Our website uses cookies to improve your experience. To find out more, please read our Cookie Notice. Close
The volcanic island of Santorini in Greece flaunts fairytale-style hilltop villages, archaeological sights and panoramic views. There’s plenty to do for every kind of holidaymaker on this Greek island, from tasting the fresh, locally-made dishes, to hiring quad bikes and going on a wine tour or two. Plus, there are plenty of historic sights and ancient ruins to explore. Read on to find out what to do in Santorini, and take a look at our Greece deals to get away sooner...
You can expect traditional dishes including Greek salads, moussaka, souvlaki and spanakopita when you visit Santorini, plus locally-produced snacks like saganaki, which is made with fried cheese wrapped in filo pastry, and covered in honey. There's alsa domatokeftedes, a fritter filled with feta cheese, fresh herbs and island-grown tomatoes. Meanwhile, seafood fans should head to the waterfront taverns at Amoudi Bay in the village of Oia for some of the island's best fish dishes.
You can explore Santorini both on land and in the water. The Fira Trail hike takes around three hours, running from Fira to Oia, and it's a great place to watch the sunset. And, if you want to stretch your sea legs, take a catamaran cruise to explore the waters and local volcanic islets. Our Caldera Cruise tour includes a trip on a wooden sailboat to two uninhabited lava islands - Nea Kameni, Santorini's active volcano, and Palea Kameni, which has hot springs you can swim in. You’ll hike over steaming lava up to Nea Kameni’s crater, and then cruise to the thermal springs of Palea Kameni to take a dip in the toasty waters. If you’re into watersports, head to Perissa Beach and get stuck into parasailing, jet-skiing, wakeboarding and diving at a protected reef just off the coast.
Want to see a black sand beach? You can in Santorini. And, there are red and white ones to lay out your towel on, too, all of which are made up of tiny pebbles and volcanic sand. The Red Beach is the most famous spot, boasting lava red rocks and a backdrop of jagged cliffs. There’s also Perivolos Beach, known as ‘black beach’, which is comprised of tiny black pebbles, and usually packed with volleyball-playing enthusiasts and DJs if you’re after a lively atmosphere. And, if you want to catch the sunset from Oia's beaches, make sure to head to Amoudi Bay at the end of the day.
Santorini lines up some unique cultural attractions for when you need to peel yourself away from the sunlounger. The ancient ruins of Akrotiri are a must-visit sight for history buffs – these remains are all that's left of an ancient village destroyed by a huge volcanic eruption. Several buildings and artefacts are still intact, and it’s a fascinating spot to explore. There’s also the Museum of Prehistoric Thera, which features the history and background of Akrotiri after your visit. And over on the other side of the island is Ancient Thera – another centuries-old settlement that was founded by Spartan colonists. The ruins are at the top of a hill, so once you’ve explored the area you’ll get an amazing view of the island and out to the Aegean Sea.
Ready to see what Santorini has to offer?
Browse our Santorini holidays or find out which Greek island is for you.
Liked this? Read more about below-the-radar Greek islands you can visit or why Ibiza should be your next family holiday.
Author: Selina Akhtar
The TUI BLUE Meltemi’s setting the bar high on the luxury front, with an al fresco yoga space, a trio of chic bars and a gourmet eatery.
Contemporary décor, two pools, and a location near Kamari’s volcanic beach are highlights at the boutique-sized .
The luxurious hotel boasts a mountain-top spa and pools with panoramic views of Santorini's caldera.
Call us on 0203 451 2688 or visit one of our expert Travel Advisors find your nearest TUI Store
Our top deals tailored to you, straight to your inbox Sign up for offers
Holiday Types
Popular Destinations
Mid/Long haul
Short Haul
Flights To
Cruise
Hotels
More from TUI
About TUI MyTUI app Cookies Notice Manage Cookie Preferences Privacy Notice Terms & Conditions Credit card fees Media Centre Travel Jobs Affiliates Discover Lakes & Mountains Discover Weddings App Store for Ios Google Play Store Travel Money Holiday Budget Calculator TUI Group First Choice Holiday Brochures Travel After Brexit Holiday Weather
The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and National Travel Health Network and Centre have up-to-date advice on staying safe and healthy abroad.
See gov.uk/travelaware and follow @FCDOtravelGovUK on Twitter and Facebook.com/FCDOtravel - for the latest general FCDO travel advice, including coronavirus travel guidance, security and local laws, and passport and visa information.
See gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice - for FCDO travel advice about individual destinations.
See Travel Aware page - for travel advice from TUI.
See travelhealthpro.org.uk - for current travel health news.
The advice can change so check regularly for updates.
All the flight-inclusive holidays on this website are financially protected by the ATOL scheme. When you pay you will be supplied with an ATOL Certificate. Please ask for it and check to ensure that everything you booked (flights, hotels and other services) is listed on it. If you do receive an ATOL Certificate but all the parts of your trip are not listed on it, those parts will not be ATOL protected. Some of the flights on this website are also financially protected by the ATOL scheme, but ATOL protection does not apply to all flights. This website will provide you with information on the protection that applies in the case of each flight before you make your booking. If you do not receive an ATOL Certificate then the booking will not be ATOL protected. Please see our booking conditions for information, or for more information about financial protection and the ATOL Certificate go to: www.caa.co.uk. ATOL protection does not apply to the other holiday and travel services listed on this website.