Santorini is one of the most serene places to escape the daily hustle-bustle of life. We often wish to go one a vacation that will be thrilling and serene both at the same time. Santorini is that dream you have been waiting to live. While international travel is paused due to the pandemic, in no time, we hope everything will resume soon. Plan your next destination soon. If you are planning to go to the dreamland, Here are the things to do in Santorini:

How to go to Santorini

Santorini is one of the most popular travel destinations in Greece. There are many direct flights to Santorini from Europe. The direct flights are available mostly during the peak season, that is from April to November. You can also take a direct flight to Athens, which is readily available. From Athens, you can take a ferry. It takes about five to eight hours to reach Santorini on a ferry. You can also go for the one-hour flight that takes you to Santorini from Athens.

Where to stay in Santorini

Santorini is a lovely place to have a perfect vacation. Be it luxurious or budget-friendly, Santorini will welcome you all. There are four towns in Santorini, Oia, Fira, Imerovigli and Firestefani. Each of the towns has its charm.

Oia

It is located on the northeastern tip of Santorini. Oia is a coastal town, a Greek Aegean island. If you want to enjoy the beach and the whitewashed buildings, Oia is the place to stay. Overlooking the caldera, Oia offers a serene view. IT is suitable for romantic getaways or honeymoons. However, the stay will be entirely on the higher side. All the hotels are expensive.

Fira

The capital city overlooks the best caldera view from Santorini. Fira is also the largest city of the Greek island. It is best for nightlife and is the busiest one. You can get a variety of hotels and restaurants here in Fira. There are many things to do in Santorini that are here in Fira. It has a fantastic view of the volcanoes from here. Moreover, all the shops, restaurants, nightclubs are here in this town.

Fira is best for budget travellers. They have many hotels on the other side of the cliff, which are available at a lower rate.

Imerovigli

Imerovigli has the best view of the caldera and the volcano. This one is also on the western side and is the most touristy one. However, though there are many other things to do in Santorini, you may as well hike from here to Fira. It is just a 30 minutes hike of 2 kilometres. The town is expensive with boutique hotels and luxurious staycation.

Ferostefani

This town is also just about to 10-minutes-walk from Fira. Fesrostefani is not far from Fira, yet is very pleasant. You can have all the fun in Fira and walk down the footpath to Ferostefani for a friendly and enjoyable stay. There are a few restaurants and a bakery, but it does not have nightclubs or bars. But the view of this town is also great.

If you are looking for towns closer to the beaches, you may check out Perissa, Perivolos and Kamari. These towns are the closest ones to the beach.

Best time to visit Santorini

The best time to visit Santorini is mid-April to early-November. It is mostly crowded during this time. But Santorini Greece has different things to offer throughout the year.

Beach Holiday

If you are visiting for a beach holiday with swimming, sunbathing, June to September is the ideal time to visit Santorini. If swimming is on the bucket list of things to do in Santorini, then definitely come during this season. The water temperature is warm and soothing.

Sightseeing

If sightseeing is among the things to do in Santorini list, then opt for the less hot months. From late March to May and from September to Early November will be the ideal time for wine tasting, sightseeing, exploring the island. During this time, it is neither too hot nor too cold.

Budget months

Santorini, Greece is beauty to be experienced. How can the money be constraints? Some of the months, when there are fewer tourists, the hotels’ rates go drastically down. However, other touristy costs remain more or less the same. The off-season that is from November to March, Santorini is much less crowded, you may give it a try and have a cheap Santorini vacation.

Safety Level

Concerning security, Santorini is one of the safest places in modern human civilization. They have a low rate of criminal activities. There are a lot of things to do here in Santorini, and it has a very safe vibe. Solo travellers will enjoy this island. Santorini is perfect for female travellers as well.

Beaches are safe for the kids. Travelling with kids around Santorini will be very comfortable. It is the right place for a family vacation.

Top 25 things to do in Santorini

With so many options of things to do in Santorini, here are a few things that you must do while enjoying the dreamiest vacation.

Boat Tour by the view

A beautiful sunset, caldera view and volcanoes, this tour is worth every penny. Walk by the volcanoes, get soaked in the sunset view, dive in the hot springs, all at once. Some of the tours will take you to Thirassia, the cluster of populated islands forming the caldera. The tour generally picks you up from the hotel. Wondering what to do in Santorini, here is how we sorted out one of the morning activities.

