Honestly, Santorini is a beautiful island especially with all those cave-like hotels; crumbly cliffs, gorgeous sunsets from Oia and who can forget the cheeky donkeys.

1.) Watch the Sunset in Oia

Starting with one of the most iconic of settings, head over to Oia for a lazy afternoon stroll around this cliff-top town. If you’re looking to watch the sunset, you can either find a spot in the town itself or book a table in one of the restaurants that overlook the town.

2.) Grab a tipple at Santo’s Winery

Head over to Santo Winery where you can try a range of delicious Greek wines, olives and bites to nibble on. It’s a great way to spend a lazy afternoon.

3.) See the real Atlantis

Around 2,000 years ago, a catastrophic volcanic eruption consumed Santorini causing the middle of the island to disappear into the ocean below, with the island long assumed to be the home of the legend of Atlantis. The Volcanic eruption was one of the biggest eruptions in the world and happened around 1,600 BC.

Not only did it cause a vast majority of the island of Thera (the big island that once was Santorini) to sink beneath the ocean, it left a huge crater that formed the vast cliffs on Santorini – leading to many assumptions about this being the home of Atlantis.

Over the last five-decade, archaeologists have found a place like the Akrotiri Archaeological Site that shows us a glimpse into the past.

4.) Grab a plate of Fava me Koukia

Greece is known for its amazing food and Santorini is no exception. There are so many amazing local dishes you have to try. Just make sure to pack expandable trousers!

5.) Hike to the top of Santorini Volcano

Grab your walking shoes, hop on board a local boat and jump over to Nea Kameni island. The beating heart (or head) of the Volcano just off Santorini.

This baron and the volcanic landscape is still pretty active but ‘asleep’ right now as I was reassuringly told. 🤔

Don’t forget to pack your swimming gear too!

Some boats will make a small stop on the edge of the islands geothermal points that heat the sea below. It was a really fun experience and you can definitely notice a big difference in the temperature.

6.) Visit Akrotiri Lighthouse 

Perched on the opposite end of the island from Oia, Akrotiri Lighthouse is one gorgeous point to see.

If you’ve rented a small car or even a quad bike (yes, the island is small enough to explore by quad bike), you should definitely visit.

Explore the dramatic coastline, the gorgeous views and soak up that amazing Greek charm.

7.) Sail around Santorini 

No trip to the Greek Islands is complete without a little jaunt on a boat. It’s one of the best things to do in Santorini for a tour of the island.

Many of the routes will head around the dramatic parts of the bay, visit the Volcanic Island and even have a little time for diving into the deep blue sea! ⛵️

8.) Explore the capital, Fira

Fira is the capital city of Santorini. For a tiny little capital, Fira packs a hefty punch when it comes to gorgeous views, picturesque churches and cobbled streets that are just too good to miss!

Oh, also, don’t forget to visit the Archaeological Museum of Thera for a little glimpse into the island’s heritage and past.

9.) Hike From Fira To Oia

Pack some comfy shoes, some water and head off in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid the strong midday sunshine.

10.) Visit the quaint village of Pyrgos

Step away from the edge of the Caldera and you’ll spot so many amazing little places. Case in point with Pyrgos.

This quaint little village is home to less than a 1,000 people, expect plenty of charm, friendly locals and a photo opportunity around every corner – it really is very pretty.

Built on top of a hill, it really is one of the best things to do in Santorini if you love a good view.

11.) Explore Megalochori

Megalochori is a small town that’s perfect to explore for a few hours. Head across early in the morning and stop off at one of the town’s bakeries to pick up a Saganaki.

You won’t find too many visitors in this tiny town, so it’s a great place to visit if you want a break from the likes of Oia or Fira.

12.) Head to the highest point on Santorini

Profitis Ilias is a mountain and mountain-top monastery that’s well worth visiting when exploring Santorini. Head inside some of the beautiful monastic buildings enjoy the views across the island and gorge on some of the local produce they sell.

How many days in Santorini?

This is a commonly asked question, and most people are surprised to discover they need less time in Santorini than they think. In my opinion, 2 days in Santorini is enough to cover the main highlights of the island.

3 days in Santorini would provide the time needed to enjoy an additional day trip to nearby islands or other excursions.

How big is Santorini?

Santorini is a fairly small island, and with a total area of 29.42 miles (47.34 km), can be crossed from one end to the other in roughly forty minutes by car. Although the island is small, it is packed with beautiful towns and villages, the largest of which is Fira.

Where to stay in Santorini?

There are plenty of places to stay in Santorini to suit all budgets, BUT…..

Hotel rooms book up fast in Santorini. It really does pay to plan some months ahead of time. Additionally, if you are flexible on when to visit Santorini, I’d suggest not even considering August. It’s far too crowded and expensive.