What to Do in Santorini, Greece: 10+1 Essential Things to See and Do
You’ve just stepped off the ferry and the caldera air greets you: salty, sun-warmed, and full of possibility. Spend just one day on Santorini hiking a cliffside trail, exploring a Bronze-Age city preserved in ash, or raising a glass of wine grown in volcanic soil, and you’ll likely be thinking about your return before the sun even sets.
So, what to do in Santorini once that glow takes hold? Start with the classics you’ve heard whispered on every travel forum, then weave in the after-dark rooftop cinemas, clifftop hikes, and quiet village strolls that locals know best. The 10 + 1 experiences that follow will help you trade checklist tourism for days full of texture, pace, and stories worth taking home.
1. Chase the legendary Oia sunset
Stake out the crumbling walls of Oia Castle or any ledge along the caldera one hour before dusk, and watch the pastel houses blush pink, then slip into indigo as the sun drops behind Thirassia. Join the hush that falls as cameras click in unison, and stay a little longer to watch the afterglow bathe the cliffs, then wind through lantern-lit lanes for a chilled glass of vinsanto or a seafood meze by candlelight.
2. Hike the caldera rim from Fira to Oia
A 10 km trail threads through Firostefani, Imerovigli and Skaros Rock, serving up nonstop Aegean panoramas. Allow three hours and bring water for the exposed stretches. Sturdy shoes help on the uneven volcanic stone, and early mornings or late afternoons offer shade and fewer crowds. Midway, stop for coffee with a cliffside view or detour to a tiny chapel balanced above the sea.
3. Time-travel inside Akrotiri’s Bronze-Age city
Reopened on 11 April 2025 with new elevated walkways, this “Minoan Pompeii” lets you peer down onto frescoed houses sealed beneath volcanic ash. Arrive at opening time to beat the tour buses, and linger over artifacts like storage jars, looms, and intricate wall paintings. Pair your visit with a stop at the nearby archaeological museum in Fira for deeper context on this ancient trading hub.
4. Sail the caldera and soak in volcanic hot springs
Catamaran or kaiki cruises loop smoking Nea Kameni, pause for a sulfur-tinged dip off Palea Kameni, then dock on Thirassia for sunset seafood. Some boats serve barbecue on board and include snorkeling gear, while others offer wine and Greek salads as you float past lava cliffs. Book a daytime sail for swimming or a sunset cruise for golden light and glowing caldera silhouettes.
You can also hike Nea Kameni’s crater, the central, still-active volcanic island at the heart of the Santorini caldera. Most boat tours stop here, giving visitors time to follow a gravel trail up to the summit, about 130 meters above sea level. The 30–45 minute climb passes steaming vents and jagged lava fields, ending in panoramic views from the rim of the main crater. It’s a close-up look at the island’s volcanic core, so bring water, sunscreen, and sturdy shoes.
5. Sip Assyrtiko at Santo Wines
Perched 300 m above the sea, the cooperative’s terrace pairs wine flights (dry Assyrtiko to honeyed Vinsanto) with the island’s widest caldera sweep. Try the tomato paste or fava bean dips with a cheese platter as you learn how vines are trained in basket shapes to resist fierce island winds. Time your tasting with sunset, when the sky mirrors the wine’s amber tones.
6. Kick back on Perissa’s black-sand beach
Pulverized lava turns the shore midnight-black. Rent a sun-bed, join a stand-up-paddle lesson or stroll south to the quieter Agios Georgios stretch. Beach bars pump out chill tunes and frozen cocktails, while nearby tavernas serve grilled octopus and cold Mythos beer. Buses run regularly from Fira, and an early arrival means cooler sand and first pick of shady spots.
7. Swim beneath chalk cliffs at White Beach
Tucked under towering white-limestone cliffs near Akrotiri, this petite cove contrasts black pebbles with snowy rock walls for a dramatic color clash. Reach it by taxi-boat from Red Beach or via a rugged footpath from Kambia, and pack water plus snacks. Amenities are scarce but the snorkelling and photo angles are first-class.
