All citiesSantorini (Fira) Things to do and walking itinerary
Greece Santorini travel guide
20 things to do in Santorini, where to stay, airport transfers. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Santorini
- St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Santorini — church building in Fira, South Aegean, Greece (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Museum of Prehistoric Thera — museum in Greece (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Archaeological museum of Thera — museum in Greece (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Panagia Episkopi — church building in Episkopi Gonias, South Aegean, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Cathedral of Candlemas of the Lord — church building in Fira, South Aegean, Greece (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Three Bells of Fira — a Greek Catholic church (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Akrotiri — Bronze Age settlement on the volcanic Greek island of Santorini (Thera) (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Ancient Thera — ancient city and archaeological site on Thera, Greece (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Museum of Ancient Greek, Byzantine and Post-Byzantine Instruments — museum in Oia, Santorini, Greece (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Moni Profiti Ilia (Santorini) — monastery in Thira Municipality, Greece (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Tomato Industrial Museum D. Nomikos — Museum in Santorini (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Skaros Rock — ruins in Santorini (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Castle of Akrotiri — castle ruins in Santorini, Greece (visit ≈ 75 min)
- Anastasi Church (Oia) — church building in Thira Municipality, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Eleusis — ancient site on Thera, Cyclades (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Zoodochos Pigi of Kamari — church in Santorini, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Citadel of Oia — Cyclades (visit ≈ 60 min)
- Saint Jean Baptist Church (Oia) (visit ≈ 30 min)
- St George church (Oia) — church building in Thira Municipality, Greece (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Panagia Platsani (visit ≈ 30 min)
1-day Santorini walking itinerary
Starting point: Fira. The top 6 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 6.1 km · 8,220 steps · 1 h 21 min on the way): Museum of Prehistoric Thera → Cathedral of Candlemas of the Lord → Archaeological museum of Thera → St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Santorini → Three Bells of Fira → Skaros Rock
Where to stay in Santorini
- Fira: The island’s hub, with the bus station and caldera views.
- Firostefani: A calmer village within walking distance of Fira.
- Imerovigli: The highest point on the caldera with romantic hotels.
- Kamari: A black-sand beach and cheaper hotels.
Getting from the airport to Santorini
- Santorini (Thira) (JTR): KTEL bus ≈ 20 min
Getting around
KTEL buses run from Fira to the villages and get crowded in summer. The caldera path from Fira to Oia is a great walk.
Classic places to eat
- Lucky’s Souvlakis: Quick, filling souvlaki in Fira.
- Naoussa: A long-running traditional taverna in Fira.
- Metaxy Mas: Cretan and island dishes in Exo Gonia village.
- Ammoudi Fish Tavern: Fresh fish in the little harbour below Oia.
- Santo Wines: Local wine tasting on a terrace above the caldera.
- Koukoumavlos: An elegant caldera-view dinner in Fira.
Romantic views
- Skaros Rock (Sunset): A rocky headland jutting into the caldera.
- Akrotiri Lighthouse (Sunset): A quiet sunset away from the crowds.
- Firostefani Path (Evening): A walk along the caldera between white houses.
Day trips
- Ios — 34 km from the centre
Good to know before visiting Santorini
- Fine: Removing stones or artefacts from ancient sites is a serious crime.
- Fine: Photographing military installations, especially in border areas, is prohibited.
- Fine: In Athens you must validate metro and bus tickets; inspectors fine riders without one.
- Fine: Smoking indoors is banned; lighting fires outdoors in summer is fined.
- Warning: Cover shoulders and knees in churches and monasteries; some ask women to wear skirts.
- Warning: Stiletto heels are banned at ancient sites like the Acropolis to protect the stone.
- Emergency: 112 (police 100, ambulance 166, fire 199)
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is fine in Athens and Thessaloniki; on islands bottled water is usual.
- Tipping: Tipping isn't required; 5–10% or rounding up is common.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Greece, Wikivoyage — Greece, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Santorini travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Santorini?
- The top 6 places in the centre take about 1 day at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Add extra days for day trips (Ios).
- What are the top things to do in Santorini?
- Highlights: St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Santorini, Museum of Prehistoric Thera, Archaeological museum of Thera, Panagia Episkopi and Cathedral of Candlemas of the Lord. The map has 20 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Santorini?
- Fira: The island’s hub, with the bus station and caldera views. Other options: Firostefani, Imerovigli and Kamari.
- How do you get from the airport to Santorini city centre?
- Santorini (Thira) (JTR): KTEL bus ≈ 20 min
- How do you get around Santorini?
- KTEL buses run from Fira to the villages and get crowded in summer. The caldera path from Fira to Oia is a great walk.
- What is the emergency number in Santorini?
- Emergency: 112 (police 100, ambulance 166, fire 199).
- Do you tip in Santorini?
- Tipping isn't required; 5–10% or rounding up is common.
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