No one will say no to this incredible Greek island! Santorini is home to the world-famous white-tinted village and fabulous shades of blue. With its exquisite beauty, Santorini attracts millions of tourists from all over the globe. Moreover, Santorini is a bucket list-worthy destination you must visit. You won’t run out of things to do in Santorini as it is packed with awesomeness!
Are you looking for some thrilling things to do in Santorini? This blog will show you a list of them. Then, you can start planning your perfect Santorini trip!
Things to Do in Santorini – Summary
- Stroll Around Oia Village
- Snap Pictures of Fira
- Dip Into the Waters of Ammoudi Bay
- Hike to the Ancient Thera
- Pay a Visit to the Akrotiri Site
- Burn Some Calories in the Volcanoes and Hot Springs
- Soak Up the Sun at Perissa Beach
- Head to the Hidden White Beach
- Hop on a Catamaran
- Feast on Local Cuisine
- Go Wine-Tasting in Pygros Village
- Hit the Beach Clubs
Stroll Around Oia Village
Set your foot on Santorini’s main attraction, which is the Oia Village. Tucked on the rim of Santorini’s caldera, Oia Village boasts a breathtaking ocean view and eye-catching traditional Greece houses. The white and pale houses are arranged in amphitheater-like rows, making the village look unique. Moreover, the contrast between blue and white in the scenery makes Oia Village so picture-perfect!
You can stroll around the tiny cobblestone roads of Oia Village. Follow the labyrinth-like streets to find an amazing view and hidden gems, such as local-run restaurants and shops. Also, join the crowds to get an incredible view as the sun goes down. As the prettiest village in Santorini, visiting Oia Village is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Santorini.
Snap a Lot of Pictures in Fira
Get in touch with your inner model as you arrived in Fira, a must-see in Santorini. This small coastal town is the capital of Santorini. The town is adorned with whitewashed buildings, authentic cave houses, and a splash of blue from churches’ domes. Like Oia Village, it offers a scene of the Aegean Sea that will blow your mind.
Fira is a true definition of an ‘Instagram-worthy’ spot. There are lots of places to snap photos of in Fira. Make your way to the Three Bells of Fira, the best Instagram photo spot that will make your followers go crazy. Then, visit other places like Fira Old Port and St. John the Baptist Cathedral. Friendly reminder – it is challenging to get over the outstanding blue and white scenery!
Additionally, Fira is located very close to Oia. You can hike from Fira to Oia directly. Yes, you can see two different spectacular spots in a really short time.
Dip Into the Waters of Ammoudi Bay
Looking forward to dipping your feet into the glimmering waters? Then, head down to Ammoudi Bay. It is a tranquil fishing harbor underneath Oia Village. Ammoudi Bay is the closest swimming spot to Santorini’s famous attractions. You can see people swimming and doing a cannonball from surrounding volcanic rocks.
You have to walk to Ammoudi town to reach the bay. It will be a calorie-burning activity as you will go down around 300 steps. However, you can also ride a donkey to save time and energy. But trust us, the sweat will be paid-off as you reach the emerald bay. The clear waters will lure you to quickly jump in. Then, after a long swim, you can enjoy freshly-caught seafood. Of course, visiting Ammoudi Bay is one of the best things to do in Santorini.
Hike to the Ancient Thera
Visiting Ancient Thera means an epic win. Besides witnessing a hidden historical site, you will get a mesmerizing view of Santorini from above. Ancient Thera is an ancient settlement in Mesa Vouno Mountain, nestled at a height of 365 meters above sea level. It features a plethora of ruins from limestone buildings that were established during the reign of King Thera.
Get ready to be sweaty and have some cardio if you want to reach Ancient Thera. You will need to hike along pebbled slopes to get to the highest point. However, the hike is totally worth-it as you arrived at the site. It overlooks the whitewashed villages, tranquil sea, and a few rocky cliffs. So, if you are looking for an out-of-the-ordinary thing to do in Santorini, hiking Ancient Thera is for you.
Pay a Visit to Akrotiri Site
Akrotiri Site is often called ‘The Pompeii of Santorini’. If you have visited Pompeii in Italy, Akrotiri Site will ring a bell. Remnants of ancient houses, volcanic debris, and an eerie atmosphere are what you can find on this site. Interestingly, the historic site has a similar history to Pompeii, as both cities were buried by a volcanic eruption. However, Akrotiri’s past is different from Pompeii’s. You can discover its mysteries during your visit.
Akrotiri Site is exhibited as an excavation area. The site is set into a well-organized structure so visitors can walk through the ruins. You can spot some interesting things, such as agricultural tools, vessels, and murals, in the ruins. They give a hint of how skillful and artistic the people were in ancient Akrotiri. Thus, visiting Akrotiri is one of the things to do in Santorini that a history geek should not miss out on.
