tours to large groups, and from daytime to sunset tours – there’s bound to be a way to fit in some wine tasting on your holiday. A great way to experience the culinary connection to the landscape, you can taste the various blends that arise from the volcanic soil. Visit the vineyards, explore the varieties of grape and learn about the local fermenting process. Tours give you the chance to visit several of Santorini’s esteemed wineries – such as Venetsanos, Santo and Gavalas – plus most offer hotel pickup and drop off.
Explore the Akrotiri Ruins
Truly understanding the origin of the island comes with visiting the ancient Akrotiri Ruins. Back in the 17th century BC, a huge volcanic eruption shaped the crater that dominates Santorini’s landscape today, totally preserving the Early Bronze Age settlement of Akrotiri. This timeless site is rumoured to be the home of Atlantis and is now known as the Pompeii of the Aegean. We recommend going with a guide so you can make the most of all the history the place has to offer.
Sail around the island
Take a guided tour in a Catamaran to top off your holiday. You’ll see all angles of the volcanic island and discover wonders from dramatic cliff edges to hidden gem bays. Whether you sail in style with a luxury cruise or keep it casual with a chilled-out tour, there’s a perfect pick for any holidaymaker to enjoy. Trust us – no Greek island experience is complete without diving off a boat into the Aegean Sea!
Take a volcano tour
There are plenty of options when it comes to volcano tours in Santorini. So, whether you want to sail through the caldera to hike up the side of the volcano, you’ll certainly discover some of the most amazing views of the island. Not to mention, you can take a dip in the thermal springs here which are known to have proven health benefits and leave your skin super soft.
Just in case you need a little extra inspiration, check out how we spent five days in Santorini.
Things to do in Santorini for couples
Sweeping your partner off your feet is easy in Santorini – the romantic atmosphere and stunning scenery will do it for you. Whether you’re a flop ‘n’ drop couple who love nothing more than to check in and lay down on a sun lounger, or you’re more into exploring the island, Santorini has lots to offer any trip for two.
Raise a glass to your couples’ holiday on a winery tour, where you can learn about the volcanic vines of the island – and even try a tipple or two. Our favourites are Santo Wines in Pyrgos, with its fabulous on-site shop full of local goodies, and Art Space Santorini in Exo Gonia, which offers a chic blend of wine and art, as well as some atmospheric caves.
There’s also the open-air cinema in Kamari, which lets you have a movie date against the stunning natural backdrop of the island. Prefer to simply soak up the ambience together? Walk hand in hand through the picturesque streets of Oia; there are plenty of hidden gem shops and tavernas to discover.
Things to do in Santorini for families
Beaches are for everyone. And family beach holidays are a joy. The volcanic black sand of Santorini’s beaches make for a memorable beach day, especially if you pick Kamari Beach. This stretch of shoreline has plenty of facilities, watersports and beach restaurants, as well as invitingly clear waters. Perissa Beach even made into our top six Greek beaches
To really fascinate the whole family, take a boat tour of the caldera. The caldera is the site of an ancient submerged volcano, and it’s quite a sight to behold. Some boat trips will even offer a swim from the boat to a hot spring, depending on your little ones’ ability. It’s worth making a splash if you can, trust us.
Hercules. Odysseus. Athena. Greece is a land of heroes, gods and goddesses, and a family holiday here is a great opportunity to get your kids hooked on history. Head to the Folklore Museum in Threra to learn more about local legends and myths, and see how traditional wineries worked. There's even a cavern to explore the effects of the volcanic eruption that created Santorini as we know it.
Things to do in Santorini on a budget
Budget holidays to Santorini aren’t as difficult to plan as you might expect. Once your hotel and flights are booked, you can fill your travel itinerary with cheap activities if you’re in the know. And sometimes you don’t even need to spend anything at all. For example, watching the sun set isn’t going to cost you a penny. It will definitely take your breath away, though.
Another free activity that will let you really experience the island is climbing Profitis Ilias. This is the tallest mountain in Santorini, and is located between the pretty towns of Perissa and Kamari. If you start your ascent in Kamari you can even cool off on Perissa Beach afterwards. Make sure you take plenty of water; it’s a four-hour hike. At the top you’ll find the ruins of Ancient Thera, which can be explored for a small fee. It’s worth it if you have the cash.
When it comes to cheap eats, there’s no better way to get your Greek foodie fix that at street food stalls. Gyros, souvlaki, tzatziki, halloumi…you’ll find all this and more in Fira for a fraction of the price of the sit-down restaurants. And there’s something about eating al fresco that makes everything taste even more delicious, too.
