Things to do in Santorini, splurging
Caldera views, destination dinners, and the island at its most considered.
This is Santorini for people who have done their research and are happy to spend accordingly. The days move between serious restaurants, a cooking session in a cave house, a crossing to Thirassia, and the kind of rim-walk that earns the view. It suits couples or solo travellers who want quality over quantity and are willing to book well ahead.
Day 1: Fira rim, frescoes, Selene
The caldera hike from Fira to Imerovigli sets the tone before lunch at Rizes and a benchmark dinner at Selene, Santorini's most serious creative table.
- 10:30 AM
Fira to Oia caldera-rim hike
Walk the rim path from Fira to Imerovigli, about an hour, with the caldera below you all the way.
Map - 12:30 PM
Rizes Gastro Taverna Santorini
A modern take on island classics in Fira; order the fava and the tomato fritters with a glass of Assyrtiko.
Map - 2:30 PM
Fira Museums + Firostefani rim walk
The Museum of Prehistoric Thera keeps Akrotiri's Bronze Age frescoes and pottery; give it an unhurried hour.
Map - 7:30 PM
Selene Restaurant
Santorini's most serious kitchen, cooking island produce like fava, capers and cherry tomatoes into a tasting menu.
Map
Day 2: Thirassia crossing, Beefbar
A morning ferry to Thirassia trades the crowds for cliffs and silence, then Beefbar brings you back to the island's most polished destination dinner.
Day 3: South coast, tomatoes, Paula's kitchen
The Tomato Industrial Museum is stranger and better than it sounds, a hands-on cook-and-eat session with Paula and George at Petra Kouzina, then dinner at Forty One 41 on the water.
- 10:30 AM
Tomato Industrial Museum, D.Nomikos
A 1945 tomato cannery at Vlychada with its old machines intact; finish with tomato paste tasting in the shop.
Map - 12:30 PM
Petra Kouzina cooking experience
Cook a full Santorinian menu in a cave home with Paula and George, then eat it together. Book ahead.
Map - 7:30 PM
Forty One 41
Dinner on the black sand at Perivolos; order the grilled fish and sit at the front row of tables.
Map
Where to stay
Grace Hotel Santorini
Grace Hotel sits on the Imerovigli rim, exactly on the hike route, with a pool bar that rivals any cocktail spot on the island.
Vora
Vora is a smaller, design-forward $$$$ property a short walk from Selene and Fira's best coffee, which keeps Day 1 entirely walkable.
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