20 things to do in Santorini Greece

Mini-summary-of-history (very mini)

The history of this jewel of the Cyclades Islands is quite curious and tragic: in the past, the volcanic island of Santorini was called Thera. Over time it suffered numerous earthquakes and eruptions, but one in particular, that of 1627 BC. It was so powerful that it destroyed the ancient Thera, shaping Santorini and its 4-island archipelago as we know it today.

And now, if you are one of the lucky ones who are going to travel to this beautiful island, today we are going to tell you 20 things to do in Santorini

1. Enjoy your sunset, which is for many the best sunset in the world. A recommended point to observe it is from the Castle of Oia, yes, be prepared to share the show with a few more people (in summer I do not even tell you) ... If you prefer to see it alone, the sunset is really incredible from any corner .

2. Of course you have to kick yourself from top to bottom Oia and Fira, the two most beautiful villages in Santorini. Even if you don't make the mistake of being alone there, since…

3.… the best, to know everything that the island offers, is to rent a stroller (or a quad or a motorcycle) and go out to explore it. Being alone in its two main towns will cause you to miss many things. If you discard the idea of ​​renting and driving around the island, an alternative is to rely on public transport. More info about schedules, routes and ticket prices on the official website.

4. Another of the best things to see and do in Santorini, is to go down to explore the Port of

Amoudi, we found it super authentic and flirtatious.

5. It is also a good idea to visit the Old Port of Fira, better if it coincides with dinner. But please, don't even think about going down or going on a donkey. Do not join the animal business, be a responsible tourist. If you think you will not be able to take the 580 stairs of the climb, take the cable car. The trip takes about 3 minutes and costs € 6.

6. Try a cool Donkey, it is the typical beer of Santorini, while enjoying the panorama. And even better if it is accompanied by a dish of the rich Greek cuisine. Cheers! If you take it, send us a photo on Instagram @TriptravelTip

7. Treat yourself and stay in a villa with a pool: in the low season you can find real bargains.

8. Flipa with the views from the Skaros Rock, a rocky promontory located in the village of Imerovigli. I did not go, but recommends doing only the part of the stairs and the dirt part ... The last section requires some climbing and is dangerous.

9. When you are circling the streets, go hunting for treasures: you will find craft shops the beautiful sea, the famous Orthodox churches, loving kittens that want pampering and much more.

10. If you only had one or two days to explore the island and prefer not to rent a car or motorcycle, a good idea is to sign up for a tour. There is one that lasts 5 hours and will take you to emblematic sites such as the Orthodox church of San Nicolás, the famous Red Beach, the authentic town of Pyrgos, the monastery of Profitis Ilias and a cellar (where a tasting of 3 wines will be made) and It ends with the sunset in Oia. It costs 47€.

11. Do you want beaches? Obviously there are. In this case we advise you to visit the Red Beach which, as the name points out, is characterized by the reddish color of its cliffs.

12. There are also other interesting beaches on the island, such as Playa Blanca (Vlychada) or those of Perissa, Kamari and Perivolos. Although, everything is said, there are quite more impressive beaches in Greece, such as those of Crete.

13. Santorini is reputed to have very good wines and if there is something that abounds they are wineries. If you are passionate about oenology you can do a tasting. The Santos Winery is a very good place to do it (and with great views of the sea), although not too cheap (the tasting of 6 wines costs about € 30).

14. Eat (at least) a gyro, one of the richest, cheapest and most representative street food in Greece. We leave you a post of restaurants where to eat in Santorini well and cheap. Mmm! It is the best thing to do in Santorini (.

15. If you feel like it you can take a boat trip on the volcanic caldera of Santorini. Obviously the best time to do it is during sunset, but there are tours that last all day and include visits to several islands of the caldera (Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni and the famous island of Thirasia).

16. Trekking from Oia to Fira: the two most famous villages of Santorini are connected by a road of about 9 km that does not have too many difficulties. Calculate about 3 hours of time to go through it (you will stop to take many photos). Tip: do not think so much about the outfit and better put on clothes and especially comfortable shoes! You'll appreciate it.

17. Did you know that in Santorini there is an archaeological site? We talk about Akrotiri, who earned the nickname "La Pompeya Minoica". If you are interested in Greek history and architecture, it is a good opportunity to get to know it. Admission is €12. It is very close to the Red Beach, so your visit is a good complement!

18. Since you are here you can approach the Akrotiri lighthouse, one of the oldest in the country (it was built in 1892). It is another of the most sought-after places to watch the sunset ... if you want a good place, arrive early!

19. The towns of Megalochori and Pygros are very, very, very beautiful and infinitely less touristy than Oia and Fira. We recommend you meet them.

20. An original thing to do in Santorini (if you travel during the summer) is to sign up for an outdoor cinema session at Santorinicinema.com. The movies are in English (with Greek subtitles), they start at 9.30pm and the ticket costs € 8. Definitely an original plan to do in Santorini

These are for us, the 20 best things to see and do in Santorini. How about? Do you know any other that deserves to appear in the list? Leave us a comment!