Santorini Travelers Recommend

Lying in the southern Aegean Sea, Santorini is a volcanic island of rugged shorelines, rolling waves, and soaring cliffs. But the Greek island’s main draw is its postcard-perfect beaches. Whether you’re seeking adventurous water sports or sun-soaked relaxation, here are some the best beaches in Santorini.

Monolithos Beach

Of all of Santorini’s beaches, Monolithos ranks among the most family-friendly, with a playground and beach games to keep youngsters entertained all day. It’s also popular with families thanks to its ample shade and gentle waves. Monolithos Beach lies just over four miles (seven kilometers) from Fira, on the eastern shore of Santorini.

Kamari Beach

Framed by the towering limestone cliffs of Cape Mesa Vouno—topped by the ruins of Ancient Thira—Kamari is a sizzling black-sand beach with all the spectacular coastal views people have come to expect of Greece. Rent a beach chair, pick your spot, grab a drink, and watch the waves roll in.

Perissa Beach

Like Kamari Beach, Perissa is a black-sand beach and a great spot to park yourself and top up the suntan. Snorkeling and windsurfing are popular activities by day, and when night falls, Perissa turns into a lively party beach.

Perivolos Beach

Perivolos is the longest stretch of sandy beach on Santorini. Break up a long coastal stroll with a refreshing drink at one of the welcoming beach bars, which fuel nighttime beach parties after the sun goes down. The deep blue waters make Perivolos a popular dive site, as well.

Red Beach

Nestled beneath soaring cliffs, with volcanic red pebbles and clear, turquoise waters, Red Beach is widely considered among Santorini’s top beaches. Shallow waters close to shore make it popular among families, with plenty of fun to be had among the rock pools and paddling spots.

Three days on Santorini make it possible to really get a feel for the idyllic Greek island’s sights, beaches, culture, and people. Plus you’ll have time left over to do an all-day scenic hike or to get out onto the waters of the Aegean Sea and visit nearby Thirassia. Here are a few ways to fill 72 hours on Santorini. 

Day 1: Beaches, Views, and Archaeology

Spend your first day in Santorini hitting up the highlights of the island. One of the most important attractions is the archeological site of Akrotiri, a Minoan town that was covered during a volcanic eruption around 1613 BC and unearthed by archaeologists in the 1960s. While in the area, make sure to check out some of the gorgeous beaches. White Beach (Aspri Paralia) can be quickly accessed by boat from Akrotiri; driving there takes about 20 minutes due to the tall surrounding cliffs. If you are short on time, head straight to Red Beach, which gets its name from the red volcanic sand and stones that pepper its shores. Other points of interest include the Monastery of Profitis Ilias and Kasteli Castle in the ridiculously picturesque village of Pyrgos—both the monastery and the castle offer great views out over the island.

Day 2: Cultural Highlights

Devote day two in Santorini to cultural experiences, but not before sailing out to visit the Santorini caldera, a stretch of leftover erupted volcano that’s now an islet. Most visitors take small-group tours out to the island, and the boat usually waits while travelers hike up to the top of the volcano (which, incidentally, is still steaming after all these years) for photos. Pack a swimsuit, as tours tend to also go to the nearby hot springs where you can hop in for a dip; many include food and drink, too. Other options for your second day include taking a cooking class, in which you savor local dishes and wines, or checking out a local winery for a tour and tasting. Come evening, journey to Oia to catch one of Santorini’s famous sunsets or consider attending a dinner show—most involve live music and folk dancing accompanied by buffet or coursed meals.

Day 3: Hiking or Sailing Adventure

Spend your final day on Santorini exploring a bit with a full-day activity. Options include hiking from the town of Fira all the way up to Oia on a scenic 6.75-mile (11-kilometer) trail that connects the two destinations, passing by attractions such as the 17th-century Byzantine Monastery of St. Nicholas (Agios Nikolaos) along the way. Alternatively, take a day trip to the nearby island of Thirassia, a beautiful little getaway to the west of Santorini with a population of only about 200 people. This lovely island is easiest to get to using private excursions or boat charters, as ferry schedules can be unreliable, though note that many of the trips that come here stop at the Santorini volcano en route.

The idyllic Greek island of Santorini is packed from shore to shore with sights and experiences, from ancient archaeological sites and active volcanoes to gorgeous beaches and charming tavernas. With two days on the island, seeing as much as possible requires some strategic planning. Here’s how to make the most of 48 hours on Santorini.

