Best Things to Do in Santorini (2026 Guide)

The best things to do in Santorini are anchored by its extraordinary volcanic geography. The caldera — the 8 km wide submerged centre of a massive volcanic eruption around 1600 BC that may have contributed to the collapse of the Minoan civilisation — is best appreciated from the caldera-edge villages of Oia (northernmost tip), Imerovigli (the highest caldera point), and Fira (the capital, most accessible). The Oia sunset is Santorini’s iconic experience: the 3 km village of blue domes and white walls facing west watches the sun descend into the Aegean. Arrive 2+ hours early in summer as every vantage point fills. The Akrotiri prehistoric site — a Bronze Age city buried under volcanic ash around 1627 BC, preserved to two-storey height with frescoes and pottery in situ (the frescoes are in Athens’ National Archaeological Museum) — is one of the most remarkable ancient sites in Greece. The active volcano (Nea Kameni) and hot springs (Palia Kameni) on islands within the caldera are reachable by boat tour from Fira’s old port.

Best time to visit

April-May and September-October are Santorini’s finest months. The island is warm (22-28°C) and the tourist crowds are significantly smaller than the peak July-August season. The Oia sunset in October — with the village’s white walls gilded by lower-angle autumn light — is arguably more beautiful than the summer version. July-August is peak season: the island receives 2+ million visitors annually concentrated into the summer months, ferry queues are long, the caldera villages are extremely crowded, and accommodation prices are at maximum (Oia cliffside suites: €600-2,000+/night in August). November-March is quiet and many businesses close; the island has an extraordinary off-season atmosphere of local life reclaiming the cliffside villages.

Getting around

Santorini (Thira) National Airport connects the island to Athens (45 minutes by Olympic Air/Aegean), and has direct charter flights from most European airports. Ferries from Piraeus (Athens) take 4.5-8 hours depending on service. The island’s main road runs the length of the caldera edge from Oia to Akrotiri. The public bus (KTEL) covers the main villages but is slow and often crowded. Rental ATV (4-wheeled quad bikes, not recommended on narrow island roads) and scooters are popular but crash rates are high. Rental cars are safer and give full freedom. Cable cars connect Fira town to the old port below; alternatively, the donkey path (300 steps) descends to the port.

What to eat and drink

Santorini has its own distinctive agriculture on volcanic soil. Santorini tomatoes (tiny, intensely flavoured cherry tomatoes grown without irrigation in the caldera’s volcanic ash soil) are the island’s most prized produce — the tomatokeftedes (tomato fritters) at Metaxy Mas in Exo Gonia are exceptional. Santorini fava (yellow split peas from Akrotiri, the island’s designation-protected legume) prepared as a creamy dip with capers and olive oil is the essential meze. White eggplant (melitzanosalata) from Santorini’s unique cultivar is sweeter than mainland varieties. For wine: Santorini’s Assyrtiko white wine (grown in the distinctive kouloura basket-trained vine system that protects grapes from the meltemi wind) is one of Greece’s finest. Santo Wines cooperative winery on the caldera has the most dramatic tasting terrace in the Aegean. Domaine Sigalas and Gavalas are the island’s most acclaimed producers. For fine dining: Selene in Pyrgos and Lycabettus in Imerovigli represent island haute cuisine.

Areas to explore

Oia — The northernmost caldera village. The famous sunset viewing spot (the Kastro ruins at the northwest tip), the Maritime Museum, and the extraordinary Amoudi Bay below (reached by 214 steps) for swimming and fresh fish tavernas. Beyond the main street: the back streets of Oia village are relatively tourist-free.

Imerovigli / Skaros Rock — The highest caldera point between Oia and Fira. The Skaros Rock walk (45 minutes from Imerovigli to the volcanic promontory tip) gives the best caldera photography angle. Fewer tourists than Oia.

Fira (Thira) — The capital. The Museum of Prehistoric Thera (the only place to see the original Akrotiri frescoes — exceptional), the Cable Car or 300-step donkey path to the old port, and the Archaeological Museum.

Akrotiri Prehistoric Site — A covered excavation of a Bronze Age city. The West House, Xeste 3, and the Telchines Road are the main excavated areas. Admission €12. Essential context before visiting the Fira museum.

Red Beach / Perissa / Perivolos (Black Sand Beaches) — Red Beach (volcanic red cliffs and pebbles, southwest of Akrotiri) and the Black Sand beaches of Perissa and Perivolos on the outer (non-caldera) coast are less crowded than the famous caldera viewpoints.

Pyrgos Village — The highest village on the island, away from the caldera crowds. The ruined Venetian castle walls, the Monastery of Profitis Elias above (the highest point on the island), and the Selene restaurant — Santorini’s most acclaimed.