Santorini Tours & Things to Do
Discover the best Santorini tours and things to do on Greece’s most romantic island: sail a caldera catamaran cruise, watch the world-famous Oia sunset, cruise to the volcano and hot springs, taste Assyrtiko wines at cliffside wineries, and explore the whitewashed villages of Fira and Oia. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
Explore Santorini by interest
Whatever brings you to Santorini — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Santorini
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Oia
Sunset village.
The Caldera
Catamaran cruises.
The Volcano
Nea Kameni.
Fira
Clifftop capital.
Wineries
Assyrtiko wine.
Red Beach
Volcanic sand.
Blue Domes
Iconic churches.
Sunset Sailing
Golden hour.
Santorini in 3 days
- 1Day 1: caldera cruise
- 2Day 2: volcano & villages
- 3Day 3: wine & beaches
- 4Oia sunset
Volcano & hot springs day
- 1Morning boat from Fira old port
- 2Hike the Nea Kameni crater
- 3Swim in the sulphur hot springs
- 4Taverna lunch on Thirassia
Wine & villages day
- 1Akrotiri ruins at opening
- 2Lunch in Megalochori
- 3Two caldera-rim wineries
- 4Golden hour in Pyrgos
Island awayThe Caldera
Catamaran cruise.
North awayOia
Sunset village.
Caldera awayThe Volcano
Craters & springs.
Island awayWineries
Assyrtiko wine.
Centre awayFira
Clifftop capital.
South awayRed Beach
Volcanic sand.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Santorini visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Apr–May)
Warm, green and quieter — one of the best times to visit.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot, sunny and busy, with the liveliest atmosphere.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Warm sea, fewer crowds and lovely light — ideal.
Winter (Nov–Mar)
Mild and very quiet; some tours and hotels close.
Peak sunset
The Oia sunset is spectacular all year.
Best overall
May, September and early October are ideal.
One day
The caldera and sunset.
Two days
Add the volcano and villages.
Three days
Add wine and beaches.
For couples
Sunsets and wineries.
For adventure
The volcano and ATV.
With kids
Boat trips and beaches.
Tours & transfers
Guided tours are the easiest way to see the villages and wineries.
Boats
Catamarans and cruise boats reach the caldera, volcano and beaches.
On foot
Fira and Oia are best explored on foot along the caldera path.
ATV & car
ATVs and rentals give freedom to explore the island.
Cable car
A cable car links Fira with the Old Port; expect queues.
Where to stay
Stay in Oia or Imerovigli for the best caldera views.
Euro
Santorini uses the euro; cards are widely accepted.
Sunset spots
Arrive early in Oia for a good sunset spot, or watch from a cruise.
Book cruises
Sunset catamaran cruises sell out in summer — book ahead.
Wear good shoes
The caldera villages have many steps and cobbles.
Try the wine
Don’t miss the crisp local Assyrtiko whites.
Shoulder season
Visit in May or September for the best balance.
Sunset cruises
Sunset catamaran cruises sell out — book ahead.
Wine tours
Popular winery tours fill up — reserve early.
Oia sunset tours
Sunset village tours book out in summer — reserve ahead.
Volcano cruises
Volcano and hot springs cruises fill up — book early.
Photoshoots
Flying-dress photoshoots sell out — reserve ahead.
Summer
June to September is busiest — book everything ahead.
Catamaran cruise
Around €90–150 for a Santorini caldera catamaran cruise.
Volcano cruise
About €35–60 for a volcano and hot springs cruise.
Wine tour
Roughly €65–110 for a Santorini wine tasting tour.
Village tour
Around €40–70 for a half-day island tour.
Sunset tour
About €40–80 for an Oia sunset tour.
How to save
Choose day over sunset cruises and join group tours.
Santorini through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Green & mild.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely & quieter.
- Best for
- Peak & lively.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Book ahead.
- Best for
- Warm sea.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Ideal.
- Best for
- Very quiet.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Some closures.