Day 1: History and Scenery

**Morning:**Start your day with a trip down to Akrotiri, Santorini’s most important historical site. An ancient town stood here until it was buried during a volcanic eruption in 1613 BC; archaeologists unearthed it in the 1960s. Afterwards, enjoy some beach time at Red Beach, named for its red volcanic sand and rocks.

**Afternoon:**Break for lunch en route to the Monastery of Profitis Ilias. This 18th-century monastery sits on the highest point of the island and looks very much like a fortress, with white, imposing exteriors. Afterwards, stop by one of the local wineries to try some of the island’s local wines.

**Night:**Watching the sunset over the Aegean Sea is a must-do for any visitor to Santorini, and the best place to do it is in the town of Oia, known for its fantastic views. After nightfall, pop into one of the many quaint local tavernas for a bite to eat before calling it a night.

Day 2: Local Culture and a Volcano Trip

**Morning:**Spend today really immersing yourself in local culture. Perhaps this means participating in a cooking class, which not only gives you the skills necessary to make Greek food at home, but also allows you to interact with local people while enjoying delicious specialties and local wine for lunch.

**Afternoon:**Hop aboard a tour boat (or charter a catamaran of your own) and set sail for the Santorini volcano, just off the western coast of the island. Most trips stop at the still-steaming volcano before continuing on to a local hot springs that flows right out into the sea, and some include food and drink.  

**Night:**A good way to wrap up your 2-day trip to the island is by taking in a dinner show at a traditional tavern. You can expect more local specialties as well as plenty of revelry in the form of traditional music and folk dancing. 

With its beautiful white edifices topped with blue domes, charming and vivacious tavernas, and gorgeous beaches in hues of red, black, and white, Santorini is the quintessential Greek island. It’s also small enough to get a good feel for even if you only have one day. Here’s how to maximize 24 hours on Santorini. 

Morning: Cruising out to Sea

One of the best ways to see Santorini is from the sea, and most visitors to the island make a point to sail out into the caldera, where there’s a small mass of still steaming volcanic land known as Nea Kameni and a pleasantly warm hot springs that spills out into the sea. Numerous boat tours go out to the island and usually stop long enough for you to have time to hike up to the top of the islet. It’s best to go in the morning when temperatures are coolest, particularly if you’re visiting during the hot summer months.

Afternoon: Archaeology and Beach Time

After returning to shore, grab lunch and then head south to check out two of Santorini’s most important sights: Red Beach and ancient Akrotiri. Start with Akrotiri, where you can see old Minoan Bronze Age settlements that were covered during an eruption around 1613 BC. Excavations to the area have brought up everything from pottery to buildings, and much of the excavated areas are shielded from the sun. From here it’s just a short drive to Red Beach, named as such because of the rusty hue of its volcanic rocks and sand.

Night: Santorini Sunsets in Oia

Finish up at the beach in time to make it up north by the time the sun goes down. Santorini is known for its amazingly vivid, colorful sunsets, and the coastal town of Oia is considered the best place to watch them—there are also plenty of great places to eat in the area once night has fallen. Alternatively, head out to a local dinner show where you can watch live music and traditional Greek dancing as you dine on local cuisine.

Santorini’s volcanic soil, sun-soaked summers, and mild, dry winters pair together beautifully to help produce many high-quality red and white wines. Here are a few ways to follow the Aegean island’s wine trail and sample some of Greece’s finest vintages in Santorini.

Must-Try Varietals

Perhaps the most popular wine produced in Santorini, Vinsanto is a sweet white wine featuring the assyrtiko grape alongside varietals such as athiri and aidani. The grapes are dried in the sun so the sugars condense, producing a full-bodied yet delicate sweetness. Oak-aged white nykteri wines are also made in Santorini, as are with a small number of reds using varietals such as mandalieria and mavrotragano.

Must-Do Experiences

• Visit traditional wineries and cellars around Akrotiri, Fira, or Oia on a guided Santorini wine tour, and sample some of the diverse Santorini wines in production.

• Take a Greek cooking class and pair traditional dishes such as caramelized pork with local wines.

• Cruise the Aegean Sea and sip Greek wine on board as the sun sets.

• Enjoy a guided history tour around Santorini and learn of the island’s rich winemaking heritage.