TOP THINGS TO DO ON SANTORINI IN 2023

The most photographed and iconic village on the island Oia is at the very northern tip and is where everyone wants to get those sunset shots. Especially popular with honeymooners this is also where most of the expensive accommodation is.

To get to Oia you will need a car transfer from both the port and the Airport.

Fira is the capital of the island and the biggest and most cosmopolitan settlement of Santorini. It is located in the western edge of the island, opposite the volcano. It is the busiest part of the island with tour buses and groups and is where you are most of the nightclubs and backpackers are as well as services such as banks.

You can access Fira by foot or cable car from the Port or by road from the Aiport.

Imerovigli means “The balcony to the Aegean” and it is built on the highest point of the caldera cliffs, about 300 meters above sea level in between Oia and Fira. Its position provides a magnificent view of the famous volcano, the sparkling Aegean Sea and the sunset.

A notable attraction of the village is the huge rock called Skaros that lies on the seaward side. It is was once one of the five fortresses of Santorini and the most significant one. 

Perissa is a coastal village, located on the southeastern edge of the island, 13 kilometers from Fira. Itis lcoated at the base of Mesa Vouno mountain and is believed to be the place where the ancient city of Elefsina used to stand. 

Perissa has a popular black sand beach that gets very busy in summer.

Pyrgos is 8 kilometres south east of Fira and is the most authentic village on the island, largely untouched by tourism with narrow lanes and ancient homes.

It is also the highest point of the island and has amazing views from all sides.

A sea village at the foot of Mesa Vouno mountain Kamari is also home to the islands most popular beach.

Close to the airport there is a long street with many shops, restaurants, taverns and cafe-bars and often live greek music too. Its is also home to the islands only cinema.

Probably the best known beach on Santorini lies on the southernmost part of Santorini near Akrotiri village, 12 kilometers south west of Fira.

It is very distinctive and quite unlike any other beach in the world with huge red volcanic cliffs leading right down to the sea where the sand and pebbles are also red/pink. The beach is semi-organized with white sunbeds and umbrellas and there are a couple of small shops to buy supplies at  the beginning of the path.

There are no facilities or water sports at Red beach but you can snorkel. Red Beach is sheltered from the wind which makes it very popular all year but that also means it can get very hot in summer.

ps. Red Beach has been closed for the past two years due to landslides. Check with the locals before visiting. Viewing from the safety of a boat is a the best option.

Just around the cove south of Red beach is White beach. It is very similar to the Red beach, with black pebbles on the shore, but the surrounding cliffs are white. This beach is accessible by boat or on foot from Red beach.

It is less popular than the neighbouring cove and therefore much quieter. It doesn’t have facilities, except for some umbrellas and sunbeds along the coast, although the surrounding rocks do provide shade and again it is generally sheltered from wind.

Kamari is the most popular and touristic of the beaches on Santorini and the promenade next to it lined with bars, tavernas, cafes and shops. 10 kilometres southeast of Fira and close to the airport its a very family friendly beach and its possible to stay right in the village at some of the small hotels. 

Despite being so popular Kamari is a very clean beach and there are many facilities such as sunbeds, toilets and even a lifeguard. There is also a number of water sports to choose from including a Dive Centre.

You can get to Kamari by either bus or car and there is a large car park near the beach.

 

Eros is a small beach at the southern end of Santorini that few people know about. Its really one of the islands hidden gems. 

To get to it you need to drive down a dirt road to a small car park next to a surprisingly good beachfront Taverna. There are a small number of umberellas and sunbeds for rent and the water is clear and generally safe to swim. There are huge imposing white cliffs around the beach which really make it quite special.

 

There are many small boats that offer sailing trips out on the Caldera which is very worthwile.

Most will visit the active hot springs in the middle of the Caldera for a swim and possibly some of the smaller beaches and villages around it as well.

If you go in the afternoon you can enjoy an early BBQ dinner on board and take in the sunset from the water.

Not only will you avoid the crowds up in the towns above but the view over the water is absoultely mesmerising and something you will never forget.

Tours often book out in summer so ask you hotel to organise this as soon as you can. If they are fully booked often some of the local fisherman will happily accomodate for a reasonable fee.

There are many operators on the island with a vast array of different types and sized boats. They are all good but some stand out above the rest. I our opinion these are the best for:

Group Sunset Cruise with swim stops & Dinner

Romantic  Sunset Cruise – Luxury small group

Group Day Cruise to Volcano with swimming

Traditional Fishing Trip with lunch 

 

Covering over 30 hectares Argyros is one of the largest wineries on Santorini. Now run by Mathew Argyros, the fourth generation of his family since the winery was first founded in 1903.

