I’ve known about Santorini before I even really knew what Santorini was. Even when I was younger, anytime I heard someone mention Greece or the Greek Islands, I immediately pictured the famous blue domes and whitewashed buildings Santorini is known for. So naturally, as I started traveling more and more, I knew it was a destination I had to visit. It wasn’t until I finally got there, though, that I realized there is SO much more to see in Santorini than just those three famous blue domes (although they’re definitely still high on the list!).
In between taking in the stunning views and wondering how on earth they keep all those whitewashed buildings so clean, I realized that Santorini had way more to offer than I initially expected. Things like volcanic beaches, local wine tasting, historic ruins, scenic hiking trails, charming villages, and viewpoints around practically every corner were definitely a surprise for sure. I also learned while planning my first trip that the island is MUCH larger than I thought, which honestly made narrowing down what to see a little overwhelming, especially when you’re only visiting Santorini for a few days (trust me, I get it!).
After spending years researching trips to Greece, finally experiencing Santorini for myself, and continuing to help others plan their own trips, I’m sharing the places that I genuinely think are worth making time for. Whether you’re visiting for two days or a full week, this guide will help you prioritize the best sights and make the most of your time on one of the most beautiful volcanic islands in the world.
What to See in Santorini, Greece
Santorini is famous for its postcard-perfect views, but after visiting, I can confidently say there’s so much more to the island than just Oia and Fira. Yes, you’ll absolutely want to see the blue domes, wander the whitewashed streets, and experience one of the famous sunsets in Santorini, but some of my favorite memories actually came from slowing down, exploring beyond the busy streets, and seeing different sides of the island.
One minute you’re standing on a cliff overlooking the caldera, the next you’re driving to a black sand beach, sipping local wine at a vineyard, or wandering through a quiet village with hardly another tourist around. That’s what makes exploring Santorini so special! My biggest advice is to balance the iconic attractions with a few quieter experiences, give yourself enough time to get around the island, and don’t feel like you have to spend every minute in Oia. You’ll end up seeing a much more complete side of Santorini, and honestly, I think you’ll enjoy it even more.
Where Is Santorini
Santorini is a Greek island located in the southern Aegean Sea, about 120 miles southeast of mainland Greece. It’s part of the Cyclades island group and is one of the easiest Greek islands to reach, with both an international airport and frequent ferry connections from Athens and nearby islands like Mykonos, Naxos, and Paros.
Here’s something I somehow didn’t fully realize until I was deep into planning our trip… Santorini is literally an active volcano. Well, technically, it’s the rim of a volcano that experienced one of the largest volcanic eruptions in recorded history thousands of years ago. Those dramatic cliffs, the famous caldera views, the volcanic islands sitting out in the middle of the water, even the black and red sand beaches all exist because of that eruption.
I’ll admit, when there was suddenly a swarm of earthquakes in Santorini the year we were planning our trip, I definitely had a brief moment of thinking, “Wait are we really voluntarily vacationing on a volcano?!” Thankfully, scientists closely monitor volcanic activity on the island, and Santorini remains one of the most popular and well-visited destinations in Greece. Once you’re standing on those cliffs looking out across the caldera, it’s pretty incredible to realize you’re looking at the result of one of the coolest natural events in history.
What Is Santorini Known For
- Whitewashed cliffside villages overlooking the caldera
- Blue-domed churches that have become one of the most recognizable landmarks in Greece
- Sunset views in Oia, especially from Oia Castle
- Luxury cave hotels built directly into the cliffs
- Volcanic beaches, including the famous Red Beach and black sand beaches
- Santorini wine production, thanks to the island’s unique volcanic soil and local wineries
- Caldera landscapes unlike anywhere else in the world
- Dramatic cliffs and stunning views across the Aegean Sea
- Fresh Mediterranean seafood and open air cliffside restaurants
- Charming villages like Oia, Fira, and Imerovigli
- Historic sites, scenic hiking trails, and unforgettable viewpoints
What Is There To See In Santorini, Greece
Blue Domes of Oia
Let’s start with the obvious and get it out of the way (might as well!) Seeing the famous blue domes is absolutely worth it, but how you see them honestly makes all the difference. One thing that surprised me was that there is almost always a line of people waiting to get the classic photo. If you can, I highly recommend staying in Oia and booking a hotel in Santorini near the domes like we did.
