Famous Tourist Attractions to Visit and Things to Do in Santorini

September 11, 2020 Mustafa Natalwala 4417 Views

Santorini is a set of volcanic islands in the Aegean Sea and are a part of Greece. The islands are also known as Thira or Thera. This was the name of the historical village which existed on these islands. The ruins of Thera are among the best places to visit in Santorini. One of the biggest events on the island was the Minoan Volcanic Eruption, which was responsible for the downfall of Minoan civilization on this islands as well as on the island of Crete. The site of volcanic eruption is also among Santorini tourist attractions. The folklore of Atlantis is also associated with the island of Thera. The Minoan Eruption is considered one of the sources for the legend of Atlantis. Among best things to do in Santorini, Greece is a folklore experience of the legendary Atlantis.

The island itself is segmented by villages. Each village and its surrounding region have their own top things to do in Santorini, Greece. There are a few places to visit in Santorini which are common across all villages. These things to see in Santorini include beaches and incredible ocean view. Your trip to Santorini will be much easier to plan if you understand what villages have to offer. So here we go. Akrotiri holds the Venetian Castle as the most prominent Santorini tourist attraction in the village. La Ponta Tower in Akrotiri has an observation deck great for Santorini sightseeing. Fira is a town located on a cliff with several Santorini attractions. It is also a great place for shopping for souvenirs during Santorini travel. Firostefani also has a great observation deck for Santorini sightseeing. Imerovigil is kind of a resort town where you can kick back & relax. You can also head to this village for a beautiful sunset view when you visit Santorini. On the opposite end of the island to Imerovigil is Kamari. The best time to go to Santorini village of Kamari is at sunrise. You can also enjoy the famous black pebble beach of Kamari on Santorini vacation. The village of Karterados is known for regional architecture. It’s a popular attraction to visit on trip to Santorini.

Though if you are looking for famous white churches among best places to visit in Santorini, you should visit Megalochori village. These churches are a Santorini must see structures. The village of Mesaria is situation at the center of the main island. Mesaria is home to Argyros Winery, one of the most popular places to see in Santorini. Then you have Monolithos village, which is known for its beaches and taverns among places to go in Santorini. Beaches adjacent to Monolithos are not very deep, hence it is a popular Santorini tourist attractions among families with children. Village of Oia, also known as Ia, is known for architecture along the slope of a cliff. The best time to travel to Santorini village of Oia is at time of sunset. As sun rays glide a orange shadow over the village, you get to enjoy a beautiful memory during Santorini sightseeing. The coastal village of Perissa is known for Greek style fishing taverns and pristine beaches. Pyrgos village is home to the highest point on the island and one the best places to visit in Santorini for a great view. Finally you can visit Santorini villages of Vilchada and Vothonas. These are both small villages, the later of which is known for its strange architecture built from rocks.

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Table of Contents

The Best 10 Tourist Places to Visit in Santorini

1. Fira

Fira is among the most beautiful places to visit in Santorini. The multicolored (mostly white) houses aligned on the slope of the mountain as it meets the ocean is a marvelous site. This area is also home to many Santorini tourist attractions. This area is specially popular for leisurely strolls among those who visit Santorini.

2. Akrotiri Archaeological Site

This is the site of ruins of Minoan Civilization. You can remains of mud houses which used to be homes at some point of time. This archaeological site tells you a great deal about the Minoan civilization and their lifestyle.

If you want to understand deeply about Akrotiri Archaeological Site then I suggest you can also book a Guided Tour of Akrotiri Archaeological Site.

3. Oia

Like Fira, Oia is again a beautiful neighborhood with a similar appeal. Sunset from Oia is among the most wonderful things to see in Santorini. You can also enjoy infinity pools or a quaint meal at one of the many rustic looking hotels in the area among top things to do in Santorini. Oia, like Fira, is also a great place to explore Santorini on foot.

I suggest you should book a Full Day Tour to Oia Traditional Village Visit with Sunset.

