Stephanie & Andrew
Things To Do
Santo Winery
Scenic winery offering walking tours, tastings & nibbles, plus an ample terrace with caldera views. Amazing sunsets here. Santorini is extremely popular among wine connoisseurs. The island has been producing exquisite wine since ancient times, an activity that is still one of its biggest sources of income. The reason Santorini’s wines are world-renowned is that the grapes used to make them grow in unique conditions. The volcano means that the island’s soil is ash-rich and the climate in Santorini is characterized by dryness and strong winds. Some famous varieties not to be missed include the Vinsanto, a sweet wine that is served as a liqueur, and Assyrtiko, a dry white wine with a very distinctive character defined by intense aromas and high acidity.
Santorini Brewing Company
Santorini Brewing Company is located in Mesa Gonia. Take the Fira-to-Kamari bus to get here. The brewery started in 2012 with crazy, yellow, and red donkey beers. Then came the first limited beer, white donkey, which is brewed 5-6 times per year. If you are lucky, you will get to sample the very limited slow donkey beer, which is brewed once a year. It’s barrel-aged for 13 months, then aged for 2 months in a glass bottle. Lazy ass beer is the latest addition to the brewery. The brewery does not do organized tours or taste-testing but the staff are more than happy to talk to you about their beers and offer you samples. Donkey beer t-shirts, merchandise, and beer are available for purchase.
Hike from Fira to Oia
The hike from Fira to Oia is about 6.5 miles long. It takes somewhere between 2 and 5 hours depending on your speed and how many pictures you stop to take along the way. Start in Fira and move north through Firostefani and then Imerovigli (this part of the path feels more like a village sidewalk). From Imerovigli to Oia it’s a largely rural path, with only a few shops or restaurants. Most people will want to wear a sturdy running shoe for the walk but I’ve certainly seen people do it in flip flops. The route isn’t completely marked but it’s fairly intuitive: stay on the path that follows the edge of the caldera and walk north (when in doubt stay to the left/west). Of course, it’s fine to do the walk in the opposite direction but it feels more natural (to me) to walk north to Oia and the island’s tip.
Skaros Rock
Skaros Rock is a large rock promontory that extends into the caldera, on the northwestern part of Santorini. The hike takes about 45 minutes one way and is pretty straightforward, with one way down and back. The path is clearly marked and begins in Imerovigli, on the stairs that lead down from the Grace Hotel Alternatively, if you’re completing the Fira to Oia hike, you can follow the path left from Blue Note Restaurant.
Karavolades Stairs
This staircase connects Fira with Gialos, which was once the main port of the island. It’s a lot of steps and very steep but going down the donkey track is an experience that should not be missed. For your return journey back up to Fira, take the cable car, which is much more relaxing, quick and easy. The other option is to walk back up the 588 steps which requires a very good physical condition. Walking down the winding set of 588 steps, offers great views of the caldera and old port. The trail is steep in parts and the steps can also get quite slippery with the shiny marble edged rim, so you’d better wear comfortable footwear. You also have to avoid the donkey poo that litters the trail. And even sometimes you are pushed to the side by the donkeys carrying passengers up the hill. Once you get down, there is a lovely old market and some cafes and taverns where you can have a drink or a meal.
Nea Kameni
Nea Kameni is an active volcanic island as of today. It is located in the center of Santorini and can be accessible by boat. You can depart from the old port in Fira, or the new port which is located in Athinios. If you have time, take a dip in the hot springs. The healing waters of Nea Kameni consist of sulfur, iron, and manganese, which act against many diseases that older individuals usually suffer from. The warm water does wonders on musculoskeletal (arthritis, muscle stiffness, etc.) and skin disorders (dermatitis, eczema, etc.)
Profitis Ilias
Profit Ilias is the highest point on Santorini. From here, you get almost 360° views of the island. You can get here by car, ATV, tour, or on your own two feet. There is a hiking trail that links Profit Ilias with Kamari, Ancient Thira, and Perissa.
Akrotiri Lighthouse
Perched on the opposite end of the island from Oia, Akrotiri Lighthouse is one gorgeous point to see. If you’ve rented a small car or even a quad bike (yes, the island is small enough to explore by quad bike), you should definitely visit.
Red Beach
The Red Beach (Kokkini Paralia) is located in the south part of the island, in Akrotiri village, near the famous Akrotiri Excavations site. It is just a 20 minute drive from Fira and apart from easily reaching it by car, you can also visit it by bus from Fira or by boat, through boat tours that run every day and cruise along the most prominent parts of Santorini. If you are traveling around by bus, make sure that you get an updated bus schedule as it changes during the high season months. Warning: There has been reports of some falling rocks on the path to the beach so please be careful while walking down.
Kamari Beach
The busiest, most family-friendly of the beach towns is Kamari. The beach is composed of black volcanic sand and is 5 kilometers long. There are a number of affordable, all-ages beach clubs along the main path offering beach chairs and umbrellas. The path along the beach is a fun and relaxing place to stroll in the evening with lots of casual places to eat, drink, and shop. Farther in from the beach, there is an open-air cinema, a mini-golf course. Kamari is close to the airport, but far away enough that it’s not noisy. It’s the closest of any of the beach towns to Fira and the caldera with great bus service; buses take about 15 minutes between Fira and Kamari. Kamari is separated from Perissa Beach by a hill called Mesa Vouno, but the two beaches are connected several times a day by water taxi. It’s also possible to hike from one beach over Mesa Vouno to the other.
