Things to do · Santorini · Greece
16 best things to do in Santorini
16 sights and experiences ranked for a first visit, with honest notes on time, cost and crowds.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Rt44, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
The essential sights in Santorini are Oia village and sunset, Akrotiri archaeological site and Fira to Oia caldera hike. Of the 16 picks below, 10 are free, 2 work on a rainy day and 4 suit children. Allow about 4 days to see the highlights without rushing.
Key facts
- Top sight
- Oia village and sunset
- Free sights
- 10
- Good on a rainy day
- Akrotiri archaeological site
- Time to see the highlights
- 4 days
At a glance
| Sight | Area | Time needed | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oia village and sunset | Oia | 2–3 hours | Free |
| Akrotiri archaeological site | Akrotiri | 1.5 hours | Mid-priced |
| Fira to Oia caldera hike | Imerovigli | 3–4 hours | Free |
| Museum of Prehistoric Thera | Fira | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Fira caldera promenade | Fira | 1 hour | Free |
| Skaros Rock | Imerovigli | 1–1.5 hours | Free |
| Ancient Thera | Kamari | 1.5–2 hours | Low cost |
| Volcano and hot springs boat trip | Nea Kameni | Half a day | Mid-priced |
| Amoudi Bay | Oia | 2 hours | Free |
| Pyrgos village | Pyrgos | 1–2 hours | Free |
| Caldera winery tasting | Pyrgos | 1.5–2 hours | Mid-priced |
| Fira Old Port and cable car | Fira | 1 hour | Low cost |
| Red Beach | Akrotiri | 30 minutes | Free |
| Akrotiri lighthouse | Akrotiri | 1 hour | Free |
| Megalochori | Megalochori | 1 hour | Free |
| Perissa Beach | Perissa and Perivolos | Half a day | Free |
The 16 best things to do
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Viewpoint · Oia
1.Oia village and sunset
Oia's whitewashed houses, blue domes and windmills face west over the caldera, and the ruins of its Byzantine castle are the classic place to watch the sun drop into the Aegean. Earlier in the day, the marble-paved main street and the lanes below it are best explored before the tour buses arrive.
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
Historic site · Akrotiri
2.Akrotiri archaeological site
A Bronze Age town buried by the eruption about 3,600 years ago, preserved with two- and three-storey houses, paved streets, storage jars and drainage systems. Walkways under a protective roof let you look into the streets, and no human remains were found, suggesting residents had fled.
Hire a guide at the entrance or read up first; the site makes much more sense with context. Combine it with Red Beach and the lighthouse.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- Rainy day
- Kids
Nature · Imerovigli
3.Fira to Oia caldera hike
The path along the caldera rim from Fira to Oia is about 10 km, passing through Firostefani and Imerovigli before turning into a rough trail with climbs over the headlands. The views of the caldera, Nea Kameni and Thirassia are continuous, and you finish in Oia for lunch or the sunset.
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
Museum · Fira
4.Museum of Prehistoric Thera
This museum in Fira displays the finest finds from Akrotiri, including colourful wall paintings, painted pottery and a small gold ibex figurine. It is compact, air-conditioned and the best preparation for a visit to the site.
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
Street · Fira
5.Fira caldera promenade
The cliff-edge promenade through Fira runs past the Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral, cafés and hotels hanging over the caldera, then continues north to the blue-domed Catholic church in Firostefani known as the Three Bells of Fira.
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
6.Skaros Rock
A rocky headland jutting from Imerovigli into the caldera, where a Venetian castle and the island's medieval capital once stood. A path drops down and around it to the small chapel of Theoskepasti on the seaward side, with views along the cliffs to Oia.
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
Historic site · Kamari
7.Ancient Thera
The ruins of a city founded in the first millennium BC on the ridge of Mesa Vouno, about 360 metres above Kamari and Perissa. You walk among Hellenistic, Roman and Byzantine houses, temples and a theatre with views over both beaches.
