Weekend & Day Trips from Santorini, Greece

1. Akrotiri

The village of Akrotiri is among the more quiet and sparsely populated areas of Santorini, located on the southwest coast of the island.

Akrotiri means “cape” and the area is indeed a geological outcropping, offering amazing views of Greece. It’s famous for its lighthouse, from which are some of the country’s best sunset views.

Visit La Ponta, the Castle of Akrotiri and its 13th century tower. Tour the Akrotiri archeological site to see artifacts, furniture and even buildings from the Aegean Bronze Age. Enjoy a trip to Red Beach, surrounded by red cliffs, red beach stones, and red rock outcroppings in the water.

Akrotiri, Santorini, Greece

2. Ammoudi Bay

Ammoudi Bay is a little known small port within Oia, located 300 steps below the iconic white buildings on the coast of Santorini.

Visit for cliff jumping and swimming, charming seafood restaurants, or to grab a charter to the adjacent island of Thirassia. Walk or rent an ATV to access the beach, and follow the well worn paths along the rocks to the best, most tucked away swimming spots.

Ammoudi Bay offers a respite from the busyness of Oia, and if you stay for the evening, you’ll enjoy a priviledged view of the Santorini sunset.

Ammoudi Bay, Santorini, Greece

3. Anafi Island

Anafi Island is among the Cyclades islands, and a short hop from Santorini, making it the perfect day trip for an easy change of pace, less touched by tourism and full of charm.

Anafi’s volcanic landscape offers steep cliffs rising from the Aegean sea, sandy beaches and dramatic natural scenery. As one of the least developed islands, hiking through the natural landscape is among the most popular activities, as well as camping on the beach.

The island provides restrooms, showers and minimal camping facilities. Chora is the small island’s only village and carries just the bare necessities, cash only.

Anafi Island, Greece

4. Crete

Crete is Greece’s largest island and offers history, a range of breathtaking natural landscapes, from the ocean and beaches, to the valleys, cliffs and mountains.

On the west side of the island, the region of Chania offers the White Mountains National Park, the Ventian mansions, churches and fountains of Chania city and locals foods complemented by the world famous Cretan wine. Visit the coastal archeological sites of Heraklion, where you’ll also find tours of wine vineyards and olive groves.

On the eastern side of the island the Lasithi region offers culture, Crete’s largest metropolitan areas, and the Vai Forest, the largest palm forest in Greece.

Crete, Greece

5. Emporio

Santorini’s Emporio village is the largest on the island. Built at the base of the Profitis Ilias Mountain, the village was once the center of Santorini commercial activity, hence the name, which translates to “trade.”

One of five fortified Santorini castles, Kasteli, is located within Emporio. The medieval castle grounds are home to a 16th century church.

Nearby, the Tower of Nimborio, once a watchtower, overlooks the scene. Emporio’s one museum is the Tomato Industrial Museum. Located within the Santorini Arts Factory, the museum offers a history of Santorini’s major export, the cherry tomato, along with a history of island culture and industry. Emporio is home to several restaurants, bars and retail shops.

Emporio, Santorini, Greece

6. Finikia

Santorini’s peaceful village of Finikia is located close to Oia on the northern side of the island. The colorful buildings of Finikia offer a glimpse of Greek architecture from a bygone era.

Homes are built in harmony with nature, alleyways are flagged with stone and make use of the island’s black volcanic rock. Visit the 1859 Agia Matrona church with its iconic bell towers and ocher color, where you can enjoy breathtaking views.

Explore the town for traditional taverns, and a delicious local meal. The most popular northeast coast beaches, such as Paradisos and Baxedes are less than 30 minutes away.

Finikia, Santorini, Greece

7. Fira

Fira is Santorini’s capitol, perched Cliffside overlooking the ocean on the volcanic island.

Restaurants, bars and cafes in the area offer some of Santorini’s best ocean and caldera views. Fira is home to the Santorini Archaeological Museum, which displays artifacts dating back to before the Roman Empire. The Museum of Prehistoric Thira also offers exhibits of several ancient artifacts found in the area. The Megaro Gyzi Museum is located in a 17th century mansion, the Lignos Emmanuel Folklore Museum in a cave. Many of the museums in this tourist destination are open in the summer months only. As the port for Santorini’s cruise ships, Fira can be quite busy when cruise ships are in town.

Fira, Santorini, Greece

8. Firostefani

Firostefani village is a separate village within Fira, Santorini’s capitol. It’s located on the caldera, the remains of the volcano, on the northern side of the island. Firostefani offers spectacular views of the caldera from almost any location within the traditional village, especially at sunset.

The quiet neighborhood is a welcome respite from the bustling Fira, and yet offers a main shopping street with cafes, restaurants and small markets. Just outside of town is Agios Nikolaos, a convent with a folkloric and ecclesiastical museum displaying Byzantine era icons. Many visitors to the area enjoy Firostefani for its quiet streets and peaceful lodging options, while visiting nearby Fira for nightlife and action.

Firostefani, Santorini, Greece

9. Imerovigli

Imerovigli is a small town on Santorini offering dramatic views of both the ocean and caldera.

The quiet town is known for its Cycladic architecture, the white homes and blue-domed churches. At the center of Imerovigli is the Anastasis Church. The classic white walled and blue domed structure is featured on area postcards, and is as gorgeous inside as out. Visit Skaros Rock, once the site of a castle that protected the area’s first settlers, and still home to the beautiful Chapel of Agios Ioannis Apokefalistheis and the Panagia Theoskepasti Chapel. Enjoy the views from either chapel to the flat-topped rock and the ocean beyond.

Imerovigli, Santorini, Greece

10. Ios

The Greek island of Ios is known as a non-stop party island from June through August each year. If you’re looking for quiet, best to visit in the off season.

By day the island is bustling with restaurants, cafes and shops surrounding the port. The beaches are some of Greece’s best. Milopota is known for its long stretch of sandy shore. Enjoy scuba diving, snorkeling or windsurfing.

By night, the classic Cycladic structures overlooking the port become nightclubs, discos and bars. Begin your evening at the Ios club, where the tradition since the 1970’s is to listen to classic music as the sun goes down.

Ios, Greece