15 Unmissable Things To Do In Santorini

By Author: Sanchi lohia
Total Articles: 2
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Santorini is the dreamy, romantic, drop-dead gorgeous bucket list location that better be on everyone’s list. We visited Santorini for our honeymoon (as cliché as we could be). We saw a few other Greek islands but hands down – Santorini is the winner! There are so many things to do in Santorini that you are bound to have a great time.

The island is intimately small allowing visitors to easily explore every corner while enjoying the views of the breath-taking Aegean Sea. And by breath-taking, I mean – your jaw will be open in absolute amazement.

In this blog you will find almost all-important things you HAVE to do in Santorini.

Put on your comfy shoes and a photo-op-worthy outfit – we’re going to explore Santorini!

15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini
IMAGE CREDITS: ALEKSANDAR PASARIC ON PIXELS

LIST
1. TAKE A YACHT RIDE TO THE VOLCANIC ISLANDS
Sounds fancy, doesn’t it? Taking the yacht ride was one good decision and we highly recommend it.
You can sign up for a tour (there are too many options to choose from) or you can take a private boat and sail by ...
... yourself (taking a private boat will mean a deep hole in your pocket)
The tour generally takes you around the volcanic island where you can see an active volcano, swim in a hot spring, watch the Red Beach, Lighthouse,etc
This tour is available through various vendors with a variety of options like duration (4-8 hours), budget (ranging from 80-1400 Euros per person) and mood (romantic, party, adventure, etc). These rides happen in two shifts one is in the morning and one is for the sunset (personally the sunset slot is more romantic). Click here to know more
15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini
PHOTO BY PARTH LOHIA

2. WINE NOT?
Wine production in Santorini is an ancient tradition and it’s not a secret that the volcanic soil produces a unique taste of wine.
You can opt for a wine tour or get there yourself.
If you take the tour, your tour operator will take you around a couple of different wineries and explain the history and the wine making process followed by wine tasting (honestly, most of these places are similar so going to any one or two winerys would suffice).
If you want to explore on your own ,which we recommend, you could go to Santo Wines and/or Venetsanos winery. They not only have great wine and winemaking tour but also breathtaking views. Click here to know more
15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini
IMAGE CREDITS: SANTO WINES, SANTORINI.

3. SANTORINI HELICOPTER TOUR
This is pretty close to unforgettable. A wonderful tour above Santorini, the volcano, the caldera, and all the villages perched along the cliff.
If you’re going to Mykonos you can also do a helicopter transfer between Santorini and Mykonos – which is fun, easy, and way faster than the ferry.
15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini
PHOTO BY ANDREAS NEXTVOYAGEPL ON UNSPLASH

4. JET SKI TOUR TO THE VOLCANO
An insanely fun and unique way of seeing the caldera.
There are different tours that go different places – all leave from Perivolos in the south of the island.
The shortest tour (“South Tour”) visits nearby Red Beach and White Beach and lasts about 90 minutes.
The medium-length (“Volcano Tour”, 140 minutes) goes all the way into the caldera and stops for a swim in the hot springs by the volcano.
The longest tour (“Extreme Volcano Tour”, 200 minutes) takes the volcano tour and adds Thirassia and Ammoudi Bay.
The tours that go into the caldera are pretty intense and the waves can be big.
There’s a motorboat with the tour the whole way so if someone needs a break they can switch to the boat and one of the staff will ride the jet ski.
15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini
IMAGE CREDITS: PIXELS

5. SANTORINI KAYAK TOUR
Wonderfully fun! The Morning Tour and Sunset Tour explore the south coast of Santorini (cool but you don’t get to see the caldera).
The Lighthouse Tour goes into the caldera and provides incredible views of the caldera cliffs.
The tour generally starts at Akrotiri Beach. Most tour operators provide pick up and drop-off service from your accommodation.
15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini
PHOTO BY SERGIO SOUZA FROM PIXELS

6. WALK THE VOLCANO
The island in the middle of the caldera is Nea Kameni and that’s where you’ll find the island’s active volcano and the top point of interest in Santorini.
The crater is 130 meters up and takes about 20 minutes to walk.
Sulfur vents are found along the way.
The only way to get here is by doing a volcano boat tour or hiring a chartered boat.
15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini
PHOTO BY JIMMY TEOH FROM PEXELS

7. SWIM AT AMMOUDI BAY
One of the best swimming spots on Santorini is down the cliff from Oia at a spot just south of the Ammoudi port.
Walk or drive to Ammoudi Bay then take the path that leads south from the restaurants in the port (can’t miss it, there’s only one way to go).
It’s a 5 minute walk to a small island (Agios Nikolaos) that you can swim out to. Then jump from the ledge (if you want).
15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini
PHOTO BY ELENA ZHURAVLEVA FROM PEXELS

