Tours and excursions on Santorini

Beach excursions on Santorini

Kókkini Paralía is probably the most famous beach on Santorini. But Red Beach is by no means the only beach on the island: particularly in the south-east, on the shallow crater rim of the caldera, there are several picturesque beaches with deep black pebbles or dark, coarse sand. Due to the special climate, all the beaches are suitable for relaxed sunbathing as well as for trying out exciting water sports. sunbonoo knows some of Santorini's most beautiful beaches from the north to the south of the island:

• Baxédes Beach
  ℹ️ Gravel and coarse sand, secluded, not organised, nudist-friendly
  📍 10 km north-west of Fira
  Baxédes Beach, a lava gravel and coarse sand beach, is located at the northern tip of the main island. It stretches from Cape Mavrópetra in the north to Cape Koloúmbos in the south and offers many opportunities to relax in the sun. However, it is not a typical tourist beach with sunbeds and parasols - and is therefore somewhat quieter than the beaches on the south coast.
  
  
• Kamari Beach
  ℹ️ Sandy beach, partly organised, family-friendly, suitable for water sports
  📍 8 km east of FiraKamari is a small, relaxed beach promenade located in front of the Mesa Vouno rock and the town of Perissa. Kamari Beach is a sandy beach that is a popular destination, especially for holidaymakers who want to try their hand at water sports. There are several diving and water sports clubs here that invite adventurers to let off steam on the water. Whether jet skiing, banana boating or water skiing: Kamari is the best place!
  
  
• Perissa Beach
  ℹ️ Pebble beach, organised, touristy, family-friendly, suitable for water sports
  📍 11 km south of Fira
  While many of the beaches on Santorini are unorganised or only partially organised, the beach at the tourist resort of Perissa has everything you could wish for: sun loungers and parasols, cafés, restaurants and even DJ music. As a result, many people flock to the kilometre-long black beach to enjoy various water and extreme sports - or simply to soak up the Mediterranean sun.
  
  
• Vlychada Beach
  ℹ️ Sandy beach, partly organised, nudist-friendly
  📍 10 km south of Fira
  Vlychada Beach is located on the south coast and has a wonderful ambience, not just at sunset. The organised, clean sandy beach is particularly popular with families with children, who can have fun in the calm, crystal-clear water. The small harbour, where many fishing boats and yachts moor in summer, is also worth a visit.
  
  
• Red Beach
  ℹ️ Pebble beach, organised
  📍 12 km southwest of Fira
  The contrast between the glowing red rocks and the deep blue Aegean Sea make Red Beach one of the most famous beaches in the world. For many tourists, a trip to the beach is a must, just to take photos of this natural wonder. Make sure you bring a snorkel with you on your trip to Red Beach to discover the huge numbers of fish swimming in the bay! Incidentally, you should stock up on all the essentials - snacks, drinks and sun cream - beforehand, as there are no more shopping opportunities on the beach itself.
  
  
• White Beach
  ℹ️ Pebble beach, secluded, nudist-friendly
  📍 13 km south-west of Fira
  White Beach is located in a bay of Akrotiri, not far from Red Beach. Bright white pebbly sand, white, towering cliffs: The name of the beach speaks for itself. Less frequented and only partially organised, White Beach is an ideal place for quiet, relaxing hours in the sun. It is also perfect for diving and snorkelling, as you can explore interesting underwater caves and discover lots of small fish. White Beach is a little difficult to reach - the best way to get there is by boat from neighbouring Red Beach or on foot from neighbouring Cambia Beach. Once you arrive, however, the beach rewards you with a well-deserved break!
  
  
• Caldera Beach
  ℹ️ Gravel sand, secluded, partly organised
  📍 10 km south-west of Fira
  Caldera Beach is one of two beaches in the western part of Santorini that offers a wonderful view of the neighbouring islands. The beach is popular with water sports enthusiasts who moor their sailing boats and go diving. There are also many traditional tavernas in the immediate vicinity of the beach, which can be combined with a beach excursion or walk!

