20+ Things To Do In Santorini, Greece

Looking at the size of Santorini, you might be thinking that all you’ll be doing is relaxing on the beaches and eating great food. Well, I’m here to tell you that you can do so much more than that. The list below is an ever growing list of things to do in Santorini, Greece.

1. Go Cliff Jumping at Amoudi Bay

Cliff jumping at Amoudi Bay (courtesy of The Runway Journal)

Seriously, just do it. There is a reason why this is number one on the list. Getting to Amoudi is half the battle, you still have to follow a rocky path to a small alcove where there is an outcropping of rock. Once you get there, you scale up the lava rock to the 20-foot high platform that has mosaic floors made with shells and other surprises. Take a deep breath and jump towards the horizon.

Get around all of Santorini by ATV

2. Explore the Island

This is an ‘up to your own interpretation’ recommendation. For three of the days that I was on the island, I spent most of the time zipping around on a 125cc ATV to reach a lot of the places I mention on the list. If you can’t pony up the ~30 Euro per day for the rental, you can use the public transit system. I used it once to get to Fira to see a sunset.

3. Enjoy a Drink on the Beach

So, I’m not sure if it’s completely legal to drink on the beach, but the fact that I bought a bottle of wine from a guy on the boardwalk makes me think it’s OK. Just be cognizant of how much you’ve had and the amount of time you’ve been outside in the heat. You’ll get dehydrated much quicker.

A meal with a view!

4. Have an Amazing Dinner With a View

People told me prior to going to Santorini that 50% of your food bills go towards the view. That’s definitely the case with the restaurants that precariously lined the walls of the caldera. There are hotels with bars overlooking the sea as well if all you want is a cocktail or beer to enjoy the view.

5. Visit Santorini Brewing Company

I accidentally stumbled upon these guys when I first stopped at the local grocery store down the street from my hostel. There is this awesome honey beer made from Santorinian honey as well as another beer that is filtered thru lava rocks. By having the freedom of renting an ATV, you can get out to their brewery and take a quick tour.

6. Check Out the Local Vineyards

This goes hand in hand with the brewery. I had no idea that there were so many vineyards on the island. I felt like once I got off the main roads and ventured down some winding roads, there were only vineyards. Most of them serve some sort of lunch or allow you to have a tasting set up for the wine. When I went, my friend from the hostel and I were the only two people.

7. Hike to the Top of the Island

If you’re looking for a crazy hike up to the highest point on Santorini, look no further. This view is one to take your breath away. Situated past a church and some other sort of building, you can hike for about 20ish minutes to get to amazing vantage points. This is not for the faint of heart.

8. Explore the Shops & Alleyways of Thera

There are a ridiculous number of shops, eateries, and other attractions to see. Follow random alleyways until dead ends and then find your way out of the white-washed wall maze.

Caldera tours will take you all around this area and up to the hot springs.

9. Caldera Tour

This is something that I have no experience doing, but for a day trip, you can book a Caldera Tour that will bring you all around the sea for a varying amount of time. You can book for sunrise, midday, or sunset – with sunset being the most popular and most expensive out of them all.

Treat yourself to a visit to the hot springs or rent a villa for a night.

10. Relax in the Hot Springs

This goes hand in hand with the above. There is a thermal spring that you can hop off the boat and swim to an alcove where you can relax in the mineral-rich water and mud.

Black Sand Beach in Perissa, Greece

11. Visit the Various Beaches

Believe it or not, Santorini has White, Back, and Red sand beaches. For a small fee, a shuttle boat can take you to the various beaches and pick you back up with other vacationers at a predetermined time. It’s quite bizarre to bury your feet into the black sand.

12. Donkey Ride in Fira

Looking to take the strain off of your feet for awhile? Especially while hiking back up the winding footpaths of the caldera? There are donkeys that can be hired out to do the walking for you.

13. Akrotiri Archaeological Dig Site

This is for all the history buffs out there. You can learn more about the island’s history and see live dig sites here.

14. Meet Other People

This includes locals and travelers to the island. One night, I met a fellow from Athens who was on vacation for a couple weeks. We chatted over a couple beers and I felt like I grew closer to Greek culture, current events, and Santorini.

Amoudi Bay

15. Go Sailing

Similar to the Caldera Tour, you can book a sailboat or a private charter boat for a few hours to go where you like. Some sailboats will offer meals, wine, cheese boards, and more included in their price. Just check TripAdvisor for reviews for what company to book with.

A shot in Perissa, Greece with the moon conquering the sunset.

16. Self-Guided Photography Tour

Just you and your camera. Take a nice long walk throughout one of the many towns on the island and just snap away. When you’re behind the lens of a camera, you tend to have a different perspective than when you’re looking at sites with your naked eye.

17. Enjoy a Greek Coffee or Dessert in a Small Cafe

There are a lot of small cafes, bakeries, and even frozen yogurt places that dot the island. Look one up or ask for a recommendation, you can usually get a nice dessert for a couple euro.

18. Get a Tour by a Local

I’ve recently stumbled upon this site, but I cannot wait to use it on my next trip abroad. Being a HUGE fan of the free tours that are offered in various cities abroad, this seems like a great way to get a tour when there aren’t any free tours.

Akrotiri Lighthouse

19. Visit the Akrotiri Lighthouse

This was quite a ride on the ATV to make it all the way out to this lighthouse. Everyone else there seemed to have rented a car to explore Santorini.

The famous sunset of Oía

20. Watch a Famed Sunset in Oía

Saving the best for last. If I had to see one last sunset, this would be where I would hope to be. Time seems to go slowly as the sun slowly sinks below the watery horizon. Creating a glow off of the cliff and blue-domed houses as she disappears all but for a night.

If you happen to have any other suggestions for things to do while in Santorini, Greece. Please leave a comment below and I’ll add it to this list.