Santorini Island Guide
The best things to do in Santorini split into five groups: the caldera and the volcano, the archaeological sites, the rim villages, the beaches and the food and wine scene. This page ranks the Santorini attractions in each group, names what we would actually book, and links every place to its own guide. If you only have a day, follow Santorini in 1 day instead of building your own list. It is part of our Santorini, Greece travel guide.
Quick answer The short answer on Santorini
The top things to do in Santorini are the caldera views from Oia, Fira and Imerovigli, a boat trip to the volcano and hot springs, the buried town of Akrotiri, the Fira to Oia walk and a black-sand beach on the east coast. One full day covers the highlights. Two or three days let you add a catamaran cruise and the wineries.
Key takeaways
- Do the water first: the volcano and hot springs cruise from $35.32 is the cheapest way onto the caldera.
- The one sight you cannot skip is Akrotiri Santorini, a whole Bronze Age town under a roof.
- On a budget? Most of the island is free. See free things to do in Santorini.
The 10 best things to do in Santorini at a glance
Every major attraction, what it costs and how long to give it. Prices are the official figures. Times are our estimates unless a site states its own average.
| Attraction | Cost | Time needed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caldera views in Oia, Fira, Imerovigli | Free | 2-4 h | Everyone, first visit |
| Volcano and hot springs cruise | $35.32 plus the $5.59 (€5) park fee | 4-10 h | First visit, families |
| Akrotiri | $22.40 (€20), reduced $11.19 (€10) | 1.5-2 h | History, rainy days |
| Fira to Oia hike | Free | 3-5 h (our estimate) | Walkers, photographers |
| Red Beach viewpoint | Free | 30 min | Quick stop, boats |
| Perissa beach or Kamari | Free, sunbeds extra | Half day | Swimming, families |
| Santo Wines tasting | Tasting prices listed on the winery's booking page | 1-2 h | Wine, sunset views |
| Museum of Prehistoric Thera | $11.19 (€10) | 1 h | Akrotiri context |
| Ancient Thera | $11.19 (€10) | 1.5 h average per the site | Ruins, views |
| Skaros Rock | Free | 1-2 h (our estimate) | Quiet views, hikers |
Museum and site hours shift by season and several close one weekday. Check each guide page before you go.
Santorini attractions by type
Numbered stops grouped by what kind of day you want. Links go to our full guides with hours, tickets and access notes.
The caldera
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Oia
Village 2-4 h
Marble lanes, blue domes and the most photographed sunset in Greece.
Tip: Claim a sunset spot 90 minutes ahead or watch from Ammoudi Bay instead.
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Imerovigli
Village 1-2 h
The quietest rim village and the start of the walk to Skaros Rock.
Tip: Sunset here rivals Oia with a fraction of the people.
History
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Akrotiri
Archaeological site from $22.40 (€20)1.5-2 h
A Bronze Age town buried by the eruption around 1600 BC, still under excavation.
Tip: Closed Tuesday in winter, last entry 20 minutes before closing.
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Ancient Thera
Archaeological site from $11.19 (€10)1.5 h
A Dorian city from the 9th century BC above Kamari, with views over both seas.
Tip: Closed Wednesday in summer, and the road up is a winding one.
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Museum of Prehistoric Thera
Museum from $11.19 (€10)1 h
The frescoes and finds from Akrotiri, in the town centre.
Tip: Closed Tuesday. Pair it with the dig the same day.
Water and beaches
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Nea Kameni volcano
Volcano from $5.59 (€5) park feeHalf day
Walk the crater of the island that last erupted in 1950.
Tip: Boats leave from Fira Old Port, the fee is paid on the island.
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Perissa
Black beach Half day
Long black sand, warm shallow water and tavernas behind the beach.
Tip: The bus from Fira is $3.02 (€2.70).
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Red Beach
Beach viewpoint 30 min
Red cliffs dropping to red sand, best seen from the viewpoint or a boat.
Tip: The land path is closed by the municipality for rockfall. Do not climb past the barrier.
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Vlychada
Beach from $3.13 (€2.80) busHalf day
Wind-carved grey cliffs and the island's strangest shoreline.
Tip: The catamarans also leave from the marina here.
Numbers match the list — tap a pin for the guide.
Boat trips: the fastest way to understand the caldera
The caldera is the reason the island looks the way it does, and you only really see it from the water. These are the cruises we would book, by budget and style.
from $35.32
Volcanic Islands Cruise with Hot Springs Visit
The most-booked volcano day: a big boat to the Nea Kameni crater and the hot springs, with longer options adding Thirassia. The €5 volcano fee is paid on top.
