Santorini: The Top Things to Do on the Island (From Someone Who Keeps Going Back)

Every travel guide will tell you to watch the sunset in Oia and tick off the blue-domed churches. And yes, you should and I definitely include it on all my itineraries, but Santorini has a lot more going on than the postcard shots, and if you know where to look, it rewards you with experiences that go far beyond the Instagram feed.

As a travel advisor who books clients into Santorini regularly and has explored the island myself, I’ve learned which experiences are truly unmissable and which ones are worth skipping. Whether you’re planning three days or a full week, here are the top things to do in Santorini that deserve a spot on your itinerary.

A note before we dive in: Santorini rewards those who plan. In peak summer (July and August especially), things move fast. Book experiences, restaurants, and boat cruises before you arrive; you’ll thank yourself later.

Watch the sunset from Oia (but do it properly)

I know, I know, but you can’t come to Santorini and skip this. The sunset over the caldera from Oia is genuinely one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen, golden light hitting the whitewashed walls, the volcano silhouetted against the sky, the whole island seeming to hold its breath. The photos don’t do it justice.

The trick is arriving early…like way earlier than you would expect. If you turn up 20 minutes before sunset, hoping to find a quiet spot near the castle ruins, you’ll be standing behind a wall of people (and I have unfortunately experienced this first hand back in 2016, so you can imagine what it is like now, 10 years later). Get there at least an hour ahead, find your position, settle in and take a page out of the slow travel book and live in the moment waiting for the sun to fade and night to begin. Bring a drink from one of the nearby bars and treat it like the event it is, once in a lifetime.

• Arrive at least 60 minutes before sunset to secure a good spot
• The area near the Byzantine Castle ruins offers the best unobstructed view, but it the busiest spot.
• Kastro Oia House: Instead of heading up to the Oia Castle watchtower with everyone else, follow the path down past the famous and along the old castle walls.
• Blue Domes: Many lovely public laneways around these two famous churches make for great vantage points as the sun sets into the ocean.
• For fewer crowds with the same caldera view, try Imerovigli or Thira instead
• Late May, early June, and September have equally stunning sunsets with smaller crowds

Hike the Fira to Oia Caldera Trail

If you do only one physical activity in Santorini, make it this hike. The trail follows the rim of the caldera from Thira through Firostefani and Imerovigli all the way to Oia, and the views are simply extraordinary the entire way. Sea, volcano, cliff-stacked villages, and whitewashed terraces as far as you can see.

The full trail is around 10 kilometres and takes anywhere from two to five hours, depending on how many times you stop to take photos (spoiler: a lot). The path is rocky in parts and can be uneven, so wear proper shoes. Start from Thira in the morning to beat both the heat and the other hikers. You can also stop at the village of Imervolgi as well to do a shorter hike!

• Start early, ideally before 8 am in summer, to avoid the heat or later in the evening for sunset
• Wear sturdy shoes; the path is rocky and uneven in sections
• Bring water and sunscreen; there’s minimal shade along the route
• End the hike in Oia and reward yourself with lunch at Ammoudi Bay, or grab a spot for sunset and one of the places above!
• Grab a taxi or the bus back to Thira

Take A Caldera Catamaran Cruise

Seeing Santorini from the sea is a completely different experience, and one of the best things you can do on the island. A catamaran cruise takes you around the caldera, stops at the volcanic hot springs for a swim, visits the dramatic Red and White Beaches, and, if you go for the sunset version, ends with those famous colours reflecting off the water as the sun drops below the horizon.

Most cruises include a full meal and drinks on deck, so it’s a proper experience, not just a boat ride. This is one I recommend to every client, couples, families, and solo travellers alike. The setting is incredible, and the format means you can relax and take it all in without having to navigate anything yourself.

• Book in advance, the good cruises sell out weeks ahead in peak season
• Sunset cruises are especially popular; morning cruises offer calmer seas
• Bring a light layer for the evening, as it cools down on the water after sunset
• Most cruises include snorkelling stops. Bring your own mask if you have one

Here are some of my favorite cruises that I have gone on myself or booked for clients:

Explore the ancient ruins of Akrotiri

Santorini’s history goes back thousands of years, and Akrotiri is where it becomes real. It is known as the “Pompeii of Greece”; this ancient Bronze Age city was buried by a volcanic eruption around 1627 BC and preserved remarkably well under the ash, often compared to Pompeii, but older. Walking through the excavated streets, you’ll see multi-storey buildings, intact frescoes, and artefacts that tell the story of a sophisticated civilisation that was thriving here long before the caldera looked the way it does today.

