Santorini Bucket List
3,600 years ago, a colossal volcanic eruption caused the center of Strongili to fall into the sea. Some believe this devastated Atlantis, inspiring legends that turned into legend. Today, Santorini remains an active volcano. But the only reminder is its crystalline caldera, a lagoon-like body of water between the Cyclades isles that's as dramatic as any of the island’s sunsets.
Why Santorini belongs on your bucket list
The whole island forms the border of a submerged volcano. Try to picture that. Every village, every whitewashed building, every spot where you sit sipping wine on a terrace above the sea is perched on the lip of a caldera. The vistas are so intense they hurt; your chest feels tight, and there you are, suspended. But the surprise for me was this: Santorini isn’t just about blue cupolas and sunsets. There’s volcanic wine, grown in little basket vines on the ground and at the rim of the caldera. A prehistoric archaeological site 1,500 years older than Pompeii. Beaches you can reach only by boat. The food scene has expanded beyond the tourist gyro shops; restaurants are turning to the farms of the island and the Aegean Sea right below. People come for the postcard; they leave with something more.
When to go
It is advisable to avoid visiting in July and August. The caldera trails get painfully crowded with cruise-ship traffic, prices are at their highest, and it’s a hot, shadeless 35°C plus. The best time to come is between April and June when it’s very warm but not hot, the blooming wildflowers are a sight to behold, and there are fewer tourists. The second-best time is September and October: the sea is much warmer, the light is beautiful and there are far fewer photographers. November to March is not recommended; there will be nothing to do but enjoy the peace and quiet.
Must-visit places in Santorini
Oia Sunset Viewpoint
It is true that this is the most famous sunset view in the world and the view is breathtaking as the sun sets, dropping into the sea in the caldera. The color of the buildings turns light gold, then pink and purple. You can hear applause as the sun goes down. Make sure to be there at least an hour early to get a good spot on the castle ruins. Or better, book a table on a restaurant balcony, sipping a glass of local Assyrtiko wine. The beauty does not end right after the sun sets. The lingering colors are equally beautiful.
Fira
Fira sprawls down the side of the cliff — think pedestrian streets, stores, and restaurants layered one on top of the other in a vertical jigsaw puzzle. Visit the Archaeological Museum of Thera and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera for some worthwhile Akrotiri loot. The cable car ride to the old port is a short shot of adrenaline. If you want nightlife and dining options within stroll’N’spit, Fira’s the place. It’s busier and more business-like than Oia, but that’s no bad thing.
Akrotiri Archaeological Site
Although it's often nicknamed the "Greek Pompeii," this city was actually buried some 1,800 years before its Italian cousin, in 1627 BC. The swaggering three-story buildings, complete with sewage systems, resemble something from the ancient world's equivalent of downtown Manhattan. Meanwhile, the frescoes — some of the world's earliest examples — are so well-preserved that it feels like they were painted yesterday (not over 3,600 years ago). There's a protective roof covering the site, so you can explore all you want (no human bones have ever been found here).
Red Beach
You will see red cliffs that drop vertically into the sea, and the contrast between the colors red, black, and blue is stunning. The trail from the parking area is rough and rocky. Wear sturdy shoes, you'll need them as the trail consists entirely of rocks. It's also recommended that you arrive early to avoid the crowds that arrive on tour buses. If you prefer an even quieter spot, you can take a water taxi to White Beach. The number of tourists is fewer there, but the stunning views are similar.
Ammoudi Bay
It is located 300 steps down from Oia. Your knees will definitely feel those steps. Once you descend: a small fishing harbor, a few tavernas perched directly over the water, and the best grilled octopus you will ever eat (at Sunset Ammoudi.) People are leaping off rocks into the deep blue water as you sit at your table. It is a salty, no-frills, completely at-odds-with-Santorini's-refined-caldera-image experience. I liked it better than Oia, frankly.
Santo Wines
A cooperative winery located on the caldera's edge in Pyrgos, growing Assyrtiko grapes in volcanic soil. They're grown in a particular fashion here known as kouloura, where the vines are coiled in baskets in short rings to protect them from the wind. The tasting terrace has caldera views that are Oia-quality without the Oia masses. The whites are mineral and citrus, perfect for seafood, and truly singular. Volcanic soil is one of those terroirs you just can't copy.
Fira to Oia Hiking Trail
Hiking ten kilometers along the rim of the caldera for about three hours is the best way to experience Santorini. The views you will encounter while hiking cannot be experienced from a bus ride or an ATV. As you walk along the rim, Firostefani and Imerovigli villages are perched on the highest cliffs of the caldera. Start in Fira, hike through these villages, and keep walking to arrive at one amazing view after the other on the rim. Then finish in Oia just in time for the world-famous sunset. A glass of wine will taste otherworldly after that walk.
Perissa Black Sand Beach
Black volcanic sand that stretches for kilometers under the headland known as Mesa Vouno, which separates Perissa from Kamari. The water is deep, blue, and warm, there's all the space in the world to spread out on, and there's often a pleasant offshore breeze. A handful of places rent out sun loungers and umbrellas, so leave your towel at home if your rubber mat is the begats of a bethreated luggage allowance letter from the airline. The place is so long that beach bar makes more sense than pile in everybody on one central strip, and its that unimpeachably crispy cold Mythos beer that makes the question-a-issue. Other vendors ply their unexpectedly varied wares up and down the beach. The genuine Greek salad on its plastic plate, the lifeguard with his replaceably chipper Save! Save! Save! beach ball inflating, the Ray-Bans with missing virtual bits, the massage-touting wheeler-dealer with a slow fade in front of obvious hints that all they're doing is stalling the inevitable hose-down in the sea. See any of the above in your solar plexus. Something tells us that getting soaked on the way to your bedraggled towel is finally just what you need anyway.
Santorini insider tips
- Transportation: Rent an ATV or a small car. The buses are irregular, taxis are nonexistent during peak hours, and the island is hillier than it looks. Parking in Oia and Fira gets ridiculous in the summer.
- Hotels: Treat yourself to a caldera-view room for at least one night. You'll never forget it. Imerovigli has the best caldera views without the Oia crowds. Perissa is the budget option with beach access.
- Ship timing: Check the harbor schedule before you plan your day. Having multiple ships in port = Fira and Oia become absolute nightmares. Hit it up early in the morning, late in the afternoon, or days when no ships are in.
- Wine tastings: Gavalas, Venetsanos, and Estate Argyros are all worth visiting aside from Santo. None of them require reservations outside of high summer.
- Swimming: The side of the caldera is not for swimming, as there is limited beach access and steep cliffs. Go east and south for proper beaches with clear water in Perissa, Kamari, and Vlychada.
- Budget tip: Bakeries and gyro stands on the back streets of Fira. Much better food, a fraction of the cost. The restaurants with caldera views charge for the view, not the food.
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