4. Ancient Thira

The site of ancient Thira or Thera tells the story of the region during Roman and early Byzantine era. The ruins are dated back to 9th century BCE. You can see many archetype roman structures like theatre, temples and so on at these ruins. For those interested in history, this site would be among top Santorini attractions.

5. Red Beach

The Red Beach is among the most famous places to visit in Santorini. You have tall red cliffs on one side and beautiful blue ocean on the other. In between these two marvels of nature is the Red Beach for you to enjoy during Santorini travel.

6. Museum of Prehistoric Thira

The museum displays many artworks and artifacts gathered from ancient Thira site and Akrotiri site. The museum itself is housed in Metropolis Church built during 1950s, which is a Santorini tourist attraction in its own right.

7. Pyrgos Church

Pygros was once the site of a fortress which served as the power center of the island. You can still visit the ruins of the fortress in the area. Pygros, like Fira and Oia is known for whitewashed houses highlighted with bright colours. It is a beautiful area to explore and among the most photogenic things to see in Santorini.

8. Perissa Beach

Perissa offers a black sand beach to enjoy when you visit Santorini. The beach is among the most popular Santorini tourist attractions, not only for leisure, but for water sports as well.

9. Fira Archaeological Museum

This museum is a collections of various artifacts from ancient civilizations found on the island. It is a small, yet interesting museum featuring many interesting things to see in Santorini. You can see exhibits from Roman, Byzantine and Dorian periods.

10. Ammoudi Bay

Ocean so clear, that you can see the rocks several feet deep. If you are looking to stroll the ocean in a boat, this is where you should be. The bay is a marvelous site by itself, it looks even more beautiful from the ocean.

After exploring above 10 tourist attractions, if you are staying for long term in Santorini then please check out our below listed other things to do and see in Santorini.

Things to do in Santorini

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Santorini

Akrotiri Pre-historic Village Ruins
Ancient Thera
Museum of Pre-historic Thera
Archeological Museum of Thera
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church
Akrotiri Lighthouse
Orthodox Metropolitan Cathedral
Megaro Gizi Museum
Byzantine Castle Ruins
Castle of Oia
Folklore Museum
Wine Museum
Karavoldes Stairs
Art Space Museum
Tomato Industrial Museum
Maritime Museum
Lost Atlantis Experience Museum
St. John the Baptist Cathedral
Panagia Episkopi Church
Santorini Arts Factory Museum
Anastasi Orthodox Church
Panagia Platsani
Moni Profiti Ilas Monastery
Spira Marble Art Gallery
Panagia Greek Orthodox Church
Argyros Mansion
Museum of Minerals and Fossils
Catholic Monastery of Dominican Nuns
Orthodox Church of Agios Nikolaos
Prophet Elias Monastery
Prophet Elias Church
Venetian Castle

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Santorini

Santorini Caldera
Profitis Ilias Peak
Nea Kameni Volcanic Region
Mesa Vouno Peak
Sight of Minoan Eruption
Skaros Rock

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Santorini

Santo Wines
Venetsanos Winery
Domaine Sigalas Winery
Caldera View Observation Point
Argyros Winery
Mati Art Gallery
Gavalas Winery
Santorini New Harbour
Boutari Winery
Artemis Karamolegos Winery
Hatzidakis Winery
Vassaltis Vineyards
Gaia Wines
Sunset Point
Canava Roussos Winery
Canava Santorini Loukas Lygnos
Firostefani Observation Deck
Grace Hotel Infinity Pool
La Ponta Tower
Lioyerma Lounge Infinity Pool

Shopping in Santorini

Epilekton Store
Gabbiano Nero
1260 Observation Deck
Oia Market
Fira Street
Imerovigli Street
Pyrgos Market
Crossroad Antiques
Thiras Art Gallery

Beaches & Island in Santorini

Paralia Vlichada
Perissa Black Sand Beach
Red Beach
White Beach
Monolithos Beach
Therasia Island
Ammoudi Bay
Playa Roja Beach
Palia Kameni Island
Baxedes Beach
Aspronisi Island
Mesa Pigadia Beach
Caldera Beach
Pori Beach
Black Beach
Kambia Beach
Paralia Perivolos Beach
Vourvoulos Beach
Kamari Beach
Aspri Beach
Cape Columbo
Playa de Kamari Beach
Armeni Beach
Kamari Black Pebble Beach
Playa de Baxedes Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventure Things to Do in Santorini

