Santorini | 12 Best places that you shouldn’t miss

Santorini has been known as Thira since antiquity. It is one of the most well-known islands in the world. Priceless is that you can sit in front of the Caldera, eat local food, relax with a glass of drink or a mug of coffee, and look at the unique beauty of an active volcano. The island is part of a Cyclades island chain. It is made up of Thira, Thirassia, Aspronissi, Palea, and Nea Kameni.

The volcano on Santorini is one of the few still active in Greece and Europe. A lot of volcanic activity formed the islands that make up Santorini. Twelve significant eruptions happened, about one every 20,000 years, and each one caused the volcano’s central part to collapse, making a large crater (Caldera). On the other hand, the volcano could keep making new versions of itself. Santorini is the most popular place to visit in Greece and a well-known island worldwide.

The Caldera has the most dramatic views of the sea you’ve ever seen, and whitewashed Cycladic houses dot the vast cliffs. Nothing can get you ready for how beautiful this place is. It’s a one-of-a-kind Greek island!

The most beautiful part is, of course, the sunset. In Fira or Oia, you can watch the sun go down behind the horizon as the sky breathes fire and colors wash over the island. No picture could ever show how magical this moment was.

You’ll never forget the good times you had on vacation.

Here we’ll discuss the best places you should visit in Santorini and find out the best restaurants near to make your visit stressless.

12 Best Places in Santorini

Amoudi Bay

Ammoudi is a lovely bay and small port 278 steps down from Oia. The bay has great seafood restaurants and clear water laps at the table’s edge. All day long, boat tours are coming and going from the port. Catamarans of all sizes bring tourists to see the volcano, swim in the hot springs, tour the caldera cliffs and beaches, and go on the wildly popular sunset cruises.

Five minutes after the last restaurant, a dirt path loops around the corner to a great swimming spot with a small island you can swim to and a famous ledge to jump off.

You can reach the bay in two distinct methods. If you’re up for it, you can walk down a steep staircase to the bay from just below the castle in Oia. Each step is significant, and some of them have uneven surfaces. This walk is probably not for you if you go out to a fancy dinner or spend the day in flip-flops.

Like the trail from Fira to Oia, it will help to wear the right shoes. On the way back, you can also take a taxi, arranged by your hotel or restaurant. The price of a taxi from Oia to Amoudi is always 10€. You could also walk one way and drive the other. After a meal, the waiters at Ammoudi Bay are happy to call taxis for their customers.

Best restaurants for you at Amoudi bay, Santorini

• Esperisma Bar-Restaurant
• Dimitris Ammoudi Taverna
• Ammoudi Fish Tavern
• Ombra Restaurant at Esperas Santorini Hotel
• Taverna Katina
• Under the Stars
• Sunset Ammoudi

Beach at Perissa

Perissa beach is a pleasant surprise because Santorini is not known for its beautiful beaches. Perissa is a beautiful beach with black volcanic sand that is great for sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling. It is on the southeast coast of Santorini, at the base of the vast Mesa Vouno headland, which sticks out into the sea at a sharp point.

The old city of Thira is at the top of the mountain. Perissa is a long beach that is popular with people from all over the world. It is now joined with Perivolos beach, making a beach more than 7 kilometers long. The water is very clear and beautiful and slopes gently into it. The coarse, black sand is easy to walk on and shines like glitter, but it might be very hot in the summer.

There are places to lay out in the sun that people can use for free if they buy food or drinks from the beach bars next to them. Along the front are many bars, restaurants, and taverns where you can have a drink or a meal. There are also lifeguards, places to do water sports and diving, a water park, and a place to play beach volleyball. You can quickly get to Perissa beach by car or bus. From Fira, it’s very easy to take a bus to Perissa.

Best restaurants for you near Perissa Beach 

Profitis Ilias

From Pyrgos, you can take a road to the top of Mt. Profits Ilas (584 meters), the highest point on Santorini. From the top, you can see a broad view of the island and the sea. Here stands the powerful Profitis Ilias Monastery, a public place of worship established in the 18th century.

