Things to do in Santorini

Contents
- Geography
- What to See and do in Santorini
- 1.Take A Hike
- 2.Taste The Wine
- 3.Enjoy Life at The Beach
- 4.Shop for Santorini Souvenirs
- 5.Explore The History
- Best Time to travel
- Fira, Santorini
- Nea Kameni, Santorini
- Imerovigli Town
- Oia, Santorini
- Kokkini Beach
- Kamari Beach
- Therasia
- Ammoudi Cove
- Firostefani
- Best Suites and Villas in Santorini
- 1.Astro Palace Hotels and Suites
- 2.Volcano View by Caldera Collection
- 3.Mythical Blue Luxury Suites
- 4.Aria Suites
- Dining and Wining
- 1.Koukoumavlos
- 2.Argo Restaurant
- 3.Naoussa Restaurant
- Conclusion
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The stature of Santorini as a tourism hotspot is well deserved. Around 1.5 million people visit Santorini every year.
Santorini is officially known as Thira. It is a part of volcanic island group-Cyclades in the Aegean sea. Santorini sits halfway between Crete and Athens. Santorini was formed in a volcanic eruption that occurred hundreds of years ago. The explosion left behind a landmass with towering cliffs on one side- this is the present-day Santorini.
The most populated regions are located along the west. The flagship whitewashed buildings of Santorini standing one above another along the rocky cliffs are found here. Fira is the capital of Santorini and is also the busiest town. The villages of Firostefani and Imerovigli are located to the north of the capital city. Firostefani is just a few miles away from Fira. Imerovigli is the highest point of the island. These villages provide great photo opportunities. These three places, along with the fascinating village of Oia, are the prominent tourist attractions.
The east coast of Santorini offers a very different experience. Here, the peaks slope to sea level. Beaches filled with black volcanic sand, luxurious resorts, and water sports are the prominent attractions here. The Red Beach, famous for its multi-coloured sand, is here.
An enjoyable thing to do in Santorini is to take a stride along the towering cliffs and old alleys of Santorini. Walk from the capital Fira to Firostefani and Imerovigli along the unpaved roads. You will be mesmerized by the mountain views, grazing cattle in the meadows and the old houses build along the cliffside. If you continue on hiking, you will end up in Oia. To those who seek adventure, grab a pair of hiking shoes, and enjoy the thrill.

Another interesting thing to do in Santorini is wine tasting. The indigenous dessert wine found in Santorini is world-famous. Handmade from the locally grown grapes in vineyards, 'Vinsanto' is believed to be the drink of Greek gods. A lot of vineyards in the area give free samples to taste. Enter a small stall overlooking the mountain, get some delicacy, and taste some wine. You will call the moment- happiness.
The beaches in Santorini are unique. Oia provides some of the best sunset views in the country. The beaches filled with black sand, with the overhanging cliffs in the background, give some unforgettable sunsets. Watching the sunset at the beach is another enjoyable thing to do in Santorini.
To remember your incredible trip to Santorini, do not forget to make time for shopping. The souvenir shops provide a lot of options to choose from. Local pottery, wines, beers, artworks, and clothes are the main gift items to buy.
Santorini has some of the oldest and grandest museums in Greece. If you are a lover of culture and history, Santorini will be a heaven for you. The Archaeological Museum, The Museum of Prehistoric Thira, Megaro Gyzi Museum, Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist, and a wide variety of art galleries will take you back ages to ancient Greece. You will feel like you are lost in an ancient city.
The best time to go to Santorini is in July.
If Santorini is the king, then Fira is the queen. Visiting Fira is an exciting thing to do in Santorini. Being the capital city of Santorini, it is the center of tourism. It is filled with beautiful white buildings, quirky bars, and magnificent views of the Caldera. The best views in Santorini are found on the caldera side of the city. The city is filled with activity. Buzzing cafes overlooking the sea, restaurants that serve tasty souvlakia, the influx of people from all around the world, the cruise ships in the sea filled with travelers – all make Fira an international tourist hub.
The most important activity to not miss in Fira is to take the ski-left up the mountain. The majestic mountains standing tall in the background of the clear blue sky looks mesmerizing. If you are looking for a more natural approach, you can ride a donkey to the mountain top. Exploring the giftshops along narrow pathways of Fira would be an excellent way to spend the afternoon. Enjoy a quiet relaxing nightlife in one of the many beautiful bars with some cocktail and jazz music for which Fira is famous for.
The most popular site to visit is The Archaeological Museum. It displays some ancient Minoan artifacts that highlight the age-old heritage of Greek culture. The museum also includes collections of objects belonging to the Roman era, the Hellenistic period, and the Geometric era. The Museum of Prehistoric Thira showcases an extensive selection of ancient jewelry and figurines. Megaro Gyzi Museum is a seventeenth-century mansion that hosts many world-class music and art events. The Skaros Rock is an ancient fortress to visit to witness some incredibly breathtaking views. If you want to spend time walking, the journey to the Old Port is six hundred stairway steps away. Take a hike to Old Port ad be amazed by the tranquil views.
Visiting Nea Kameni is a fascinating thing to do in Santorini. Nea Kameni is located at the heart of Santorini Caldera. It is one of the newest volcanic islands in Greece, just 425 years old. Nea Kameni offers some fabulous photo opportunities. The dark volcanic rocks, hot streams that emerge from the underground, and the beautiful volcanic crater that surrounds the island- all make it a great place to visit.
The island is reachable only by boat. The boat starts from the old port of Fira or Athinios. You can hike through the volcanic landscape. Also, don't miss the sunset from here.
If you want to do something uncommon in Nea Kameni, head towards the hot springs. The walk would be a tough one. After walking over 370 feet, you will have three hundred and sixty-degree views of the volcano. Board a boat and wait for 10 minutes. Jump off the boat. You can slowly feel the cold ocean water turning warm. You have reached a hot spring. Take a bath in these natural springs. Some of these hot springs are famous for their healing properties.

