The tiny Greek island of Santorini is well-known for its picturesque antique white-and-blue structures, opulent high-end hotels, and panoramic ocean vistas.
Nowadays, the island of Santorini is nearly always associated with luxury, but it’s also feasible to travel there on a budget, and many of the nicest things to do there, like meandering around the old towns, taking pictures, unwinding on the beach, and watching the sunset, are totally free.
Santorini island is a must-see on a visit to the Greek islands, and getting there from Athens and other major European cities is now simpler than ever.
This Santorini island travel guide will outline the finest activities to do in Santorini island, Greece, as well as how to get there, where to stay, how to use different modes of transportation, and which tour packages to choose. For your vacation planning, I’ve also included a useful Santorini island map!
Best Activities In Greece Santorini Island
1. Oia Village
In Santorini, Oia village (pronounced “ee-yuh”) offers some of the most breathtaking accommodations and vistas thanks to its old churches, vibrant flowers, and breathtaking ocean views .This is the location included in the well-known postcard images of Santorini island, Greece. Oia offers a ton of attractions and is likely to have more photo opportunities than any other location of Santorini.
The most famous photo location, where you can practically see the entire town of Oia with its whitewashed windmills and densely packed dwellings, is at Oia Castle.
2. Fira Village
The Greek island of Santorini’s capital and busiest tourist destination is Fira.
Similar to Oia, it offers breathtaking caldera views as well as a wide selection of opulent lodging and picturesque dining options. The vista overlooking the recognizable Three Bells of Fira is one of the most popular photo locations in Fira.
But the area above the Church of St. John the Theologian was our favorite in the whole town. It’s an amazing ancient building with an even better backdrop.
3. Imerovigli Village
Imerovigli is a lovely and underappreciated village. Santorini island, in some ways, offers the best of both worlds! It may be just as lovely as Oia or Fira, but fewer visitors visit it.
If you prefer trekking, you may make the quick ascent to Skaros Rock, which offers stunning views of Imerovigli and the ruins of a Venetian castle constructed in 1207 by Marco Sanudo, who was in charge of all the Cyclades islands at the time. To see the Theoskepasti Church, proceed a little further.
Even if you are staying in Imerovigli, it is simple to visit Fira and go to the major bus terminal there because you can walk or trek there in less than 30 minutes from Imerovigli (or vice versa).
4. Pyrgos
The Greek island of Santorini’s old capital, Pyrgos, is still a charming place to explore. It’s an excellent place to stop by on your route up Prophet Elias Mountain because it’s situated very nearby!
The medieval castle is the major attraction of Pyrgos, but visitors should also check out the cafes and restaurants, stroll through the picturesque, winding lanes, and browse for Greek trinkets.
Although we didn’t find Pyrgos to be quite as picturesque as Megalochori, we still had a great day there, and it’s close to Fira by bus, car, or ATV.
5. The Akrotiri Museum
The ancient city of Akrotiri, which was buried in volcanic ash in the 17th century BC, is covered by the Akrotiri Museum.
You may view well-preserved buildings, pottery, and other items of art while also learning some fascinating details about the former settlement.
This is a fantastic Santorini island destination to visit if you enjoy history. Given its proximity to Red Beach, visiting both locations in one trip is simple.
How long can I stay in Greece’s Santorini?
One of those places, Santorini island, makes you wish you could stay there forever. It never gets old to laze around in a pool, enjoy the sunshine, be near the seaside, and eat Greek food.
In terms of sightseeing, it takes 3–4 days to visit Santorini, Greece’s top attractions, Oia, Fira, Imerovigli, and Pyrgos. A week or longer is ideal if you want to drive more leisurely and stop at additional locations like Pyrgos and Megalochori.
We stayed in Santorini island for about two weeks, which is probably longer than most visitors would require, but it provided us plenty of time to laze by the pool and explore the majority of the island at a leisurely pace.
The ideal season to visit Santorini, Greece
Depending on your objectives, there is no one optimum time to visit the island of Santorini.
From late April to early November, Santorini typically experiences its most pleasant weather. Compared to winter, these months are all primarily warm and sunny with lower rainfall. If you want great weather without the crowds, the shoulder seasons in spring and fall can be ideal.
Greece experiences its hottest weather in July and August, with highs of approximately 85 °F (29 °C) and lows of about 73 °F (23 °C). Although these two months can also be more congested with tourists, this can be ideal for swimming in a pool or relaxing at the beach.
Santorini island experiences a warm winter. Although it’s wetter and colder, it’s never too cold to go. Lows are about 50 °F (10 °C) and highs are about 60 °F (15 °C). a perfect day for a hot tub! You may frequently find great deals on hotels and other items throughout the winter because it is also quieter and less expensive.
