A Guide to the Wonderful Island of Santorini
Santorini is an incredible place, a paradisiacal island that not only has volcanic beaches and crystal-clear waters to offer, but much more in terms of outdoor activities, history, archaeology, gastronomy, and more! Discover the incredible sites and activities with which this wonderful Greek island welcomes its visitors. You certainly won't want to leave!
Santorini is a Greek island located in the southern Aegean Sea, with a very long history. You are probably familiar with its whitewashed buildings, some topped by beautiful blue domes that match the ocean's color, and thanks to its amazing beauty and the variety of activities available for all tastes and wants, it is one of the biggest tourist destinations in the world. But this is a place that has been reborn from volcanic ashes more than once.
The Santorini Archipelago consists of the main, inhabited islands of Santorini and Therasia, and the uninhabited islands of Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi, and Christiana. In the center of it all was a huge volcano that erupted about 3.600 years ago and left the island deserted until it was rediscovered by the Phoenicians in the 13th century B.C. The island had a long list of invaders such as the Dorians from Sparta, the Roman and Byzantine Empires, the Crusaders -who finally gave it the name of Santorini, after Saint Irene, and annexed it to Venice-, the Turks of the Ottoman Empire, until they finally found independence and were annexed to Greece in 1912.
But then, tragedy struck again with a terrible earthquake and a volcanic eruption that followed in 1956. The island found itself in decline and inhabitants were few, until the arrival of the tourism industry in the 1970s, which changed everything.
Now, Santorini is one of the most sought-after tourist spots, and its inhabitants offer visitors many different ways to get to know its beautiful landscapes and the history that has always accompanied them. Here, we invite you to discover all the activities you can take part in, around Santorini when you visit.
Boat trips
It comes as no surprise that, as an island, Santorini's most popular activity is a boat trip. You can read a detailed list of the 10 best boat excursions in Santorini for you, but here, we'll tell you about some of the most popular ones.
From Oia, for example, you can take a sunset sailing excursion around Santorini, where you'll explore the Aegean Sea, stopping at several of Santorini's most popular beaches, where you'll get to snorkel, and, when you've worked up your appetite, have a delicious Greek BBQ accompanied by local wine and beer (or soft drinks for the little ones) as you watch the sun setting over the horizon. It is an experience you won't forget.
From Fira, on the other hand, you can take a cruise to visit volcanic islands, hot springs, and the island of Thirasia! Here, you'll take a traditional Greek boat and cruise Santorini's Caldera, accompanied by an experienced guide who will tell you about the area. In six hours, you'll visit the Nea Kameni lava islet and take a hike around the crater of an active volcano, then head towards the Palea Kameni volcano islet, also known as the "Hot Springs" and dive off the boat into gorgeous thermal waters. Finally, you'll dock at the island of Thirassia, where you'll have time to explore the port or the small village of Manolas. It will be a day full of excitement and, definitely, incredible views.
And for a whimsical experience, you can rent a pedal boat in the form of a car from Perivolos Beach. Not only will you be able to explore the incredible dark volcanic sand and crystal-clear waters of this beautiful beach, but you'll have the freedom to pedal around at your own pace with up to three of your loved ones, explore the secret coves and hidden caves that you can find around this side of Santorini.
No matter what experience you choose, taking a boat trip around Santorini will always be a great idea!
Take advantage of the waters
It is not only boats that navigate on the Santorini Sea, there are several other incredible activities to try on the island's crystal-clear waters and beautiful beaches.
Jet ski tours
Whether you want to rent one or follow an expert guide as you explore the beautiful waters and beaches of Santorini, a jet ski can give you the freedom to move around this wonderful island with a great adrenaline rush thanks to the speedy ride.
For example, this popular jet ski safari to the Santorini Lighthouse from Perivolos Beach involves following an experienced certified instructor southwest towards the beaches of Vlyhada, Red Beach, Kampia, and White Beach as you make your way towards the beach of Mesa Pigadia, where you'll observe the Akrotiri Lighthouse, constructed in 1892, and get to snorkel in the waters around the site.
From Saint George Beach, you can rent a jet ski for 10, 20, or 30 minutes, then hop on alone or with one passenger aged ten and up, and go explore what catches your attention from the Aegean. It is an unmissable opportunity to spend a good moment at sea!
