Exploring the Magical Land of Santorini

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you hear Santorini? Probably like us, those gleaming white houses, churches with blue domes, and sea as far as the eye can see. Well, the charming volcanic island is all that and much more!

Santorini is the southernmost island of the Greek Cyclades. Like all the other islands in this archipelago, it is volcanic in origin. Thanks to its stunning and unique beaches and scenery, the island is one of the most popular destinations for a vacation at sea.

From its east to its west, Santorini is a paradisical place full of beauty and unique things to do. To help you have the perfect vacation there, here are our picks of the best things to do and places to visit on the volcanic island.

Fira

The island’s capital, Fira, often called Thira, like the island itself, is its hotspot and one of the most famous Santorini sites. You can take the cable car to Fira or the 588 steps of the Karavolades stairs to reach the city. However, we recommend taking the cable car to Fira; this way, you will enjoy a breathtaking panoramic view of Fira and the Caldera.

Once in Fira, there is a wide range of Santorini sights to marvel at, starting with the sensational view of the deep blue Mediterranean Sea and the Caldera, in addition to the typical white houses with colourful windows and doors to the narrow streets with stores, souvenir stores, bars, taverns and restaurants lining them…… In Fira, there is something for everyone.

If you are looking for one of those famous churches with blue roofs, you should head to the Catholic Church of the Assumption, better known as the Three Bells of Fira Church, in Firostefani – a suburb of Fira. The church is among the few in Fira and the surrounding area.

Oia…O Magnificent!

Like no other town on Santorini, Oia represents the image many of us have of Greece: white houses built close to a hillside, white churches with blue roofs, and a sunset that takes your breath away. This tangle includes small boutiques and souvenir stores, art galleries, cafes, taverns, and restaurants.

Oia is the most famous and popular tourist village in Santorini. The small village, with about 1,300 inhabitants, is located in the island’s far north. Many of Santorini’s most popular photos and reels on Instagram are usually taken in Oia.

To get the most out of the city without worrying about the crowd, you should either come early or sleep directly in one of the Cave Hotels and get up early. From the hotel, you will have a beautiful view of the sea.

Tip: If you want to take the famous picture of the sunset in Oia, be there 30 minutes earlier, as it gets crowded.

The Old Port of Ammoudi

The old port of Ammoundi is located below the cliffs in Oia. Walking from Oia down to the harbour is the best way to get there. You can also book a donkey ride. At the bottom, you can swim in the crystal-clear water of the harbour basin or indulge yourself with freshly caught fish in one of the many cosy taverns.

Ammoudi is where the cruise ships dock, so it can get very crowded. However, in the evening, you can enjoy the sunset in the small harbour with delicious food in a casual, relaxed atmosphere.

Imerovigli

Just two kilometres from the capital, Fira, Imerovigli is a picturesque village recognized as one of the authentic attractions in Greece. In ancient times, the village was used to watch approaching pirate ships because of the unobstructed view over the Caldera. Luckily, nowadays, you can enjoy the breathtaking view that Imerovigli offers without the fear of pirates.

Known as one of the most romantic destinations in Greece, Imerovigli is a must-see for everyone. The streets are lined with traditional houses, hotels, cafes, taverns, and some stunning churches and chapels to explore.

In contrast to the tourist hotspots Fira and Oia, Imerovigli has remained very quiet with no annoying crowd. Imerovigli is also the highest point on the edge of the Caldera. With its fantastic view of the volcanic crater and the Mediterranean Sea, Imerovigli is a perfect place to enjoy the sunset without tourist crowds and take some lovely photos undisturbed.

Caldera

Here comes a little digression for all of you who do not know what a caldera is. Considered one of the Earth’s natural wonders, the Santorini Caldera is a 4-mile-long basin formed by a volcanic explosion over 3500 years ago. The explosion completely changed the topography of the Mediterranean coast, and the remaining basin soon became associated with the myths of Atlantis.

Places like Oia or Fira are built on the steep slopes of this caldera, which is why they make such an incredible cinematic backdrop for your vacation on Santorini. But the caldera is a feast for the eyes and an exciting excursion destination. One fun activity in the area is an evening boat tour through the water-filled part of the caldera. We recommend taking your tour at sunset and having a fancy dinner.

Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni

During a boat tour, you can visit the two small islands, Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni, in the middle of the flooded caldera. On the uninhabited island of Nea Kameni (new rim), you may walk from the boats to the volcanic crater 130 meters above sea level. You will see sulfurous smoke and steam on the crater rim.