Burn Some Calories in the Volcano and Hot Springs
If you fancy adventures, the volcano in Santorini is something you should check out. Lies deep in the ground, the volcano creates one of the most amazing structures in Santorini. Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni are two volcanic islands that were formed by a centuries-old volcanic eruption. Interestingly, the islands are fully formed by volcanic materials, like black sand and cold lava. However, the main deal about the islands is the hot springs.
The natural hot springs in Palea Kameni are not just relaxing. They are also known to have health-improving benefits as they are rich in sulfur. You can soak yourself inside the heated springs and feel rejuvenated after a short dip. Therefore, it is one of the most interesting things to do in Santorini.
Soak Up the Sun at Perissa Beach
Bathe yourself with the radiant sunlight on the shores of Perissa Beach. The beach is well-known for its charcoal-black sand. The stunning black sand collaborates with the aquamarine sea to create stunning scenery. Perissa Beach is one of the must-visit places in Santorini. Who could not afford to visit a beach during their vacation?
Perissa Beach is a perfect place to dose off, chill, and sunbathe. You can find sunbeds and umbrellas lining the beach. Moreover, the beach is also packed with restaurants and cafes. You can enjoy a cold smoothie or finish your work in the restaurant, then hit the beach. Nonetheless, visiting Perissa Beach is one of the top things to do in Santorini.
Head to the Hidden White Beach
Looking for a tranquil place to visit and avoid the bustling crowd of Santorini? Then, hop on a boat taxi and sail to White Beach. The hidden beach is tucked in the southern part of Santorini, near the town of Akrotiri. It features a dramatic cliff with a rocky cove underneath. Like its name, the White Beach is a unique beach with white-tinted landscape.
The White Beach is quite remote and hidden. The only way to reach the beautiful beach is by boat. You can find a boat taxi from Red Beach pier or go with a boat tour. Also, make sure that you bring essentials, water, and food to the beach as there are no facilities there. However, the secluded beach is worth every penny!
Hop on a Catamaran
Do you know what Santorini is known for other than its charming blue-white landscapes? Yes, luxury travel! If you are feeling boujee and want to spend some cash on an awesome experience, why not cruise on a catamaran? Cruising the Aegean Sea is one of the best things to do in Greece. Furthermore, nothing is better than spending the whole day in a catamaran on a crystal-clear sea.
There are lots of private catamarans you can rent in Santorini. It is a great idea to rent a catamaran with your travel buddies. Parties, sun, and a lot of fun are what you can get by cruising in Santorini!
Feast on Local Cuisine
Spoil your tongue with some delightful Mediterranean flavors! Trying out local food is one of the top things to do in Santorini. There are countless restaurants in Santorini that serve top-notch Greek dishes. Whether you want to have some moussaka or souvlaki, the flavors will blow your mind.
Other than classic Greek dishes, Santorini has its own unique menu. It is thanks to Santorini’s lush volcanic soil that yield several local vegetables. Have a bite of fava, Santorini’s authentic yellow split beans dish. Also, enjoy the food with some locally-produced ones. In a nutshell, a culinary trip to Santorini is extraordinary!
Go Wine-Tasting in Pygros Village
Besides its surreal landscapes, Santorini is known for its splendid wine. It is thanks to the extravagant blend between temperate climate and years of winemaking tradition. Santorini wine is known to be full-bodied, sour, and dry. Then, one of the best things to do in Santorini is trying out some wine.
There are several fantastic wineries in Santorini. However, the best are scattered in Pygros Village. One of the wineries in Santorini that you should check out is Santos Winery. You can try a glass of fantastic red and white wine. Thus, the wine-tasting session will be better with the landscape of Pygros Village. We recommend going for an evening session, especially during sunset. The romantic sunset view will be something that you find hard to forget.
Additionally, you can click here to book a sumptuous wine-tasting session.
Hit the Beach Clubs
Spending the day at the beach is surely fun. Then, how about doubling the fun by heading to some of Santorini’s best beach clubs? As a popular summer vacation destination, Santorini offers several awesome beach club with blasting tropical music and splendid drinks. So, dear party animals, this one is for you!
Some of the best beach clubs in Santorini are Theros Bar, Wet Stories, Tranquilo Bar, and Nikki Beach Bar. All these trendy beach clubs offer you relaxing pools, daybeds, delicious food, and awesome drinks. Go for pool parties, dance, and have fun in these beach clubs! Such a great way to enjoy Santorini, right?
These awesome activities in Santorini ensure you to get the best out of the charming island. Then, which of the things to do in Santorini lures you to immediately book a ticket?
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