Check Availability
from $148.73
Premium Small-Group Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Open Bar, Transfer
Five hours from Vlychada marina past Red and White beaches and the Akrotiri lighthouse, snorkel stop, BBQ and open bar on board, hotel pick-up included. Small groups of up to 20.
Check Availability
from $91.52
Santorini Classic Catamaran Cruise with BBQ, Drinks and Transfers
The budget version of the Vlychada catamaran: the same five-hour south-coast route with BBQ and soft drinks; a no-transfer option is sold cheaper.
Check Availability
from $67.27
Catamaran Caldera Cruise with Meal and Drinks
The lower-priced caldera catamaran with a meal and drinks, five hours, pick-up available.
Check Availability
from $194.49
Santorini Wine Adventure with 12 Wine Tastings, Tapas and Sunset
Three wineries in a half day with 12 wines, local cheese and snacks and a sunset finish, in a Mercedes van with hotel pick-up; groups of up to 15.
Check Availability
from $120.81
Award-Winning Santorini Cooking Class with Greek Chef
A hands-on class with a Greek chef: Greek salad, tzatziki, tomato fritters and pastitsio, then lunch with wine; vegetarian and gluten-free on request.
Check Availability
from $143.01
Santorini Food Tour: Fira Half-Day Small-Group Tour with Tastings
A four-hour walking food tour through Fira and Firostefani on the caldera path, with tastings at local eateries, for up to 8 people.
Check Availability
from $97.25
Santorini Horse Riding to Black Sandy Beach
Ninety minutes on horseback to the black-sand beach below the white cliffs, with instruction and helmets; groups of up to 6.
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from $143.01
Santorini Kayak in Volcanic Cliffs Hidden Sea Caves and Picnic
Three hours paddling the south coast past the Red and White beaches with snorkelling and a picnic, guided by certified instructors.
Check Availability
from $148.73
Santorini ATV Experience | Off-Road, Secret Places & FREE Pickup
A guided ATV convoy on off-road tracks from Perissa through Emporio and the south, morning or sunset, fuel and insurance included.
Check Availability
from $171.61
Santorini Wrangler Jeep Afternoon Convoy Tour
Drive your own Wrangler in a guided convoy to the quieter corners of the island, then a light Greek dinner at sunset.
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from $102.97
Scuba Diving Experience in Santorini
A first-dive programme for non-divers: briefing, then a shallow dive with an instructor, in groups of up to 6.
Check Availability
from $183.05
Semi - Private Fishing Tour (transportation included)
Five hours on a traditional boat with a local captain: fishing lines and rods, snorkelling, then the catch cooked on board with unlimited drinks.
Check AvailabilityPrices, ratings and details are the platform's own. dollar figures are the listed prices — the platform bills in your account's currency.
Land days for cruise passengers and short stays
If your time is measured in hours, a guided day packs the sights in without rental-car stress. Both end with the sunset.
from $58.02
Top Sights Day Trip, Wine Tasting, & Oia Sunset
A nine-hour coach day: the top sights, a winery stop and the Oia sunset, with pick-up and a private option.
Check Availability
from $59.53
Traditional Sightseeing Bus Tour with Oia Sunset
The classic sightseeing bus day with the Oia sunset, ten hours with pick-up.
Check AvailabilityPrices, ratings and details are the platform's own. dollar figures are the listed prices — the platform bills in your account's currency.
Catamarans with food and drinks included
Mid-range catamarans with a meal on board. The main difference is group size and departure point.
from $84.08
Catamaran Tour with BBQ Dinner, Drinks, and Music
The most-reviewed catamaran on GetYourGuide: five hours with a BBQ dinner, drinks and music, pick-up available.
Check Availability
from $123.56
Half-Day Exclusive Catamaran Cruise in Santorini with Meal and Open Bar
A half-day catamaran around the caldera with the hot springs, Red Beach and a Thirassia swim, meal and open bar, capped at 18 guests with hotel pick-up.
Check Availability
from $123.32
Luxury Catamaran Day Trip with Meal and Open Bar
A five-to-six-hour luxury catamaran day with a meal and open bar, certified by the platform.
Check AvailabilityPrices, ratings and details are the platform's own. dollar figures are the listed prices — the platform bills in your account's currency.
