The 17 Best Things to Do in Santorini, Greece

In Santorini, the local cuisine doesn’t stop at moussaka, Greek salads and tzatziki. Here, you also get fresh local produce from the catch of the day and juicy sweet tomatoes, to olives straight off the tree. There are plenty of seafront, family-run restaurants where you’ll feel more like a guest at a friend’s home than a paying customer. Order the island favourite saganaki – portions of fried cheese in filo pastry drizzled in honey – over and over. Recommended by Judy Cogan

Tomatoes are big business in Santorini. However, this museum goes far deeper than a love of this juicy red fruit. The museum features vintage equipment and machinery from 1890 used in the tomato-canning industry, but also shares the culture and traditions of Santorini’s citizens via recordings, imagery and manuscripts. It’s housed in a former factory close to Vlychada Beach, where there’s also a shop selling local artwork, clothes and handcrafted jewellery. Recommended by Judy Cogan

Following Santorini’s cobblestone pathways is the best way to discover its scenic settlements. Opt for walking instead of riding the lovely (but exhausted) donkeys. The hike along the rim of the caldera offers amazing views. Gaze at Oia’s white houses and domed churches, contrasting against the blue of the Aegean Sea, and take in the classic Cycladic beauty of Imerovigli, home to upscale bars, restaurants and boutique hotels. If you’re tired of walking, hop on a cable-car ride from Fira and swing above the volcano – low enough to almost feel the lava.

Even if you’re not one of the many hopeless romantics who flock to Santorini each year, the chances of remaining unmoved by the sight of the sun setting in Oia are slim. Sure, the cosmopolitan settlement may be the island’s most-visited town, but for good reason: its unrivalled sunset views. If you don’t mind crowds clapping as they watch the sun diving into the caldera, you might even find yourself in tears. You old softie. To skip the crowds, the sunset from Vlychada Beach, or the castle site in Pyrgos village, are just as enchanting.

Santorini brims with archaeological finds, especially in Akrotiri. The ancient settlement has been hit by earthquakes and a volcanic eruption in the 17th century, with the molten material ultimately preserving murals, artworks and relics in a village that’s very much worth exploring. Over on the east coast, on the Mesa Vouno mountain, you can also marvel at precious finds from the civilisation of ancient Thera. On this 365m (1,198ft) bluff, an entire Hellenic settlement is unveiled, complete with a theatre, cemeteries, markets, pagan temples, Christian churches and baths.

Just across the caldera cliff, the islets of Palea and Nea Kameni – once part of ancient orb-shaped Strongili – are living, breathing proof of the volcano that shaped Santorini and wiped out the Minoan civilisation thousands of years ago. Embark on a boat tour from Fira, and reach the heart of the volcano in Nea Kameni, where you will be so close to the crater that you can see the smoke and smell the sulphur. Other dormant craters exist all over Santorini and are constantly under surveillance by scientists.

Sculpted by ashes and lava, Santorini’s beaches are among the wildest and most exotic in the Cyclades. Black sand and pebbles, pumice cliffs and rough caves are only some of their geological features. Whether you choose to swim in the crystal-clear waters of Monolithos Beach or the sulphur-filled hot springs of Palea Kameni, you’ll feel the presence of the volcano at every turn.

Thanks to its unique topography and climate, Santorini boasts a long tradition in viticulture. The Assyrtiko wine is the island’s main draw, followed by Athiri and Aidani – all deriving from white-grape varietals. A blend of the three – known as the bronze-coloured, sweet Vinsanto – is produced only here. Try it at a traditional winery or a bigger establishment like Santo Wines and Venetsanos. Alternatively, book a wine tour and drink in the experience to the fullest.