Santori Fishing Tours
Wave Sport
Jet Ski Safari
Hoverboard
Stand up Paddle Boat
Sailing
Speed Boating
Snorkeling
Scuba Diving
Kayaing
Windsrufing
Parasailing
Santorini Sailing Tour
Quad Biking
Horseback Ride Tours
Santorini Wine Tour
Santorini Food Tour

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Santorini

Metaxi Mas
Cava Alta
Argo
Ouzeri
Athenian House
Avocado
Candouni
Roka
Lucky’s Souvlaki
Yalos
Cacio e Pepe
Naoussa
Anogi
La Maison
Elinikon
Karma
Ambrosia
Panaroma Balcony
Lotza
Ammoudi Fish Restaurant
Aktaion
Remvi
Da Vinci
Taverna Geromanolis
Kiria Roula’s Restaurant
Tavern Tzanakis
Germanolis

Where to Stay in Santorini?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range and Budget Hotels in Santorini. You can check below listed hotels for your perfect stay in Santorini.

Luxurious Hotels

Mid-Range Hotels

Budget Hotels

Custom Tours Package in Santorini

How to Reach Santorini?

By Air

The best option for Santorini travel is via Thira National Airport located in the northern part of the island near Kamara village. You can get regular flights to visit Santorini from Athens, Crete, Rhodes, Mykonos, and Thessaloniki. The airport is quite close to several best places to visit in Santorini. So you can begin Santorini sightseeing immediately as you leave the airport. Even the view of the island from the plane as you approach the airport is a Santorini must-see. You can also get direct flights to visit Santorini from several European countries between May and October. If you are traveling from Europe, this period is also the best time to go to Santorini. Direct flights for Santorini travel depart from Dusseldorf, Stuttgart, Frankfurt, Munich, London, Manchester, Milan, Zurich, Cologne, Brussels, Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm, Otopeni, Bucharest, and Amsterdam.

You can get a bus to reach things to see in Santorini. Most of these buses are directed towards Fira, but you can get a bus to many Santorini tourist attractions directly from the airport. If you are looking for more freedom of travel when enjoying Santorini attractions, you can also opt for a taxi from the airport. There are several cabs waiting at the airport to take you to all the best places to visit in Santorini. Alternatively, you can also use the cab-hailing app “Aegean Taxi” to book a cab on mobile.

By Road

The island sits in the Aegean Sea, so unless you have a car that drives on water, there is no road for Santorini travel. You can take a boat though.

By Water

There are several islands and ports in Greece which provide ferry rides for Santorini travel. You can visit Santorini by catching a ferry from Piraeus, Naxos, Heraklion, Rethymnon, Athens, Ios, Milos, Mykonos, Kos, and Rhodes. There are several private and public ferry services to make Santorini day trips as well. Some of these ferries can also travel with cars. You would then be able to trip to Santorini with the comfort of your own vehicle. The ferry ride also provides a great view of the island, hence you can also consider it for Santorini sightseeing. Besides ferry rides, there are several Aegean Sea cruise ships that dock at Santorini. If you are taking a cruise of Greek islands, you might also get Santorini day trips in the itinerary. Though Santorini tourist attractions covered under such tours would be limited.

Image Reference

Fira – BlinkView / Flickr
Akrotiri Archaeological Site – mightymightymatze / Flickr
Oia – nextvoyage / PixaBay
Ancient Thira – Klearchos Kapoutsis / Flickr
Red Beach – John M / Flickr
Museum of Prehistoric Thira – Bayreuth2009 / Wikimedia Commons
Pyrgos Church – nextvoyage / PixaBay
Perissa Beach – Pat_Scrap / PixaBay
Fira Archaeological Museum – Zde / Wikimedia Commons
Ammoudi Bay – Winniepix / Flickr