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
Island · Nea Kameni
8.Volcano and hot springs boat trip
Boats from the Old Port below Fira cross the caldera to Nea Kameni, a young volcanic island where a path climbs over black lava to steaming craters. Most trips continue to Palea Kameni, where you swim to warm, iron-rich springs in a cove.
Wear old swimwear for the hot springs; the reddish water can stain fabric.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Kids
- Active
- Nature
- Outdoors
Waterfront · Oia
1.Amoudi Bay
Below Oia, about 300 steps or a short drive down, this tiny harbour has fish tavernas on the water's edge and red cliffs above. A path round the headland leads to rocks near the islet of Agios Nikolaos where people swim in deep, clear water.
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
2.Pyrgos village
Pyrgos's lanes spiral up to the ruins of a Venetian castle, passing chapels and arched houses. From the top you can see both the caldera and the east coast. On Good Friday the village is lit by thousands of small lamps.
Visit late in the afternoon, then continue to a nearby winery for sunset.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Architecture
Experience · Pyrgos
3.Caldera winery tasting
Several wineries pour Assyrtiko, Nykteri and sweet Vinsanto on terraces above the caldera, including the cooperative Santo Wines near Pyrgos and the Venetsanos winery above Athinios port. Vines here grow in low baskets called kouloures to protect the grapes from wind.
Book a sunset tasting slot in summer and take a taxi rather than driving.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Couples
- Views
Waterfront · Fira
4.Fira Old Port and cable car
Fira's old harbour sits at the foot of the cliff, connected to the town by a cable car and a zig-zag path of almost 600 steps. Volcano and caldera boat trips leave from here.
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
Beach · Akrotiri
5.Red Beach
A small beach below striking red volcanic cliffs near Akrotiri. Because of rockfall risk, authorities have restricted access at times and warning signs are posted, so many visitors see it from the viewpoint on the path rather than from the sand.
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
6.Akrotiri lighthouse
The 19th-century lighthouse at the island's south-western tip looks back along the whole caldera and out to the open sea. It is a much quieter sunset spot than Oia, with no buildings in the way.
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
7.Megalochori
A traditional inland village of whitewashed churches, bell towers spanning the lanes and old canavas (wine cellars), with a small square of tavernas. It shows a quieter side of the island close to the wineries.
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
8.Perissa Beach
A long black-sand beach backed by the cliff of Mesa Vouno, with sunbeds, tavernas and water sports. It continues south as Perivolos and Agios Georgios, so there is space even in summer.
Wear sandals: the dark sand gets extremely hot by midday.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Kids
- Free
- Outdoors
Pick by interest
| Interest | Best picks |
|---|---|
| Art and museums | Museum of Prehistoric Thera |
| History | Akrotiri archaeological site, Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Skaros Rock and Ancient Thera |
| Views | Oia village and sunset, Fira to Oia caldera hike, Fira caldera promenade and Skaros Rock |
| Outdoors and nature | Fira to Oia caldera hike, Volcano and hot springs boat trip, Amoudi Bay and Red Beach |
| Food and markets | Amoudi Bay, Caldera winery tasting and Megalochori |
| After dark | Fira caldera promenade |
| With children | Akrotiri archaeological site, Volcano and hot springs boat trip, Fira Old Port and cable car and Perissa Beach |
| On a rainy day | Akrotiri archaeological site and Museum of Prehistoric Thera |
Plan the rest of your trip
Questions travellers ask
+What is the number one thing to do in Santorini?
Oia village and sunset. Oia's whitewashed houses, blue domes and windmills face west over the caldera, and the ruins of its Byzantine castle are the classic place to watch the sun drop into the Aegean.
+What can you do for free in Santorini?
Oia village and sunset, Fira to Oia caldera hike, Fira caldera promenade, Skaros Rock and Amoudi Bay. More free things to do.
+What is there to do in Santorini when it rains?
Head indoors to Akrotiri archaeological site and Museum of Prehistoric Thera.
+What is there to do in Santorini at night?
Fira caldera promenade are best after dark.