10 Things to do in Santorini, Greece
Santorini is one of the most visited and well-known Greek Islands. Its pristine white-painted buildings, blue domes, and cliff views have been posted all over the internet making this one of the top Greek islands to visit. I first thought Santorini was going to be a bit overrated and overly touristy but it ended up being one of my favorite Greek islands!
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1. Fira
Fira (Thera) is located in the center of the island and the capital of Santorini, Greece. Fira is by far my favorite city on the island, it has a great mix of tourist, local, expensive, budget-friendly, and has stunning views. While this town may be crowded during peak season I still find it the most charming. Fira has plenty of shops, restaurants, hotels, and things to do. The city is located on a cliff so it doesn’t necessarily have a beach but the views and winding Greek streets make up for it.
2. Two Brothers Bar
Two Brothers Bar is a must-visit in the city of Fira. This famous bar has a fun vibe, great drinks, and even better hosts. We had tons of fun here one-night singing classic hits and meeting new friends. Santorini has a local brewery on the island making Yellow Donkey beer and Two Brothers Bar offers it on their drink menu!
3. Enjoy a Santorini Sunset
Santorini is known for its beautiful sunsets. The sun sets on the west side of the island making Fira and parts of Oia the best spots to view this gorgeous sitting. What makes it so beautiful is that you can literally see the sun go behind the horizon with the ocean waters glistenings and reflecting the painted sky.
4. Perissa Black Sand Beach
Perissa Beach is located on the south end of Santorini. This is a new and upcoming area with a more local laid-back feel. The black sand beaches are quite different. The contrast of the clear blue water washing up on the black sand is gorgeous and mesmerizing to watch. While you are visiting Perissa be sure to check out 41 Forty-One Beach Bar!
5. Meander through the Greek Streets
Fira and Oia have the classic picturesque white-washed stone streets winding throughout the towns. Shops line the alleys with their products, along with small restaurants and bars. Wandering the charming streets was one of my favorite things to do in Santorini, we spent a whole day shopping for a cute white and blue dress. It is very easy to get lost, so if you are headed to a certain place you may want to type it into your Apple Maps. The streets are built with stones and some have quite an incline so be sure to wear some comfortable walking shoes.
Tip: Bring your reusable water bottle and refill it at the many FREE clean water drinking stations located throughout the town.
6. Snorkeling in Santorini
Snorkeling is another great pastime on this Greek island. Black Beach and White Beach are two top snorkeling spots. Both are located on the southern end of the island with large rock formations and clear blue ocean waters. There are dirt roads to both of the beaches that are quite steep so if you are renting a scooter just be cautious!
7. Hike from Fira to Oia
The hike from Fira to Oia is a point-to-point hike that can be done either way. This hike is an absolute must thing to do while visiting this gorgeous island. The hike takes about 2-3 hours depending on how many times you stop and say “ooh and ahh” while taking in the views. This 6.5-mile hike is a warm one with very little shade and steep terrain. Once you reach the opposite town, enjoy the streets and a scoop of gelato! Once you are ready to leave, take the Santorini KTEL local buses to take you back to the town you are staying in.
Tip: Time this perfectly with the sunset to have even better views.
Fira to Oia Hike Map from Earth Trekkers
8. Rent a Scooter
Santorini is a smaller island making a scooter a great option. Our hotel helped us set up our scooter rental and it worked out great. Driving from Oia to the opposite end of the island takes less than an hour! One full day with a scooter should be plenty of time to explore everything you want to see.
Tip: Get your international driver’s license before heading to Europe. Rental shops will ask for this and if you are renting a scooter you may want to look into getting your motorcycle license as well.
9. Gyros
You cannot visit Greece without ordering their most famous dish, the gyro! Yogi’s Gyros is located in Fira’s main square and was our favorite place to get gyros after trying at least five other stands. A classic Greek gyro has a good portion of shaved meat, lettuce, tomato, red onion, tzatziki sauce, and french fries all wrapped into warm pita bread. This is a very cheap bite at just $3.00 – $5.00 per gyro.
Tip: Order one of their pork skewers, they are incredible with their secret seasoning!
10. Visit Oia
Oia is one of the most famous and picturesque cities in Santorini, Greece with pristine white painted buildings and blue domes. Oia is home to some of the most luxurious resorts and upscale restaurants on the island. This was not one of my favorite cities but it was definitely worth the visit. If you are celebrating a special occasion and money is not an issue, then Oia may be the perfect place for you!
Santorini Travel Guide Map
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Thank you so much!