Perissa Beach
Perissa and Perivolos Beaches are essentially one very long beach, with Perissa at the north end turning into Perivolos to the south. Perissa is separated from Kamari by Mesa Vouno, but connected by water taxi and a hiking trail. Perissa is also well-connected to Fira by bus, although with fewer buses running here per day and a longer bus ride (about 20 minutes). The beach at Perissa is a pebbly, sandy mix, which gets sandier farther south. This is a mostly family-friendly beach but with a little more of a party vibe at the beach clubs here, though the parties typically don’t get too crazy and the bars close earlier than they do in Fira, so it’s quieter at night. There is a wide range of accommodations and restaurants here, especially toward the north end, where the main village, bus stop, and water taxi stop are found. The beach becomes progressively quieter as you move south.
Perívolos Beach
Moving south along Perissa for a kilometer and a half, the beach changes its name to Perivolos (and then to Agios Georgios even farther south). Perivolos, especially the Agios Giorgios end, is the most upscale beach in Santorini with a good number of luxury hotels, high-end beach clubs, and fine dining restaurants. The sand is slightly finer, though still pebbly, and the hotels and restaurants are a little more spread apart. It is possible to have long stretches of beach to yourself the farther south you go. Perivolos is pretty well connected to Fira, operating on the same bus schedule as nearby Perissa. There is no water taxi to Kamari here.
Ammoudi Bay
A small picturesque bay just below Oia. Although, not a beach but there are people who swim here. You can go to Ammoudi by going down the stairs from Oia or by driving through the road and park a few meters before the bay (or behind it). There is no local bus that can take you here and if you don’t have your own means of transportation you can just take a taxi from Oia or just walk the stairs down. You can then call a taxi from one of the restaurants at Ammoudi.
Ammoudi Fish Tavern
Ammoudi Fish Tavern is one of the most popular restaurants in Ammoudi Bay. The boardwalk through the bay runs right through the restaurant, with a large shaded dining area jutting out into the water and a tiered series of patios above, all with amazing views. There’s also a large indoor dining room and event space. Just outside the kitchen is a large fish case to see what’s fresh. Popular caldera catamaran tours and small boats come and go from the adjacent piers. A great spot to enjoy lunch or dinner. Dinner reservations recommended.
Sunset Taverna
Known for the most famous lobster pasta in the Cyclades.
Lucky's Souvlakis
Cheap and delicious souvlakis located in Fira. Souvlaki is a popular Greek fast food made with small pieces of skewered grilled meat served with tomato, onion, french fries, tzatziki (yogurt), and pita bread.
Metaxi Mas
Metaxi Mas is a Greek restaurant (Cretan and Santorinian) in Exo Gonia, a small village in south central Santorini. It is located down the steps from the church of Agios Charalambos, a monastery built around 1705. Being in a more secluded village, you’ll need a car or taxi to eat here. Metaxi Mas is situated on top of a hill giving you sweeping views of the island and the Aegean Sea.
Lycabettus Restaurant
Enter the eclectic realm of quintessential Greek dining at Lycabettus, a fine dining restaurant in Santorini and one of the most iconic sunset views. Located in Andronis Luxury Suites
Argo Restaurant
This restaurant is located in Fira close to the donkeys station and the cable car. It offers spectacular views of the caldera, sea and sunset
Atlantis Books E.E.
This bookstore is inspired by the iconic bookshop of Shakespeare and Co. in Paris.
Windmill of Oia
The windmill is best viewed at sunset and is typical of Cyclades Islands architecture.
Museum of Prehistoric Thera
The Museum of Prehistoric Thera offers an exhibition on the history of the island and the discoveries associated with it, with a special focus on the most important archaeological site on Santorini – Prehistoric Akrotiri. Open from Wednesday - Monday from 8:30am - 3:30pm. Closed on Tuesday.
Akrotiri Archaeological Site
Akrotiri is an ancient Minoan settlement. In the 16th century BC, the settlement was destroyed in a volcanic eruption and buried in volcanic ash, similar to Pompeii in Italy. It is estimated that humans have inhabited this area since the 5th millennium BC. Entrance to Akrotiri costs €12 adults/€6 concessions. You can also get a combined ticket for the Archaeological Museum, Museum of Prehistoric Thera and Collection of Icons and Ecclesiastical Artefacts at Pyrgos for €14/€7. Akrotiri is normally open 8am–6:30pm (closed Tuesdays) from mid-April to October and until 3:30pm the rest of the year.
Lolita's Gelato
An ice cream parlour located just off Oia's main drag, Lolita makes the most-loved Italian gelato from carefully sourced seasonal ingredients. The offering changes daily.
Zotos
Oldest pastry shop in Santorini serving gelato and other goods
Franco's Cafè
Franco's Cafe is perched on top of the charming town of Pyrgos and it is one of the few spots on the island that offers a truly stunning view of the sunset. It takes quite a hike to reach the place because Pyrgos has been built on one of the highest hills in Santorini. Franco's serves simple food and the most popular thing about this place is the classical music that is played throughout the day. Delicious fare like tarts and chocolate fondue are prepared right in front of the guests. The cafeteria opens early in the morning and closes late at night.
Koo Club
Club located in the heart of Fira.
Enigma Club Santorini
The oldest club situated in Fira with celebrity DJs spinning Greek and international EDM.