Inside, you can see the church, which has an iconostasis beautifully carved. Visit the museum where the miter and crozier of Patriarch Gregory V, killed by the Turks in 1821 and hung in Constantinople, are on display. The library, the archives of the monks, and the kitchen are also fascinating. During the time of the Turks, the monastery ran one of the many “secret schools.”

Best Restaurants nearby Profitis Ilias:

• Empona’s View
• Kafenion Sintivani
• To Anoi Τou Patounaa
• Olympia Restaurant
• Panorama Tavern
• Sissitio

Pyrgos

Pyrgos is one of the most popular places to visit in Santorini. It is a village that a lot of people like to go to. It is situated in the island’s center, close to Fira. This place is interesting because it has a piece of an old fortress that stood proudly in Pyrgos. An earthquake destroyed the defense, but you can still see the ruins and have a great time. A village is an excellent place for a couple to hang out. The village is lit with beautiful candlelight during the Holy Trihari Celebration. The party happens the night of Great Friday or the day before Easter Sunday. Come here for family enjoyment.

Best Restaurants nearby Pyrgos:

Fira

There’s a reason why Santorini is called the most beautiful island in the world. Places like Fira are what attract people to the island. Fira, Santorini, is a fascinating destination in its own right. It is the capital and administrative center of Santorini. It is on the west coast. You can’t see all Santorini Island offers without visiting this fantastic place.

Fira is packed with amazing attractions. For example, Thera Archaeological Museum and Thera Prehistoric Museum are the best museums in Fira. This is a fantastic place to start if you’re interested in local history. The good thing about the city is that it can be reached by cable cars, buses, taxis, and other public transportation. But if you want to see as much of the city as possible, you should walk.

Best Restaurants nearby Fira:

• Falafel and
• Nick The Grill
• Obelix Psitopoleio
• To Kalliston
• Iriana Cafe lounge bar
• 1500 BC Restaurant
• La Colline Restaurant
• Remvi Restaurant

Akrotiri

The Minoan civilization at Akrotiri is well-known. There are still ruins of the civilization, which bring in a lot of tourists all year long. Even though it doesn’t have much to offer, Akrotiri is still one of the best places for tourists to visit in Santorini.

The place has a special charm that makes you want to get closer to it. In Akrotiri, the real town is made of mud and bricks. It’s been kept in good shape for hundreds of years. The town is safe from damage from strong winds because it has a roof built over it. Akrotiri has two beaches, Vlichada and Red Beach, in addition to the ruins of an ancient civilization. Near Akrotiri, there are many interesting places to go.

Best Restaurants nearby Akrotiri:

• ΑΛΜΎΡΙΚΗ – ALMIRIKI RESTAURANT
• BOURAKIS RESTAURANT
• ZORBAS TAVERNA
• THANASIS TAVERNA
• BAROLO
• THE CAVE OF NIKOLAS
• BAKALIARAKIA
• NAOUSSA

Nea Kameni

Nea Kameni is the place to visit if you want to find interesting places in Santorini. One of the main reasons to go there is that it is in the middle of three islands in the Caldera, where the volcano erupted. Nea Kameni is best known for Daphne, the largest crater on the moon. Getting to see this place is a once-in-a-lifetime chance. 

Many things about the place make it unique, like walking around the crater, taking pictures of the area around it, and looking at the different kinds of rocks. You can also enjoy yourself by diving into the warm water. When you go here, you will feel more alive. If you are in Santorini, you should go to this beautiful place.

Best Restaurants nearby Nea Kameni:

• Esperisma Bar-Restaurant
• Iriana Cafe lounge bar
• Lombranos
• Caldera Romantica Restaurant
• Alali Restaurant
• The edge Restaurant
• Misteli Restaurant

Oia

Oia, pronounced “Ia,” is the most-visited village on the island of Santorini and the second-largest town after the island’s capital, Fira.