Hiking on Santorini

Santorini has some of the most beautiful walking and hiking trails in Greece. Tourists in particular who want to take a break from the hustle and bustle of one of the most popular Greek islands for a few hours, lace up their hiking boots and discover Santorini on their own. Because while things are hectic in Fira and Oia or on Nea Kameni, you can enjoy the tranquillity of Santorini's nature on the way to these places. Breathtaking views of the caldera, peaceful walks through the amazing volcanic landscape and dreamy lava beaches: We present three of the island's most beautiful trails for a special hiking excursion.

• From Fira to Oia

A popular hiking trail leads from the island's capital Fira to the mountain village of Oia. You hike along the impressive crater rim of the volcano for around 10 kilometres - through picturesque villages and past spectacular cliffs. You will always have the best view of the caldera, the vastness of the Aegean Sea and the offshore islands of Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni and Thirassía. At the beginning of the hike, which takes around three to four hours, you will encounter many tourists. But once you have left Fira and Firostephani behind you, you can walk on to Imerovigli and enjoy the natural beauty of Santorini almost to yourself. On the Skaros rock in Imerovigli, you can look back on your previous hike from above before continuing northwards. At the end of your hike, you will reach the picturesque mountain village of Oia, where you can reward yourself in one of the tavernas, cafés or restaurants.

• Hikes on Nea Kameni

Also from Fira, a path leads to Athinios to the old harbour, from where you can take an excursion boat to Nea Kameni. After about 45 minutes you will reach the uninhabited volcanic island. The hike over the dormant volcano is a bit of a challenge, but you will be rewarded with a spectacular view into the crater of the still active volcano. After the hike, take the excursion boat around the island to reach the neighbouring island of Palea Kameni on the other side. The excursion boat stops just a few metres from the hot springs, where you can take a dip and relax after the hike. You can take the cable car back to the main island and, ideally, enjoy the sunset over the Aegean Sea. Please use the cable car - and not one of the donkeys that are supposed to carry tourists up the mountain.

• Hike on Thirasia

Thirasia is still an insider tip among tourists, which is why everything on Santorini's second largest island is a little quieter and more unspoilt. After a 45-minute boat trip, you will reach the harbour in the north, from where you can explore the rest of the island on foot. Walking along the coast, you can discover the marvellous landscape of the caldera and the surrounding villages until you finally arrive in Korfós and Manolas. Here there are a few small traditional tavernas and cafés where you can enjoy typical Greek hospitality - without the tourist trappings, at moderate prices. Afterwards, you can visit one of the quiet beaches before heading back to the main island. So don't forget to pack your swimming gear for the hike on Thirasia too!

Visit museums on Santorini

One of Santorini's special features is its archaeological wealth, which attracts many culture vultures to the island. Those who have visited the archaeological sites in Ancient Thera and Akrotiri look for more information about the island's millennia-old history in the various museums on the island. The many museums scattered around the island villages provide an interesting insight into island life with their valuable collections and rare exhibits.

• Prehistoric Thera Museum: One of the most important museums on the island is the Prehistoric Museum in Fira, where the various finds from the excavations carried out on the island are exhibited. The exhibits, which date from the late Neolithic to the Cycladic period, are in excellent condition and bear witness to the history that made Thera one of the most important islands in the Aegean during the 18th and 17th centuries BC.
  📍Location: Thera 847 00, Greece
  Opening hours: Daily from 8.30 am to 3.30 pm (except Tuesdays)
  
  
• Archaeological Museum: In the centre of Fira is the Archaeological Museum, which exhibits sculptures and inscriptions from the Archaic to the Roman period as well as vases and clay figures from the Geometric to the Hellenistic period. The museum impressively introduces visitors to the multi-faceted island with its rich cultural heritage and many (no longer so) secret treasures.
  📍Location: Erithrou Stavrou, Thira 847 00, Greece
  Opening hours: Daily from 8.30 am to 3.30 pm (except Tuesdays)
  
