Explore the island’s gems and fascinating things to do!
Welcome to Santorini Greece, one of the most photogenic islands that really encapsulates the true beauty of the Aegean. Located in the southernmost part of the Cyclades, between Ios and Anafi, it is universally acknowledged for its unbeatable views, golden sunsets, and magnificent landmarks.
Known since ancient times as Thira, it has evolved throughout the centuries, as its current state is the outcome of intense volcanic activity. The fact that you can sit in front of the caldera and enjoy the local cuisine, a coffee, or a drink while taking in the remarkable beauty of an active volcano is truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
Explore Santorini’s rich cultural significance through its unique architecture and sightseeing. Visit its seaside gems with crystal-clear waters surrounded by black sand and pebbles, fantastic rock formations, and breathtaking lunar landscapes.
There’s no universal opinion about the best time to visit Santorini, as it depends solely on your unique preferences. All seasons are equally enchanting, featuring both pros and cons.
If you fancy blossoming landscapes and delightful temperatures, you’ll love visiting during the spring season. On the other hand, if you fancy warm swims by the sea and vibrant energy while being ok with the high prices and tourist flocks, summer is your go-to season.
Finally, fall and winter boast a more serene ambiance, lower prices and fewer crowds, making the island a fantastic destination for off-season adventures.
Weather in Santorini
Santorini boasts a Mediterranean climate characterized by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. Understanding the island’s weather patterns is crucial for planning an enjoyable trip. So, let’s have a look.
During the summer months, from June to August, days are sun-drenched, with temperatures ranging from 22 to 35 degrees Celsius. This period is ideal for beachgoers and water activities.
In spring (April to May) and fall (September to November), Santorini offers milder temperatures, averaging around 16 to 25 degrees Celsius. These months are favored by travelers seeking a more relaxed atmosphere, exploring the island without the intense summer heat.
Winter in Santorini spans from December to March, characterized by occasional rainfall and cooler temperatures ranging from 10 to 17 degrees Celsius. While it’s the off-season, it provides a unique opportunity to experience the local way of life and witness the island’s serene side.
You can read more about Santorini weather by month in our dedicated guide.
Noteworthy things to do in Santorini, Greece
The renowned Santorini routes
Explore the island’s legends on beautiful treks around the rocky coast. Visit traditional villages to gain an understanding of the traditional way of life. Go on a Caldera Walking Tour, take in your new surroundings, and fully engage all your senses.
Learn all about why Santorini is so globally celebrated during a Santorini day tour that takes you to the island’s famed spots and hidden gems. Alternatively, visit lesser-known parts of the island during a Countryside private tour in Santorini with an off-the-beaten-path itinerary.
If sunsets are what speaks to you the most, engage in the ‘Panoramic Views’ tour, which includes a special private tour dedicated to Santorini’s dreamy landscapes and scenic views.
The best beaches in Santorini, Greece
Santorini beaches are hidden in protected coves and beneath towering cliffs,
surprising visitors with unique topographies and a serene atmosphere. Due to the island’s volcanic history, the beaches have a variety of hues. Dark sand and pebbles created from volcanic rock that has been eroded by mild waves cover much of the island’s beaches.
The deep blue waters of the Aegean Sea give the beaches of Santorini excellent water quality; many of them have received Blue Flag certification for water safety and cleanliness.
More specifically, the top 10 Santorini beaches that are definitely worth a visit are the following:
Kamari beach
This expansive, five-kilometer-long black-sand beach features stunning natural beauty and first-rate amenities. Public WC facilities and equipment rentals for the beach are provided. Spend time doing water activities, such as windsurfing, paddleboarding, snorkeling, and scuba diving. The resort of Kamari nestles right behind it, where lively restaurants, cafes, and shops reside for your utmost convenience.
Perissa beach
Neighboring Kamari, this gorgeous beach stretches for many kilometers and features a black lava-sand shoreline and crystal-clear seas with a cobalt hue. Perissa Beach has been awarded a Blue Flag for cleanliness and safety and makes for a fantastic location for swimming and other fun water sports. Just like Kamari, it has a Seatrac ramp installed, which enables people with mobility issues to access the sea independently.
This tiny strip of dark-sand shoreline, surrounded by breathtaking red volcanic rock cliffs, is like no other plage in the world. Its spectacular natural location lends it a wild, untamed feel, but it is quite difficult to access through a relatively challenging rocky path.
Vlychada beach
This beach on Santorini’s southern coast is framed by volcanic rock cliffs, giving it a distinctive and rugged appearance. With a lengthy shoreline of pebbles and gray sand, it offers a calm atmosphere that is perfect for relaxing and taking in the sun. A café that provides umbrellas, lounge chairs, refreshments, and snacks is located directly right on the beach.
Perivolos Beach
Perivolos is Santorini’s longest black sand beach and is located only a few kilometers south of Perissa Beach, on the island’s southern shore. Sit back, admire Perivolos Beach’s picture-perfect natural surroundings, and dive into sparkling turquoise waves.
Despite its tranquil environment, it is also full of life with shops, restaurants, and fun amenities.
Monolithos Beach
Located in a serene natural setting, this beach is popular among residents due to its relaxing atmosphere. The gentle waves, shallow waters, and dedicated playground make this beach a staple among families with young children. Black sand extends for miles along Monolithos Beach’s beachfront, and there is also a shaded area. Lifeguards are stationed in one area of the beach, and sun lounger and umbrella rentals are also available.
