The 10 best things to do in Santorini
Santorini might be renowned for sultry sunsets but there's a lot more to this madly picturesque island which has been a magnet for tourists since the 1970s. Often mooted as a possible inspiration for the mythic sunken city of Atlantis, the volcanic windswept southern tip is home to some of the island's most striking black- and red-sand beaches, while the centre has quirky museums, tiny hamlets and family-run wineries. Santorini's better-known northern half is home to striking white villages perched on the crater's black flanks that descend in a sheer swoop to the deep blue Aegean Sea: a visual feast.
All our recommendations below have been hand selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best things to do in Santorini. Find out more below, or for more Santorini inspiration, see our guides to the island's best hotels restaurants, bars, and beaches.
Find things to do by type:
Best free things to do
Watch the sunset at Oia
Seek out the best view
The most popular spot amongst the crumbled remains of Oia's Venetian castle high above the caldera gets busy, especially in summer, so get there at least two hours ahead of time if you want a spot to see the sun set in a blaze of glory over the caldera, rather than a forest of selfie sticks.
Insider tip: For sunsets that are just as spectacular but without the jostling crowds, make a beeline for the neighbouring village of Imerovigli, sometimes called the 'balcony of the Aegean' because it sits at the caldera rim's highest point.
Kalderimi hiking trail
Loop along the caldera's rim
Eschew buses, cars and donkeys fighting for a place along Oia's narrow roads and follow the kalderimi hiking trail. Not for the faint of heart, this cobbled path loops along the caldera's rim for some 10km (6 miles) from Theotokopoulos square behind the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Fira, to Oia's Profitis Elias church, via the high flung hamlets of Firostefani and Imerovigli.
Insider tip: The path is uneven and steep in places so allow four or five hours if you want to hike the entire route, take plenty of water, and beat the crowds by heading out at dawn or in the late afternoon.
Skaros Rock
Hike to the top of Imerovigli
Incredibly, this wind-worn rock near Imerovigli was once a settlement of 200 homes along with a mediaeval castle, but the dwellings were abandoned over the centuries and now there's nothing left. It's a stiff hike to reach this rocky spur jutting out over the caldera's edge beneath Imerovigli but it's worth it for dizzy views over the crater to sister island Thirassia beyond.
Insider's tip: The blue-domed chapel of Panagia Theoskepasti seemingly hovering in thin air above the deep blue Aegean Sea is the one that stars in all those flying dress Instagram photoshoots.
Best for families
Caldera boat cruise
Explore the volcanic crater
Views of the caldera from above may be spectacular, but taking a boat into the centre of the world's only sunken volcanic crater is equally awe inspiring. The half-day cruise – which includes stop-offs to swim in hot springs and a visit to Palea Kameni, the volcano's blackened heart – ends with a glass of bubbly and sunset views from Ammoudi's taverna-lined bay.
Insider tip: For a more authentic trip join local fishermen as they set out at sunset to haul up their nets and set their lobster pots. This fascinating three-hour tour ends with a brine-fresh fish supper prepared from the day's catch (fishingtoursantorini.gr)
Santorini's beaches
Discover coves and crystal-clear water
After a long day's sightseeing, Santorini's beaches are the perfect place to cool off. Backed by Mesa Vouno, the island's highest mountain, Perissa and neighbouring Perivolos share a 7km stretch of black-sand beach. For something more secluded seek out White Beach whose coves lined with chalk-coloured pebbles and peacock-blue waters are best reached by boat.
Insider tip: Although it's tempting to dive into Red Beach's ochre pebble-strewn strand, landslides are frequent here. Err on the side of caution and swim elsewhere.
Best for culture
The Museum of Prehistoric Thera
Discover the island's history
Plunge deep into the history of this volcanic island that was formed by one of the world's most powerful volcanic explosions known to date. Best visited before a trip to the archaeological site of Akrotiri, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera houses those vivid Minoan frescoes, while the smaller archaeological museum showcases a hotchpotch of ancient artefacts ranging from Cycladic statues to ceramics.
Insider tip: In the cool gloom of a 19th-century cave house, the Ligonis Folklore museum's quirky collection of antique furnishings and family heirlooms offer a deep dive into more modern times; as do sea-themed exhibits at Greek artist Giorgos Kypris' Mati Gallery close by.
The Bronze Age settlement of Akrotiri
Turn back the clock
Although no bodies were found buried under the lava and ash, the Cycladic Bronze Age settlement of Akrotiri, which was destroyed by a mega-earthquake in c.1600 BC, is widely known as 'the Greek Pompeii'.
Strolling through this beautifully conserved site and its alleys lined with near-intact two-storey houses, workshops and walls covered in colourful frescoes is like stepping back in time.
