Tourist Attractions on Santorini

The Greek Island of Thira is more commonly known as Santorini and it is one of the most popular places in Greece with its volcanic nature, the caldera, the clear water and the atmosphere being quite unique. The island offers beaches that are black, white or red, sand or pebble, beautiful sunsets over the Aegean Sea and the white houses looking as if they are about to fall off the volcanic cliffs.

There are many things to do and experience on the island and we have listed some of the tours and activities available below.

Santorini: Volcanic Islands Cruise with Hot Springs Visit

Visit the volcanic islands of Santorini’s caldera region, swim in hot springs, explore the typical villages of Thirassia and Oia and admire views from an active volcano on this 6-10 hours day cruise.

The tour begins at the time of pick-up from a collective point in the area of your hotel or village sometime around 8.30-9.00 in the morning. You will be notified of the exact time and point via a call or email the day before the tour.

The tour sets sail from Athinios Port and after a sailing time of around 30 minutes you will stop at Nea Kameni where those who want to can go on a hike to peer into the crater of the active volcano or enjoy some free time exploring the island before continuing the tour to the next stop of Palea Kameni where it is possible to swim in the hot springs.

From here the sail to Thirassia is short and when you arrive there you will have plenty of time to explore the town on your own after which you will sail back home. Those who have chosen the extension of the tour that includes the experience of the panoramic views of the spectacular sunset at Oia will be transferred to the location on a bus.

At the end of their selected tour you will be transferred back to where you started the tour. Comfortable shoes, a hat and sunscreen are recommended to bring on this tour.

Traditional Santorini Sightseeing Bus Tour with Oia Sunset

Take a day to go on a full day sightseeing tour of Santorini by bus. You will be picked up and dropped off at a meeting point near your hotel before heading towards Akrotiri excavation site where you will get a guided tour in the Minoan Bronze Age settlement that was buried by volcanic ash in the 17th century BC, also called a prehistoric Pompeii.

This is followed by a visit to Emporio village, a quaint village with hilltop windmills, centuries old churches and fortified medieval castles. After this the tour continues to Perissa Beach where you get to swim at Santorini’s most popular black sand beach while enjoying some free time for lunch (own expense) before continuing the tour with a visit at a traditional Santorini Winery for some wine tasting.

Next on this tour is a visit to Profitis Ilias, the highest peak on Santorini where you get to admire the views before heading to the last stop of the tour, the Oia sunset, said to be the most photographed place in Greece, before going back to where the tour started, the meeting point, where you will be dropped off.

Fira: 4-Hour Walking Food Tour with Tastings

The day starts with meeting your local food guide in the square of Firostefani village, next to Fira, over a traditional Greek coffee followed by a walk towards the famous blue domed church of Santorini and a sampling of local mezes in a traditional tavern. There will be some breath-taking views on the walk and this includes the views on the footpath you will walk on your way to Fira, right on the edge of the caldera. A stop for a glass of cold beer will welcome the group to the capital of Santorini before your guide leads the group through the historical alleyways and hidden paths of Fira, with several stops for sampling local treats, including the ultimate Greek street food, Souvlaki.

Another stop of the tour is the daily market selling fresh fish and vegetables and you will enjoy a midday meal in a tavern with beautiful views of the caldera while the tour ends with the perfect sweetness of the Greek doughnuts, Loukoumades.

The local people, from tavern owners to farmers, honey producers and souvlaki grillers are all part of this tour, happily sharing their Santorini hospitality and knowledge with you. The tour is not only an introduction to Greek cuisine but it is also a lot of fun.

Santorini: Horseback Riding Experience in Volcanic Landscape

This horse riding experience begins at the stables in Megalochori and continues with a ride along the paths of the vineyards and their traditional layout, and along the south trails that lead to one of the secluded black sand beaches that are found on Santorini. The paths were created by the volcanic eruption that formed the island.

Along your ride you will see ravines and small gorges carved into the volcanic rock, part of the unique Santorini landscape and the ride along the beach with its impressive rock formations in the background, you will ride to the top of the hill to enjoy the panoramic view of the beach and the trails below.

Commemorative photos of you will be taken during your ride, capturing moments of your day in all the best places.

DreamCatcher Sunset Sailing Cruise in the Caldera

The cruise begins with the pick-up from your accommodation in Santorini, before setting sail from Vlihada Marina. The cruise will sail past the Ancient City of Akrotiri, the Indian Head Mountain and Venetian Lighthouse and into the picturesque Caldera.

You will visit private bays where you will have free time for snorkelling and swimming on beaches only accessible from the water. After a visit to the hot springs you will get to enjoy a delicious meal prepared for you on the spot, before sailing past the Volcanic Islands back to Vlihada Marina. During this cruise you get to enjoy the stunning views of the sun setting on the Aegean Sea.

The cruise ends with the drop-off at your Santorini accommodation.

Oia Sunset: Evening Shuttle Transfer and Free Time

Oia Village is located on the northwest part of Santorini and it offers views of one of the most spectacular sunsets and is a popular place to visit for this very reason. As the sun goes down behind the horizon the white village spilling down the cliffs are lit up with the colours of the sunset.

Many tours include this sunset as the ending of the tour, but this particular event is all about getting to and from Oia Village without anything else added to it.

The shuttle is available for the areas of Akrotiri, Kamari, Megalochori, Perissa, Perivolos, Pyrgos and Vlichada. The shuttle will arrive in Oia Village around 5.30 PM, leaving plenty of time to explore the village and find a nice spot to enjoy the sunset from.