The volcano and the hot springs
Nea Kameni sits in the middle of the caldera and is the only place on earth where you can walk straight into the geology that made this island. No boat goes there without a ticket, so this is the one attraction you must book.
What you actually do there
Boats leave from the Old Port below Fira, from Athinios and from Oia side harbours. The classic trip from Fira takes about three hours: 1.5 hours on the crater trail on Nea Kameni, then a swim stop in the warm, iron-rich bay of Palea Kameni where the boats anchor offshore. The volcano park charges a $5.59 (€5) entrance fee, paid on the island on top of most boat tickets, so treat it as an extra rather than a scam.
The Kameni islands were built by eruptions over two millennia, with major episodes in 1707-1712, 1866-1870, 1925-1928, 1939-1941 and a last small lava dome in 1950. Nea Kameni is about 2 km across. There is little shade and the trail is loose gravel, so take water and real shoes. The volcano guide has the full route.
Which boat to pick
For the lowest cost, the Volcanic Islands Cruise with Hot Springs Visit starts from $35.32, runs 4 to 10 hours depending on the option and has over 11,600 reviews. Longer options add a stop on Thirassia, the inhabited island on the far rim. If you want more comfort per euro, a catamaran combines the volcano area, the hot springs and the south coast beaches in five hours with food included.
The July and August meltemi wind cancels boat trips every season. Book early in your stay rather than on your last day, and read Santorini hot springs for what the swim is actually like. Our pick for a first visit is the plain volcano and hot springs trip, with a catamaran saved for a second day if you have one.
Akrotiri and the museums of Fira
Akrotiri is the single most important sight on the island, a whole prehistoric town preserved under volcanic ash. It pairs naturally with the two small museums in Fira that hold and explain the finds.
Akrotiri, the buried town
Around 1600 BC the Theran eruption, one of the largest volcanic events in human history, buried the town at Akrotiri. Excavation started in 1967 under Spyridon Marinatos and continues under Christos Doumas. You walk a raised route through a roofed site with multi-storey houses and sewers. The famous frescoes are mostly in Athens, though some pieces are in Fira. Notably, only one gold object and no unburied human remains have been found, which points to an evacuation before the eruption.
Admission is $22.40 (€20), reduced $11.19 (€10). Opening hours are long in summer, 08:00-20:00 April to August, stepping down through autumn, and the site closes Tuesdays in winter. Last entry is 20 minutes before closing. Ignore any blog mentioning a combined archaeological ticket, none is officially listed for 2026. Details and queue strategy are in Akrotiri Santorini and Akrotiri tickets.
The two Fira museums
The Museum of Prehistoric Thera holds the Akrotiri finds that stayed on the island, including wall painting fragments, at $11.19 (€10), open 08:30-15:30 and closed Tuesday. The Archaeological Museum of Thera covers the island's older history, also $11.19 (€10), open 08:30-15:30 with late opening on Saturday until 21:00.
Do the dig first, then the museum the same morning or the next. Entry to Ancient Thera, the Dorian city on Mesa Vouno above Kamari, is also $11.19 (€10) with an average visit of 1.5 hours, but it closes Wednesdays in summer and has very limited winter hours. All three appear on our Santorini tickets page.
The caldera villages: Oia, Fira, Imerovigli and beyond
Four villages on the rim hold most of the postcard views, and they are free to walk. The only decision is how many you see and in what order.
The big three
Oia at the northern tip is the village on every cover. Population 1,087 at the last census, one marble main street, the blue domes and the castle wall where everyone gathers for the sunset. Come early morning for empty lanes, or stay for the light and accept the crowd. Fira is the working capital, with the bus station, the cable car and the museums. Imerovigli between them is quieter, with the walk out to Skaros Rock, the rock that once carried a medieval castle-town and needs no ticket.
The caldera path connects all three. Our estimate is about 10 km and 3 to 5 hours from Fira to Oia, with Firostefani and its three bells church along the way. It is the best free thing on the island and the full route is described in the Fira to Oia hike guide.
Inland villages most visitors miss
Turn away from the rim and the island changes. Pyrgos is a hillside village of alleys and chapels with a view over the whole island, Megalochori has vineyards on its edge and bell arches over its lanes, and the traditional villages such as Emporio hold the medieval fortress quarters the tour buses skim past.
These suit a half day with a rental car or ATV, and getting around Santorini explains the bus fares if you would rather not drive: most routes from Fira are $2.46 (€2.20) and the Fira to Perissa run is $3.02 (€2.70). Our pick for one inland stop is Pyrgos in the late afternoon, when the day trippers have gone.