Pori Beach
In a picture-perfect area of rural terrain, rosy-hued cliffs surround this charming little beach and provide protection. The beach is halfway between Oia, a picture-perfect hillside village with adorable whitewashed cubic cottages, and Imerovigli, a stunning cliff-top village surrounded by classic windmills and slopes covered in vines.
Mesa Pigadia Beach
Mesa Pigadia offers the serenity of a pristine, natural setting. An unpaved country road leads to this undiscovered pebbly beach. Mesa Pigadia is the perfect place to unwind because of its tranquil, remote position. Due to its location in a narrow cove and the wind-blocking volcanic rock cliffs, there are calm waves, which is ideal for family fun.
Katharos Beach
This peaceful beach is especially appreciated by nature enthusiasts. Visitors are left in awe by the remote location and its breathtaking sea views. Wonderful panoramas of the island’s dazzling turquoise waters reaching into the horizon may be seen from the hillside vantage point on the northwest shore.
Cape Colombo Beach
The most untamed of Santorini’s beaches, this one is protected by towering cliffs and has a pebble and dark gray sand beachfront. Because of the remote position and arid surroundings, it feels like you are on a desert island. A drawback of visiting with your partner or family is the lack of facilities around.
White Beach
Nestled amidst a dramatic volcanic landscape, White Beach, Santorini, boasts a unique natural beauty that enchants visitors from around the world. Its impressive white cliffs, azure crystalline waters and tranquil ambiance make it an ideal destination for relaxing beachfront days.
Sailing in Santorini Greece
If you want to reach the nearby volcanic islands like Thirassia or visit more secluded beaches and secret coves, you should definitely opt for one of the various Santorini sailing tours on offer and have a day of adventure to remember. This is undoubtedly one of the most fun and memorable things to do while on the island!
The appealing Santorini attractions
Santorini island is definitely not all about its magnificent sunsets and unique beaches. There is a piece of history wherever you look. From the picturesque alleys to the characteristic blue and white architecture and the active volcano that has left its mark throughout the years. It is, without a doubt, an ideal destination for curious travelers!
Akrotiri Archaeological Site
Visit one of the island’s most popular tourist destinations, which is situated on the southern side of the island. See history and multiple influences unfolding with your own eyes as, according to searches, the village was founded around 4,500 B.C. and completely destroyed by an earthquake in the 17th century B.C. After the old town was eradicated by a volcanic eruption a century later, a new town was constructed over its ruins.
Endure breathtaking views at one of Santorini’s most picturesque locations, including the majestic volcano, at the southwestmost point of the island, while sitting on the outer wall or on nearby rocks of the location. It’s the perfect setting to admire with your significant other.
Castle of Oia (St. Nikolas)
This is one of the highest spots of the caldera, offering magnificent views of Santorini’s cliffs and the sea, cave dwellings, and other traditional buildings. The ruins of the castle are made up of outer walls that were primarily built out of lava bricks and stones with a volcanic origin. Make sure you visit the tiny church that was built in 1450 and dedicated to St. Nikolaos. It is the most famous sunset-viewing spot, which has been sculpted out of volcanic rock.
Skaros Rock
Enjoy the beautiful view of the Aegean from a rocky headland in front of Imerovigli village. Up until the start of the 1800s, the location was home to a grand castle that served as the main gathering place for the Christian community in Santorini. Unfortunately, a 19th-century earthquake caused the castle to be totally destroyed, leaving just remnants behind and available to see.
Emporio Castle Santorini
Visit the Castle of Emporio, a medieval fortress nearby the impressively preserved Venetian Tower. The Tower of Nimborio, often referred to as Goulas, is a Venetian tower with a square shape that is located in Emporio Village in Santorini. Due to their distinctive designs, the Castle and the Tower are both must-see sights in Santorini.
The blue-domed churches of Oia are prominently displayed as one of the town’s most endearing attractions, standing side by side on the magnificent caldera cliffside and overlooking the Aegean Sea. They are most likely the Cyclades’ most picturesque churches, providing even more beauty to the postcard-like setting!
Santorini Archaeological Museum
In the heart of Fira is where you’ll find the Archaeological Museum of Santorini. The museum was first built in 1902, but it was destroyed by the earthquake that struck in 1956, and it was rebuilt in 1960. Unique collections of sculptures and inscriptions from the Archaic to the Roman era are displayed in the museum’s rooms.
Ancient Thera
Located atop Mesa Vouno Mountain, Ancient Thera is the 2nd most important archaeological site on the island, whose creation dates back to the 8th century BC. Due to its strategic position, it served as a major cultural and commercial hub in the Aegean Sea. Its well-preserved ruins include temples, a theater, markets and an advanced drainage system.
Get a map, rent a car, and embark on Santorini activities
Discover the unique experiences that the cosmopolitan island of Santorini, Greece, has to offer. Explore our variety of tours and make them yours by referring to our expert team for a tailor-made package.
Make sure you try out the most well-known Santorini foods, like:
Frequently asked questions about Santorini, Greece
Our thoughtfully-crafted tours, just for you
Santorini is definitely an island with many options; let us make your itinerary a bit easier. Feel the warmth of the Greek sun and gaze at the views of the Aegean Sea. Dive into the Cycladic culture and taste the local delicacies and wines. Santorini Experts is by your side for any questions or concerns along the way.