Jet Skiing to the volcanoes

The most insane way to feel the beauty of the calderas is by jet skiing to the volcanoes. There are many tours here. The shortest one is for about 90 minutes. You will get to see the red beach and the black beach. The Volcano tour will give you 140 minutes and takes you to a hot spring bath. The most extended time of 200 minutes, Extreme volcano tour will take you to Thirassi and Ammoudi Bay.

Photography tour at the most instagrammable town

Well, undoubtedly Santorini is the winner of the title of one of the most instagrammable places on planet Earth. If you are looking for laid back things to do in Santorini, go for photography tours. Learn about different technical aspects of photography while experimenting on the most picturesque Greek islands.

GO Kayaking in Santorini

Looking for some fun things to do in Santorini? Kayaking can be a fun option, indeed. There is one morning tour and another sunset tour. The sunset tour will, however, not take you to the caldera. There is an option of snorkelling in one of the tours.

Active Volcano View

Santorini visit is incomplete without a walk around the only active volcano of the island. Nea Kameni, situated at the middle of the caldera, is the island’s active volcano. Walking up the only active volcano of Santorini is one of the major attractions of Santorini. Walk down the volcano ridge. This is a magical experience, one of the best things to do in Santorini. Just 20 minutes of walk will take you to the crater. You will see the vents of sulfur along the way.

Swim along the Ammoudi Bay

Ammoudi Bay is a popular destination for the swimmers in Santorini. Walk down the Oia cliff, and you will reach the Ammoudi Bay. It is one of the most loved activities in Santorini. It is one of the best things to do in Santorini.

Visit the ancient Akrotiri

The ancient remains of Minoan Bronze-Age village are worth every second you spend there. It was abandoned long back and was later buried under the volcanic eruption and It was excavated much later. It has become one of the main attractions for the explorer who love historical places of importance and It is very well preserved. A tour guide is a must. We suggest you book the tour guide beforehand. You can also try a private tour around Akrotiri.

Hop on to the fishing tour

The fishing tours are quite impressive. Go fishing with the professional, and it is one of the most popular things to do in Santorini. A vast spread of breakfast/lunch, depending on the tour you are booking. There is an option of sunset fishing, in case you want that.

Walk down the alleys of Santorini

All the popular towns of Santorini are famous for the narrow alleys and paths. Take out some time form the vacation and walk down the track, at least once. They are pretty. Y ou will find exciting corners. The three towns Firostefani, Imerovigli and Fira, are connected by alleys, paths and stairwells. You may get lost while wandering. But that is fine. It is one of the best parts of the walk, indeed.

Hike to Skaros Rock

Skaros Rock is not so hidden but is not often explored by the travellers. Climb us the path to reach the top of Skaros Rock. There is a small church hidden on the other side. There is a splendid view from anywhere you stand.

Take a dip at the Kamari beach

One of the must things to do in Santorini is to go swimming in one of the beaches. Our pick will be the Kamari beach, of course. It is not a sand beach but it is a pebble beach. The path along the coast is pedestrians only. It is a fantastic feeling to walk down the trail at night.

Visit Atlantis Books

This point is for triggering the bookworms. Atlantis Books is named one of the top 10 bookshops. It is in Oia. If you eat, sleep, breathe books and are crazy about books, Atlantis visit should also add to the things to do in Santorini list. Most of the collection consists of English books. Some famous Greek versions are also available. If you buy books, make sure you ask the cashier to put the stamp of this iconic place.

Post COVID travel measures

Travel after the pandemic has become quite a big deal. Especially international trips have faced a big blow. There are quite a several things to do in Santorini, which can be restricted due to the global crisis. Gatherings are not allowed in some places, and swimming will remain banned. Greece is open for tourists now. There are no quarantine rules for the travellers coming for vacation; however, random testing takes place at the airport. If anyone is suspected of carrying the virus will have to undergo medical attention.

Greece is currently allowing visitors from the following countries to enter the country — European Union countries, Australia, Georgia, Japan, Algeria, Morocco, Canada, Montenegro, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, Rwanda, Uruguay, Serbia, Thailand, China and Tunisia. All other countries are restricted from entering Greece in the current situation.

The good news here is that Greece has still not been hit by the second wave of Coronavirus. With an ailing economy, Greece has been forced to open the tourism industry. However, given the global crisis and its dilemma, Greece is walking towards an everyday life.

End Note

Santorini is a piece of heaven on Earth. A beautiful island with an active volcano is one of the major attractions of Greece. It is one of the most picturesque islands in Europe. Serene white and mystic blues make it the dreamiest land in the whole world. Here is everything you need to know to start your planning. Let us know how your vacation goes—happy travelling fellow wanderlusts.