Beaches: which coast and which colour
Santorini's beaches are volcanic, so they are black, red and grey rather than golden. Choosing the wrong one for your day is the most common planning mistake.
East coast: swimming beaches
Perissa and Kamari face each other across Mesa Vouno on the east coast, with the longest stretches of black sand, warm water and rows of tavernas and sunbeds. They are the right choice for a proper swim day and for families, and both connect to Fira by bus for $3.02 (€2.70) and $2.46 (€2.20) respectively. The sand gets hot enough to burn by midday, so bring water shoes or walk on the wet line.
On the south coast, Vlychada sits under sculpted grey cliffs that look carved rather than eroded, and the marina there is where the catamarans depart. The full comparison of every shore is in Santorini beaches.
Red Beach and Ammoudi
Red Beach near Akrotiri is the island's most dramatic shore, iron-red cliffs over red sand. The land path has been closed by the municipality for rockfall danger, tightened after the earthquake and rockfall in early 2025, so see it from the viewpoint above or from a boat. Many cruises pass it and some catamarans stop for a swim off the shore.
Ammoudi Bay below Oia is a tiny red-cliff harbour with fish tavernas and a swimming ledge around the point. You reach it by steps or by road from Oia. Our pick for a swim-and-lunch afternoon is Ammoudi out of season and Perissa in high summer, when Ammoudi's small area fills fast.
Wine, food and cooking
Volcanic soil gives Santorini one of Greece's most distinctive wines, and the food scene goes beyond the caldera-view restaurants. This is the rainy-day and evening half of the island.
Assyrtiko and the wineries
The island's white grape is Assyrtiko, grown in low basket-shaped vines called kouloura that shelter the fruit from the wind. Sweet sun-dried Vinsanto is the other signature, and both carry the PDO Santorini name. The best-known cellar door is Santo Wines above the caldera near Pyrgos, open all year with online booking, its tasting prices listed on the winery's booking page.
For a structured afternoon, the Wine Adventure with 12 tastings and sunset style tours cover three wineries with transport, which removes the drinking-and-driving problem entirely. The full list of producers and what each charges is on Santorini wineries.
Eating and learning to cook
Santorini's own produce includes tiny intense tomatoes, fava made from yellow split peas and white aubergines. Read what to order in Santorini food and where in Santorini restaurants. To go deeper, a hands-on session such as the cooking class with a Greek chef teaches tomato fritters, tzatziki and a full Greek menu, then you eat what you cooked with wine.
On a calmer day, the Fira food walking tour format covers tastings at local eateries along the caldera path. Our pick for couples is the cooking class on a first evening, when you are still rested enough to enjoy four hours on your feet.
Adventure things to do in Santorini
Beyond boats and ruins, the island has real adventure options on water and on land, most of them on the quiet south and east sides.
On the water
Kayaking the south coast past the Red and White beaches with snorkelling and a picnic is our favourite active day, sold as the guided sea kayak trip with picnic, four hours with certified instructors. Divers can try scuba on a shallow first dive such as the introductory scuba experience, three hours in groups of up to six, covered fully in Santorini scuba diving. Anglers can join the semi-private fishing trip and eat the catch on board.
All of these depend on the wind. The July and August meltemi is the reason boat trips get cancelled, so schedule water activities early in your stay.
On land
Ride horseback to the black sand beach below the white cliffs, 90 minutes with instruction and helmets for small groups. Guided off-road runs such as the ATV convoy from Perissa and the Wrangler jeep convoy reach the island's rough interior. A note of caution on renting your own ATV: Greek law requires a licence valid for the engine size above 50 cc, and many renters accepting a car licence can leave the rider uninsured. An International Driving Permit is required for non-EU licences. More in Santorini atv rental.
Walkers should add Skaros Rock and the rim path before trying anything steeper. Our pick of the land options is the kayak trip, because it shows the cliffs that the road never reaches.
Planning your days: how much time you need
Santorini rewards a rough plan, because the rim villages and the beaches sit on opposite sides and the buses all run through Fira.
One, two or three days
One day is enough for the essentials: the rim villages in the morning, Akrotiri or the volcano after lunch, sunset from Oia or Imerovigli. Follow the ready-made route in Santorini in 1 day. Two days let you add a catamaran and a beach afternoon, which is the pattern in Santorini in 2 days. Three days is the sweet spot, with room for the wineries and Ancient Thera, laid out in the full Santorini itinerary.