There are hot springs on the coast of the neighbouring island of Palea Kameni (Old Burn). The water is up to 45 degrees in some places and is slightly brownish due to the sulfur, which should be good for the skin. Most excursion boats to the crater stop near the hot springs for a swim…… And it will be one of the best swims of your life.

Byzantine Castle Ruins

While in Santorini, we highly recommend exploring the historic Byzantine castle ruins. The remains of the 15th-century castle offer one of the most beautiful and photographed sites in Greece. Wear comfortable shoes for the short hike and head to the ruins to see the stunning sunset.

The setting is just spectacular! The area’s picturesque whitewashed buildings stand against the towering windmill and the mesmerizing cliffs to create something out of a fairy tale…… How can anyone miss that?

Pompeii of Greece, Akrotiri

Nicknamed “Pompeii of Greece”, Akrotiri is a buried city south of the island. It is one of the most well-known archaeological sites in Santorini. In Akrotiri, you will see ancient buildings and streets, and you can admire many potteries.

The “Pompeii of Greece” is located in the south of the island and was buried by a volcanic eruption over 3,600 years ago, probably in 1620 BC, and remained undiscovered until the 20th century.

The excavation site area is much smaller than the former city of Akrotiri, and the excavations continue steadily. So, this Santorini sight keeps growing and has many more surprises in store. The excavation site is named after the village of Akrotiri, about 700 meters away.

In Akrotiri, you will find not only some beautiful Santorini hotels but also a ruined castle from the time of Venetian rule, rustic taverns, and a lighthouse from which you have an indescribable view of the Caldera and the Mediterranean Sea.  Many of the finds are exhibited in the Prehistoric Museum in Fira.

Profitis Ilias

Profitis Ilias is Santorini’s highest mountain, at 586 meters. You can have the best view of Santorini from the top of the mountain.

Fortunately, you don’t have to hike for hours to get to the top. Instead, you can quickly drive by car, where you will find a parking lot. On the top of the mountain rests the monastery of Profitis Ilias. The monastery, built in 1711, is not inhabited and therefore not open to the public, but the chapel in the courtyard is open and worth the visit.

Therasia

Therasia is a small island off the coast of Santorini that you can reach with a scenic 20-minute boat ride through Ammoudi Bay to Therasia’s port, Riva. The island has remained true to its roots over the years, and it is full of authenticity and tradition that has maintained an important part of its appeal.

The island’s natural beauty and tranquillity are a sweet break from the hustle and bustle of the mainland. We highly recommend spending the day on a guided boat tour of the land and learning more about the history of Therasia and its volcano.

Ancient Thera

You can’t visit the best Santorini sightseeing places without stopping at Alt-Thera. The ancient city of Old Thera on the mountain Mesa Vouno is among the most important archaeological sites and the most interesting Santorini sights.

 Named after the ancient ruler Theras, the city was inhabited from the 9th century BC to the 8th century. The city’s Agora (main square) still has well-preserved ruins, including an enormous columned hall, a theatre, several temples, several private houses, and a Roman bath complex. The remains testify to Alt Thera’s heyday and its importance in Hellenistic times.

The whole area is just stunning, and the centuries-old excavations from the Hellenistic and Roman periods will leave you in awe.

Explore the Santorini World-Famous Wine

The island of Santorini has always been a premium wine-growing region specialising in producing dry white and sweet wines, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find some high-quality red wines, either. More than 1500 hectares of land on the island are used for wine growing.

The grape varieties grown on the volcanic soil are characterized by a high aromatic density and a fresh, slightly earthy-vegetable flavour. The Assyrtiko grape variety occupies most of the cultivated area, and the sweet dessert wine Vinsanto. Unlike in France, Italy, or the rest of Greece, the vines do not grow upwards in Santorini. Instead, they are flat in a braided system and sometimes look like baskets or rings or Kouloura, as the locals call it. In this way, they defy wind and weather.

The most famous wineries are Vassaltis Vineyards, the small Hatzidakis Winery, and Gavalas Winery. And, of course, you can also get to know Santorini’s wineries on a guided island tour. You’ll find a variety of wineries on the island that are open for tours and wine tastings. Some also have a museum with them that shows the wine-making history of Santorini.

All tours are led by experienced Greek oenologists, who offer guests a tour tailored to their tastes in food and drink. One of the most famous tours is the “History and Wine Route,” where you can discover the island’s history and past while enjoying a crisp volcanic wine.

Museums on Santorini

There are tons of great museums to visit while you are in Santorini. The first of which is the Museum of Prehistoric Fira/Thera. The museum houses ancient artefacts from various excavations from all over Santorini. It was built on the ruins of a church destroyed during the 1956 Amorgos earthquake.

