Top 10 Things to do in Santorini, Greece

December 19, 2017 Moriah Teneyck

Even if you’ve never been to this Cyclades island in the Aegean Sea, you’d still recognize it immediately – candy-colored houses carved into cliffs, sapphire waters, gleaming white buildings topped with half-spheres the color of a stormy sky. Here you’ll find peace as you roam the black sand beaches or the streets of a provincial village like Imerovigli. Beautiful Oia is world famous for its sunsets, which seem tinted with every shade of an artist’s palette.
Restaurants in Santorini

1. Hiking Trail Fira - Oia

847 00, Greece
Excellent
80%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 2 reviews

Hiking Trail Fira - Oia

This is the most obvious hike you can make on the island of Santorini and it will lead you - if you have not discovered them by now - through the sister villages of Fira, Firostefani and Imerovigli, going higher up all the time above the Caldera. It then continues through the expanding housing in northern direction and it finally goes to Oia via a really magnificent path. This hike offers many changing views on the volcano, the sea and the Caldera. This hike takes two hours and a half (actual walking time), but the total time can reach 4 or 5 hours. It is ideal to leave Firà at about 10am and in this way you will arrive in Oia already between 1 and 2pm. You can then eat in Oia in one of the many bars. In the afternoon you can descend to the little harbour of Ammoudi in Oia. From the bus square in Fira (when you get to Fira by bus) you have to continue to the very busy square of Theotokopoulou. This is the modern centre of Fira with a lot of travel agencies, banks and bars. In the corner, in between the George's Snack Corner and the Pelican travel agency you go left, in the direction of the Caldera. You can then take one of the three streets off the right, they all lead towards the higher part of Fira. Once at the Archaeological Museum higher up (this museum is open till 3pm, but not on Mondays), take a left, past the upper station of the cable car. You then go right above the Caldera, until the red-brown building higher up that dominates this neighbourhood of Firostefani: it is the P.M. Nomikos Conference Centre, where a lot of Exhibitions take place – on the extending corner in front of this building many people take pictures of the marvellous panoramic view. On the left of the Centre you follow the tiled road and stairs, while you enjoy the view – in front of you you can see the even higher situated village of Imerovigli.

Reviewed By EL76SE - ATHENS

You have to experience this amazing hiking from Imerovigli to Oia,,its a a must,,avoid the hot hours of the hot months, so either early in the morning or early in the evening to catch the sunset in Oia,,,dont be afraid its quite easy,,,have comfortable shoes and water,,it takes 2,30 hrs to reach Oia and you can make stops to take your photos and admire the amazing view of Caldera,,,if you feel tired get the bus from Oia to return,,you dont have to do it two ways.

2. Venetsanos Winery

Eparchiaki Odos Firon-Ormou Perissis, Megalochori 84701, Greece +30 2286 021100
Excellent
86%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 498 reviews

Venetsanos Winery

Venetsanos winery is located right above the port of Athinios, overlooking the magnificent Caldera of Santorini. The winery was designed by the innovator George Venetsanos in 1947. Firstly operated in 1949 and was the first industrial winery on the island. It has a very rich history, unique architecture and amazing views. Visit our Cafe, the Wine Tasting area, our shop or hire our terraces for a private event or Wedding!

Reviewed By Linda Y - Frisco, Texas

Venetsanos Winery is located right above the port of Athinios, overlooking the Caldera. Designed by George Venetsanos, it was opened as the first industrial winery on the island in 1949. This unique winery (now a museum) is literally carved into and hanging onto the cliffs! The winery produces several white and red wines, includes the sweet Vinsanto dessert wine. We enjoyed tasting them all! When paired with food and sipped on the Terrace with the Caldera and all of Santorini at your feet – well, friends, it doesn’t get any better than this! Our Santorini Unique Experience Tour included a stop here. Make sure you allow enough time, because you won’t want to leave. I’d still be there with a wine glass in my hand if they hadn’t dragged me away.

Karteradhos, Greece +30 2286 024333
Excellent
86%
Good
12%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 124 reviews

Erotokritos

Reviewed By Aron C

We stayed in Karterados for 3 days and we went here thrice to have our brunch. I think this is one of the best bakeries on Santorini. They serve very good coffee and we loved the fresh orange juice. Staff very helpful and patient as we could not make a choice from the massive assortment. Please note that there are also seats next to the building.
Open 24 hrs.

4. Artemis Karamolegos Winery

Eparchiaki Odos Mesarias-Archeas Thiras, Exo Gonia, Fira 847 00, Greece +30 2286 033395
Excellent
85%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 106 reviews

Artemis Karamolegos Winery

Artemis Karamolegos Winery combines a great respect for Santorini’s winemaking traditions with a modern outlook and constant investment in our vineyards and in wine making equipment. This makes it of the most dynamic and fastest-growing wineries in Santorini. It combines wine tasting with a meal or diner at Aroma Avlis Food & Wine restaurant, which is just next door. Artemis Karamolegos Winery produces 11 labels and has already won many prestigious awards in both domestic and international competitions. Among them the Judges’ Selection for Greece White for Santorini 2016 in the TEXSOM IWA 2017 competition, Gold and Silver awards in competitions such as Mundus Vini, Decanter and the Thessaloniki International Wine and Spirits Competition. The winery also participates in major international Exhibitions such as ProWein. It distributes its wines throughout Greece through Vinalia and also exports to major markets such as America, Canada, Germany, Nederland, Belgium, Japan, Cyprus.

Reviewed By GWHAM - Hamburg, Germany

So definitely a recommendation.
It's very close to the airport and easy to find.
There are two options for tasting and also some food options.
The wine is very well explained like in other wineries too. Even the pairing with the food.
When the lady recognised that i am not just a drinking tourist but really interested in wine she turned out very empathic and really knowledgeable. After, she even recommended other smaller wineries on the island which i think is very nice.
Thanks for the nice wine chat!

