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Best Things to Do
Top 20 Best Things to Do in Santorini [2025]
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Santorini
4.7
/5
614 reviews
8.5
0m from downtown
Address: Santorini, Greece
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–3 days
Achieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Aegean sunset in Oia village
Donkey rides & unique charm
Saved by 576 users217 positive reviews
Verified user reviews
We experienced a comfortable tour for 3 days on the beautiful island. We drove to a lot of scenery. It was very easy to rent a car or scooter. Then you can go anywhere more convenient. Finally It was very unforgettable journey ☺️
I took a “Blue Star Ferries” from Athens to Santorini, which was a smooth and scenic journey lasting about 8 hours. The ride was comfortable, and it offered beautiful views of the Aegean Sea as we made our way to the island. Pro tips! use your student card and you will get 50% discount! thanks me later 😘
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Oia
4.7
/5
647 reviews
7.5
Oia | 10.9 km from downtown
Address: Οία 847 02, Greece
Recommended sightseeing time: 3–5 hours
Achieved a 2-year streak on the annual lists
Highlights:
Seafood & sunset at oceanfront
Santorini's iconic blue & white church
Saved by 550 users137 positive reviews
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As evening falls in Santorini, tourists have already found their vantage points, sitting or standing quietly, waiting. The once bustling paths gradually empty out, the crowds converging on the cliff edge, becoming the first fixed scene before sunset.
Standing on the steps of the blue and white houses, watching the sunset transform the sky from orange-pink to golden-red, then slowly into a golden hue, the town itself seems draped in a golden veil, so beautiful it makes you forget everything. Finally, the entire sunset glow sinks into the Aegean Sea, even the surface is covered with shimmering gold, the wind carries the light scent of sea salt and olive trees, there is no noise, only the sound of the waves lapping the shore, slowing down along with the light and shadow.
A spectacular sunset view that attracts tourists from all over the world. The best place to watch the sunset is from Oia Castle or the cliff edge.
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Three Bells of Fira
4.5
/5
303 reviews
5.6
Based on 330 reviews
Fira | 4.5 km from downtown
Address: Fira 847 00, Greece
Recommended sightseeing time: 1 hour
Highlights:
Blue roofs & azure sea contrast
Popular wedding photography spot
Saved by 203 users
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If Santorini is a business card of Greece, then the blue-domed church should be the business card of Santorini, because at some point it was on the cover of National Geographic Magazine, and thus became a globally known attraction. What’s more coincidental is that this attraction is so simple and straightforward that it’s almost otherworldly. You don’t need high-level photography skills or think about angles. Just the “click” at the entrance is the undisputed best of the day.
In fact, in Santorini, a place that uses blue and white to the extreme, there are many blue-domed churches. Each has its own merits, and many are very small and exquisite, worth remembering. Of course, the one published by National Geographic Magazine is the first one, which is relatively hidden and a little difficult to find. It is also this blue dome that has attracted the world's attention to Santorini, one of the thousands of islands in the Mediterranean.
No.
4
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Red beach
4.3
/5
270 reviews
5.3
7.8 km from downtown
Address: Greece
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Explore nearby Minoan archaeological site
Explore Akrotiri's ancient ruins
Saved by 103 users
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The Red Sand Beach is a must-see attraction when traveling to Santorini, because no matter whether you are taking a leisurely self-guided tour or a group tour, the bus will definitely pass by here during the day. People usually take pictures on the mountain and will not go down to the beach.
From the perspective of taking photos, the best place to view the red sand beach is two or three hundred meters forward from where a large number of tour buses are parked. The red mountain cliffs stand tall, and some tourists on the beach are far away from us, forming the background of our picture.
No.
5
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Sunset of Santorini
5.0
/5
12 reviews
5.0
Fira | 3.7 km from downtown
Address: Mitropoleos Street, Thira 847 00, Greece
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–3 hours
Highlights:
Unique hot spring mud bath
Aegean sunset & blue domes
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The sunset view on Santorini is world-famous. There are many viewing spots for sunset on this fairyland island, each of which is unique and unforgettable. Oia is the most famous, and Fira is also comparable. Watching the sunset fall into the sea on the island will move you deeply.
You must go and see it. You must go to Greece to see the Aegean Sea, the temples and the mythical places in your lifetime, otherwise you will regret coming to the world! Go, go again, go again, the light is infinite ♾, after seeing the Aegean Sea, you don’t need to go to other seas
No.
6
Kamari beach
4.3
/5
243 reviews
5.0
Based on 7,173 reviews
Kamari | 2.9 km from downtown
Phone +302286360101
Address: Greece
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–4 hours
Highlights:
Sunlit beach & geothermal marvels
Volcanic black sand beach
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The famous black sand beach of Santorini is located on the east side of Santorini, slightly away from the cliff town on the west side. As the name suggests, the black sand beach is a black sand beach. To be honest, it obviously doesn’t look as good as the white sand beach, but it is rare. Scarcity makes things valuable. It is really the same in the world. There are quite a lot of people on the beach. Later, I went to many different countries and regions and found that as far away as Iceland and as close as Macau, there are actually black sand beaches. It is not so rare. Anyway, as a less conventional beach attraction, it is not bad to take a walk around. The hotels and restaurants next to it have their own characteristics. It is very enjoyable.
Very nice scenic spot, with the famous black beach, various restaurants and hotels, close to the airport, and buses to Fira (blue-domed church). The hotels here are relatively cheap, making it an ideal place to stay when traveling to Santorini.
[Scenery] Beautiful.
[Fun] Sunbathing, sea fun, mountain climbing.
[Value for money] Free, cheap hotels.
No.
