The 5 best unique experiences you can't miss when visiting Santorini
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Things you can only do on this beautiful Greek island!
When you’re visiting a new place, especially somewhere as beautiful as Santorini, it can feel next to impossible to figure out what you want to do with your short amount of time that you have to explore.
If you’re visiting Santorini, we’re sure you already have a list of things to see in your head. But there are lots of unique experiences in Santorini that you can only have there, and can’t miss during your trip to the island.
At Sightseekr, although we love the sightseeing, museums, history and culture when travelling, we think the things that really makes a trip memorable are the unique experiences and adventures that you can do during your visit. Especially if it's something unique to that destination!
So, we’ve pulled our top 5 unique experiences in Santorini together for you in this post, so you know all the main things you need to plan into your Santorini itinerary.
If you’re looking for a more comprehensive guide for your trip to Santorini, why not download our full Santorini Travel Toolkit here.
1 - Enjoy a wine tasting experience or tour at one of the many vineyards or wineries in Santorini:
Lots and lots of bars and restaurants in Santorini offer wine tasting experiences, but is it really the full experience if you don’t taste it from the barrel, and see the actual vineyard where the grapes grow? It sounds unlikely, but actually some of the wine tasting experiences at the vineyards themselves are more affordable than those in bars and restaurants. Spend a day enjoying the tranquility, scenery, great wine and maybe even some food.
Our top recommendation for this is Artemis Karamolegos Winery - but we would recommend either having a designated driver, or taking a bus or taxi to this destination, as it’s not in a town or village centre.
You could also look at taking a guided tour of the island that includes a stop at a winery, then the driving and transport is all sorted. Or, even this wine tour which takes you to different 3 wineries across the island!
2 - Take a boat trip:
Get a completely different view of Santorini by seeing it from the water. You can even take trips where you can go to the middle of the caldera, and climb up the volcano, visit the hot springs or even enjoy a luxury catamaran cruise with drinks and dinner included.
Be aware that to get to the volcano, there is a short swim involved. If you’re not a confident swimmer, or if you’re visiting outside of the summer months (when the water will be very cold), we wouldn’t recommend taking this option. Just do a relaxing boat trip instead, without going all the way to the volcano.
3 - Fira to Oia hike:
A workout - but worth it. The hike from Fira to Oia takes about 4 hours, but you get some spectacular views along the way, passing Immerigovili village, Skaros rock, and countless blue-domed churches. You’ll see so many sights along the way!
There are lots of public transport and taxi options, so you can easily hike one way, then get back by bus or taxi, or the other way around.
4 - Oia sunset:
Yes, it’s touristy, but it’s touristy for a reason. The view is absolutely exceptional!! You can look for a restaurant in Oia with sunset views, and pay for dinner, or you can just get stood in a good spot nice and early to make sure you get to see the view.
We found a fantastic cafe without all the crazy prices like most of the restaurants in Oia, called Vitrin. There’s a few more hidden gem bar and restaurant ideas in this post, but the full list of our recommended bars and restaurants is available to download in our Santorini Travel Toolkit.
Our full guide to Santorini comes with a full list of sightseeing spots, hidden gems, bars and restaurants, food and drinks you should try whilst on the island, plus pages of cultural and language information. Plus, you’ll even get access to our Ultimate Map of Santorini, which has all of our personally tried & tested recommendations from across the island, pinned to it, so you can find which is nearest to you when on the go!
5 - Experience Akrotiri Village - “the Pompeii of Greece”:
The archeological site of Akrotiri is such an interesting and unique experience to have when you’re in Santorini. It’s an entire medieval town that was preserved by a volcanic eruption. It really is an incredible sight to see for an hour or so.
Nearby, you can also walk to the beautiful red beach or grab some coffee or brunch in the modern village of Akrotiri, just up the hill.
Santorini is packed full of new, exciting and unique experiences. Whether it’s your first time on the island, or you’re a regular visitor looking for new recommendations, our Santorini Travel Toolkit is packed with our full list of ideas ready for you to jump into exploring.
Here's some additional information that you might find useful for your trip to Santorini:
How do I get to Santorini?
Santorini is easy to access by air, as it has its own international airport. There are regular direct flights from several airports in the UK, and flights to and from Athens several times per day.
There is a public airport bus that takes you to Fira, or you can pre-book a taxi or airport transfer. You can also access Santorini by ferry from mainland Greece or other Greek islands.
Where should I stay in Santorini?
We stayed in some beautiful apartments called Nostos Apartments Fira which we couldn't recommend more. They were central to Fira and ours even had a rooftop terrace (and Jacuzzi) with a sea view! They had everything you need for a stay on the island, especially if you'd like to have a few takeaway or homemade meals in your accommodation to save on spending money.
We also love the Calm Collection Hotel & Suites - also in Fira. If you're looking for a relaxing, luxury break where you will meet the friendliest staff, eat incredible food and chill with cocktails or coffees by the pool - this is an amazing place to stay.
If you don't fancy this one, don't worry, there are plenty of other options for accommodation in Santorini. Have a look for something that will suit your group size and budget below:
How do I find my own unique experiences in Santorini?
Our main tip for finding the best hidden gems is this: Don’t be afraid to venture away from main streets or squares. Our favourite experiences have been through stumbling across a local winery, a recommendation from a local, and experiences we've found on GetYourGuide.
Do I need a visa to visit Santorini?
Citizens of most countries do not need a visa to visit Greece for a stay of up to 90 days. Read our Schengen Agreement post to find out more details about this rule.
The rules of entering Europe have changed. Take a read of our handy European travel rules post for more information.
What's the currency in Santorini?
The currency of Greece is Euros. You can change money when you arrive or withdraw from ATMs, but be aware of high conversion fees! Some ATMs may charge you to withdraw money, even if your bank doesn't. It's always best to pay in local currency.
We found that almost everywhere takes both cash and card in Santorini.
What languages are spoken in Santorini?
The official language of Santorini is Greek, but English is widely spoken as it is a major tourist destination. It's always polite to learn a few phrases, though!
What's the weather like in Santorini?
Santorini is an island, and therefore can be windy throughout the year. It may be warm in the daytime in spring and autumn, but the temperature drops on an evening so be sure to bring a jacket.
Here's the average high / low temperatures for each season in Santorini:
Spring: 20°C / 14°C
Summer: 29°C / 22°C
Autumn: 23°C / 17°C
Winter: 14°C / 10°C
Always make sure to check the forecast before your trip so you pack the correct clothing.
What's the time zone in Santorini?
Santorini is in the Eastern European Time Zone, usually 2 hours ahead of the UK.
What are the best things to do in Santorini?
We always try and give you a few great recommendations of things to do on our Sightseekr Inspiration posts but there are even more tips, a full list of sightseeing spots and bars and restaurants, plus cutlural information in our Santorini Travel Toolkit. Alternatively, if you're looking for a more detailed, personalised itinerary, check out our MakeTheMost travel planning service.
Or, if you're just looking for an activity to fill another day, have a look for the best activities, excursions and other things to do in Santorini on GetYourGuide.
