You've seen it in movies, watched it in lifestyle TV shows, and often spot it on social media—the beautiful island of Santorini. If there's a place that you'd want to retreat to, it's this island. But what is there to do here? Sure, it's a beautiful place and all, but is that it? Is there nothing to do in Santorini apart from marveling at its beauty and swimming in the Aegean Sea? Well, there's actually a ton you can do on the island, even to the point that one day will keep you busy. Here are a few suggestions you might want to consider.
Visit Oia
Santorini's whitewashed towns are the most famous parts of the island. Sure, other Greek islands also boast their own stark white cities and villages, but those in Santorini are second to none! When one sees a whitewashed home, no matter where they are, the Cyclades island will often come to mind. And out of all the
towns of Santorini, the most beautiful is arguably Oia. Located along the north edge of the island, the place offers stunning views, Instagram-worthy homes, and Santorini's signature slow-paced lifestyle. This is also where the iconic blue-domed churches can be found, another good reason to visit the village!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Go for a Scenic Drive
Not to dwell too much on the views in Santorini or anything, but the island is undeniably breathtaking. From seeing the cascading towns from a mile away to the glistening coasts by the Aegean Sea, the destination is one huge feast for the eyes. And there's so much to marvel at here that you can spend an entire day doing just that! All you need to do is
rent a car (or any other type of vehicle if you prefer) and go on a scenic road trip to Santorini. Just make sure your gadgets are all fully charged so that you can take as many snapshots as you want!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Swim at The Red Beach
Of course, you can't go to Santorini without taking a dip! That's probably part of why you went here in the first place! And since the island is as much beloved for its beautiful beaches as it is for its whitewashed towns, which coast should you go to? Well, the Red Beach is not a bad option! In fact, it's the most famous beach in all of Santorini. However, as a place for swimming, many prefer the other beaches on the island. But you know what that means, right? If you choose to stay and spend your day here, you practically get the entire beach all to yourself!
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ LBM1948
Explore Ancient Thera
Unbeknownst to many, Santorini has its own fair share of ancient ruins. Athens,
Crete, and the like aren't the only popular destinations in Greece that contain relics of the country's history. Beyond the bright white towns on the island. Santorini also has the ruins of Ancient Thera. Located in the mountainous region east of Profitis Ilias, you can clearly see what little remained of this once glorious city. From temple ruins to vases and statues, most of them date back to around the 6th and 7th centuries BC. It's one of the few archeological finds in Santorini.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Stan Zurek
See The Byzantine Castle Ruins
Speaking of ruins, you also shouldn't miss checking out the Byzantine Castle ruins in Oia. Also known as the 'Castle of Oia,' it's a stunning relic from the 15th century, around the time that the Byzantine Empire still ruled this part of the world. You probably won't see the layout of the castle itself when you get there. Only from a distance will be able to envision what the structure used to look like in its former glory. However, apart from seeing the ruins yourself, the spot is also great for watching the sunset! The views from this vantage point are second to none!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Go On a Wine Tour of Santorini
With so many
great places to eat in Santorini, it's easy to go on a foodie trip here. However, can you handle taking in all that seafood, meat, and cheese in one entire day? If you're not careful, you might end up with a really bad case of a tummy ache and it can ruin your entire trip from that point on. You wouldn't want that to happen, would you? Of course, not! So in that case, why not take a wine tour of Santorini instead? You'll get to taste the best wine on the island, be it traditional
raki or delicious red wine that's perfect for a romantic rendezvous!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
End The Day with a Movie Outside
With so many incredible places to see in Santorini, watching a movie is probably the last thing you'd want to do here, right? Who'd want to get cooped up in a dark room just to watch a movie when you can do that at any other time and place? Well, who said you have to watch indoors? Among the famous activities that the island offers, watching a film outdoors has become one of the most popular in recent years. This is all thanks to the
Kamari Open Air Cinema. The popular open-air theater screens a variety of films every night, right after the sun goes down. After experiencing this, you won't want to go back to indoor cinemas ever again!
Source: Kamari Open Air Cinema
You'd be surprised at how much you can do in Santorini! Sure, you might have come here to rest and relax, but once you see what the island offers, from ancient ruins to outdoor cinemas, you'll want to get going until the day is through!
A great finish to your fun day in Santorini is coming back to your
luxury home on the island!
