Summer of 2022 the ideal summer to experience Santorini and all that it offers. From the wonderful wines, fava beans and sun-dried tomatoes to swimming in the pool at sunset between Oia and Thirasia.
Once is never enough to enjoy Santorini. To feel that you are conversing with God in the Caldera, to dive into the seas born by the volcano, to taste the deliciousness of the products of the volcanic land, to find you in the morning without even realizing it in Fira, to feel the means high quality of services provided.
If you are going to Santorini for the first time, it is almost certain that you will be captivated by the magic of the Caldera. The scenery is unique in the world, and so is the electrifying atmosphere it exudes.
Confronting for the first time the traditional settlements spread out on the rim of the caldera, you are ecstatic, while the sea breeze accompanies you to Athinios, the small but busy port of the island, which welcomes travelers. Ascending the serpentine bends of the steep slope above Athinios, those unfamiliar with the island get just a taste of what is to come.
Arriving after a while in Fira, the capital of Santorini, you now have the opportunity to enjoy the magnificent view of the caldera, Nea and Palaia Kameni, Thirasia. Only then do you realize that nature has created and man has built where the view is breathtaking.
However, it is not only the unique view of the impressive caldera and the magnificent sunset that attracts the attention of visitors to Santorini.
1. Oia
On the northern tip of Santorini, 12 kilometers from Fira, Oia is a picturesque village of whitewashed houses, some of which have been converted into elegant boutique hotels with infinity pools overlooking the caldera. Like Fira, it lives off tourism, but caters to a successful clientele. Steep paths zigzag into town from Ammoúdi Bay, where you’ll find a range of seafood restaurants.
Oia is known for its stunning sunsets, which attract visitors from all over the island every night until summer. It is possible to walk all the way from Oia to Fira following a path along the cliffs high above the caldera.
2. Fira
Santorini’s capital, Fira (Thira), consists of whitewashed cubic houses and terraces, flower lanes, small squares and blue-domed churches that climb the cliffs 300 meters above the caldera. Below the city, from the small port of Skala, you can reach Fira either on foot or on horseback (mules are rented) up the steep path (587 steps) or by cable car.
Ships dock at the port of Athens and connect to Fira Street (17km), while cruise ships drop anchor at Caldera and passengers are transported to Skala by tender. Fira lives mainly from tourism and many of its buildings now offer small hotels, apartments, restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops and jewelry shops. You can take a tour of Santorini!
3. Caldera
Created by the massive volcanic eruption that blasted the center out of the island some 3,600 years ago, the Caldera is the remaining sea-filled volcanic crater. Measuring 12 kilometers by seven kilometers, there is still volcanic activity – in its center rise the two islets of Kaiméni with hot springs and gas emissions.
Various services offer day trips to the caldera by boat, including time to bathe in the hot springs and then lunch on Thirassia, a small island on the west side of the caldera that offers amazing views of Santorini.
4. Pyrgos
The road to the top of the mountain passes from Pyrgos. Profítis Ilías (584 meters), the highest point in Santorini, offers stunning views of the island and out to sea. Here is the Prophet Elias Monastery, which is open to the public.
Inside, you can see the church with a carved iconostasis and the museum that displays the miter and crozier of Patriarch Gregory II, who was hanged in Constantinople by the Turks in 1821. Also of interest are the library, the monastic archives and the kitchen. The monastery ran one of the many “secret schools” that operated during the Turkish period.
5. Perissa
The most famous and popular beach of Santorini is located on the southeast coast, between the villages of Perissa and Perivolos. A kilometer-long stretch of black volcanic sand, backed by woody trees and overlooked by a row of seafood tavernas and cafes. There are sunbeds and umbrellas for hire, as well as water sports facilities. It is about 12 kilometers from Fira.