Oia is in the northern part of the Caldera, about 12 km from the island’s capital, Fira.

The village is on a cliff that looks out over the volcano and the island of Thirassia.

The settlement is very old. Most likely, it was built in the 1500s, and there are still the ruins of a Venetian castle there.

It is known worldwide for its traditional Cycladic beauty, whitewashed houses, labyrinth-like alleys, and amazing hotels. But the most famous thing about Oia is its beautiful sunset.

Hundreds watch the Aegean Sea sunset every night and take pictures of Greece’s most beautiful sunset.

Oia is Santorini’s most beautiful village. Some may even say it is the most beautiful village in Greece.

Best Restaurants nearby Oia

• Paradox Thai Food & Bar
• Piatsa Souvlaki Grill House
• Passaggio
• Koralli Restaurant
• Lolita’s Gelato
• PitoGyros Traditional Grill House
• Black Rock Restaurant

Caldera

Caldera is another beautiful place to go to in Santorini. The island’s center blew up in a huge explosion, making this place. Calder is a volcano crater that is filled with water. It was made about 3600 years ago. Even though it’s a popular place for tourists, it’s still where volcanoes happen. Many operators and agencies offer a one-day boat trip to Caldera.

If you want to see the area in the best way possible, you should book a tour with one of the companies that work there. On these tours, you will swim in hot springs and have lunch on Thirassia. You can see some of the island’s beautiful views across the water. This could be one of the most interesting tours if you travel with your family.

Best Restaurants nearby Caldera:

• Remvi Restaurant
• Remezzo
• Zafora
• Theofanis food experience
• Misteli Restaurant
• Esperisma Bar-Restaurant
• Portobello Grill Restaurant
• Cabo Rosso
• Atlantica Barbeque Restaurant

Red Beach

One of Santorini’s most stunning locations is Red Beach. It is close to the Akrotiri site. You haven’t seen anything like the view of the cliff wall before. From the Akrotiri site, the path leads straight to the beach. You can also take a bus or drive to the beach from Fir. But if you’re looking for something better, you should take a boat from Akrotiri, Perris, or Kamari ports.

During the summer, the beach is always full of people. So, if you want to go there in the summer, book a prime spot to enjoy the amazing views of the red cliff against the blue water. But you should be careful if you hang out here because it is prone to landslides. Because of this, many parts of the beach have been closed to the public. So, if you are trying to figure out what to do in Santorini, Red Beach is the best place to do water sports or just relax on the beach.

Best Restaurants nearby Red Beach:

• Under the Stars
• Red Beach Santorini Michalis
• Asterias
• Asterias Tavern
• Taverna Glaros
• The Cave of Stolidas
• Stani Tavern
• The Dolphins

Therasia

Therasia, also called Thirasa, is a beautiful island in the Greek Cyclades. It is part of the volcanic island group of Santorini. This small island is northwest of Nea Kameni and right next to Santorini. It is not affected by modern life or city life, so you can enjoy the beautiful natural scenery. The interesting rock formations and black beach give this place a lot of charm. Notably, the island is only 9 km2, and only 319 people live there full-time. So, this is the place to be if you want to go sightseeing in Santorini and find hidden gems. The distance between Santorini and Therasia is only 11 km, and it takes only 1.5 hours to get here.

Best Restaurants Nearby Therasia:

• Cappero at Therasia Resort
• Ristorante L’Arcipelago
• I Tenerumi
• I Grusoni
• Ficodindia Pane Cunzato e Sapori Eoliani
• MALVASIA Pane Cunzatu & Restaurant
• Ristorante La Forgia Maurizio
• Enoteca Mimmo Paone Vulcano

Ancient Thera

Ancient Thera is east of Prophet Elias Mountain and separates the coastal villages of Perissa and Kamari. It has interesting ruins of Hellenistic temples and the foundations of Roman and early-Byzantine buildings. As you look at the ruins, you will see old government buildings, religious sites, a gym, and a theatre. It has been there since the 9th century BC. The Archaeological Museum of Fira also has a great collection of clay figurines, statues, pots, and other artifacts. Ancient Thera is the best place to visit in Santorini if you want to learn about its history.

