Sunsets from different views. The sunsets are worth the hype but you should see them from various viewpoints: in my opinion at least one in Fira, one in Oia and one on a sunset cruise!
Get on a yacht/cruise/sailboat and see the island from the water!
Spend time in a cave. Whether its your accommodation, spa or enjoying a glass of wine at a restaurant. The cubic white-washed residences are unique to Santorini.
The Fira to Oia hike is a great way to walk off those gyros and a fun way to experience Santorini.
The food is exceptional! Do not leave the island without trying the following:
Greek yogurt and fresh fruit – if you start every morning this way, no one will blame you. The yogurt is so incredibly creamy. Add in some honey and you’ll be in heaven.
Gyros – often chicken or pork wrapped in pita bread with lettuce, tomatoes, onions and fries
Greek salad – the salads are less salad and more feta, cucumbers and tomatoes and actually very filling
Spanakopita – spinach pie
Souvlaki – grilled meat skewered on a stick
Mousaka – a heavier dish with minced beef, mashed potatoes, layered with sweet eggplants, tomato sauce and and creamy béchamel sauce
Loukamades or doughnuts, Bougatsa sweet pie or Baklava pastries for a sweet snack or dessert
The island is not always so glamorous! Here’s what to know and what to skip:
It might a luxurious island, but you still have to throw your toilet paper in the trash instead of the toilet bowl.
Cruise ships anchor on a daily basis, which means hundreds of additional tourists visiting the small island. There’re no escaping it in Fira or Oia, but if you venture to other parts of the island you’ll escape the crowds.
Donkeys are cute from afar. Dozens of them together result in a strong stench and LOTS of poop. Absolutely skip the winding path down to the Santorini Old Harbor where the donkeys hang or take visitors up/down. There’s not much down there anyways!
One of the activities always listed is a volcano hike. The views are better on other parts of the island and the terrain of the volcano is mostly the same from top to bottom.
Day spas are nonexistent in Santorini. It’s 95% spas connected with a hotel so if you think you can get a day pool pass, you’ll have to make friends with someone who has a pool instead! As a warning, the pools are often freezing and most people don’t spend much time in them!
Ancient Akrotiri is a notable site option. It’s an ancient village left behind after the devastating volcanic eruption in the late 17th century B.C. Though interesting, if you’re heading to Athens you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy ancient Greece there.
Red Beach is probably the most unique, picturesque beaches in Santorini. But it’s also small, rocky and areas are roped off due to the threat of landslides. Instead, book a boat tour that includes a stop at Red Beach so you can take in the scenic beach from the water.