Take a Santorini tour
The other attractions of the island are also countless: the architectural ornaments, examples of genuine Theraic architecture (Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, Oia), the important archaeological sites (Akrotiri, Ancient Thera), the traditional settlements (Emporio, Megalochori, Pyrgos), the islets Nea and Palaia Kameni, monuments of special natural beauty and great scientific interest, the excellent Museum of Prehistoric Thira in Fira, the traditional wineries, which reveal to visitors the secrets of making the famous Santorini wine.
A great way to learn about the history of Santorini, explore picturesque villages and see stunning sunset views is to take a Santorini private tour. If you prefer to customize your tour to your interests, take a private sightseeing Santorini tour. To see Santorini’s sights in a day is a great option.
More Places You Should See in Santorini
Oia, Fira, the caldera, Pyrgos and Perissa, described above, are the five essentials. As the article says, the island’s other attractions are countless. This section adds the other places you should see in Santorini, from ancient cities to hidden bays, with practical advice for each.
Places you should see in Santorini on the caldera. Imerovigli, Firostefani, Skaros Rock and Ammoudi, all along the rim or just below it.
Places you should see in Santorini for history. Akrotiri, Ancient Thera and the Museum of Prehistoric Thira in Fira.
Places you should see in Santorini inland and in the south. Megalochori, Emporio, the Red Beach, Vlychada and the Akrotiri Lighthouse.
Places you should see in Santorini by boat. Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni and Thirasia in the middle and across the caldera.
Each entry explains what makes the place special, how long to allow and when to go.
21. The Castle and Maritime Museum of Oia
Oia, the first of the five essentials above, has two sights that many visitors miss while waiting for the sunset. Both are places you should see in Santorini in their own right.
The castle of Agios Nikolaos. The ruins at the western tip of the village were once part of one of the island’s five fortified settlements. At sunset they are packed; in the morning you can have them almost to yourself.
The Maritime Museum. Oia grew rich from shipping in the 19th century. Housed in a restored mansion, the museum tells the story of the village’s sea captains through ship models, figureheads, instruments and documents.
The captains’ houses. Along the main lane, grand neoclassical mansions contrast with the simple cave houses of the sailors below.
The windmills. The white windmills at the edge of the village are a favourite subject at golden hour.
Places you should see in Santorini before the crowds. Visit Oia before 9:00, rest in the afternoon and return only for the sunset.
22. Finikia
Just outside Oia, the small village of Finikia is one of the quieter places you should see in Santorini.
The village. Colourful cave houses, cobbled lanes and small churches, much calmer than its famous neighbour even in high season.
The walk. A short path links Oia and Finikia, making it easy to combine the two in a morning.
The sunset. The same sunset as Oia, with a fraction of the people.
Nearby. Wineries lie on the roads around Finikia, and the quiet north-coast beaches of Baxedes and Kouloumpos are a short drive away.
Places you should see in Santorini to stay. Finikia also offers traditional houses to rent at lower prices than Oia, with the caldera a short walk away.
Tips. Respect residents’ privacy in the narrow lanes, and visit in the morning or late afternoon for the best light.
6. Imerovigli and Skaros Rock
Between Fira and Oia, at the highest point of the caldera rim, Imerovigli is one of the places you should see in Santorini for the view alone.
The village. Around 300 metres above the sea, Imerovigli looks across the volcano to Thirasia. Its paths pass small whitewashed churches and some of the island’s most beautiful hotels.
Skaros Rock. Below the village rises the great rock that held the island’s medieval capital, a fortified settlement protected by the cliffs. Earthquakes destroyed it over the centuries, but the walk out to the rock remains spectacular.
The walk. A stepped path leads down from Imerovigli to the neck of the rock in around 20 to 30 minutes. A narrow ledge path continues to the white chapel of Theoskepasti above the sea; avoid it in strong wind.
Places you should see in Santorini at sunset: Imerovigli. The sunset here is as beautiful as in Oia, with Skaros in the foreground and far fewer people.
Places you should see in Santorini: how long to allow. Allow two to three hours, including the walk to Skaros and a drink with a view.
