7 Best Things to Do in Santorini, Greece

Hiking the path between Fira and Oia, which follows the rim of the caldera, is one of the top experiences on Santorini. The entire route is a little over six miles, a mix of dirt trails and paved, pedestrian streets. Along the way you’ll pass countless photo-ops, including breathtaking views of the sea, lovely churches and a stunning lagoon.

It can be hiked in either direction, but if you start from Fira, it will be more of a downhill walk and you’ll enjoy a magnificent view of Oia in front of you rather than having to look back. Once in Oia, most return by taxi or bus rather than tackling it round-trip. If you time it right you can be there to enjoy the island’s most popular vantage point for a sunset too, which brings us to our next thing to do.

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In Akrotiri you can tour the archaeological excavation site that holds the ruins of the prehistoric settlement of Akrotiri, covered under 200 feet of ash in 1646 BC during the massive volcanic eruption. Similar to Pompeii all that ash preserved the once thriving town. The difference is that it was home to the ancient Minoans, more than 4,000 years before Pompeii was established, providing a glimpse at life on the island nearly 3,700 years ago.

People lived in two- and three-story homes that had balconies, hot and cold running water, underfloor heating, and some of the first indoor toilets. You’ll be able to wander the walkways to see elaborate drainage systems, lots of pottery, multilevel buildings, and more.

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Santorini is famous for its high-quality wines and if you any interest in tasting and learning about how it’s made, you’ll want to join a wine tour. There are many options available, including private tours led by a local sommelier guide. Typically, you’ll visit multiple traditional wineries where you can sample as many as a dozen different varieties of award-winning volcanic vintages.

Tastings including perfectly paired snacks and local cheeses, enjoyed while learning about Santorini’s centuries-old winemaking history and its famous Assyrtiko grape. There are options that include sightseeing too, often with a visit to Prophet Elias, a monastery that sits atop the summit of Mount Prophet Elias. You’ll hear the chants of the monks and enjoy tastings of wine, olive oil and honey as well as visit a traditional winery.

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By visiting Pyrgos, one of the most charming villages in the interior of the island, you’ll get an authentic look at daily life here. A whitewashed hilltop village with churches and homes built in and around a Venetian castle, few tourists visit, which means you’re more likely to encounter locals as you stroll the meandering footpaths.

You’ll find plenty of enticing cafes for sipping coffee as you watch the world go by along with some of the most magnificent views of the island from its highest point.

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