5. Skaros Rock

Imerovigli, Greece
Excellent
64%
Good
30%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 1 reviews

Skaros Rock

Skaros was considered the most important of Santorini's five castle fortresses. The rock was inhabited in medieval times, because the fortress constructed there offered protection from pirates.

Reviewed By Judy R

Amazing and unobstructed views of the Caldera, hillside homes and hotels. It is well worth the walk down to see the Church as well as the surrounding areas. The water is so clear from this viewpoint. The walk back up, while a workout, made the stop at a local cafe even better.

Pliarhon Street, Oia 847 02, Greece +30 2286 072142
Excellent
87%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5 based on 125 reviews

Mnemossyne Gallery

Unique variety of fine art photography and jewelry, all astonishingly handmade by local artists. The gallery has a very harmonic atmosphere in an elegant cave house located only a few steps before the Castle and the famous sunset spot in Oia.

Reviewed By Tim A - San Diego, California

Alexandra is an awesome proprietor. Being one of the featured artists as well, she is very adept at helping you choose and even adjust the jewelry to fit the buyer. She is knowledgable and not pushy at all. Prices are very reasonable and she helps guide you in your buying decision. Wide variety of custom made goods for you to choose from. Highly recommended.

7. Domaine Sigalas

Baxes, Oia 847 02, Greece +30 2286 071644
Excellent
73%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 441 reviews

Domaine Sigalas

An award winning winery of Santorini that offers Wine Tasting and Menu Degustation. Domaine Sigalas is included in the 2016 Top 100 Wineries in the World by Wine & Spirits magazine (US). January through March please contact us in order to arrange your visit!

Reviewed By InaMP - Sarpsborg, Norway

Nestled under vines you can enjoy their fantastic wines, overlooking the vineyard and enjoying the sunset behind it. My husband and I did, and it was nothing short of spectacular.
They give you a pamphlet with information about their wines, and you taste your way through them. They also have a full kitchen and will serve delicious food if you choose to have that. The staff are great at their job, and give you service with a smile and the information you need.
Drop ins are welcomed.

The Orthodox Cathedral Plateau, Fira 847 00, Greece +30 2286 023814
Excellent
76%
Good
21%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 161 reviews

MATI Art Gallery

ΜΑΤΙ is the main agent for the works of visual artist Yorgos Kypris and the central venue for his Exhibitions. Founded in 1990 on Santorini to promote the work of major artists, it soon became the hub of fine taste and the contemporary views on art and the local point for a broad public interested in matters of artistic expression. Today ΜΑΤΙ uses its facilities exclusively to present the oeuvre of sculptor Yorgos Kypris in the best possible way.Yorgos Kypris is an internationally acclaimed and awarded artist and has installed his works for public and private collections around the world. His artworks focus on the study of human behaviour, and the results of this behaviour to nature to other forms of life and to humanity.The gallery provides information to those who wish to know his art, and distributes printed and electronic material about the artist. It carries out studies, organizes the artist’s Exhibitions, installations and projects and handles the insurance and the shipping of the works to destinations around the world.

Reviewed By Pater D - Doha, Qatar

The gallery is based on artwork inspired by marine life. Especially by schools of small fishes. It is extremely unusual and even if you don't like that kind of art, it looks very interesting

9. Wine Museum Koutsogiannopoulos

Fira 847 00, Greece +30 2286 031322
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 804 reviews

Wine Museum Koutsogiannopoulos

Koutsoyannopoulos Wine Museum was awarded among the top 10 Wine Museums of the World. Located on the premises of the Family Winery is the only natural underground wine museum in all of Greece, which has an 8m depth and 300m length (like a Labyrinth). One that visits the Museum will learn on the history of wine making from 1660. Accompanied with one in the museum is an audio guide which is in 22 languages.

Reviewed By hunnybunx - Singapore

Insightful museum, offered a glimpse into the history and origins of wine growing and vineyards in Santorini. Give yourself some 1.5 hrs or more to explore the underground museum.
Followed by a chilled and relaxing time with wine tasting after. I love their sweet wines - just lovely!
All visitors will be equipped with an audio device (22 languages available!) which will furnish u with info on artifacts and the wines - brilliant operations!
If you have time for only ONE winery visit - make it this one!

10. Gavalas Winery

Megalochori, Santorini, Greece, Megalochori 847 00, Greece +30 2286 082552
Excellent
67%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 165 reviews

Gavalas Winery

Traditional Family Winery With the legacy and experience for over three centuries, the Gavalas family produces high quality wines with unique attributes in the international market.Always with the upmost respect for the characteristics of our indigenous varietals while applying a combination of both traditional and modern vinification techniques. "Wine equals life" Mr. Gavalas says and his actions verify this. His passion for our rare indigenous is even stronger He always says "They are special and produce unique wines in the world, raising new wine horizons " Our purpose at Gavalas winery is in pursuing the constant improvement of quality, not the increase in quantity. Respecting the consumers, we try to provide wines of value for money.

Reviewed By Ambar B

We enjoyed our visit here so much! Came with four other friends, drank 6 delicious bottles of wine (tried all the whites on the menu -- each one unique and good) and stayed for 3 hours. Special highlight: it was vinsanto stamping season. We took of our shoes and they let us stomp on grapes!! There was also an amazing Greek rustic song duo, singing and playing on a bag pipe and drum. This is what vacation memories are made out of. We felt like we were in the middle of an Anthony bourdain clip!
Pro tip - the natural ferment white was delicious.

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