Places you should see in Santorini: when to go. Early morning for an empty path, or late afternoon for golden light and the sunset.
7. Firostefani and the Three Bells
A short walk north of Fira, Firostefani is one of the places you should see in Santorini if you want the caldera view without the crowds of the capital.
The village. Its name refers to the way it crowns Fira. Small squares, relaxed tavernas and wide views over the volcano and Nea Kameni.
The Three Bells of Fira. Just below the path between Fira and Firostefani stands the blue-domed Catholic church often called the Three Bells of Fira, one of the island’s best-known views. Photograph it from the path above in the morning light.
Places you should see in Santorini on foot. Firostefani is the first stop on the caldera path from Fira to Oia, which the article above describes as possible all the way along the cliffs.
The sunset. Firostefani faces the volcano and gives superb sunsets from its terraces.
Places you should see in Santorini: how long to allow. An hour or two, combined with Fira or Imerovigli.
Places you should see in Santorini: when to go. Morning for photographs, evening for the sunset and dinner.
24. The Old Port and the 587 Steps
As the article above describes, Fira can be reached from the small port of Skala on foot, by mule or by cable car. The Old Port and the climb above it are places you should see in Santorini at least once.
The steps. The zigzag path of around 587 steps links the port and the town. Walking down is easy and scenic; walking up in summer is hot and tiring.
The cable car. The quickest way between Fira and the port, a ride of three to five minutes with views across the caldera.
The mules. Mules still carry visitors on the steps, but their welfare has been widely criticised. We recommend walking or taking the cable car instead.
The port. A few cafés and tavernas, and boats leaving for the volcano, the hot springs and Thirasia.
Places you should see in Santorini on cruise days. When several ships are in, the cable car queue can be long. Go down early and come back up before the afternoon rush. See our page on the Santorini cable car.
13. Ammoudi Bay
As the article above says, steep paths zigzag from Oia down to Ammoudi Bay. The small harbour is one of the most charming places you should see in Santorini.
The harbour. Fish tavernas line the water, colourful boats bob in the bay and red volcanic rock rises behind.
Swimming. A path along the rocks leads to the islet of Agios Nikolaos, where strong swimmers jump into deep, clear water. Check the depth and never jump alone.
Places you should see in Santorini at sunset: Ammoudi. A table by the water is a lovely place to watch the sun go down, away from the crowds on the castle above.
Boats. Small boats leave from Ammoudi for Thirasia across the caldera.
Places you should see in Santorini: how long to allow. A long lunch or an evening meal.
Places you should see in Santorini: when to go. Walk down in the late afternoon; the climb back up is steep, so take a taxi to the top if needed.
8. Akrotiri
The article above names Akrotiri among the island’s important archaeological sites. For many visitors it is the most fascinating of all the places you should see in Santorini.
The Bronze Age town. A prosperous settlement buried under volcanic ash during the great eruption around 3,600 years ago. Multi-storey houses, streets, squares, storerooms still holding their jars and a drainage system have been preserved.
The shelter. A large modern roof protects the site, so it is comfortable to visit on hot or rainy days. Walkways lead through the streets.
The mystery. Few valuables and no human remains have been found, suggesting the inhabitants left before the eruption.
Places you should see in Santorini together: Akrotiri and the museum. The wall paintings and finds from the site are displayed at the Museum of Prehistoric Thira in Fira. Visit both for the full story.
Places you should see in Santorini: how long to allow. One to two hours; longer with a guide.
Places you should see in Santorini: when to go. At opening time, before the tour groups arrive.
16. The Museum of Prehistoric Thira
The article above calls it excellent, and it is. The museum in Fira is one of the places you should see in Santorini to understand its Bronze Age past.
The collection. Wall paintings, pottery, tools and figurines from Akrotiri and earlier prehistoric sites on the island.
The wall paintings. The colourful frescoes from Akrotiri show plants, animals, ships and people from daily life before the eruption.