  
• Nautikó Mousío: The Nautical Museum is located in the picturesque mountain village of Oia - and with it a window into Greece's maritime history. In the museum, you can learn more about the development of Greek shipping and the role that the Clyclades Islands played in it with the help of antique nautical equipment, various tools and paintings.
  📍Location: 25ης Μαρτίου 405, Thira 847 00, Greece
  Opening hours: daily 10 am - 2 pm, 5 pm - 7 pm (except Tuesdays)
  
  
• Koutsoyannopoulous Wine Museum: Part of a holiday on Santorini is tasting the local wines. But since it's hardly possible, a visit to the Koutsoyannopoulous Wine Museum in Bothonas is also worthwhile. The museum is a family winery that houses the only natural underground wine museum in Greece. At a depth of 8 metres, visitors can learn all about the history of wine production from 1660 onwards in an audio guide (in 22 languages) - and later, of course, taste the wines from the winery!
  📍Location: Bothonas, Βόθωνας, Vothonas 847 00, Greece
  Opening hours: daily 9 am - 7 pm, Sundays from 10 am - 7 pm
  
  
• Folklore Museum Emmanuel A. Lignos: The Folklore Museum is located in the village of Kontochori, very close to the capital Fira. In the museum, which is a traditional cave house, you can relive the typical life of Santorini in the 19th and 20th centuries. You can navigate through the furnished rooms, discover antique household objects or view rare books, paintings and photographs. In addition to an art gallery and several workshops, you can also visit the chapel of Saints Constantine and Helena and a beautiful garden in the folklore museum.
  📍Location: Kontochori, Κοντοχώρι-Φηρά, Fira 847 00, Greece
  Opening hours: Mondays, 10 am - 3 pm
  
  
• MATI Art Gallery: The MATI Art Gallery in Fira has been a local landmark on Santorini since it was founded in 1990. Not only the artworks of the internationally recognised artist Yorgos Kypris hang here, but also his collection of works by other contemporary international artists.
  📍Location: Orthodox Cathedral Plateau, Ipapantis, Thira 847 00, Greece
  Opening hours: Daily (including weekends) from 12 - 8 pm

Wine tours on Santorini

Santorini is known worldwide as the island of wine: Thousands of grapes grow on around 1200 hectares and are made into various exquisite wines that are popular all over Europe. A glance at a wine list in a taverna reveals that it is hardly possible to get to know all of Santorini's wines. However, a wine tour gives you the opportunity to discover at least some of the island's wines - and with them the tradition of wine pressing. Book one of the typical bus tours and visit two or three wineries in a small group. On site, you will learn more about the production and specialities of Santorini's wines. And, of course, you will also get to taste the wines! As the wineries are traditionally run by families and are scattered across the island, the excursion is ideal for exploring the landscape and learning more about everyday life in Santorini.

Alternatively, you can book a hire car and explore the island's wineries on your own. However, if you would like a guided tour of the vineyards and wineries, you should definitely make an appointment, especially in high season. To make sure you don't miss anything, we'll tell you where to find three of the most popular wineries and estates on Santorini:

• Anhydrous Winery

One of the most beautiful wineries, Anhydrous Winery, is somewhat hidden in the village of Argyros. It's best to come with an appetite, as there are more than just the Avantis wines to savour. The menu also includes traditional mezze, which go wonderfully with the red and white wines. You might even strike up a conversation with one of the friendly sommeliers, who will be able to tell you all about the island's wines.

• VSV Winery

At the VSV Winery in the centre of Thira, you get the full package: an informative tour of the vineyards, where you will learn all about the history of Assyrtik wines and a fine wine tasting with selected cheeses and meats. You can enjoy the typical Greek hospitality and the wonderful ambience of the original winery!

• Vassaltis Vineyards

You will find Vassaltis Vineyards in the north of Thira, a little off the beaten track. On a guided tour of the modern winery, its buildings and grounds, you'll learn all about grape varieties, soil conditions and weather before tasting the wonderful Assyrtiko and regional cheeses. A perfect afternoon excursion!