Cruise passengers should read Santorini cruise port first, since tender timing dictates everything, and there is a shore day built around it.
When to come and what it costs
May, early June and October give you warm sea, open everything and lighter crowds. Full July and August bring the meltemi wind and the peak queues. The month-by-month detail is in best time to visit Santorini, the current season in Santorini weather, and October specifically in Santorini in october.
On money: the island spans every budget, from €2 rooms to cliff villas. Entry fees, bus fares and the nightly resilience fee on accommodation, which runs from $2.24 (€2) for simple rooms to $16.78 (€15) for five-star properties and villas, are all broken down in is Santorini expensive. Base yourself with help from where to stay in Santorini and pack the practical items from Santorini travel tips.
If you have extra time
Four places that fall just outside the classic list but reward a free morning.
Akrotiri Lighthouse
One of the oldest lighthouses in Greece stands on the island's south-western tip. The walk out is free and the sunset here comes without the Oia crowd.
20 min drive from Akrotiri site (our estimate) Read the guideThirassia
The inhabited island on the far rim of the caldera, with villages and views back across the water. Several volcano cruises add it as a stop.
A short boat ride across the caldera Read the guideRed Beach viewpoint
The red cliffs are visible from the path above even with the beach itself closed by land. Boats pass close along the shore.
10 min from Akrotiri site (our estimate) Read the guideFirostefani
The calm village between Fira and Imerovigli on the caldera path. Home of the famous three bells church that anchors half the postcards.
15 min walk from Fira (our estimate) Read the guideThings to do in Santorini: your questions answered
What are the top things to do in Santorini for a first visit?
Five things cover it: the caldera views in Oia, Fira and Imerovigli, a volcano and hot springs cruise, Akrotiri, the Fira to Oia hike and one black beach. That fits into two full days comfortably, or a very full single day with an early start.
What are some adventurous things to do in Santorini?
Sea kayaking the south coast past the Red and White beaches, an introductory scuba dive, a guided ATV convoy, horse riding on the black sand and walking the volcano crater itself. Each option is described with group sizes and wind caveats in the adventure section above. All water activities depend on the summer meltemi wind.
Are there free things to do in Santorini?
Yes, and they include the best of the island. The rim villages, the caldera path between Fira and Oia, Skaros Rock, the Ammoudi Bay walk and the beach viewpoints all cost nothing. The full list with routes is on free things to do in Santorini.
What can you do in Santorini when it rains?
Rain is rare and short, usually in winter. Head indoors to Akrotiri, which is fully roofed, plus the Museum of Prehistoric Thera and the Archaeological Museum of Thera in Fira. A long taverna lunch or a winery tasting fills an hour of drizzle.
Is Santorini very expensive?
It can be, but the headline attractions are cheap. Bus rides cost $2.46 (€2.20) on most routes, museums are $11.19 (€10) and the cheapest volcano cruise starts from $35.32. Accommodation is where the money goes, from the nightly resilience fee to the room rate itself. See the full breakdown in is Santorini expensive.
What is there to do in Santorini with kids?
The east coast beaches with their shallow warm water, the volcano boat trip, the cable car ride and a horse-riding session on the sand all work well with children. Walking the full caldera path in high heat does not. The detailed, age-by-age version is on Santorini with kids.
What is unique to Santorini that you cannot do anywhere else?
Walk into the crater of the volcano that shaped the caldera, swim in its iron-rich hot springs and stand inside the only Bronze Age town buried intact by that same eruption at Akrotiri. The geology, the history and the view are all one story here.
Should I book attractions in advance?
Book anything on the water in advance, since catamarans and volcano cruises sell out in summer and wind cancellations mean you want a spare day. Museums and Akrotiri do not need pre-booking. Winery tastings at Santo Wines are booked online. The booking rules per attraction are on Santorini tickets.
Things to do On Video
Three videos that show the place before you go.
Top Things to Do in Santorini, Greece
Top Things to Do in Santorini, Greece, from Sharing the Road.
Video: Sharing the RoadSantorini Beginner’s Guide [ALL THE BASICS in 5 min]
Santorini Beginner’s Guide [ALL THE BASICS in 5 min], from Greece Explained.
Video: Greece Explained10 Best Things To Do In SANTORINI Greece
10 Best Things To Do In SANTORINI Greece, from Experience Luxury Travel.
Video: Experience Luxury TravelVideos load from YouTube only when you press play.
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