Santorini Bucket List: 8 Best Things to Do and See in 2024
Majestic sunsets, an enthralling lunar landscape, panoramic sea views, an active volcano, hot springs, beautiful blue-domed churches, picturesque whitewashed villages… No wonder Santorini is almost every traveler’s dream destination! If you plan to visit the island this year and wonder what to see and do in Santorini in 2024, you’re in the right place. In this article, we’re sharing the ultimate Santorini bucket list, so you can make the most of your visit to this Aegean gem. Let’s dive in!
- Visit Oia
- Discover the island’s hidden gems
- Tour a winery and do wine-tasting
- Go on a sunset cruise (a must-do in Santorini)
- Hike from Oia to Fira
- Explore the archaeological site of Akrotiri
- Visit Santorini’s active volcano
- Go for a swim at the black Perissa Beach
1. Visit Oia
No visit to Santorini is complete without Oia! Full of traditional whitewashed houses, narrow paved alleys, and blue-dome churches, Oia is the quintessential Cycladic village; wandering its streets will make you feel like living in a fairytale!
What’s more, Oia is one of the best places for sunset-watching, as it offers all-encompassing views of the sea, the volcano, and the caldera. However, if you want to watch the sunset in Oia, try to secure a quiet spot away from the hustle and bustle, as it tends to get overly crowded!
Oia and Fira might be the most popular villages in Santorini, but they are often overcrowded! So, the best way to escape the crowds and explore the island off the beaten path is to discover its picturesque villages.
Even better, you can stay in a quieter village and have it as your base for island exploration! There are many hotels in Messaria and other villages, including Pyrgos, Imerovigli, and Megalochori, where you can enjoy a relaxing stay away from the hordes of tourists who flock to other villages.
3. Tour a winery and do wine-tasting
Santorini is an island with a millennia-old wine-making tradition; in fact, it is home to the oldest winery in the world! So, touring a winery and tasting the most popular local wine varieties is arguably one of the best things to do in Santorini. From Vinsanto and Assyrtiko to Aidani and Athiri, there’s a wide variety of wines to enjoy.
Whether you’re on a honeymoon or visiting with friends, you can book a private or group tour at one of the island’s wineries and immerse yourself in Santorini’s fascinating wine culture!
4. Go on a sunset cruise (a must-do in Santorini!)
If you think the only way to enjoy the world-famous sunset of Santorini is from a viewpoint in one of the island’s villages, you’re dead wrong! Watching the sunset from a boat during a sunset cruise around the caldera is a far more exhilarating experience in Santorini.
Also, taking a cruise will allow you to marvel at the caldera, the volcano, and the unique architecture of the island from afar, discovering another face of Santorini beyond the typical tourist activities!
5. Hike from Oia to Fira
If you are a hiking enthusiast, you will be happy to know that there are several hiking trails you can follow in Santorini! The most popular one though is the hiking trail that connects Oia with Fira.
Along this route, you will have the opportunity to marvel at breathtaking sea and island views, enjoy Santorini’s landscape, and discover beautiful spots off the beaten path. It’s a relatively easy hiking route that lasts for 2.5-3 hours, so it is suitable for the majority of hikers. Just make sure you have plenty of water and sunscreen with you for hydration and protection from the heat!
6. Explore the archaeological site of Akrotiri
Whether you’re a history buff or you just want to delve into the island’s past, a visit to the archaeological site of Akrotiri shouldn’t be missing from your list. This ancient city remained for centuries under volcano ashes, which preserved buildings and everyday objects intact; that’s why it is also known as the Pompeii of Greece. Fascinating, right?
Today, you can visit the ancient settlement of Akrotiri and see the remains of the ancient civilization that vanished overnight. It’s one of the best things to see in Santorini!
7. Visit Santorini’s active volcano
The island owes its stunning landscape to its famous volcano, so visiting the craters is a must-do in Santorini! Many boat tours will take you to the volcanic Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni islands, where you will hike on the active volcano, and indulge in a natural spa treatment in the hot springs that contain high amounts of sulfur.
Just make sure you wear a comfortable pair of hiking shoes because it takes about 30 minutes of hiking to reach the craters!
8. Go for a swim at the black Perissa Beach
Perissa is arguably one of the most stunning beaches in Santorini! Also known as Black Beach, Perissa stands out for its unique volcanic landscape and aethereal atmosphere, so swimming here is a unique experience.
Other than that, Perissa is lined with many restaurants and cafes, where you can sit and savor a traditional meal or a refreshment after you have enjoyed the sea and the sun of the Aegean!
So, if you’re wondering what to do in Santorini in 2024, the options are endless! From watching the sunset and discovering the island’s hidden gems, to hiking and swimming surrounded by a magical landscape, the experiences you can have in Santorini are simply unique. Put them on your bucket list and get ready for an unforgettable holiday amidst the Aegean!
