Things to do in Santorini
Caldera views, local fish, and the island the cruise ships skip.
This is Santorini without the performance: a working-island history lesson, a ferry to a quieter caldera neighbour, and dinners that cost what they should. It suits anyone who wants the view but would rather earn it with a hike than pay for it in a poolside cocktail.
Day 1: South coast, black sand, tomatoes
Start with the island's industrial past at the Tomato Museum, taste the caldera from a 1947 gravity-built winery terrace, then wind down the afternoon at Vlychada before a no-fuss fish dinner at Lava Tavern.
- 10:15 AM
Tomato Industrial Museum, D.Nomikos
A 1945 tomato cannery at Vlychada with its machines intact, telling the story of the island's tomato paste.
Map - 12:30 PM
Venetsanos Winery
Historic 1947 gravity-built winery above Athinios port with spectacular caldera terrace.
Map - 2:30 PM
Vlychada beach
Black sand under wind-carved pumice cliffs, quieter than Perissa and five minutes from the tomato museum.
Map - 7:30 PM
Lava Tavern
A family taverna in Perissa where you pick from the day's pots in the kitchen; get the tomato fritters.
Map
Day 2: Thirassia, then the long walk home
Cross to Thirassia in the morning for whitewashed quiet, refuel with lunch at Oia Oenosart, then walk the 10km caldera rim back toward Fira before a slow-cooked dinner inside a candlelit 1830s canava at Krinaki.
- 10:30 AM
Thirassia island day trip
Sail to Thirassia, quiet caldera island with whitewashed villages and no cruise-ship crowds; explore at your own pace.
Map - 12:30 PM
- 2:30 PM
Fira to Oia caldera-rim hike
Walk the rim path from Oia towards Imerovigli as far as your legs allow, then take the bus back for dinner.
Map - 7:30 PM
Krinaki
Slow-cooked island dishes in an old canava in Finikia; book ahead and ask for the terrace.
Map
Day 3: Akrotiri, frescoes, Fira rim
Morning at the Akrotiri lighthouse nature reserve, then Roza's for lunch, before the caldera-rim stroll past the three-bell tower and the original Akrotiri frescoes, capped with dinner at Aktaion.
- 10:30 AM
Akrotiri Lighthouse
The 1892 lighthouse on the island's south-west tip; walk the cliff edge for the whole caldera in one view.
Map - 12:30 PM
Roza's
A garden taverna in the inland village of Vourvoulos, away from the rim crowds; order whatever is grilled.
Map - 2:30 PM
Fira Museums + Firostefani rim walk
Walk the famous caldera rim to Firostefani past the three-bell tower, then duck into the museum housing original Akrotiri frescoes.
Map - 7:30 PM
Aktaion Restaurant
A family taverna in Firostefani since the 1920s; order the moussaka and sit facing the caldera.
Map
Make Santorini your trip
Swearby drafts the days from places people swear by. Swap any stop, then invite the crew by text, even friends without the app. Vote on dates, track costs as you go, and everyone gets one number at the end.
Get Swearby on the App StoreBefore you go
Book ahead
- Domaine Sigalas: weeks ahead
- Petra Kouzina: weeks ahead
- Small-group sunset catamaran cruise: weeks ahead
- South-coast sea kayaking: a few days ahead
- Caldera scuba diving: a few days ahead
- Grace Hotel Santorini, Auberge Resorts Collection: months ahead
Skip these
- Oia Castle at sunset, where spots are claimed 2 hours early and lanes gridlock. Watch from Imerovigli, Firostefani or a boat instead.
- Red Beach as a swim beach, closed to bathers over landslide risk. View it from above or a boat and swim elsewhere.
- Caldera-rim restaurants chosen by view alone in Oia and Fira. Have the drink there and eat from the Eat list.
- Donkey rides up the Fira steps, and flying dress shoots that trespass on church roofs and private terraces.
The full Santorini travel guide: when to go, safety, getting around