Insider tip: Sweet-toothed travellers should stop off at the Family Bakery in Megalochori on the way to Akrotiri to buy melitinia (sweet cheese pie) and kopania (raisin rolls) to enjoy – along with breathtaking views – at Akrotiri's clifftop 19th-century lighthouse.
Best for local lifestyle
Santorini Wine Tour
Visit the local vineyards
Grown close to the ground in a nest-like kouloura (named for Thessaloniki's famed koulouri bread rings), Santorini's grapes have been used to produce the island's unique wines since Minoan times. From Venetsanos' cliff-perched winery to the cool cave cellars of Gavalas, the island's oldest producer, sip the syrupy-sweet dessert wine vinsanto and more along the island's way-marked wine route.
Insider tip: To avoid drinking and driving, local experts at the Santorini Wine Tour lead half-day guided excursions along the winding vine-fringed, hamlet-studded wine route, with tips from an expert sommelier, a wine pairing session and visits to three different producers.
Visit Thirassia
Travel back in time on Santorini's sister island
Locals will tell you that Thirassia is like Santorini 50 years ago. Make the 10-minute boat taxi hop from Ammoudi bay to Riva's tiny port where you can judge for yourself as you lounge on near-deserted beaches, climb to Manolas – the island's high flung capital (which is like a miniature version of Fira) – or visit villages strewn with abandoned cave houses.
Insider tip: Learn more about the history of Santorini's sister island on a guided hiking tour with local company Santorini Experts.
Visit local villages
Venture beyond the tourist trail
If you're keen to soak up a slice of authentic local life, turn your back on the island's crowded caldera and seek out the smaller villages inland. Steep-streeted Pyrgos village is favoured by foodies, who flock here to enjoy mezedes in dozens of tavernas lining the hamlet's car-free cobbled paths, while Messaria's ancient cave houses and mansions are a magnet for history lovers.
Insider tip: Visit ancient Greek music lovers Argie and Giannis at Symposium, a workshop in an old kanaves cave winery where Giannis makes ancient Greek instruments and plays them in live shows.
How we choose
Every attraction and activity in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets and styles, from world-class museums to family-friendly theme parks – to best suit every type of traveller. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest openings and provide up to date recommendations.
About our expert
Based in Greece for more than a decade, Heidi Fuller-Love is Telegraph Travel's Santorini expert. Endlessly wowed by those captivating caldera views, she loves visiting in winter when she has the famed volcanic island all to herself.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
an hour ago
- Daily Mail
Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo enjoy 'slice of heaven' vacation... nearly three years after 'sexting' scandal
Adam Levine and wife Behati Prinsloo seemed to be having the time of their lives if photos the model posted on social media are any indication. Prinsloo, 37, shared the fun-filled photos on her Instagram page on Thursday, writing that they were reflecting 'A slice of heaven,' though she didn't say where they and their family and friends were visiting. The couple appeared to be reinvigorating their romance almost three years after their marriage was beset by the Maroon 5 frontman's sordid 'sexting' scandal. Levine, 46, and his family chartered a luxury yacht that appeared to be tooling around the Mediterranean. One photo showed the runway regular flaunting her long, lean legs in a navy blue one-piece bathing suit with white trim. The cover model placed a dark towel over her shoulder and wore a beige billed hat and sunglasses as folks behind her worked with a motorized dingy used to transport guests to shore. A group shot featured several adults and kids out on the deck of the ship enjoying a little sunbathing. Levine seemed to enjoy getting some sun while a knee-length pair of swim shorts and a straw western hat against the backdrop of sapphire blue waters and towering cliffs. One sweet shot showed the Sugar singer holding hands with one of his daughters and his son as they looked over the rail of the yacht and into the horizon. The couple are the parents to daughters Dusty Rose, eight; Gio Grace, seven and a son, two, whose name has not has not been released. After seeing the photos, fellow model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley responded with a series of heart emojis, as did several others. 'What an awesome trip. Family and friends, the best!❤️,' commented a fan. 'Perfection!' stated another. Many guessed the group was enjoying time in Italy after seeing a photo of Levine in front of a Gelato sign. 'Family goals ❤️ love Italy and Capri,' wrote a fan. The scene of domestic bliss was a far cry from the drama of 2022, when the Levine–Prinsloo marriage was rocked after several women shared screenshots of what they said were flirty texts sent to them by the singer. One of the women even claimed to have had an affair with the Misery singer, which he denied. He did, however, apologize for the inappropriate messages, saying he 'used poor judgment in speaking with anyone other than my wife in ANY kind of flirtatious manner.' Earlier in the week, Prinsloo posted a sweet selfie of herself and Levine, writing 'LOML [Love of my Life]' next to it. Levine and Maroon 5 have a light summer touring schedule planned. The band is set to perform in Endicott, New York, on July 11; New York City on August 11 and September 19 in Las Vegas at the iHeart Music Festival.
