Best things to do in Santorini

Try the local food

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.

Explore your adventurous side

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.

Relax on the beaches

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.

Discover local history and culture

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.

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Author: Selina Akhtar