Santorini: what to see and do
Thera was Santorini's ancient name. The island group lies in the southern Cyclades and brings together Thera, Thirasia, Aspronisi, Palea Kameni and Nea Kameni. Along its beaches, the sand ranges from black to red and white, with pebbles in a variety of colours.
Things to do in Santorini
Santorini's settlement architecture responds to the shape and volcanic origins of the ground, with homes cut into the volcanic terrain. On neighbouring Thirasia, the traditional settlement of Potamos sits in a valley with caves carved into the rock. In Fira, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera exhibits paintings from the walls of Akrotiri and a gold figurine of an ibex.
A guided cultural tour of Santorini with wine and Oia views lasts 5 hours and 30 minutes and includes an Oia art gallery visit, wine tasting with local food pairings, a ceramics demonstration, transport between stops, cultural commentary and Greek music storytelling, and a photo stop in Megalochori.
A private Santorini tour with a flying dress photoshoot lasts 6 hours and includes private transport, a professional photoshoot in Imerovigli, a dress for the shoot, 12 professionally edited photos per guest and a private licensed guide throughout.
Santorini caldera
Oia, Fira and Imerovigli extend in a line along the edge of the caldera. The caldera took shape after the Minoan eruption around 1600 BC: the ground collapsed and seawater entered the resulting depression. At its centre, Nea Kameni developed through a series of eruptions from 1570 to 1950. At Palea Kameni, the thermal spring waters contain abundant sulphur and iron and can reach 35°C.
Akrotiri and Ancient Thira
People first lived at Akrotiri in the Late Neolithic period, at least as far back as the 4th millennium BC. Its prehistoric settlement occupied about 20 hectares. Akrotiri maintained links with Minoan Crete as well as the Greek mainland. Professor Spyridon Marinatos began systematic excavation of the site in 1967.
Ancient Thira follows an amphitheatre layout on Mesa Vouno. The surviving remains are largely from the Hellenistic city of the 3rd to 2nd century BC and from Roman times.
Vineyards and wine tasting
Basalt, ash, sand and pumice make up Santorini's volcanic soils. The volcanic ground helped keep its vineyards free from phylloxera for centuries. Vines are woven into the traditional basket form called kouloura to shelter the grapes from strong winds. The main white grapes are Assyrtiko, Athiri and Aidani, while Mandilaria and Mavrotragano are the main red varieties. Wines from the island carry the Santorini PDO, which includes the dry Nychteri and the sweet Vinsanto styles. Vinsanto has a deep amber hue and a sweet taste, and is produced using sun-dried grapes.
A private sunset wine tasting tour in Santorini vineyards lasts 4 hours and 30 minutes and includes a driver and wine connoisseur guide, three family-owned wineries, up to 12 wine varieties, a vineyard walk at one estate, tapas at the final winery, cellar tours and explanations of winemaking.
A private wine tasting tour in Santorini with four wineries lasts 5 hours and includes guided visits to up to four wineries, nine to eighteen tastings, cheese and cold cuts at each winery, a four-course lunch with wine pairing at Anhydrous Winery, vineyard and cellar tours, and a certified sommelier throughout.
Local food
Local cooking includes melitzanosalata, a dip using white aubergines, and the tomato fritters called tomatokeftedes.
Getting there
The flight between Athens International Airport and Santorini Airport takes approximately 50 minutes.
Frequently asked questions
What was Santorini called in ancient times?
Thera was Santorini's ancient name.
Which villages lie along the caldera?
Oia, Fira and Imerovigli extend in a line along the edge of the caldera.
What does the Museum of Prehistoric Thera display?
In Fira, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera exhibits paintings from the walls of Akrotiri and a gold figurine of an ibex.
What is Vinsanto?
Vinsanto has a deep amber hue and a sweet taste, and is produced using sun-dried grapes.
How long is the flight from Athens to Santorini?
The flight between Athens International Airport and Santorini Airport takes approximately 50 minutes.