Set in the village of Kamari, a few miles away from Fira, open-air movie theatre Cine Kamari has been in operation since 1987. A family-run business, the cinema is known for its homely and welcoming vibe. “As you enter the place you will find yourself in an enchanting secret garden, with a wonderful old fashioned quality that harks back to the golden age of cinema,” says Cine Kamari’s Ina Koutroubilis. “There are cinemas you go to just to see a film and there are those, like Cine Kamari Santorini, where you go to for a cinematic experience.” The smell of fresh popcorn lingers in the air, mingled with the sweet scent of night blooming flowers. Recommended by Aliki Seferou

Follow the hiking trail from Fira to Oia, the two most beautiful towns on the island, and on your way enjoy a panoramic view of the caldera from above and explore the small villages of Imerovigli and Firostefani. The mostly cobblestoned trail is around 10 kilometres (6 miles) long, and takes 3-5 hours to complete. Though the trail is relatively easy, it is advisable to set out early during the summer months, in order to avoid hiking in the heat of the day. Recommended by Aliki Seferou

Boasting one of the most captivating landscapes, Santorini has been used as a film set in many international productions. Culture Trip asked Grigoris Sarantis, a producer at Central Athens Film Productions, about his favourite filming location on the island. “I’ve had the luck to shoot in Santorini more than 10 times, leaving the island full of emotions each time. I’m still amazed by the view from the caldera, looking across Palia Kameni isle with the cruise ships underneath,” he says. His very favourite spot, however, is Ammoudi – the tranquil fishing harbour set right at the foot of Oia. “You can take a small boat and go out to the sea, looking at the whole island, which offers great photo opportunities.” Recommended by Aliki Seferou

Fira, Santorini’s capital, is home to the island’s most-photographed view. White and blue houses are perched on the highest point of the caldera, 400 metres (1,312 feet) above sea level, dotting the island’s reddish slopes. Offering the best sunset views, Fira has also become Santorini’s most vibrant nightlife spot, with dozens of restaurants, cafes and bars popping up over recent years. For a refreshing cocktail alongside a breathtaking view over the caldera, head to Tango or the PK cocktail bar. Recommended by Aliki Seferou

Oia Vineyart brings together flavourful local wine and eclectic art. Run by a group of young people from diverse backgrounds, this multi-purpose space in the heart of Oia features a café-restaurant, a gift shop packed exclusively with handmade items and an art space where a variety of exhibitions and performances take place. “Featuring over 180 wine brands from Santorini’s 3,500-year-old vineyard, our aim is to combine the island’s gastronomic wealth and rich wine tradition in a place where Santorini’s culture is presented to visitors through our eyes,” says Fragiskos Markozanes, one of Oia Vineyart’s co-founders. Recommended by Aliki Seferou

Santorini’s magical scenery is in large part born of the island’s volcanic activity, which has created beaches in a variety of remarkable colours. The three most stunning among these are the Red, Black and White Beaches. The Red and White Beaches lie next to each other at the southwest coast of the island, around 14 kilometres (8.7 miles) from Fira. However, the White Beach is only accessible via a boat, which departs from the Red Beach. The Black Beach (Perissa) at the southeast of the island, is nestled at the foot of Mesa mountain. Recommended by Aliki Seferou

If you don’t take a picture, did it really happen? Santorini has dozens of azure-capped churches, but the most photographed are a trio of domes in Oia that belong to the churches of Agios Spiridonas and Anastaseos. You’ll recognise them from every travel photo of Santorini. In an Instagram-obsessed world, finding them has become a holiday challenge. There are plenty of tips and directions on how to get “that shot” here. Recommended by Judy Cogan

Don’t leave this gorgeous island without admiring it from out at sea. Choose your time of day and vessel: a catamaran or a traditional Greek Caique boat perhaps, and enjoy a leisurely afternoon exploring new nooks. The volcano of Santorini, neighbouring island of Thirassia and the Nea Kameni hot springs are great options. Many cruises offer a barbecue or full Greek feast with local wines. Some will swing by a beach for swimming, snorkeling and sunbathing. Recommended by Judy Cogan

Megalochori, with its name translating as ‘Big Village’, traces its history back to the 17th century. Here five-star hotels with infinity pools give way to historic mansions and traditional tavernas. On the village square, you’ll see local residents drinking potent Greek coffee and playing backgammon in the morning, while you should visit in the evening to enjoy traditional meze alongside ouzo at the popular Raki restaurant. Recommended by Aliki Seferou