Imerovigli is a famous town near Fira. It is just next to Firostefani. The name of the village has its origins from pirate days: 'vigla' means to guard in Greek, and 'imera' means day. Imerovigli is a traditional settlement, and you can see the remains of ancient Greek heritage spread around here. Its houses are built amphitheatrically around the Caldera, and narrow, paved paths cross it.
Imerovigli is the highest point in the Caldera. So, it provides some of the best all-around views of Santorini. Taking in the views from this place is an exciting thing to do in Santorini. It is called the "balcony to the Aegean." The Skaros Fortress is close to Imerovigli. To reach Skaros Fortress and The Church of the Panagia Malteza, you need to take a hike through the caldera walkway.
In 1956, a volcanic eruption destroyed one of the most substantial parts of Imerovigli. Almost half of the population was wiped out. Others moved away. Since then, the town has been restored. Now, it is dotted with luxurious hotels and traditional cave houses.
Imerovigli provides breathtaking volcano views in a tranquil atmosphere. You can see a lot of hillside cave settlements. Imerovigli also offers some beautiful east coast views.

Oia is pronounced 'Ia.' Oia is the most famous village in Santorini. It is located just 11 km away from Fida. It provides some of the most beautiful sunset views in the world. The village is situated on top of a huge cliff. It offers a breathtaking view of the Palia Volcano and Nea Kameni.
Oia is a very traditional Greek village. It is filled with small houses and churches with blue domes. Oia is quiet and peaceful. The busiest area is the main street that runs along the middle. You can enjoy some great hikes through the picturesque paths.
The most important cultural attraction in Oia is the Maritime Museum. It houses collections of marine organisms and plants in the region. The small port of Ammoudi is also found in Oia. The boat from here will take you to Thirassia. The unique dishes found in Oia involve fresh fish cooked in the Greek style. A visit to the Maritime Museum should be on your list of things to do in Santorini.
Kokkini Beach holds one of the most recognizable beaches in the world. Kokkini Beach is also called the Red Beach of Santorini. The soaring red cliffs and the clear blue sea combine to give a feast for the eyes. It is a must-see location while visiting Santorini.
Kokkini Beach is a rare sight, unique in the whole world. Here, red is the dominant color. Enormous red rocks surround the beach. You can see small pebbles of various colors that line the blue sea waters. This beautiful palette of contrasting colors is mesmerizing. Visitng this beach is a fascinating thing to do in Santorini.
The beach is semi-organized. That means the beach is reserved for locals who supply sunbeds and umbrellas. Water sporting services are not provided here. Snorkeling is a fun activity on the beach. You can see various rock formations and come face to face with marine animals.

