Things to do in  Santorini

The Santorini volcano exploded around 1600 BC, blowing away more than half the island of Thera and creating a submerged caldera. That caldera is now surrounded by the Santorini archipelago in the Cyclades island group, which includes the famous bow-shaped island of Santorini, plus the volcanic islets Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni—where travelers visit to see rocky, volcanic craters that continue to puff steam.

Perched on the steep edge of a caldera, looking out over the glittering Mediterranean, Oia is famed for its dreamy sunsets. It’s also one of the most picturesque villages in Santorini, with its striking white buildings, blue-domed churches, and atmospheric cave houses that burrow into the volcanic rock. Two historic harbors nestle below the village, which is the end point of the popular Fira–Oia Hike.

Santorini’s Red Beach is not your average white-sand beauty. Rather, it’s a narrow, pebbly stretch hemmed in by high rust-red cliffs and scattered with large volcanic rocks. Together with the sapphire blue waters of the Aegean Sea, these volcanic features create a natural color palette that draws photographers to its shores. It’s particularly striking due to its proximity to White Beach.

This picturesque hillside village is set on a volcanic crater at the highest point on Santorini, offering panoramic views over the island. With whitewashed Cycladic architecture, Byzantine churches, and small winding cobblestone lanes, Pyrgos (Pyrgos Kallistis offers the historic charm of the Greek islands without the tourist crowds.

Santorini’s hot springs are on the tiny, uninhabited islet of Palea Kameni—making them slightly less crowded than their on-island neighbors. Continuous volcanic activity underground maintains the springs’ temperature between 86ºF and 95ºF (30°C and 35°C). The sulfuric, orange-tinged spring waters that bubble up into a shallow cove off the islet’s coast are said to be curative for the skin and joints.

The Minoan settlement of Akrotiri came to an abrupt end around 1600 BC in a catastrophic volcanic eruption that buried it in a carpet of ash and blew apart the island of Thera. Excavations revealed buildings, drainage systems, pottery, and frescoes, but no human remains, indicating residents had time to flee before disaster hit. Today, the village’s ruins are a historic highlight of Santorini.

Tucked away on the south coast of Santorini, White Beach (Aspri Paralia) is sheltered by chalk-grey cliffs. This minuscule strand is actually composed of coarse black—not white—sand, and liberally peppered with grey and white pebbles as well as massive white volcanic boulders.

Centered around a rugged volcanic crater, the small island of Nea Kameni offers a dramatic landscape, with dark cliffs sculpted from lava rock and orange-tinged natural thermal waters. The island’s striking landscape and natural hot springs make it a popular destination for day cruises from Santorini.

The Monastery of Profitis Ilias (Moni Profitou Iliou is perched on the mountain of the same name, the highest point on the southern half of Santorini. Built in the early 18th century, the complex is now home to a fine collection of Greek Orthodox icons and religious items, and the resident monks hold demonstrations of artisan crafts.

A deep expanse of black lava sand, Perivolos Beach (Paralia Perivolos runs along Santorini’s southeastern coast, merging into lively Perissa Beach to the north and quieter Agios Georgios Beach to the south. Buzzing beach bars, often with DJs, and coupled with sun loungers and a range of water sports, make the strip popular with a younger crowd.

Before a violent volcanic eruption in 1650 BC, Thirassia was part of Santorini’s mainland and now the pretty islet lies just off its western coast. With small pretty beaches, blue-domed churches, ancient stone villages and a population of only about 200, the little island is a perfectly serene spot to visit.

White Door Theatro performs itsGreek Wedding Show, Santorini’s top theatrical performance, in the courtyard of a historic building in central Fira. The interactive show casts the audience as guests at a traditional 1940s Greek wedding, complete with song, dance, and plate smashing. The ticket price includes local wine and meze snacks.

Winding through whitewashed villages and rugged Mediterranean landscapes, the clifftop Fira to Oia hike is one of Greece’s most beautiful walks. The trail links Fira, Santorini’s postcard-perfect capital, with Oia, a village known for its sunset views, and takes you along the rim of the sunken crater of the island’s dormant volcano. For most trekkers, every inch of the 6.5-mile (10.5-kilometer) trek is worth it.

One of the most-visited Greek islands, crescent-shaped Santorini is served by multiple cruise lines. While the island has two ports, the Port of Santorini (Athinios Port)—located midway along the island on the caldera side—is the only one that serves passenger liners. Athinios connects Santorini to Athens and islands such as Mykonos, Milos, and Therasia.

A rocky promontory jutting into the caldera, Skaros Rock soars 65 feet (20 meters) into the sky, cutting a striking silhouette that can be seen as far as Fira and Oia. One of Santorini’s most memorable natural features, this black lava-rock cliff is an ideal vantage point for admiring the sunset over the Aegean Sea and Kameni islands.