The museum’s collections include pottery, jewellery, sculptures, paintings, and ritual objects. Some pieces that are not to be missed are the Kastri group of objects and the Middle Cycladic pottery.

Next on the museum list is the Lignos Folklore Museum. The museum is located in a cave house built in 1861 in Fira. You can explore the museum’s exhibits, such as the traditional winery with a wine press, antique utensils, barrels, and treading vats.

Other exhibits include traditional workshops for carpenters and shoemakers and a historical archive of lithographs, manuscripts, and books. The art gallery at Lignos Folklore Museum features works by famous artists from around the world who Santorini inspired; in addition to these works, visitors can see many historical images of life on the island.

Another museum you should consider visiting is the Museum of Minerals and Fossils. For over 10 years, the Museum of Minerals and Fossils in Perissa has been the centre of attention for minerals and fossils from Greece and the rest of the world. Among the exhibits is a rare collection of minerals from Lavrio and other original treasures dating back over 1.5 billion years! That’s right, a BILLION, not a million!

 The museum houses rare and ancient plant fossils from olive trees and palms, which show the evolution of plants in the Aegean and Europe. Exploring the museum is a fun activity for the whole family.

You want to know how good the wine on Santorini is; let’s put it this way: The wine is so good that it deserves its museum! Santorini is famous for its delicious wines, and there is no better place to understand the history of the region’s winemaking than at the Santorini Wine Museum.

You can personally tour the extraordinary natural cave that houses the museum. It is six meters underground and allows you to see the evolution of wine production in Santorini. Local tour guides and audio guides ensure that you get the most out of the experience, and the tour ends with a ritual wine tasting at the winery.

Tip: For a traditional Greek experience, attend the delicious buffet on Friday night, which features live entertainment, costumes, and Greek dancing.

Olive Oil Tasting…. Yes, please!

It would be a shame to make it to Santorini without going for an excellent Olive Oil Tasting…you just can’t! The experience gets you close and personal with one of Greece’s most famous products: Olive Oil.

This is the best way to explore the famous Greek olive oil, learn about the roots and history of six different olive oils from the island, and see how the oil plays a vital role in the Mediterranean diet.

Many places offer olive oil tastings in Santorini, so choose the closest to your stay and go for it. It is one of the top things to do while visiting Santorini.

Argyros Mansion

The Argyris Mansion, with its old-world beauty and charm, will take you back to the life of the glamorous and wealthy residents of 19th-century Santorini. The property is in excellent condition, shows you the architecture and furnishings of a bygone era, and features many works of art and unique furniture.

The historic house is privately owned but open to the public, and many fun and friendly guides can give you exciting tours with little details about Argyros. One of the best aspects of the villa is the wine-tasting room in Canava Avantis. It has a fantastic ambience and is filled with excellent wines to enjoy.

Oh, Those Beautiful Black Beaches Though!

Santorini is a volcanic island, evident in the rugged landscape, the ubiquitous volcanic crater, and the beaches. There are no classic golden, fine, sandy dream beaches here. On Santorini, you can expect black pebble sand beaches with crystal clear, clean seas.

The famous black beaches are shallower on the east side of the island. We recommend the beaches in the resorts of Kamari and Perissa. Both beaches are large and have good tourist infrastructure.

Along the beach promenade are cafes, restaurants, and taverns in the towns. The taverns directly on the beach offer their sunbeds for free if you were to order something from their place. There is a boat between the beaches of Kamari and Perissa. The trip takes about 30 minutes. From Fira, you can reach both beaches by bus.

Saving the best for last, the one and only…Red beach! The famous Red Beach stretches along Santorini’s south coast, about 12 km southwest of Fira’s capital. It is probably one of the most beautiful beaches on the island and in the world!

The beach owes its name to the surrounding red rocks. It is formed by a narrow coastal strip covered with dark volcanic sand and pebbles along the steep rocky wall. The beach is truly fascinating with its beautiful palette of contrasting colours: red rocks, black pebbles, and blue sea surface. Red Beach is located on the downwind side of high rocks and is famous for snorkelling due to the rich underwater world.

Among the locals on Santorini, the Red Beach is also called Kokkini Ammos. Many cafes and restaurants at the beach attract tourists worldwide with an impressive view of the sea. Enjoy the unique red beach, and make sure to snap as many good photos as you can!

One can easily see why Santorini is on the top list of best places for vacation. The island truly has the best of almost everything! Santorini is a must-visit from its beaches to the villages and the museums!