8. Wander Pyrgos, the old hill-top capital
Whitewashed lanes spiral up to Venetian Kasteli Castle, rewarding the climb with caldera-wide vistas and cafés that feel miles from Oia’s crowds. Explore tiny chapels tucked into alleyways, browse art galleries in restored mansions, and linger at a rooftop taverna for meze with mountain breezes. Visit near sunset for golden light on the bell towers and a quieter, more local Santorini.
9. Climb to the ruins of Ancient Thera
A switchback road (or steep footpath from Kamari) ends at Hellenistic temples, a Byzantine basilica and a theater poised 360 m above sea level, closed on Tuesdays. The plateau once housed a city of soldiers, traders and settlers, and its crumbling stones still whisper their stories. Panoramas sweep from Perissa to Kamari, and wild herbs scent the breeze. Bring water, as shade is scarce.
10. Climb Skaros Rock for blue-dome panoramas
A short, steep trail from Imerovigli delivers 360-degree views over the Aegean and those postcard-perfect domes. Make sure to bring water and sturdy shoes. The crag once held a medieval fortress, long eroded by time and tremors, but the summit still offers a hushed retreat. Sunset spills over domes and balconies, and daring hikers can descend further to a hidden chapel clinging to the cliffside.
+1. Sing along at Volkan on the Rocks’ outdoor cinema
From May through October, this rooftop theater above Fira screens Mamma Mia! nightly! You can order a Santorini spritz and let ABBA anthems mingle with real Aegean moonlight. Cushioned seats and blankets add comfort, while the caldera backdrop makes the opening credits even more dramatic. Arrive early for sunset views and snacks like local cheese pies and olive tapenade.
Where to Stay
Beds fill up fast between May and October, so lock in your base as soon as flights are booked, especially if you want caldera views or private plunge-pools. Here are some recommended properties in different parts of the island:
Canaves Oia Suites - Small Luxury Hotels of the World (Oia, luxury splurge)
Carved into the cliff just below the main village, this hotel with infinity pool in Santorini is an all-suite hideaway, delivering white-on-white cave rooms, plunge pools that melt into the sea, and one of the few elevators in stair-heavy Oia—good news if you’re hauling luggage or prams. Service is polished but personal, and breakfast can be floated straight to your pool.
Santorini Sky, Luxury Resort (Pyrgos, boutique retreat)
Perched 550 m above sea level on Prophet Elias ridge, these sleek villas trade caldera crowds for widescreen island panoramas, heated plunge pools and star-blanket nights. Pyrgos village is five minutes away for tavernas, and you’re roughly equidistant to both north-cliff sunsets and south-coast beaches.
Athina Luxury Suites (Fira, caldera chic in the capital)
Steps from Fira’s nightlife and bus hub yet hidden on the cliff face, this boutique-style gem pairs an infinity pool and memory-foam beds with room-service breakfasts that conquer the famous stairs for you.
Astarte Suites (Akrotiri, secluded romance)
Fifteen cave-style suites cling to the southern caldera rim, each boasting a private Jacuzzi or horizon-edge pool. Alali Restaurant’s tasting menu lives up to its name (Greek for “speechless”) with artfully plated dishes and bold, local flavors.
Santorini can be as laid-back or adrenaline-charged as you choose, but the island’s magic shows up strongest when you mix cliff-top classics with the lesser-known detours. Stay at a thoughtfully chosen hotel that suits your mood and location, and your days can flow effortlessly from sunrise hikes to late-night rooftop sing-alongs.
Ready to turn plans into reality? Browse Travelmyth to compare prices, filter for perks like infinity pools or adults-only peace, and uncover even more local secrets that didn’t make the cut this time. Your next Cycladic story starts with a click (or a tap), so let Travelmyth help you write it.
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