8. SWIM IN THE HOT SPRINGS
Jump from the boat into the cold water of the caldera then swim towards the warm water of the volcanic hot springs, talk about adventure and having fun!
It never gets hot but it’s warm enough to never feel the need to get out. The only way to get to the hot springs is by doing a boat tour.
15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini
IMAGE CREDITS: UNKNOWN

9. RED BEACH
Just down the road from the Akrotiri ruins, Red Beach is the most spectacular and picturesque of any Santorini beach.
From the bus stop or car park it’s about a 15 minute walk to the beach. (Sometimes closed due to the risk from falling rock, please check before you go and proceed at your own risk.)
15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini
PHOTO BY ZORAN ZONDE STOJANOVSKI ON UNSPLASH

10. DRIVE OR RIDE AROUND THE ISLAND.
We drove around the entire island, from one end to the other TWICE.
We stopped at a few beaches, ate lunch, took a million photos and ended the day in Oia to watch the sunset.
It’s such a liberating feeling to do whatever you want and, in another country, serious double whammy of freedom. No tour guides, no waiting on public transportation. Talk about an amazing moment
If you do nothing else but this while visiting Santorini, you’ll still have the best damn time ever. This is such a must-do, can’t say it enough.
Tips:
Before hunting down a place to rent your car, ask your hotel if they can help. This will save lots of time & trouble.
The average cost is 70 euros for an entire day rental and can go up to 200 euros if you like something fancier. We paid around 90 euros including fuel for a convertible Mini Cooper.
If you plan on riding after sunset, pack a jacket for the ride home.
Bring a camera, what you’re about to see will blow your mind.
15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini
PHOTO BY SANTORINI HOTELS ON PINTEREST

11. STAY AT A CAVE HOTEL ON THE CALDERA
Throughout all my travels, budgeting is always necessary. So we generally don’t spend too much on accommodation, because you won’t really be using the hotel facilities if you are roaming around the entire day. But we must admit, Santorini is such an exception.We agreed that staying in a beautiful hotel with the postcard view of Santorini was a necessity.
We chose Aqua Luxury Suites & couldn’t be happier. The hotel is truly paradise & set the tone for our entire experience. The staff was lovely, the rooms were clean & just enough space, and the VIEW was out of this world! Also, they serve you breakfast just outside your room on a private dining table with a view to die for. For more details about where to stay in Santorini, please click here
15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini
IMAGE CREDITS: UNKNOWN

12. STAY IN A WINDMILL
Yes you heard that right. You can stay in this windmill. It’s the Windmills Suite at Golden Sunset Villas in Oia and it’s pretty incredible.
It sits at the tip of Oia where everyone gathers to watch the sunset – but you have this huge patio with incredible views all to yourself (it can easily fit 20 people if you had friends staying nearby and wanted to host a sunset party).
The bad news: there’s only one true windmill suite in Santorini. – So book early.
15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini
IMAGE CREDITS: PIXYBAY

13.WATCH THE SUNSET FROM OIA & FIRA
This is a requirement when traveling to Santorini – no ifs no buts about it.
Both locations are prime time sunset watching so pick your poison. We preferred Fira over Oia because you can see the amazing caldera on your right and a beautiful volcano in front of you at the same time also you won’t have to pay for overpriced cocktails or fight for a space to watch the sunset in Fira which is definitely the case in Oia. Grab a drink or have a meal while you enjoy the sun go down.
15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini
PHOTO BY YU SIANG TEO ON UNSPLASH

14. GREEK FOOD
This goes without saying, right? No matter where you’re traveling to, make it a high priority to seek out delicious and authentic food.
Most meals are filled with fresh seafood, fresh vegetables, olives and homemade hummus. Don’t fear, it’s not all healthy though! There are delicious and not so healthy options – like Saganaki and Moussaka (which I highly recommend ordering at every meal).
Remember most places consider seafood as vegetarian so please be specific about what you want.
Our top recommendation has to be Lucky’s. Pito Gyros in Oia is also good. Please click here to know more about where to eat in Santorini.
15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini
PHOTO BY LOUIS HANSEL ON UNSPLASH

15. EXPLORE ON FOOT!
Last but certainly not least, please relax and disconnect from the day to day.two reasons why you must do this are firstly, you have paid a considerable amount on your amazing caldera accomodation and secondly, there is no better way of exploring and place than on foot. When on foot , you can explore the tiny lanes, and pick up some cute souvenirs and not to forget the beautiful pictures you will be able to click!

Enjoy each and every moment of the trip because it’s so incredibly special and breath-taking.

If you find yourself in Santorini or anywhere for that matter, be so thankful & grateful for that opportunity (some people will never get it).

15 Unmissable things to do in Santorini