It’s a covered site, which makes it one of the few things in Santorini that works well in the midday heat. Pair it with a visit to the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira to see the best of the excavated finds, including the famous gold ibex figurine and the stunning Minoan frescoes.

• Go mid-morning, the site is covered, so the heat isn’t a problem
• Budget 1–1.5 hours for the site itself
• Combine with a visit to Red Beach, which is a short drive away
• The Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira displays the best finds from the excavation and is worth a separate visit

Do a wine tasting: Santorini’s wines are unlike anything else

Santorini’s volcanic soil produces some of the most distinctive wines in Greece, and arguably in the world. The local Assyrtiko grape thrives here and makes a crisp, mineral-driven white wine that pairs brilliantly with seafood. The island is also home to Vinsanto, a sweet dessert wine made from sun-dried grapes that has been produced here for centuries.

A wine tasting is genuinely one of the best things you can do in Santorini, whether you’re a serious wine person or just someone who enjoys a good glass. Several wineries offer tours that walk you through the vineyards and the unique kouloura vine-training technique (where the vines are twisted into basket shapes to protect the grapes from the wind) before sitting you down for a proper tasting.

• Santo Wines and Domaine Sigalas are two of the most highly regarded wineries on the island
• The Santorini Wine Museum in Vothonas is a great option if you want history alongside the tasting
• Book tasting sessions in advance during the summer months
• Order a glass of Assyrtiko with every seafood meal, it’s the pairing the island was made for

Here are some options for a wine tasting that I have booked for clients!

Wander the villages beyond Oia and Thira

Oia and Thira get all the attention, but some of the most charming moments in Santorini happen in the villages that most tourists drive straight past. Pyrgos is a hilltop medieval village with fortified walls, winding alleys, and a panoramic view of the entire island from the top. It’s where the Selene restaurant is based, and it has a quieter, more authentic feel than the caldera-facing spots.

Megalochori and Emporio are worth exploring too, with traditional Cycladic architecture, local cafes, and the kind of slow-paced atmosphere that reminds you what Greek island life actually looks like when it’s not catering to tourism. These are the places where you wander without a plan and end up staying far longer than you expected.

• Pyrgos at sunset offers some of the best 360-degree views on the island
• Rent a car or ATV to explore the villages comfortably at your own pace
• Combine a village wander with a winery visit; several are tucked into the inland villages

There are many ways to see and learn about different villages other than driving. Check out the excursion below I booked for my clients to see more of Santorini than Oia

Spend a beach day at Perivolos

Santorini isn’t known as a beach island in the traditional sense, but Perivolos is the exception that changes that conversation. Located on the southern coast about 17 kilometres from Thira, it’s one of the longest stretches of sand on the island, and what makes it unlike anywhere else is the color: the beach is a deep, dramatic black, the result of Santorini’s volcanic history. It’s striking in a way that’s genuinely hard to describe until you’re standing on it. Fair warning, though, that black sand absorbs heat, so don’t even think about walking barefoot in the midday sun.

• Book sunbeds at Beach Bars in advance during July and August, front-row spots go fast. Confirm sunbed pricing and what’s included when you book; towels, water, and food minimums can vary
• Always wear shoes or flip-flops on the sand; the black volcanic sand gets extremely hot in direct sunlight
• The beach works well in the afternoon when the wind picks up, it keeps things cool, and the waves get more interesting

Santorini is one of those places that can feel overwhelming to plan, because the hype sets expectations so high. But in my experience, when you get the mix right, a balance of the iconic views, the local experiences, and a good table or two, it delivers every single time.

These are the things I always recommend, regardless of how many times someone has been before. Whether it’s your first trip or your fourth, there’s always something here that earns its place on the list.

And if you’re still figuring out where to eat while you’re doing all of the above, I have a restaurant guide for that too.

*Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend experiences I genuinely stand behind.