Top 10 Unforgettable Experiences To Have In Santorini

When I first imagined myself visiting Santorini, I pictured myself leisurely sitting on a beach, taking way too many photos of the island’s famous whitewashed and blue capped buildings, and relaxing while taking in the sunset. While I did manage to find time for all of these relaxing activities on my trip, I quickly found myself drawn to the variety of things there are to do and see in Santorini! In a matter of minutes my itinerary went from “sipping cocktails on beach” to a fully packed schedule of things to do! Whether you are heading to Santorini for a relaxing getaway or looking for some adventure, there is something for everyone on this famous Greek island. Here are my top 10 things to do in Santorini-from cliff jumping to volcano exploring-that are sure to make your trip unforgettable!

1. Catch a Stunning Sunset

Santorini is perhaps most famous for its stunning sunsets, and after visiting myself, it’s easy to see why. Watching the sun disappear into the horizon from the Santorini caldera (a large volcanic crater for those who don’t know!) is pretty incredible, and is definitely something that should be on your bucket list.

There are many great places to catch the sunset from-Oia, Fira, Imerovigli, and Firostefani are some of the most popular. I recommend watching the sunset from as many of these locations as possible, and repeat your favorite on your last evening! 

2. Indulge Your Inner Photographer

When I first booked my trip to Santorini, I had a feeling I’d leave with a memory card full of hundreds of pictures of the island’s iconic white architecture. Spoiler alert: I did! So much of Santorini is picturesque-from the iconic blue church domes to the bright pink bougainvillea blooms and Oia’s famous windmills. Get out there and snap away! Even my boyfriend enjoyed hunting for the island’s best vistas and photo locations.

3. Go Cliff Jumping

Hidden away in Oia’s Ammoudi bay is the island’s best spot for cliff jumping. For adventure seekers looking for a fun way to spend an afternoon, a visit to this place is a must! We took out ATVs to the nearby parking area and walked along a small path to reach the beach, where there was a handful of people resting on the rocks and swimming.

Not only does this spot have incredible views of the island from the water below, but a large rock you can swim to that is perfect for jumping off. It is high enough to give you a little adrenaline rush without being too scary and was definitely one of my trip highlights.

4. Rent An ATV

ATVs are one of the best (and most fun!) ways to get around the island. While you can reach many places by bus, there are a few places (like Ammoudi Bay) that you will want an ATV for. We chose to rent an ATV for the couple of days that we were headed to places not reachable by bus and had a great (and budget friendly) time!

5. Visit the Volcano and Hot Springs

For 38 Euro, you can head on a day long boat tour that goes from mainland Santorini to the volcano, volcano hot springs, and nearby island of Thirasia before ending the day by watching the sunset in Oia. While this day trip might not be for everyone, it was one of my favorite days on the island. Walking around the volcano felt like I was exploring a completely different planet, and jumping off the boat and swimming to the hot springs was simply unforgettable.

You can read about the tour I took here to see if the trip is for you!

6. Take A Hike

There are many great hiking trails on Santorini, but the hike from Fira to Oia is probably the most well-known and picturesque. The hike takes around 2.5-3 hours and features some pretty stunning views, with the reward of beautiful Oia too look forward to the end. Just be sure to get an early start to beat the heat and to bring some water along to stay hydrated.

7. Go Wine Tasting

Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to fit wine tastingon my Santorini schedule, but I’ve heard that its a great experience. There are several wineries scattered about the island, and various tours available where you can sample local wines from multiple wineries. If you don’t have the time or the money to schedule a tour (like me!) , just order a local wine on your next meal out-they are delicious.

8. Hit A Black Sand Beach…

Kamari, Parissa, and Perivolos are three of the most popular black sand beaches in Santorini, and are absolutely worth a visit! I was lucky enough to stay in Kamari and spent a couple afternoons relaxing on sun beds and taking a dip in the sea. Kamari also had a great beach town vibe with lots of good food and shopping options. I highly recommend visiting one (or all!) of these beaches.

…Or a Red (or White!) Sand Beach

Santorini is pretty unique because there are black sand, red sand, and even white sand beaches all on the same island! I spent an afternoon visiting the red sand beach, and then caught a 5 Euro boat to go see the white sand beach. While I preferred hanging out at Santorini’s black sand beaches, I highly recommend at least stopping by the red and white beaches to admire their unique coloring.

9. Visit Akrotiri

History lovers will want to make a visit to Akrotiri, a Minoan settlement that was buried in ash (and thus preserved) in 1627. The site reminded me of a miniature Pompeii (emphasis on miniature, for those who have been) and was a pretty cool way to discover the island’s history, although the ticket price was a bit steep at 12 Euro.

10. Hit The Town(s)

Spend some time exploring the charming towns of Santorini. Each one offers a variety of yummy restaurants, great shopping, and unique feel. Don’t forget to venture outside of Oia and Fira-though these are certainly two of the most well-known towns in Santorini, there are so many others worth seeing on the island! 

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Whew! Did your Santorini itinerary suddenly become a whole lot more complex? Let me know in the comments which of these activities you’d be sure not to miss!

Be sure to check out these posts for more on Greece and Santorini:

• The Ultimate Budget Guide To Santorini
• Exploring Santorini’s Volcano & Hot Springs: A Day Trip
• How I Spent 1 Month In Greece (Almost) For Free!
• Top 10 Things To Do In Athens

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