Visiting Santorini might be on almost every single person’s Greece travel bucket list. Known for its sunsets, and picturesque views of blue-domed churches, tourists flock to this small island every summer to experience the magic for themselves.
But while most visitors focus on the famous towns of Fira and Oia, it’s easy to forget that there is so much more to discover on the island. Don’t get me wrong – make the visit to Oia, experience the postcard views, and be blown away by the sunset. It’s worth to see at least once in your life!
But if you don’t want to wrestle with crowds during your entire visit to Santorini, escape the towns and visit the rest of the island! Which is exactly what I’ll highlight for you below!
In this guide, we’ll explore the best experiences Santorini has to offer beyond its most popular cities and spots.
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Santorini Travel Guide: Overview
- Top things to do in Santorini
- Practical tips for visiting Santorini
Why is important to explore beyond just Oia?
This may or may not be surprise to you but, Santorini is surprisingly small. Towns like Fira and Oia—the ones you’ve likely seen in screensavers and Instagram feeds— are equally small and make up just a fraction of the island.
During the summer months (or most of the year for that matter), these spots are crowded with tourists, which can make your visit feel less magical. People will start lining up to watch the sunset hours in advance so they can get ahead of the crowd in order to enjoy the view.
But, if your trip to Santorini only consists of the crowded streets of Oia, how much of Santorini have you actually seen!? By venturing beyond these towns, you’ll discover a different side of Santorini—one filled with hidden gems, local culture, and unforgettable experiences.
If you’re ready to explore, here are the top things to do when visiting Santorini.
Top things to do in Santorini
Take a traditional Greek cooking class
Ok, to be transparent, this experience was in Oia. BUT, it was my FAVOURITE experience from our entire trip to Santorini, and I knew it deserved a spot on this list.
During my visit, I participated in a cooking class hosted by a local Greek grandmother (a retired chef by the way) in her home. It was with a small group and we booked the experience through Airbnb. She shared with us some of her favourite recipes including moussaka, horiatiki (Greek salad), tzatziki, stuffed eggplant, and fava.
The recipes were surprisingly simple to prepare and incredibly delicious – I’ve even recreated the moussaka recipe at home a few times since then! It was my favorite meal from the entire trip!
Beyond the cooking, our host shared personal stories and cooking tips, giving us a deeper connection to Greek culture. This was hands-down my favorite experience on the island and one I’d highly recommend when visiting Santorini.
If you’d like to know more about the experience, you can find it on Airbnb here!
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Hike from Oia to Fira
Fira, the capital city of Santorini, and Oia, the go-to tourist spot on the island, are actually linked by a hiking path. The 10.5-kilometer trail walks along the Caldera cliffside and offers some of the best views in Santorini, overlooking the Aegean Sea and the island’s rocky landscape.
It’s rated as a moderate hike, as it follows the natural contours of the island, making it relatively hilly from time to time. But following the trail, you will have the chance to experience smaller Greek villages such as Imeroviglion and Firostefani.
It goes without saying that if you’re visiting Santorini in the summer months, its more than likely it will be a very hot and sunny trip. Hiking during these conditions can be quite tiring, so make sure to bring water, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes!
Explore the charming town of Pyrgos
Pyrgos is an underrated hidden gem that many visitors overlook when visiting Santorini. Nestled in the hills, it’s the highest village on the island and offers stunning panoramic views. Pyrgos is an adorable, traditional village filled with quaint shops, cafes, and restaurants, making it the perfect spot to spend an afternoon or evening.
While in Pyrgos, you can visit historical sites like the Kasteli Castle ruins, a local monastery, and several beautiful churches. This village is known for its food options, so I would definitely plan to spend ample time exploring the town and finding some traditional food!
Don’t skip Pyrgos on your trip to Santorini—it’s worth the detour.
Admire the view from the Monastery of Prophet Elias
Close to Pyrgos, you’ll find the Monastery of Prophet Elias, the official highest point on Santorini. From here, you’ll get the best panoramic views of the island.
