The Best Hiking Trails in Santorini, Greece

This 6mi (10km) hiking route is the most popular one in Santorini. Starting at the old port in Fira town and walking along the rim of the caldera, you’ll traverse the traditional villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli, while gazing at the vast blue of the Aegean. Take in Fira’s opulent beauty, pass by the blue-crowned Church of Saint Gerasimos in Firostefani and marvel at Imerovigli’s fortress-topped Skaros Rock. Continue north amid white-blue chapels, caldera views and paved alleyways until captivating Oia village is in sight.

On the west coast of Santorini, the island’s highest village, Pyrgos, will win you over with its narrow, winding paths that run past Cycladic stone houses to green valleys in the surrounding hinterland, offering panoramic views of Santorini from up high. Somewhere between Pyrgos and Kamari village, a 1-mile (1.6km) cobbled path will lead you to Santorini’s highest point, the 1711 Prophet Elias Monastery. This spiritual site overlooks the entire island, while allowing you to indulge in local delicacies prepared by monks.

Home to lush vineyards, neoclassical mansions and cave houses that once acted as secret hideaways from pirates, Megalochori is one of Santorini’s most authentic villages, with spectacular volcano views and a longstanding tradition in the production of Vinsanto wine. Walk past the elaborate chapels and follow the two-mile (3.2km) downhill path on the caldera side; this will lead you to the old thermal baths of Plaka. While the site is now abandoned, you can still dive into the hot, therapeutic waters of Plaka or Thermi beach.

Start this 6-mile (10km) hike from Akrotiri’s Bronze Age archaeological site and discover a prehistoric town that was buried beneath volcanic ash in the 17th century BCE. The excavations that took place in the late 1960s eventually brought most of it to light. Explore the village’s tiny churches, before walking towards Balos Beach, which is rather difficult to access, but worth the effort. Part of a magnificent rocky landscape, Balos served as a commercial harbour in the 19th century.

On top of Mesa Vouno mountain, the civilisation of Ancient Thera (inhabited from the ninth century BCE until CE 726), comes alive through well-preserved ruins among which are a theatre, cemeteries, markets, pagan temples, Christian churches and baths. Bask in history, before following the two-mile (3.2km), downhill path to Perissa Beach, that’s bound to reward you with views over the cliff. Perissa’s black sand and pebbles are dramatic – ideal for after-hike relaxation or watersports in clear waters.

Get on a boat from Fira’s old port to reach Nea Kameni, the islet created by a volcanic eruption in 1573. Upon arrival, hike all the way up to the edge of the volcano (a 20- to 30-minute walk) and feel the sulphureous heat emanating from the crater. The hike is rough and the ground is warm so wear proper shoes instead of flip flops. Before returning to Fira, make sure to swim in the hot springs of Palea Kameni, the older volcanic isle next to Nea Kameni.