The Most Unmissable Activities In Santorini

A trip to the beautiful Island of Santorini has always been on my bucket list and this year I was fortunate enough to go and I can tell you that it did not disappoint. My partner and I spent a week on the island exploring its stunning landscapes, packing in activities, and enjoying some much-needed chill time! Here are some of the most unmissable activities that made my stay in Santorini unforgettable.

6 Best Santorini Activities

Catamaran Cruise

One of the highlights of our trip was a catamaran cruise around the Santorini caldera. We opted for a luxury Catamaran Cruise as the maximum number of guests was 20 and we didn’t want to be too crowded. We were collected from our hotel at 9.30 am by coach and taken to the port where we boarded the boat. There ended up being only 12 people on the catamaran so we had plenty of space to lounge and sunbathe on the front of the boat! The boat took us to the red beach which stood out for its dramatic red cliffs and pebbles, creating a striking contrast against the clear blue sea, and also the white beach where we were given an opportunity to snorkel. We travelled in May so the water was still pretty chilly but we were also taken to the famous volcanic hot springs which are 4 degrees Celsius hotter than sea temperature so swimming here was a bit more enjoyable. Bear in mind that the sulfur in the water of the hot springs does stain clothing so you will want to wear dark-coloured swimwear. I wish I had known this in advance! RIP lovely white swimsuit 🥲

Later we continued past the two uninhabited volcano islands of Palia Kameni and Nea Kameni and took in other sights such as Aspronisi Island and the Akrotiri lighthouse. The cruise then sailed in the caldera below the town of Fira and past the old port which was stunning to look at!

We choose the morning cruise simply because we thought it would be warmer than the evening (especially for swimming!). However, if you choose the later afternoon option, the boat stops below the village of Oia allowing you to be wowed by the striking sunset lights adorning the skies with vibrant, pastel colors. If we return, we will definitely do this!

The boat served a barbeque lunch in the middle of the day and served unlimited beer, wine, and soft drinks all day. The cruise came to an end at 2:30 and we were driven back to our hotel. This really is one trip I’d recommend if you want a tranquil and luxurious day out in Santorini with some beautiful views!

Visit Fira

Fira is the bustling capital of Santorini, it’s a vibrant blend of traditional Cycladic architecture, breathtaking views, and plentiful bars and restaurants. The town is full of charming whitewashed buildings, blue-domed churches, and bustling shops. It’s perched on the edge of the caldera, split onto multiple levels of winding streets. I will tell you now, it is easy to get lost! So if you book a dinner reservation, make sure you know where to find it because we ended up walking around for over an hour and nearly missed our sunset reservation! Also, if you do plan to eat at a restaurant with a sunset view, be sure to book in advance as restaurants quickly fill up at sunset time.

We visited Fira three times twice during our stay in Santorini, twice to watch the sunset, and once for lunch and cocktails on the way back from Oia. The bus to Fira was only 2 euro from where we stayed in Kamari. There is also a main bus station in Fira where you can find buses to places all around the island such as Oia, Kamari, and Perissa.

The restaurant we booked was called Niki, and it offered excellent views of the sunset! It was slightly on the pricey side but worth it for the setting.

Explore the Island by Buggy

Hiring a buggy in Santorini can be a fantastic way to explore the island with a sense of freedom and adventure, so we decided to give it a go during our trip. However, I must admit that it was a bit more frightening than we anticipated!

Coming from the UK, where we drive on the left-hand side of the road, adapting to driving on the right in Greece made us a little anxious. It took some time to get used to the handling and pedal pressure of the buggy, as it was automatic and the steering wheel was stiffer than what we’re used to in normal cars. The right-of-way system in Greece was also a bit confusing, and with a lack of road signs, it was easy to get lost without the help of Google Maps.

Despite these initial challenges, we drove from Kamari to Perissa, visiting the Red Beach along the way. We then took the buggy up to Fira for the evening to catch the sunset. The rental company advised us against taking the buggy to Oia due to heavy traffic and parking difficulties, which turned out to be sound advice.

Even though it was nerve-wracking at times, the experience was absolutely worth it. The thrill of driving the buggy, coupled with the stunning views and the sense of adventure, made for an excellent day. If you’re up for a bit of excitement and are prepared for a few challenges, hiring a buggy in Santorini can be a truly memorable way to explore the island!

Tips:

• At most rental places, you can pay 12 euros extra for premium insurance with no excess so I’d recommend this
• Don’t pay for a full tank. We filled the tank with 20 euros of fuel, drove around all day, and returned it almost half full
• Plan your route. I was trying to shout directions at my partner but the buggies are so loud when driven that it was difficult for him to hear
• Stick to the roads. Offroad driving is not permitted and will invalidate your insurance
• Shop around. We used Motor Inn and paid £90 for 24 hours, whereas some other guests at our hotel paid £160 elsewhere!
  

Visit the Red Beach

Red Beach, with its stunning red cliffs and pebbles, is one of Santorini’s most iconic and visually striking destinations. It’s located near the ancient site of Akrotiri, which you could also check out whilst you’re in the area.

How to Access the Beach

By Car or Buggy

Follow the signs to the village of Akrotiri and you will find a parking area near the beach. If the main car park is full, there is a large car park a 5-minute walk away that charges 5 euro per car. To reach the beach itself there is a short hike along a rocky path. You will need sensible shoes for this as the terrain is very rocky with a quite steep incline at times.

By Bus

The public buses run regularly from Fira to Akrotiri. The walk from the bus stop to the beach is around 20 minutes.

By Boat

Many boat tours include a stop at Red Beach. There are also many boat operators that run frequently to Red Beach and White Beach.

We travelled to Red Beach via buggy and spent a few hours here enjoying the sun and sea. Our Catamaran also stopped near Red Beach so we were able to see it again from the water and do some snorkeling around here.

The beach is made up of red and black volcanic pebbles. Most of the beaches in Santorini are coarse sand and pebbles, there are no fine white sand beaches in Santorini!

Visit Oia

Oia is perched on the northwestern tip of Santorini and is often considered the crown jewel of the island. It’s whitewashed buildings and blue-domed churches are what immediately comes to mind when you think of Santorini! This gem is an absolute must-visit when on the island. I have heard that there can be huge crowds here but fortunately for us, having travelled early in the season (end of May) Oia was relatively quiet and peaceful!

We took the bus to Oia in the afternoon and intended to stay all day and see the sunset but the weather was incredibly hot and to take shade in a cafe or restaurant all afternoon would have cost a small fortune. I’m talking 10 euros for an orange juice! Instead, we explored for a couple of hours in the afternoon. In hindsight, we would have arrived later in the day. Oia is definitely on the pricey side, but the views are something special!

Kamari Outdoor Cinema

Kamari Outdoor Cinema offers a magical experience where you can enjoy movies under the stars in a beautiful garden setting. The cinema is set in a lush garden filled with trees and flowers, creating a serene and picturesque environment.

At the cinema, there is a bar serving cocktails and other snacks and refreshments. We absolutely loved it there and 100% recommend it, especially if you are staying in Kamari. Kamari outdoor cinema shows many new release films as well as regular showings of Mamma Mia. Tickets are €10 and the film starts at 9:30 each evening.

There you have my round-up of Santorini’s most unmissable activities! Santorini truly is a treasure trove of unforgettable experiences, from its iconic sunsets to the unique volcanic beaches, and the magical Kamari Outdoor Cinema you are bound to have an unforgettable experience!

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