7
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Pyrgos
4.2
/5
101 reviews
4.9
Pyrgos Kallistis | 1.7 km from downtown
Address: Santorini 847 00, Greece
Recommended sightseeing time: 0.5–1 day
Highlights:
Aegean town: churches & tranquility
Aegean Sea panoramic view
Verified user reviews
grape farmers village with a few restaurants. Choose one with a roof terrace to enjoy the sunset! Pyrgos is not so crowded with tourists!
Pyrgos is a relatively small tourist attraction. It is not large in scale and has few residents. The hotel is very quiet and peaceful. Any casual photo taken here will turn out to be a perfect artistic photo.
No.
8
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Castle of Oia
5.0
/5
12 reviews
4.9
Based on 640 reviews
Oia | 10.9 km from downtown
Address: Oia 847 02, Greece
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–3 hours
Highlights:
A Dreamy Blue and White Vista at Sunset
Winding Path With Aegean Charm
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🌅 Oia Castle: A Sunset Sanctuary in the Aegean Sea
Oia Castle, located on the Greek island of Santorini, is a dazzling jewel in the Aegean Sea and is globally recognized as one of the **most beautiful sunset viewing spots**. This 15th-century Venetian castle stands like a weathered guardian atop a volcanic cliff, overlooking the boundless Aegean Sea.
🏰 The Past and Present of a Thousand-Year-Old Castle
Oia Castle (Agios Nikolaos Castle) was built in the 15th century by the Venetians, originally as a military fortress to defend against pirate invasions. Constructed of volcanic stone and lava bricks, it once contained noble residences, a church, and watchtowers, witnessing the glorious history of Santorini. Although only ruins remain today, its imposing grandeur and profound historical weight still awe-inspiring.
🌇 A Palette Fallen to Earth
At sunset, this place transforms into God's studio:
- The sun, like a giant fireball, slowly sinks below the horizon, dyeing the entire Aegean Sea golden-red and peach-colored.
- Blue-domed churches and white houses become silhouettes in the twilight, creating a stunning contrast with the orange-red sky.
- Windmills turn in the distance in the afterglow, as if time has reversed.
📸 Photography Tips:
- Arrive 2 hours early to secure a good spot (4 PM in summer, 2 PM in winter). The viewing platform is crowded, but absolutely worth it.
- Bring a sun hat and drinks, and find a comfortable spot to wait patiently.
- Capture the magical moment when the sun sinks below the horizon and the sky turns from orange to purple.
🏙️ A Castle Surrounded by a Blue and White Fairytale
The castle sits atop the highest point in Oia, surrounded by the most classic blue and white Greek architecture:
- Pure white houses cascade down the cliffs like frozen waves.
- The blue-domed churches, like jewels, shimmer like sapphires in the sunlight.
Narrow cobblestone paths wind through the area, flanked by flower-filled windowsills and colorful doors—every step reveals a picturesque scene.
🌸 Must-Experiences Nearby
- Atlantis Bookstore: One of the world's top ten most beautiful bookstores, nestled in a blue and white building facing the sea.
- Kastro Blue-Domed Restaurant: Enjoy a seafood feast on the cliffside with unparalleled ocean views; advance reservations required.
- Cave Hotel: Experience unique volcanic rock cave dwellings, some with private terraces offering panoramic views of the castle and the sea.
📌 Useful Tips
- Transportation: Approximately a 20-minute bus ride from Fira, the capital of Santorini, with buses running hourly.
- Admission: Free admission to the castle ruins; open all day.
- Best Time to Visit: May-September, with abundant sunshine and sapphire-blue skies.
💖 Reasons to Visit: Oia Castle is not just a tourist attraction, but a visual feast and a spiritual journey. As the sun sets, the entire world is bathed in dreamlike colors, and you'll understand why this is a romantic sanctuary in the hearts of countless people. Standing before the ruins of the ancient castle, gazing at the seamless blend of sea and sky, time seems to stand still. All the hustle and bustle is washed away by the waves, leaving only inner peace and awe.
Come to Oia Castle, fulfill a thousand-year-old rendezvous with the sunset, and let this intoxicating golden hue be forever etched in your memory.
It should be the ruins of a castle from the Byzantine period. Standing on the top, you can enjoy the view of the town of Oia.
No.
9
Sunset Oia
5.0
/5
42 reviews
4.6
Based on 9,932 reviews
Oia | 10.5 km from downtown
Phone +302286072200
Address: Oia, Thira 847 02, Greece
Recommended sightseeing time: 1–2 hours
Highlights:
Santorini sunset & unfinished buildings
Sunset applause for stunning views
Verified user reviews
It's really beautiful! Quiet and magnificent. The sunset time is different in different seasons. Just find an open place and wait for the sunset quietly. You can also have a meal or visit the small shops in the town.
Most of the houses in Oia, a small town in the northwest of Santorini, Greece, are built on the edge of the caldera, forming a unique landscape. What's more special is that many houses are made by drilling holes into the volcanic rocks, becoming so-called "cave houses". The beauty is different during the day and at night, it is definitely worth a visit!
No.
10
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Akrotiri Archaeological Site
4.2
/5
36 reviews
4.6
Based on 5,833 reviews
6.9 km from downtown
Phone +302286081939
Address: Thera 847 00, Greece
Recommended sightseeing time: 2–3 hours
Highlights:
Explore ancient complex water channels
Take a journey through history along the wooden walkway
Verified user reviews
small village with not so many tourists! most people go to the excavions! some nice restaurants close to the bus stop
Greece has always been a mysterious country. From the scene, we can see that people at that time had already mastered the elaborate drainage system and complex and diverse multi-story building construction techniques.
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