Since they’re actually surrounded by private hotel property, we got to enjoy the view all day without the crowds. I loved waking up each morning, opening the shutters of our cave hotel, and seeing them right outside our window. Then every evening we’d relax on our terrace during sunset with the same view. If staying nearby isn’t in the budget, no worries, just plan to be a little patient and expect a wait for photos.
Since we stayed at Oia Spirit Suites right up in the blue domes, we were able to get photos like these all throughout our trip! They were stunning to photograph from sunrise to sunset.
The Santorini Caldera
This is what makes Santorini, well, Santorini. Those dramatic cliffs weren’t always there. They were created thousands of years ago after a massive volcanic eruption (slightly scary, right?) but once you realize you’re standing on the rim of an ancient volcano, the views become even more impressive. Every viewpoint around the island offers a slightly different perspective, so don’t feel like you have to stop after just one!
There are caldera views all over the island just like these ones!
Oia Village
Even if you’ve seen a thousand pictures of Oia (and if you spend any time on Pinterest I’m sure you have by now), nothing really prepares you for walking through it in person. Around every corner there’s another postcard-worthy view, little boutiques, cozy cafés, and those famous whitewashed buildings spilling down the cliffs. My biggest tip? Wander without an agenda. By staying here, we were able to do this a lot and some of my favorite photos weren’t from the “must-see” spots at all, they were from random little alleyways and corners that we almost walked right past.
Snapping photos while exploring Oia village.
Oia Castle
If you’re hoping to experience the famous sunset in Santorini, this is probably the spot you’ve seen all over social media! The views are incredible, but so are the crowds. We actually preferred watching sunset from our hotel terrace at Old Castle Oia because you get the same view! If it’s your first time visiting Santorini, I still think Oia Castle is worth seeing at least once. Just plan to arrive well before sunset if you want a good spot.
View of me standing on top of Oia Castle.
Ammoudi Bay
After exploring Oia, make your way down to Ammoudi Bay. The walk back up is definitely a workout (you’ve been warned!) but it’s SO worth it. This little waterfront area is filled with seafood restaurants, crystal-clear water, colorful fishing boats, and some of the prettiest views looking back up at the cliffs. If you have time for lunch or a sunset dinner, this is a great place to slow down for a couple of hours. We enjoyed a romantic dinner at Sunset Amoudi Bay, and it was one of my favorite meals from the whole trip!
Views of Amoudi Bay and our drinks at the Sunset restaurant.
Fira
Fira has a completely different feel than Oia. It’s livelier, busier, and filled with shops, restaurants, rooftop bars, and incredible caldera views. It’s also the capital of Santorini! We took the bus over from Oia and loved wandering through the streets here shopping for souvenirs. If you’re looking for a little more energy while exploring Santorini, definitely don’t skip Fira.
Shots of Fira and the views/drinks from PK Cocktail bar.
Imerovigli & Skaros Rock
If Oia feels a little too crowded for you, I think you’ll LOVE Imerovigli. It’s the highest point of the caldera. We stopped here during our sunrise photoshoot and it’s quieter, a little more laid-back, and still has some of the most stunning views on the island (and it’s very own blue dome!). If you’re up for a little adventure, hike out to Skaros Rock. It’s the ruins of an old Venetian fortress, one of Santorini’s most recognizable landmarks and offers a completely different perspective of the island.
Us exploring all the views in Imerovigl.
Santo Wines
Even if you aren’t a huge wine drinker, I’d still recommend visiting Santo Wines. Yes, the wine tasting is fantastic, but honestly the views might be even better. We spent a couple of hours here enjoying local wines while overlooking the caldera, and it’s one of those places that’s easy to lose track of time (and how many glasses you’ve had!) It’s also a great alternative if you want amazing sunset views without quite as many people as Oia.
The Volcanic Islands & Hot Springs
One of the coolest things about Santorini is that you can actually take a boat out to the nearby volcanic islands and swim in the natural hot springs. It’s a fun way to experience another side of the island while learning more about the volcanic history that shaped everything you’re seeing today.
Red Beach
Red Beach almost doesn’t look real. Between the towering red cliffs and the deep blue water, it’s one of the most unique landscapes in Greece. Even if you don’t spend the whole afternoon here, it’s definitely worth stopping to see.
