Santorini is the very symbol of what you’d envision Greece to look like. The island is made up of soaring cliffs that are dotted with colour. There are whitewashed houses and buildings that fill the cascaded cliff sides. The island itself is the result of many volcanic eruptions that happened thousands of years ago. The result of the eruptions caused the town centre to sink, creating a crater with the sharp, rising cliff sides to the east. As part of the Cyclades island chain, Santorini is about half way between Athens and Crete.
While there are many exceptional sites around the world to add to your travel bucket list, we feel that Santorini should be a definite on that list. Whether you are looking for beautiful sights or want to learn about the historic people that once inhabited the area, there are so many things to do in Santorini that can create a memorable vacation.
Below we have outlined just a short list of things to do in Santorini.
Akrotiri
An entire Minoan city was buried deep beneath volcanic ash in a 1613 BC volcanic eruption. Today, the ancient city has been unearthed and opened to tourists thanks to the excavation efforts that began in 1967. A remarkable number of artefacts of the ancient city remain including pottery shards, streets, drainage systems, and even a three-story building that was marvellously preserved. Guided tours of the city are available for tourists.
Ammoudi
Only about 300 short steps below Oia is the tiny port of Ammoudi. Once you are at the water’s edge, take in the beautiful coastal landscape dotted with fishing boats. There are several bars and taverns to have a relaxing lunch with unforgettable scenery. There are also tours that leave from Ammoudi and travel to Thirosia every day in the summer. To schedule a boat tour, visit the local travel agencies to inquire about fares and departure times.
Thira
With a combination of Roman, Byzantine, and Hellenistic ruins, Thira is a must-see city. Visitors must drive for 3km along a narrow road that leads from Ramari. From there, a small bus that leaves once an hour will take tourists to the ancient city. Visitors will have the chance to see the remains of a theatre, gymnasium, temple, market, and even a house with beautifully preserved mosaics. From the ancient site, visitors can also take in amazing views of the sea. Or, if you are visiting from Perissa, a hike that will take you about an hour to complete will take you to the ancient site.
Santo Wines
The island has a collaborative grape growing effort that results in some fantastic wine. The winery is located on the edge of the crater of Santorini and provides great views of the port. The winery provides short tours that walk guests through the process of making wine with plenty of opportunity to taste test along the way. With great views, a wine bar with meal options, and a shop to browse vintage wine for sale, Santo Wines is a perfect way for tourists to spend the afternoon.
Museum of Thira
Within the museum tourists can find artefacts that were excavated from Akrotiri. The most impressive item in the collection is a figure of an ibex, made of gold, from the 17th century BC. Visitors also have the chance to see olive leaves that were fossilized from about 60,000 BC that were collected in the region.
This list is a good starting place, but there is so much more to see and do while visiting Santorini. Want to know what else? Go take a visit!