For another kind of adrenaline rush, you can also try water tubing from Perivolos Beach, a wonderful experience where you will sit on the tube towed from the back of a motorboat at high speed. You can do it by yourself or with your loved ones and feel the rush of holding on to the water tube as you explore the amazing southern coast of Santorini.
Go scuba diving
The clear waters of Santorini are the perfect background for a dive. You'll be happy to get into the sea and explore the underwater world you'll find there on this first diving experience from Caldera Beach. This red-sanded beach will be the setting for your experience, where you'll learn to use diving equipment such as the regulator, buoyancy control device, and the all-important tank. Then, you'll get to explore the local reef and coral gardens, up to 12 meters under the surface, and encounter marine life such as nudibranchs, crabs, shrimp, eels, seahorses, and colorful fish. Don't miss out on this introductory experience of scuba diving!
For experienced and certified divers, check out these adventure dives from Akrotiri, where you'll see the underwater wonders of the big volcanic eruption, that shaped Santorini as it is, left behind. If you have an Open Water Diver certification or an equivalent, you can get your diving equipment at the diving school and get on a boat in Caldera Beach that will take you to the dive site. There, you'll encounter lobsters, clams, spirographs, as well as shipwrecks, lava rocks, and much more!
But if you're not interested in the deep sea, and prefer to explore the surface of those wonderful crystal-clear waters, don't hesitate to go snorkeling around Santorini. This private snorkeling boat tour to Mesa Pigadia and the Indian Rock is an amazing and very particular experience on the Greek Island. Not only will you get a private boat tour from Perivolos Beach with a certified and knowledgeable crew, but you will also get into the water, cool off, and explore the volcanic formations and distinctive marine life of places like Mesa Pigadia, Kampia, and the Indian Rock -a tall, man-shaped rock when seen from the right angle. Using your snorkel equipment, these almost unexplored spots will give you a different perspective of Santorini.
Get on your board and go!
The versatility of Santorini's waters is impressive, and that makes it the perfect place to practice several different sports. All you need to do is find the one you want!
Stand-up paddling (SUP) is a great way to explore around the Aegean and practice your balance as you stand on a board and paddle around, heading to the places that interest you. On this SUP and snorkeling tour from Avis Beach you'll be able to personalize your journey, and, as you paddle with up to 5 other people, explore Santorini's coastline in a peaceful and fun way! Then, you'll stop for a while, do some snorkeling, and immerse yourself in your surroundings from the beautiful crystal-clear water.
Catch the wind in Santorini with these private windsurfing lessons near Kamari. Whether you are a beginner or have an intermediate level in windsurfing, you can book these private lessons in which you will explore the Aegean and try to catch its ocean breeze to move around. The expert instructor will guide you, explain how to use the equipment, and make sure you gain enough confidence to jump into the sea. It's definitely an experience to try!
Finally, an unusual, but popular way to jump on a board in the Aegean and explore the coast of Santorini is hover or flyboarding! During this hoverboarding experience on Saint George Beach, you'll be attached to a board and control the jets of water under your feet while trying to keep a standing position on it, and being propelled upwards at speeds of up to 40km/h. This is an adrenaline-filled activity that will show you a new way to experience the sea and all there is to do there.
Kayak excursions
Kayaking is a great way to explore the sea, and in Santorini, you can do it in different locations, whether guided or independently. During this guided sea kayaking excursion from Kambia Beach, you'll paddle along the Akrotiri coastline, passing by the Red Beach, White Beach, and Mesa Pigaida, and have some time to swim and snorkel if you want to, before you reach your final destination of the "Black Mountain", where you'll find hidden caves and unique rock formations. It's an amazing opportunity to spend a day exploring in the water.
Or, if you prefer, you can simply rent a kayak from Perivolos Beach and spend a few hours paddling around the Aegean Sea, exploring the coastline, the hidden coves, and secret caves you might find and are only accessible by sea.
Either way, these water-based activities in Santorini will take you to see the island from a different perspective.
Soar over Santorini
Have you ever dreamed of seeing the beautiful blue roofs, white-washed houses, blue sea, and volcanic mountains from above? You can now do it in a few different ways!
Why not try parasailing over Perivolos Beach in Santorini? You'll embark on a speedboat, have a panoramic view from the Aegean, get strapped to a parachute with a harness, and be pulled up into the air, around 100 meters up. Seeing the island from above and enjoying an adrenaline-pumping activity is an amazing opportunity you can't miss out on!