A Black Sand Beach (Perissa or Kamari)
Most people picture white sand when they think of Greece, which is exactly why Santorini’s black sand beach surprised me so much. Whether you choose Perissa or Kamari, it’s a completely different experience than the caldera side of the island and a nice change of pace if you’re spending several days here.
Pyrgos Village
Pyrgos tends to fly under the radar compared to Oia and Fira, but that’s exactly why it’s worth visiting. It’s quieter, more local, and gives you a glimpse of a different side of Santorini. Spend some time wandering the narrow streets, stopping at cafés, and enjoying the slower pace.
A Cliffside Cave Hotel
This might not sound like something to “see,” but trust me, it is. One of my favorite memories from Santorini wasn’t even a specific attraction, it was simply relaxing at our cave hotel overlooking the caldera. We’ve stayed at both Oia Spirit Suites and Old Castle Oia and paid 775 euros and 450 euros per night respectively when we visited during the shoulder season. If your budget allows, I’d absolutely recommend splurging on at least one or two nights. It completely changed our experience on the island.
Santorini’s Famous Sunset Views
I know everyone talks about the sunsets in Santorini, but they’re famous for a reason. Whether you’re watching from Oia Castle, Santo Wines, your hotel terrace, or a quiet spot in Imerovigli, it’s one of those experiences that really does live up to the hype. My only advice? Don’t stress so much about finding the “perfect” viewpoint that you forget to actually enjoy it. Sometimes the best memories come from simply sitting with a glass of wine and watching the sky change colors.
Enjoying sunset views from our hotel and Saint cocktail bar.
How To Get Around Santorini
Rental cars
If you’re planning to see more than just Oia and Fira, I personally think renting a car is the easiest way to get around Santorini. It gives you the freedom to visit places like Red Beach, Santo Wines, and some of the quieter villages on your own schedule without having to plan your day around bus routes.
ATVs and scooters
You’ll see ATVs and scooters everywhere in Santorini, and they’re definitely a fun way to explore the island. Just keep in mind that roads can get busy during peak season, so I’d only recommend this option if you’re already very comfortable riding one.
Public buses
We actually used the public bus to get from Oia to Fira, and it was super easy (and budget-friendly!). We paid 2 euros per person one way to get from Oia to Fira. If you’re sticking to the main towns, the bus system is a great option. Just expect longer waits and fuller buses during the busiest months.
Private transfers
If you’re arriving with luggage or heading straight to your hotel, private transfers are one of the easiest, stress-free options. We booked transfers to and from the airport and ferry ports each time, and after a long travels days it was nice not having to figure out directions or haul our suitcases up Santorini’s hills. It’s also one of the reasons I always recommend purchasing travel insurance before an international trip, you never know when ferry schedules or flights might change.
Walking between villages in some areas
One of my favorite ways to experience Santorini was simply walking. If you have the time, the scenic paths between towns offer some incredible caldera views, and wandering through Oia on foot is honestly part of the experience
Taxi availability limitations
One thing to know before visiting Santorini is that taxis are limited, especially during the busy summer months. Don’t assume you’ll be able to grab one whenever you need it. If you’re relying on taxis, plan ahead and give yourself a little extra time, especially when heading to the ferry port or airport. We personally used a taxi twice (to and from Santo Wines) and got lucky getting one right away, but this was during the shoulder season so just keep that in mind.
No matter how many days you have on the island, I hope my guide helped you narrow down what you actually want to see in Santorini! There are so many beautiful spots scattered across the island that it’s impossible to fit everything into one trip (which honestly just gives you an excuse to come back!). My biggest advice is to make time for the iconic sights, but don’t be afraid to wander down a random side street, stop for one more coffee with a view, or spend a little longer than planned watching the sunset because those ended up being some of my favorite memories.
If you’re still planning your trip, make sure to check out my other Santorini guides that might help:
- Read my guide on How Many Days in Santorini to figure out the perfect length for your trip.
- Check out How to Get from Athens to Santorini for everything I learned while planning our own journey.
- If you’re looking for even more things to do while there, check out my complete list of What To Do in Santorini.
- If you want the ideal itinerary planned for you, see my full and detailed Santorini Itinerary.
- If you’re looking for even more recommendations, my complete Santorini Travel Guide covers where to stay, restaurants, and plenty of additional tips.
You can also follow along with me on Instagram at @sierrainthecity. Happy travel planning!
