Santorini is one of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever visited.
My husband and I visited Santorini in September 2021 and I wanted to share the things we did while we were on this stunning island! With endless blue skies and an aquamarine sea, Santorini needs to be added to your bucket list!
People flock to this beautiful island from all over the world, and it’s easy to see why! From the beautiful blue skies to the incredible aqua-blue water, everywhere you look is a dream. (An Instagram Dream!)LOL
We started our Greece trip in Athens. We stayed in Athens for two days, so we only did a few things before flying to Santorini. I will focus more on Santorini and share some things I feel you must do while visiting.
Ten Musts For Santorini Greece: The Ultimate List of Things To Do!
But first, where we stayed:
View Hotel by Secret was fabulous! We had gorgeous sunset views from our room every night, sitting by the semi-private pool with a glass of wine. Ahhhh The pool feels like an extension of the sea on the horizon. So stunning!
My Top 10 List of Things to Do In Santorini, Greece:
- Roam the streets of Oia
- Hike from Oia to Fira
- Explore the island by ATV or Side by Side
- Pyrgos
- Go on a wine tour
- Red Dress Experience
- Instagram Tour
- Cooking Class
- Private catamaran
- Kayaking
1. Roam the streets of Oia
Oia (ee-a) was the village that we stayed in for our entire trip. We explored all the different towns but visited this one several times for dinner and shopping. The town is known for its white-washed houses carved into the cliffs and the stunning blue domes. Santorini is a photographer’s dream come true. (and bloggers)
Hundreds of people gather every evening to watch the sun setting above the Aegean Sea and capture the most beautiful sunset in Greece. Make sure you pack your patience, though; it can get quite busy. Oia is undoubtedly the most picturesque village in Santorini, with the beautiful blue dome churches and aqua waters.
2. Hike from Oia to Fira
Hiking is one of the best things to do in Santorini! My husband had the chance to do this and said he had such a fantastic hike. The hike from Oia to Fira is the most popular one due to its amazing views. It offers the opportunity to walk alongside massive volcanic cliffs and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Aegean Sea and the Caldera.
3. Explore the island by ATV or Side by Side
We rented a side by side for a few days since we didn’t rent a car while on the island. It was fun buzzing around the small towns and exploring some smaller streets. There are several rental places to pick up this fun toy. Just be careful when riding and wear your seat belt!!
4. Pyrgos
The largest preserved village on Santorini and the island’s former capital. The views are breathtaking but if you choose to visit this beautiful village make sure you wear your comfortable shoes. It’s the only way to get around. I learned this the hard way. We had fun getting lost in the alleys and shopping in the small shops. Pyrgos is an excellent place for souvenirs and not as busy as some larger towns. But remember there are lots of stairs. And don’t forget to say hi to the donkeys and all the kitties lounging around.
5. Go on a Wine Tour
We didn’t go on a specific wine tour but visited a few wineries while on the side by side. I will add a wine tour to my list when we go back.
Santos Winery ~ A Scenic winery offering walking tours, tastings & nibbles, plus an ample terrace with caldera views. If nothing else, go for the view! I ordered a wine flight on the terrace and had some amazing Assyrtiko, the dominant white grape variety, which thrives in its homeland, the volcanic land of Santorini. We also ordered the cheese board, which was fantastic and way too much food for the two of us.
Domaine Sigalas ~ NESTLED BETWEEN VINES ON THE ANCIENT SCENIC PLAIN OF OIA. We tasted on the relaxing patio that provides sunny and shaded seating with a great view of the vineyard. We also ordered some yummy dishes for lunch.
6. Red Dress Experience
I know this is not everyone’s style, but it was so much fun and a once-in-a-lifetime experience. It was a short time frame of 2 hours, so you had the rest of the day to relax and explore. Our photographer took us to some places that we hadn’t yet explored, and it was early enough in the morning before the crowds came out. Even if it’s out of your comfort zone, I highly recommend this. Just do it!! You will get some amazing photos!
7. Instagram Tour
We set this up for the first day we arrived in Santorini. It was a great way to get a peek of the island. I’m not sure why they call it the Instagram Tour, but it was great to get a private tour and some insights from our guide and the island’s history.
8. Cooking Class
This was awesome! I am now going to do a cooking class in every new place we explore. Petra Kouzina was fabulous, owned by a young couple who wanted to share greek food and its culture. We participated in preparing traditional Greek dishes incorporating fresh local ingredients and learned tips to make the food delicious. At the end of class, we enjoyed a delightful greek meal that we prepared and recipes to take home. The cooking class was top on both mine and my husband’s list!
9. Private Catamaran
We did a morning Santorini half-day catamaran private cruise by Sail Away Santorini Yacht Cruises. It was incredible to get on the water and see the island from a different view. We saw all the hot spots; Red beach, White beach, Indian rock, The Venetian Lighthouse, and lots more. Lunch was prepared by one of the crew members and was fantastic! Way more than either of us could finish. We stopped at some great swimming spots along the way and took lots of photos.
10. Kayaking
Kayaking was also one of my top picks for Santorini. Trekking Hellas was an outstanding company that we booked this excursion through. We kayaked along the coast and saw remarkable Black, White, and Red beach views. Also explored caves carved into the mountains and stopped for swimming and a snack. We paddled for about 2.5 hours and stopped for lunch afterward.
I would love to go back to Greece some day and explore more of Santorini and maybe some other islands. I hope this blog helped plan your trip to Santorini. Feel free to share with someone that you might know planning a trip. I also had tons of help from my travel agent, Dena Goetz. She was fantastic in planning all of our excursions and transfers. She is in the Seattle area but can help anyone who is out of town as well. Message me here or on my Instagram page if you have any questions.
For more posts like this, check out my travel category!
Cheers! Stephanie