Times
an hour ago
- Times
Is this America's most inspiring garden?
I am not sure how I first heard about Chanticleer Garden, which is in a suburb of Philadelphia with the prosaic name of Wayne. It's one of those gardener's gardens that you hear dropped into various podcasts or conversations. It has been called 'America's most inspiring garden' and I knew that when my husband, Ian, and I went to visit his cousin in Philly a few years ago, we just had to go via Wayne. 'Wayne?' queried Ian, and I had to admit that it didn't sound like a destination sort of place. As I drove the rental car through deep suburbia, even I began to doubt our mission. I almost punched the air when we found the entrance. It's one of those places: if you think you're lost, you're probably there.
Times
an hour ago
- Times
The Faroe Islands: majestic, eerie — and only 90 minutes away
I am standing below an amphitheatre of rocky crags. Below me, a cluster of grass-roofed houses; out to sea, the strange, spectacular Tindholmur islet rising sheer from the waves, its snaggletoothed summit shrouded in cloud. The Faroe Islands may only be a 90-minute flight from Edinburgh, but my goodness they feel like a whole other world. From the hamlet of Gasadalur, I take the short stroll to Mulafossur waterfall, which cascades over a cliff into the Atlantic swell. Near me a few dishevelled sheep munch nonchalantly away, oblivious to the majestic scene below. Then it's off to the equally picturesque village of Bour, famed for its sunset views over the jagged Drangarnir sea stacks. I would love to linger, but I have a dinner date in Miovagur. My date is Solvi Simonsen, one of a number of Faroe Islanders serving traditional meals in their own homes. I arrive with some trepidation — Faroese delicacies include fermented lamb, boiled pilot whale, and braised seabirds — but Simonsen's home-cooked fried cod, boiled cod and caramelised onions are very nice. Less nice? Skerpikjot — or wind-dried fermented lamb. It is moister and earthier than I was expecting, with a slight ferric tang, and aftertaste of dank sheep. Let's just say it's an acquired taste. Ferric tangs and aftertastes of dank sheep not your thing? Paz ( has just won two Michelin stars in the Faroes' colourful capital, Tórshavn and two other restaurants get a mention. The first is Raest (tasting menu £190, — it means 'fermented', which is the focus of its menu — the second is Roks (tasting menu from £79, which specialises in seafood. I dine at the more modestly priced Katrina Christiansen (£62 for five courses, an atmospheric restaurant housed in a 300-year-old building that has been a barbershop, a shop and the childhood home of a Faroese writer. I am staying at Hotel Foroyar (doubles from £88, room-only, a sleek, turf-roofed Bond villain's lair clinging to the slopes above Torshavn. The interior oozes mid-century vibes, and there is a superb spa, but the highlight for me is the view from the hotel's Ruts restaurant, out over the fjord and towards Nolsoy island. A gentle 20-minute wander downhill from the hotel — be warned, it's a less than gentle march back up — lie the pretty streets of Torshavn. I look for souvenirs in Gudrun & Gudrun (knitwear) and Ostrom (homeware), but mostly I just mooch, soaking up the otherworldly vibe, wondering where else on Earth you'll find a parliament building clad in red timber and roofed in turf. Sadly, I don't have time to visit Suduroy, the southernmost of the Faroe Islands (it's said to be even more otherworldly than Streymoy, the main island), but do visit the excellent National Museum (£9, which houses an original Faroese rowing boat, traditional clothes and Viking finds, plus some exquisitely carved 15th-century pews. A 30-minute drive north from Torshavn, you can join guided tours of the now defunct Vid Air whaling station (£3.40), which was founded in 1905 by a company based in Leith. Perhaps the Faroes' most surprising attraction is the extraordinary network of inter-island tunnels. One has a giant jellyfish-inspired roundabout, complete with light artwork and continuously looping soundscape installation, which you connect to via your car radio. The artist who made it, Jens L Thomsen, says he still tunes in when driving the tunnels. 'Just to check it's still playing.' Driving the tunnels feels like an eerie journey to the centre of the Earth. The hairs on the back of my neck prickle ominously as I descend deeper into the underworld, a foreboding sense of doom only lifting as I emerge, blinking into daylight. • Best things to do in the Faroe Islands Above water, I drive the poetic route to Sydradalur, a sinuous, snaking route with breathtaking views of Hestur and Koltur islands as the road tightly hugs the coastline. I step out of the car and inhale deeply, closing my eyes to listen to the lullaby of the whispering sea and babbling waterfall, interrupted now and then by the sharp, insistent peeping of an oystercatcher. Thomsen is right: 'There is something about the music of this place that seeps into your DNA.'Cat Thomson was a guest of Visit Faroe Islands ( Fly to the Vagar from Edinburgh from about £200 return (