And a helicopter ride might be just what you need! As you soar into the air and pass along the whole Santorini Caldera, whether at sunset or under the blazing sun, you'll marvel at all there is to see. Take this private helicopter tour over Santorini and enjoy 20, 30, or 60 minutes in the air with an expert pilot who will show you the best views of the Greek island.
Take Santorini by land
Hiking
The best way to get to know the history and architecture of a place like Santorini is to lace up your shoes and start walking. But having the information from an expert, who will take you to the right places to see all the incredible sites around the island is ideal.
For example, you can hike to the Skaros Fortress from Imerovigli on Santorini's northeastern side. The visit to the ruins of this fortress from the Byzantine Empire will take you on a 2-hour hike, where you'll see the Skaros Rock, a reminder of the volcanic activity that created the shape of Santorini itself. Then, you'll walk up a hill, along a cliff, and get stunning views of the Aegean.
And if you're a morning person (at least on vacation), you can take this sunrise hike from Kamari to the Ancient Thera. Your guide will take you up the spiraling route of Mesa Vouno Mountain at dawn. Then, you'll head towards Ancient Thera to explore an incredible archaeological site from which you'll see the rising sun! What else do you need?
E-Biking
Biking is the perfect way to explore Santorini, allowing you to enjoy the weather and the view at your own pace. You can go where you want to, enjoy the weather, and see the beautiful buildings, not to mention that it is faster than walking. And e-bikes take it a step further since they make it easier for your body to get around!
Take an e-bike tour of the south side of Santorini, from Agio Georgios and explore the breathtaking views of this side of the island as you pass through charming villages, gorgeous landscapes, incredible volcanic beaches, and more in a comfortable, electric mountain bike. Or you can take a more adventurous off-road e-bike tour from the same region of Santorini.
Quad biking tours
Discover Santorini in an adventurous way, find roads off the beaten path, hidden coastal caves, and much more on this amazing quad safari from the black sand beach of Perissa. You'll go to the historic village of Emporio, with an amazing Venetian castle, not to mention large windmills, vineyards, and many other interesting Santorini sites that will enchant you.
On the other hand, you can take a lunch safari and quad discovery tour from Perivolos. Travel all around some of the most historic sites in Santorini and discover off-road wonders as you ride a quad with a loved one and explore the incredible sights available on the island.
Explore all of Santorini
But of course, there are many different things to do in Santorini other than fun and adventurous activities. You can also sit on its red, black, white, or golden beaches, and take a well-deserved rest, or, as you probably know, walk around the traditional village of Oia, the most photographed place in Greece and the Greek Islands. The cube-shaped houses with blue domes and white-washed structures, windmills, and other wonders you'll discover are surely worth the hype.
You can also go and discover the extensive and delicious gastronomical scene of Santorini in places like local tavernas, where you'll find the real essence of Greek food at affordable prices, and in traditional sitting at places like Metaxy mas in Pyrgos or To Psaraki in Vlychada. And if you're feeling fancy, fine dining is also available around Santorini in places like Lycabettus, in Oia, where you'll have an incredible view as you enjoy a delectable feast. You can also visit Selene, in Fira, where you'll dine on the site of an 18th-century Catholic Monastery that has been completely converted into a chic, award-winning restaurant.
Additionally, you will find wine tours, and cooking workshops with locals, or, if it's your thing, you can even take a private fishing cruise From Ammoudi Bay, where you'll spend your morning cruising over the Aegean, finding the best spots to catch species such as bass, cod, groupers, barracudas and tuna. Then, you'll have the opportunity to eat an incredible Greek feast with some freshly caught fish on the menu!
But the variety of activities to do in Santorini is quite extensive. You can, for example, take yourself and your loved ones to an open-air cinema at Cine Kamari, where there will be two screenings every day. You'll sit through movies in English with Greek subtitles while being served drinks and snacks in a beautiful garden. And if you're a fan of Mamma Mia!, you're in luck, because the restaurant Volkan on the Rocks, in Fira, has a screening of the musical every single night with a sunset view that can't be topped!
In reality, you can find your share of spas, museums, and volcanic and archeological sites to visit without the need for a guide, among many other incredible activities that will help you to discover this historic and wonderful island in all its glory.
Visit Santorini and encounter a natural, historical, and gastronomical paradise you won't want to leave!