Places you should see in Santorini in Fira’s museums. The Archaeological Museum, near the upper cable car station, holds finds from Ancient Thera and later periods.
Places you should see in Santorini: how long to allow. One to two hours.
Places you should see in Santorini: when to go. In the hottest part of the day, or on a windy day when boats do not sail.
9. Ancient Thera
High on the ridge of Mesa Vouno, above Kamari and Perissa, Ancient Thera is one of the places you should see in Santorini for both history and views.
The city. Founded by Dorian settlers around the 9th century BC and inhabited into Byzantine times, it has houses, temples, a theatre and an agora spread along the ridge.
The views. From the top you look down on Kamari on one side and the long beach of Perissa on the other, with the open Aegean beyond.
Places you should see in Santorini with a climb. A winding road climbs from Kamari to a car park below the site, followed by a short steep walk. Fit walkers can also hike up from Perissa.
Opening hours. Shorter than at Akrotiri and variable by season; check before you go.
Places you should see in Santorini: how long to allow. Allow two hours, including the drive or walk up.
Places you should see in Santorini: when to go. Early in the day. The site is exposed and has no shade.
10. The Red Beach
Near Akrotiri, the Red Beach is one of the most photographed places you should see in Santorini.
The colours. A dramatic red volcanic cliff rises behind a small beach of dark sand and pebbles, with clear blue water in front.
Access. A short path leads from the parking area to a viewpoint above the beach. Access to the beach itself is sometimes restricted because of the risk of rockfalls; always respect the signs.
Places you should see in Santorini from the sea. Many boat trips pass the Red Beach and the neighbouring White Beach, giving a safe view of the cliffs.
Nearby. Akrotiri, the White Beach by boat and fish tavernas on the south coast.
Places you should see in Santorini: how long to allow. Half an hour for the viewpoint; longer if the beach is open and you want to swim.
Places you should see in Santorini: when to go. Morning or late afternoon, when the light brings out the colour of the cliff.
14. Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni
The article above describes the two Kaimeni islets rising in the centre of the caldera. Walking on the volcano and swimming in its hot springs make them unmissable places you should see in Santorini.
Nea Kameni. The youngest island in the caldera, built by eruptions from the 18th century onwards, with the most recent in 1950. A marked path crosses black lava and gravel to the crater area, around an hour up and down.
What you see. Craters, lava fields, steam vents and yellow sulphur deposits, with views back to the white villages on the cliffs.
Palea Kameni. The older island, formed around 2,000 years ago. In one of its bays, warm iron-rich water rises into the sea. Swim to it from the boat, wearing an old swimsuit.
Places you should see in Santorini by boat. Day trips from the Old Port, Athinios and Ammoudi usually combine the crater walk, the hot springs and lunch on Thirasia.
Places you should see in Santorini: when to go. Choose a morning departure in summer; the lava absorbs the heat and there is no shade.
15. Thirasia
As the article above says, Thirasia on the west side of the caldera offers amazing views of Santorini. The quiet island is one of the most peaceful places you should see in Santorini.
Korfos. The small harbour where boats land, with fish tavernas along the water.
Manolas. The main village, reached by steps from Korfos, sits on the caldera rim and looks straight across at Oia and Fira.
The pace. Few cars, few shops and almost no crowds. Life follows the rhythm of the boats.
Places you should see in Santorini from the other side. From Manolas, the line of white villages on the Santorini cliffs is one of the finest views in the Cyclades.
Getting there. Small boats from Ammoudi, or a stop on many volcano excursions.
Places you should see in Santorini: how long to allow. A few hours for lunch and a walk, or a full day at a slow pace.
11. Megalochori
Named above among the traditional settlements, Megalochori is one of the quietest places you should see in Santorini.
The village. Megalochori grew rich on wine in the 18th and 19th centuries. Old mansions and canavas, the traditional wine cellars, line its lanes.
The square. A small, shaded square with tavernas and cafés, peaceful even in high season.
The bell tower. At the edge of the village, a much-photographed church bell tower stands against the caldera.