The wines feature a wide variety of native grapes including, Assyrtiko, Athiri, Aidani, Mandilaria and Mavrotragano and ONLY native grapes are used. In fact many are exported to wineries around the world, including Australia.

There is a bus stop right outside the winery but otherwise a private tour is easy and great value.

Perched on the cliffs above the ferry port near the traditional village of Pyrgos at one of the the highest points on the island Santo has a state-of-the-art winery with high tech machinery and modern facilities, along with the Oenotourism Center, which offers educational sessions and videos on the winery and wine making process.

Their tours of the winery and very interesting too.

With incredible views across the island Santo is a fabulous place to not only do some wine tasting but also to enjoy a bite to eat and, if you’re lucky, listen to some live music too.

Located on the main pedestrian street of Oia Atlantis was founded by a coupe of American college student on holiday in 2002.

A book lovers paradise there are books piled to the ceiling in this quirky little shop which is also full of philosophical and literature quotes. Its become one of the most famous bookshops in the world.

A small delicatessan, coffee shop and concept store located at 25th Martiou street in Fira. They do a great brunch and brunch and make some of the best coffee on the island.

They have a lovely selection of locally designed homewares and fashion items as well.

Located at the south of the island near Blychada Marina the Arts Factory was once a tomato canning facility and is now both a museum and a venue for art exhibitions, music and dance performances and other cultural events.

The museum is one of the world’s only tomato museums and features original equipment and goods used in the former factory.

There is a small shop that showcases a the work of a number of Santorini’s artist and produce makers.

The business also offers a number activities such as these ;

• Tour of the Tomato Industrial Museum and learn bout the history of Santorini, its culture and agricultural life. Then taste the famous tomato paste.

  After the tour choose one of the old labels from the factory and seal your own can, using the old canning machine.

Tour duration: 30’
Movie duration: 30
Seal your can: 10’
Cost: 10€

• Cooking homemade Tomato Paste

A visit to the Tomato Museum can be combined with an interesting cooking session. Learn how to make homemade tomato paste and sauce.
Duration: 30’-45’
Cost: 15€

 

• Meze Tomato Plate
  An enjoyable and delicious break, filled with flavours of tomato. 

  Fresh tomatoes, sun-dried and finely chopped tomatoes, tomato paste dip, combined with olives, capers, caper leaves from Santorini, traditional greek rusk, and local Assyrtiko wine.
  Cost: 15€

The architecture of the Cyclades islands is famous the world over but Santorini particularly is one of the most recognisable in the world.

There are two reasons all the buildings are white. Once upon a time whitewash was a cheap disinfectant that helped to keep cholera at bay. These days it acts to reflect light keeping the houses cool inside and the blue trims and church domes reflect the colour of the sky and the Aegean see.

All the villages are interesting to see from an architectural perspective and there are several buildings of interest to view.

• Cave houses or yposkafa ( often now hotels)
• Farmers houses – usually with central courtyards
• Agios Nikolaos Marmaritis Chapel at the entrance to Emporio Village
• John the Baptist Catholic Cathedral in Fira
• Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral in Fira
• Profitis Ilias Monastery with its unusual, much photographed steeple
• Agios Nikolaos Monastery near Imergovigli which is still a convent
• all five of the Venetian castles

Santorini Museums

Santorini unsurprisingly also has a long and colourful history and the museums on the island are all quite fascinating.

• the Archeological Museum
• the Wine museum
• the Maritime Museum
• the Museum of Prehistoric Thera

Archeological Sites

Many people are surprised to hear that there are several significant archological sites on Santorini.

Akroriti is the most important and is Greece’s versions of Pompeii, only 4000 years older! In Mythology it is also believed to be Atlantis which is why you will see many things referring to the mythical underwater city around the island including the popular 9D Lost Atlantis Experience, an interactive museum that is very popular with kids.

Further reading: A Complete Guide to Akrotiri

Directly opposite Santorini and made from the same caldera (mouth) of the Volcano Thirassia is still largely undeveloped for tourism and in many ways is the polar opposite of its famous neighbour.

The capital is the town of Manolas and Agrilia is the largest and oldest village. The island has a population of around 300 people.

There are 21 churches and from the monastery of Koimiseos you can see the whole island.

Most of the homes are cave house style, built into the rock. The views are just as spectacular as those on Santorini but of course without the crowds.

You can access Thirassia by boat from Santorini from  Ammoudi Port in Oia for just 1 Euro. The boats stop at the main harbour of Riva and at Korfos.

If you get off at Korfos, you will only be able to reach Manolas on foot or by Mule.

Current Timetable:

Depart Ammoudi Bay ( under Oia) 8:00, 12:45 & 17:20

Depart Riva, Thirassia 7:45, 12:30, 17:10

Depart Korfos Harbour, Thirassia 12:15 & 17:00

Tickets: 1 Euro each way