This monastery, one of the oldest on the island, was originally built as a school and now houses a museum. During our visit, the museum was closed so we didn’t get to go inside but I can attest the view is quite impressive!
Relax at the black AND red sand beaches
How much do you know about Santorini’s volcanic history? The volcanic history of Santorini is actually really important to the island’s development! One of the largest volcanic eruptions took place in Santorini around 3,600 years ago and as a result, the entire shape of the island evolved to what we know it as today!
Although, I knew about the active volcano in Santorini since it is one of the top things to do on the island. However, I didn’t piece together that as a result, there are some pretty beautiful, unique volcanic beaches on the island! When visiting Santorini, you must pay to these beaches, specifically the Red Beach and Perviolos Beach!
Red Beach is one of the most known and is nestled beneath dramatic red volcanic cliffs. The contrast between the red rocks and turquoise water is stunning – it’s a must-see, in my opinion! Perviolos Beach is known for its black sand and has a vibrant atmosphere and excellent nearby restaurants.
Interested in visiting the Santorini Volcano? Consider taking a tour of the volcanic islands and hot springs – an experience I wish we had time for when we visited! Here are some options:
Visit the Akrotiri Lighthouse
Located on the southern tip of the island, the Akrotiri Lighthouse (one of the first lighthouses in Greece) is another fantastic spot to watch the sunset. It’s directly on the opposite side of the island from Oia, but unlike Oia, this viewpoint is less crowded, offering a peaceful spot to enjoy Santorini’s famous sunsets.
Experience Santorini’s wineries
Santorini has been a wine-producing region for over 3,500 years. This long history is mainly thanks to one of the largest volcanic eruptions in history that left Santorini with rich, volcanic soil making it one of the most unique wine regions in the world. In fact, there are even some indigenous grapes found on the island!
There are several wineries that you can visit. I personally have heard great things about Santo Wines and Gavala’s Winery. Domaine Sigalas is also very accessible from Oia, making it another popular spot to visit!
For a more immersive experience, consider joining a small wine-tasting tour. Here are some popular options:
Practical Tips for Visiting Santorini
🚗 How to travel around the island: While Santorini does have a reliable bus system, it doesn’t reach all the attractions mentioned in this guide. Renting a car or joining a guided tour is the best way to explore beyond Fira and Oia. If you don’t have access to a car, tours are a great alternative to ensure you see all the island’s highlights. Remember, if you want to rent a car, have an international driver’s permit ready!
🏨 Stay in a cave hotel. For a unique experience, the traditional cave hotels are something you don’t want to miss! Santorini houses are carved into volcanic rock, offering a really rustic yet modern experience! We stayed with Anemi Villas, and it was BEAUTIFUL! We had our own little house and had a private sitting area where we could watch the sunset! Couldn’t have asked for a better place to stay in Santorini! You can check out the hotel here!
📆 How many days in Santorini is enough? Two full days were enough for me to explore the island’s main attractions. However, I recommend staying three days if you want a more relaxed experience that includes time for beach visits and other tours. Three full days allow you to see the main sites with enough time to enjoy them as well!
Final thoughts: is Santorini worth visiting?
I hope this list has given you plenty of ideas on how to spend your time in Santorini OUTSIDE of Oia!
If I’m being completely transparent, Santorini wasn’t my favorite island in Greece. It is a destination that I think was overhyped for me that, in the end, I kind of left disappointed. Not because the island wasn’t beautiful but because my expectations were so high that no experience could have matched them.
I still think a destination thats worth visiting at least once in your life. There is something so special about watching one of the most famous sunsets in the world. Or finally getting to see those iconic blue domes!
To make the most out of your experience, I would advise visiting during the shoulder season. The crowds of tourists do kind of sour the experience and spoil the beauty of the island.
And above all, remember that there’s more to Santorini than Oia. Venture beyond the tourist hotspots to discover the island’s hidden gems and make the most of your visit.
Want more tips on Greece travel tips? Check out my First-timers guide to visiting Athens and my How to spend 2 perfect days in Athens itinerary!