Places you should see in Santorini for wine. Several wineries lie on the roads around Megalochori, making it easy to combine the village with a tasting.
Places you should see in Santorini: how long to allow. An hour or two, or a long lunch.
Places you should see in Santorini: when to go. Late afternoon, before driving to the Akrotiri Lighthouse for the sunset.
12. Emporio
The island’s largest village, also named above among the traditional settlements, is one of the most atmospheric places you should see in Santorini.
The kasteli. A medieval fortified core of narrow passages, arches and tall houses built wall to wall so that their outer walls formed a defence against pirates.
The windmills. Old windmills stand on the hill above the village, overlooking the south of the island.
Places you should see in Santorini near Perissa. Emporio is only a few minutes from the beach at Perissa, described above, making it easy to combine a village walk with a swim.
Local life. A working village with bakeries, shops and tavernas used by residents.
Places you should see in Santorini: how long to allow. An hour to wander the kasteli.
Places you should see in Santorini: when to go. Morning or late afternoon, when the lanes are cool and quiet.
20. Profitis Ilias Monastery
The article above describes the monastery at the top of the island, with its carved iconostasis, museum, library and history as one of the “secret schools” of the Ottoman period. The summit is one of the places you should see in Santorini for both history and the view.
The view. From the island’s highest point, the whole of Santorini is spread out below you: the caldera to the west, the vineyards and beaches to the east and, on a clear day, the neighbouring Cyclades on the horizon.
The geology. The mountain is made of limestone older than the volcano, part of the original island around which the volcano grew.
Getting there. A road climbs from Pyrgos, and a walking path offers a steady ascent of around an hour. Fit walkers can continue along the ridge towards Ancient Thera.
Places you should see in Santorini with a visit to Pyrgos. Combine the summit with a walk through the lanes of Pyrgos and lunch in the village.
Tips. Dress modestly for the monastery, check opening times before you go and bring a light layer, as the summit is often breezy.
23. Vothonas and the Cave Villages
Inland, between Fira and the east coast, a group of villages is built into the soft volcanic rock. They are among the most unusual places you should see in Santorini.
Vothonas. Built along a ravine, with houses and churches carved into its walls. From above you see only doorways, domes and chimneys.
Karterados. A traditional village of cave houses and cobbled lanes, a short drive from Fira.
Messaria. Known for its 19th-century mansions built by wealthy wine merchants, in contrast with the cave houses around them.
The architecture. The cave houses, called yposkafa, were dug into the rock so that the thick walls would keep them cool in summer and warm in winter, as the article above notes for the island’s genuine traditional architecture.
Places you should see in Santorini off the tourist trail. These villages are rarely crowded. Walk slowly, respect residents’ privacy and finish with lunch in a village taverna.
25. Panagia Episkopi
In the village of Episkopi Gonia, near Kamari, stands one of the oldest churches in the Cyclades. It is one of the places you should see in Santorini for anyone interested in Byzantine history.
The church. Panagia Episkopi dates from the Byzantine period, around the 11th century, and was for centuries the seat of the island’s Orthodox bishop.
The interior. Inside are important Byzantine icons and wall paintings, among the finest on the island.
The feast. On 15 August, the feast of the Dormition of the Virgin, the church holds one of the island’s most important religious celebrations.
Visiting. The church is not always open; visit in the morning and dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
Nearby. The village of Exo Gonia, just uphill, looks out over vineyards and the sea, and several wineries lie close by. Combine the church, the village and a tasting for a quiet half day away from the caldera crowds, ideally in the cooler hours of the morning.
17. The Akrotiri Lighthouse
At the south-western tip of the island, the lighthouse is one of the places you should see in Santorini for a sunset away from Oia.
The lighthouse. Built in the late 19th century, it is one of the oldest in the Cyclades. The building is usually closed, but the headland is open.
The view. The sun sinks into the open sea beyond the cliffs, with the whole caldera stretching away to the north.
