Best things to do in Santorini
21.07.2023 - 07:33
/ roughguides.com
Among all sorts of tips when visiting Greece, a visit to Santorini cannot be overlooked. Santorini’s famous blue-domed churches and whitewashed cave hotels glitter under the assault of a thousand flashbulbs as crowds congregate to cram their Instagram feeds with the sunset views for which Oia is renowned. From the best secret hideaways to top hiker's hangouts, these are the best things to do in Santorini.
The information in this article is inspired by The Rough Guide to Greece , your essential guide for visiting Greece .
Almost entirely rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1956, Firá (also known as Hóra) clings precariously to the edge of the enormous caldera. The rising and setting of the sun are especially beautiful when seen here against the Cycladic buildings lining the clifftop, and are even enough to make battling through the high-season crowds worthwhile.
One of the best things to do in Santorini is to hike a popular and scenic trail from Firá to Oía. The trail winds its way through the cliff tops, passing through some picturesque villages along the way, notably Firostefani and Imerovigli. Along the way, you'll be treated to the spectacular scenery of the Aegean Sea and the island's iconic blue-domed churches and white-washed houses.
Cairns of rocks at the walking path number 9 between the cities of Fira and Oia at Santorini Island © Shutterstock
A cable car ride is one of the most exciting things to do in Santorini. The cable car offers a spectacular panoramic view of the caldera, which is a large volcanic crater formed during a powerful volcanic eruption.
The starting point of the cable car is in the old port of Fira, from where you will ascend to the town of Fira, perched on top of a cliff. The ride lasts about three minutes and offers stunning views of the Aegean Sea and the snow-white buildings of Santorini.
Find more accommodation options to stay in Firá
The Cyclades Islands include two of the most famous Greek Islands: Mykonos and Santorini. On this tailor-made trip to the Historical and Mythological Cyclades islands, you will visit these and some of the smaller, quieter, islands. With white-washed houses, narrow cobbled streets, blue domed roofs and stunning beaches, they are what Greece is all about.
The cable car connecting the harbour and the old village of Fira, Santorini © Shutterstock
Oía is the most photographed town on Santorini, was once a major commercial centre in the Aegean, but it has declined in the wake of economic depression, wars, earthquakes and depleted fish stocks. Partly destroyed in the 1956 earthquake, the town has been sympathetically reconstructed, its white and cyan houses clinging to the cliff face.
Apart from the caldera and the town itself, there are a