As Kokkini Beach is famous for its red beach, Kamari beach is renowned for its black beaches. It is one of the most visited beach resorts in Santorini. It is located 10 km southeast of Fira. The majestic Mesa Vouno Mountain stands tall near Kamari Beach. It is situated on the foot of this volcano.
The beach is famous for its black volcanic sand. It is one of the longest beaches in Santorini at a length of 5 km. The beach is lined with trees and plants. The beach has been awarded the Blue Flag for its excellent maintenance and cleanliness. The beach provides a lot of modern amenities like sunbeds, umbrellas, showers, and lifeguards. There is also a diving center in the area where you can learn snorkeling. The beach also supports water sports, like surfing and water skiing.
A few miles away from the beach, there is a market where you can come across numerous cafes, bars, and restaurants. Kamari Beach provides everything for every age group for a beautiful beach experience. The black beach of Kamari should definitely be on your itinerary of things to do in Santorini.

Therasia is a small traditional island lying to the west of Santorini. It lies opposite to Oia. Some boats connect Oia and Therasia. Therasia is famous for its serene natural beauty and its traditional wine.
Therasia has nothing to do with the loudness, the buzzing, and the cosmopolitan nature of Santorini. Nightlife in this area is not existent. It is not a tourist place filled with tourists. The island has an aura of another era.
Therasia holds 21 beautiful churches and chapels that you can visit. You can walk through cobbled streets admiring the beauty and peace. Therasia offers something that most people miss in Santorini and around the world: solitude. It is a beautiful vacation destination where you can experience the island life for yourself.
Ammoudi is located at the bottom of Oia. It is a small cove with crystal clear water. You can reach Ammoudi bay either by descending steps from Oia or riding a donkey. It offers a picturesque sunset view. There are many fish taverns in the cove where you can taste delicious seafood. There are no sunbeds and umbrellas here. However, you can take a swim in the water. Ammoudi cove is a perfect place for perfect, romantic hikes.

Firostefani village is an extension of Santorini. 'Firostefani' means 'crown' in Greek. Firostefani is the highest point of Fira and is located in the north part of the island.
The view from Firostefani is simply mindboggling. Watching this view is an amazing thing to do in Santorini It offers visitors a different perspective of the volcano. Take a walk through the narrow passages savoring the mountain views. There are several white blue churches worth a visit. The monastery of Agios Nikolaos is located in Firostefani. It holds a folklore museum with rare Byzantine icons.

Whatever be your budget, Santorini provides you with world-class hotels at affordable prices. The hotels range from good ordinary ones to luxurious ones. Some famous luxurious hotels to stay at Santorini are:
Astro Palace Hotels and Suites is a five-star hotel. It provides some fantastic views of the sea and sunset. Famous architects designed the rooms. The hotel also offers an outstanding service.
If you want the best views of Santorini, Volcano View by Caldera Collection is the hotel to stay. Spacious rooms, modern amenities, and friendly staff are some other services it provides.
Mythical Blue Luxury Suites is one of the best luxurious suites in the region. Each room is painted with a unique design. The hotel has a world-class swimming pool with some breathtaking views. Food served is also exceptional.
Aria Suites lies in the perfect location to enjoy the sunset. The rooms are large and spacious. They provide individual pools for each room.
If you are looking for affordable stays, some good mid-range hotels are the Alizea Villas and Suites and the San Giorgio.
Santorini is also famous for its Greek cuisines and wine. If you are a food lover, some of the best places to eat are:
Koukoumavlos is an award-winning restaurant. It offers some of the original flavors in Santorini. It would be an ideal place for dining.
If you want to eat food in a place that provides some gorgeous views, Argo Restaurant is the place for you. It is filled with amazing views of Caldera. Enjoy some traditional Greek or Mediterranean dining experience that you will never forget.
Naoussa Restaurant is one of the oldest restaurants in the region. The most traditional Greek food and drinks are served here. It is family owned and operated. If you want to experience some authentic Greek food, visit Naoussa Restaurant.
Santorini is a world treasure. It offers everything from natural, volcanic beauty and charm, to an incredible and exciting culture, all the way to mesmerizing architecture and narrow, winding alleyways and staircases. Not to mention, the breathtaking sunsets, which are one of the critical factors as to why many people folk to Santorini. When you visit Santorini, you will have an unforgettable time, and feel like there is always something new to experience or discover. Santorini is an ideal place for absolutely anyone. Irrespective of age or fitness, or whether you are a solo traveler or a family, you will have an abundance of things to do in Santorini and mysteries to explore.
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