Places you should see in Santorini at sunset without the crowds. The lighthouse is increasingly popular but still far calmer than Oia.
Safety. The cliffs have no railings. Stay well back from the edge.
Places you should see in Santorini: how long to allow. An hour around sunset.
Places you should see in Santorini: when to go. Arrive early, as parking is limited, and combine it with Akrotiri and the Red Beach.
18. Kamari and Vlychada
Beyond Perissa, two more beaches are among the places you should see in Santorini.
Kamari. A long black-sand beach on the east coast with a promenade of restaurants and cafés, a summer open-air cinema and the road up to Ancient Thera.
Vlychada. On the south coast, pale volcanic cliffs sculpted by wind and water rise above a long, quieter beach, next to a small marina with fish tavernas.
Places you should see in Santorini at Vlychada: the Tomato Industrial Museum. An old tomato-canning factory by the sea tells the story of the industry that once sustained the island.
Beach tips. The dark sand gets very hot, so bring beach shoes. Vlychada is often calmer than Kamari when the north wind blows.
Places you should see in Santorini: how long to allow. Half a day each, or combine with nearby villages.
19. The Wineries
As the article above says, the traditional wineries reveal the secrets of the famous Santorini wine. A winery is one of the places you should see in Santorini, even if you rarely drink wine.
Assyrtiko. The island’s signature white grape, making crisp, mineral wines.
Vinsanto. The traditional sweet wine, made from sun-dried grapes and aged for years in barrels.
The vines. Trained low into circular baskets, called kouloura, to protect the grapes from wind and sun.
Places you should see in Santorini for wine: where. Wineries around Megalochori, Pyrgos, Episkopi Gonia and Akrotiri, some with caldera terraces, some in old cellars dug into the rock.
Places you should see in Santorini: how long to allow. An hour or two per tasting.
Safety. Book a tour with transport rather than driving after tasting.
How to See Them All: Planning by Area
Grouping the places you should see in Santorini by area saves hours of driving.
The north. Oia, Ammoudi and Finikia, best in the morning or late afternoon.
The caldera centre. Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli and Skaros, linked by the path along the rim, plus the museums of Fira.
The south. Akrotiri, the Red Beach, Megalochori, Vlychada and the lighthouse.
The south-east. Pyrgos, Profitis Ilias, Emporio, Perissa and Ancient Thera.
The sea. Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni and Thirasia, by boat.
Places you should see in Santorini in one day. As the article above suggests, a private tour is a great way to see the island’s sights in a single day.
More time. See our page on 5 days in Santorini for a full itinerary.
When to Visit and How to Avoid the Crowds
Timing makes a big difference to the places you should see in Santorini.
Season. Late May, June, September and early October give the best balance of weather, sea and crowds. July and August are hot and busy.
Time of day. Oia and Fira are calm before 9:00 and busiest from late morning to late afternoon, especially on cruise days.
Places you should see in Santorini on cruise days. Head to the south, the inland villages or the beaches when several ships are in, and visit Fira and Oia early or late.
Sunset. Oia is the most crowded spot of the day. Imerovigli, Pyrgos and the lighthouse are calmer.
Winter. Quiet and local, but many hotels, restaurants and boats close from November to March.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the places you should see in Santorini?
Oia, Fira, the caldera, Pyrgos and Perissa, plus Imerovigli and Skaros, Akrotiri, Ancient Thera, the Red Beach, Megalochori, Emporio, Ammoudi, the volcano and Thirasia.
How many days do I need to see them?
Three days for the essentials, five for a relaxed pace.
Can I see Santorini in one day?
Yes, with a private tour covering Oia, Fira, Pyrgos, Akrotiri and a sunset spot.
Do I need a car?
A car or private tour helps for the south and the villages; the caldera villages are best on foot.
What is the best time to visit?
Late May, June, September and early October.
With Santorini Tours. Our private tours take you to the places you should see in Santorini, timed to avoid the crowds. Contact us to plan your visit.
