The bucket list for the maiden Santorini traveler

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Ahh, Santorini - the island of dreams. A commonplace of many a honeymooner’s bucket list. From stunning villas that offer sweepings views of the Mediterranean to the back streets of Fira which still retain the old-world Grecian charm, Santorini is easy to fall in love if you are looking for a laidback Europe tour with your loved one. Even as small an island that Santorini is, it still offers a plethora of sights to see, and experiences to be had. And with the amount of information on the internet, we thought we will guide you on how to go about planning your maiden voyage to Santorini. What we have tried to do is to create a bucket list that is a blend of the most famous and must-do activities and also some unique offbeat things to do in Santorini during your time there. So without further ado, let’s get started.

Take a sunset cruise in Santorini

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If you are even spending just a couple of nights in Santorini and you ask us about the one must-do thing while you are in Santorini, without any doubt taking a sunset cruise across the Aegean Sea is what we would recommend. What you need to keep in mind is that Santorini is the remnants of a now-dormant volcano that erupted about 400 years ago and the eruption created some unique rock and landmass formations, commonly known as the caldera. The cruises in Santorini not only offer a great experience that takes you around the island but also takes you to the other islands in Santorini like Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni, which not only offers you great snorkelling experiences, but one of them also plays host to one of the few natural hot springs in the region due to its proximity to a dormant volcano. There are a ton of cruises for you to pick and choose from: the economical ones start early in the day and do not involve a sunset experience, and carry about 100-200 people on the boat, and then there are the luxury yacht or catamaran cruises which start at around 3 PM in the afternoon and offer a more private experience with about 25-30 people on board. The luxury cruises offer a sunset experience and also a barbeque dinner with drinks on board. These luxury cruises cost about six times as much as the most economical ones but they are well worth the upgrade if you are looking for a more semi-private experience with your loved ones.

The Fira Hike

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To be honest, when you are going for a laidback vacation to Santorini embarking on a 3-hour hike may not exactly be what comes first to mind but the Fira-Oia trail is one of the most wholesome experiences that you can do in Santorini. The 10 km long trail starts at Fira and takes you through the scenic towns of Firostefani and Imerovigli and ends in the cobblestone streets of Oia. You will hike over sections of the caldera, and even on the rim of the caldera, in some parts, where you are met with gorgeous views of the Aegean Sea and cruise liners cruising through its waters. The hike is about 3-3.5 hours long depending upon your pace. We recommend starting at around 3 or 4 PM when the weather is better so that you make it Oia around sunset time to catch the best views that Santorini has to offer.

Experience a Grecian cave house in Santorini

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When we were chatting with our travel consultants on advice about where and how to stay in Santorini, one common thread of thought and strongest advice was to opt for a cave house with a caldera view as they are unique to Santorini and you don’t get a similar experience anywhere else in the world. Santorini cave houses are what water villas are to the Maldives. Yes, they do involve splurging a bit on the accommodation front but they are well worth the money spent. Boasting clean white interiors with plush amenities, and jaw-dropping vistas of the caldera from your bed or your private outdoor plunge-pool is not a luxury or a sight that you get in every part of the world. These caves houses come in all shapes and sizes and price ranges - with the lower end of the spectrum offering just the caldera views, while the more luxurious ones offering private hot tubs, or even infinity pools. One useful pro tip - visit Santorini between April and late May or between mid-September to early-October to get the best deals on some of the best hotels.

Sunbathe in the coloured beaches of Santorini

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While many in the world are hunting for pristine white sand beaches, why not op for something that is a bit more colourful, like Santorini’s Red Beach in the West or the black sand beach in the East. Essentially remains of volcanic ash, these beaches offer more contrast to Santorini’s blue and white environments that offer amazing photo opportunities or just relax and sunbathe in the Mediterranean sun. If you are more of a traditionalist Santorini still has a few white sand beaches that you relax in.

Explore the lost settlement of Akrotiri

While Santorini is surrounded by jaw-dropping vistas, it also offers one of the most important archaeological sites in Grecian history. Akrotiri is Greece’s answer to Italy’s Pompeii. Both sites are survivors of the volcanic eruption in the respective cities. For those history buffs and archaeology fanboys and girls, Akrotiri is a must-visit.

There are more options to choose from in Santorini, including visiting some vineyards in Santorini or basking in those stunning sunsets from roof-top resto-bars in Oia. We recommend reaching out to expert planners like Pickyourtrail to book your Greece tour package who specialize in curating trips based on your style and preferences.