Best Restaurants Nearby Ancient Thira: 

• Captain’s Corner Taverna
• JuiceMe
• Fratzeskos Fish Tavern
• Koutouki The Rakomelo
• Taverna Danas
• Irinis Taverna
• Taverna Sellada

The best time when you should visit Santorini

When the weather is warm and doesn’t rain much, late April and early November is the best time to visit Santorini. Visit in June, July, August, or September for hot weather, nightlife, swimming and sunbathing. March to May or October to early December are the best places to visit because the weather is nice and it’s not too hot or cold.

The best time when you want to save some budget

Hotels are much cheaper from November to March, April to May, and September to October than in the summer. Transportation, food, and tour prices don’t change much from one season to the next. Great times are late May, early June, late September, or early October if you want good weather and cheap hotels. No one can say for sure, but the weather in the first three weeks of October can often surprise people.

Weather of Santorini

If you want to travel somewhere, it’s always a good idea to find out about the weather and climate there. This will help you pick the best time to go. So, let’s find out what the weather is like all year long in Santorini to be ready.

Hot and sunny weather in Santorini

Like the Cycladic islands in the Aegean Sea, Santorini has a typical Mediterranean climate with warm summers and long days of sunshine for most of the year. It’s a fantastic location for a summer vacation because of this.

Santorini starts to get hot summer weather in June when the sun is at its brightest. This is a great time to spend a day at the beach, swim in the blue water, or just sit back and enjoy the sun’s warmth. The remaining months up until September are the same. July and August have the highest temperatures of all the summer months. Many people come to the island during this high season because of the hot weather. During these months, Santorini seems to be full of life.

But signs of warm weather start to show up in the second half of April, during the Spring season, when temperatures are moderate, and the sea starts to warm up, making it possible, but not guaranteed, to go swimming. But, compared to the next few months, when there will be a lot of visitors, it is easier to move around the island and see its amazing landscape and unique volcanic beauty.

Most of the time, one of Greece’s most popular destinations is Santorini because of its warm climate, constant sunshine, and high temperatures in the summer.

Santorini’s weather by season

Here’s the weather in Santorini for each season and month.

Spring

The best time to explore the island and the best weather you could imagine! The island of Santorini is at its most beautiful right now if you want to see every part of it and admire its beautiful scenery. The weather gradually gets warmer, especially starting in April, but it never gets too hot, which makes traveling around the island a lot of fun and a great experience!

Summer

This is an excellent time to visit the beach. The sky is clear, so it is always hot and sunny. Some days, there may be a light breeze, which helps with the heat. The sea gets warmer, so it’s the perfect time for people who like to swim, do water sports, or just lay out in the sun at the beach. It’s also the best time to do different tours and activities, like sailing trips or catamaran, and see this unique island’s most famous sights.

Autumn

Even though it’s fall, it feels like summer, especially in the first month, when the days are still hot and sunny. As the days go by, the nights get cooler, and the skies get cloudy, but the sunsets are the most beautiful anyone has ever seen. September is still a good time to go swimming; visitors can enjoy the island fully because it’s not as busy.

Winter

Even though it’s the coldest time of year and the weather is humid with occasional rain and strong winds, it’s also the best time to visit Santorini because you’ll feel like a local. Most shops and restaurants for tourists are closed, and the only open ones are small, friendly taverns. It’s also a good time to admire the view and go exploring in a less rushed way.

shajiaferdous

Hey, lovely folks out there! This is Shajia Ferdous, a traveller. Last few years I have been travelling with my partner or friends.
Let’s Pack The Bag is all about traveling and for travellers. You can find mind-blowing ideas of holiday destinations or places you want to visit once in a lifetime. Find me on Instagram, Twitter , Linkedin or Pinterest here. Thank You.