Free things to do · Santorini · Greece
10 free things to do in Santorini
Santorini without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Olaf Tausch, CC BY 3.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Santorini without paying an entry fee: Oia village and sunset, Fira to Oia caldera hike, Fira caldera promenade and Skaros Rock are all free. Stay in Kamari, Perissa or Fira away from the cliff edge; caldera-view rooms cost several times more.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 3
- Cost level
- Expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- December–March
Free sights and experiences
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Viewpoint · Oia
1.Oia village and sunset
Arrive an hour before sunset for a spot by the castle, or watch from a windmill viewpoint further along the cliff; leaving afterwards takes time, so plan your bus or taxi.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
- Free
Nature · Imerovigli
2.Fira to Oia caldera hike
Start early in the morning, wear proper shoes and carry plenty of water; there is no shade after Imerovigli. Return to Fira by bus.
- Time needed
- 3–4 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Active
- Views
- Outdoors
- Free
- Photo spot
Street · Fira
3.Fira caldera promenade
Walk it at dusk and continue to Firostefani for a quieter sunset view and dinner.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- After dark
- Photo spot
Viewpoint · Imerovigli
4.Skaros Rock
Go in the morning; the path is exposed and steep in places, so wear shoes with grip.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Active
- History
- Free
- Off the beaten path
Waterfront · Oia
5.Amoudi Bay
Book a waterside table for an early dinner and walk back up before dark, or take a taxi.
- Time needed
- 2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Food
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Free
Neighbourhood · Pyrgos
6.Pyrgos village
Visit late in the afternoon, then continue to a nearby winery for sunset.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Architecture
Beach · Akrotiri
7.Red Beach
Follow the signs and any closures; the viewpoint above gives the best photographs anyway.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Photo spot
- Nature
- Free
Viewpoint · Akrotiri
8.Akrotiri lighthouse
Bring a jacket; the headland is often windy after sunset.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Free
- Off the beaten path
Neighbourhood · Megalochori
9.Megalochori
Combine it with Pyrgos and a winery visit on a half-day drive.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Off the beaten path
- Architecture
- Food
Beach · Perissa and Perivolos
10.Perissa Beach
Wear sandals: the dark sand gets extremely hot by midday.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Oia | Oia village and sunset and Amoudi Bay | 2–3 hours + 2 hours |
| Imerovigli | Fira to Oia caldera hike and Skaros Rock | 3–4 hours + 1–1.5 hours |
| Fira | Fira caldera promenade | 1 hour |
| Pyrgos | Pyrgos village | 1–2 hours |
| Akrotiri | Red Beach and Akrotiri lighthouse | 30 minutes + 1 hour |
| Megalochori | Megalochori | 1 hour |
| Perissa and Perivolos | Perissa Beach | Half a day |
Worth a small ticket
Museum · Fira
Museum of Prehistoric Thera
Visit during the hottest part of the day, then walk the caldera promenade in the evening.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
Historic site · Kamari
Ancient Thera
Drive or take a taxi up the switchback road from Kamari, or hike up from Perissa early in the day.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Views
- Active
- Off the beaten path
Waterfront · Fira
Fira Old Port and cable car
Use the cable car or walk the steps; animal-welfare groups ask visitors not to ride the donkeys. Queues for the cable car back up can be long when cruise ships are in.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Photo spot
- Kids
More ways to save
- Stay in Kamari, Perissa or Fira away from the cliff edge; caldera-view rooms cost several times more.
- Use KTEL buses instead of taxis; they reach most villages and beaches for a few euros.
- Watch the sunset from Imerovigli, Pyrgos or the Akrotiri lighthouse instead of paying for an Oia sunset dinner.
- Eat meze in inland villages and gyros in Fira to balance occasional view-restaurant splurges.
- Travel in May or October for much lower hotel rates than in July, August and September.
- Book ferries and flights early for summer, when prices rise and seats sell out.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Santorini expensive to visit?
Santorini is expensive for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Santorini?
Oia village and sunset: Arrive an hour before sunset for a spot by the castle, or watch from a windmill viewpoint further along the cliff; leaving afterwards takes time, so plan your bus or taxi.