Santorini – one of the world’s most visited places is a popular tourist destination amongst travelers. It’s a windswept, volcanic island set in the Cyclades that features colorful blue domes, whitewashed cliff-side villages, and pretty little houses nestled on the hilltop. To help you plan a perfect journey to Santorini, check out this guide on ’15 Amazing Things to do in Santorini with Family’.
Once you arrive in Santorini – you feel a different charm, a refreshing vibe of calmness spread across the city. It’s a place where all the shades of red create unbelievable sunsets for you to experience. On top of that, the coastline views of the ocean alongside the enormous cliffs are a sight to witness!
Santorini in Greece boasts an extraordinary landscape! Thanks to the volcanic eruption that occurred way back in 17th century B.C – which gave birth to the beautiful city we know today. The forces of eruption shaped the caldera to its raw form, displaying magical sight-seeing across the region. The red and black volcanic beaches, volcanic lava crater in Nea Kameni, and other geological attractions remind us of what Santorini used to be in earlier days.
Along with the natural landscape features of Santorini– the island is known to house a bounty load of attractions! You could do tons of things, spending days & weeks, hoping on-off to other islands and exploring the best of what the region has to offer. The enchanting Oia sunset views, eye-catching Cycladic architecture, glistening sandy beaches, luxurious hotels, fine dining experiences, and dramatic cruise journeys – all make your Santorini trip one of the most-worthy trips of all time!
Now since I already gave a gist of what you can expect on the Greek Island of Santorini – it’s time to deep dive into some of the major attractions & experiences of the island. If you’re a person travelling with kids, then we list down some of the top-rated attractions & places to see, which are purely family-friendly.
THINGS TO DO IN SANTORINI WITH FAMILY
Below is a detailed list of all the things you could do in Santorini with family. This comprehensive guide will also recommend you kid-friendly options for a perfect memorable Greek trip.
EXPLORE OIA
If you come across people’s posts on Instagram or Snapchat, featuring clifftops & blue-domed churches – then well, that’s Oia (pronounced “ee’yah” or “eea”). It’s an absolutely beautiful town to visit and is one of the top things to din Santorini with family.
One of the best ways to explore Oia – is to stroll down every narrow street and whitewashed alleys. Discover cozy taverns, beautiful Cycladic houses, and bougainvillea framing doorways whilst climbing up and down as many steps as you can.
The other highlight of exploring Oia in Santorini is – you stumble upon beautiful churches as you explore. These blue-domed churches overlook the caldera, giving you the utmost sight-seeing experience of all time. You could spend hours (and likely days) soaking in these grandeur architectural delights.
MAGICAL SUNSET OF OIA IN SANTORINI
If exploring Oia on foot was everything, then probably you should spend some more time to witness its magical sunsets! A perfect way to settle down your day trip in Santorini – is by watching the red shades across the sky cascading into glitters of orange. And when those reflections smack against the crystal blue dome churches – the sight is unbelievable!
Expect large crowds during the evening time, as a lot of tourists especially wait up to grasp in this experience! If you ask – the best place to watch Oia sunset? Then I’d recommend a few options here –
Either you can wander off the streets & explore your favorite spot on your own, or you can head straight to Oia Castle. It’s one of the best places to spot sunsets. The only catch here is – you’ll find a large crowd. It’s jam-packed near Oia Castle and everyone is literally with their camera phones on. But if you compromise on that part, then you get sweeping views of the windmills and the whitewashed houses running down the cliff.
Another great lookout area – is near the three blue domes of Oia in Santorini. You can expect slightly fewer people out here, and the sunset views facing the blue dome churches justify your viewing experience!
DISCOVER SANTORINI ON A BOAT
Discovering the Greek Isles on a boat is one of the must-do things in Santorini with family. Especially, its a lot more fun when you watch the island from a different angle. It’s an ideal way to appreciate the landscape features of the submerged caldera.
There’s a lot of boat trips in Santorini. Honestly, it might get overwhelming for you on choosing the right one. More importantly, if you ask what’s better? Private or guided? Then probably – I’d go for a private boat trip. This way you can avoid crowds and expect you & your family to have a perfect time. However, if you’re tight on budget, then perhaps guided tours are the ones to go for! They have a huge selection list, and the activities vary accordingly.
Some of the family-friendly optional tours to discover:
Santorini Catamaran Cruise – The full-day Catamaran cruise is a preferred option amongst travelers. They take in smaller groups and include a lot of places in their plan to visit.
Catamaran Cruise with Fresh BBQ & Drinks – Expect a few more locations to visit & activities to do when you book this particular cruise. You can have a freshly cooked BBQ lunch along with drinks, to live up to a full Greek-style experience.
Volcanic Island Cruise + Hot Springs Visit – Exploring the natural side of Santorini whilst sailing across the Aegean Sea is a must-do activity. In this guided tour, you’ll discover the volcanic islands of the caldera region and peer into the crater of an active volcano. You will also be exploring the famous Santorini villages of Thirassia and Oia.
For more guided excursions & private luxury tours, visit here.
EXPLORE FIRA IN SANTORINI
Fira is the capital city of Santorini and is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and busiest towns of Greece. But if you avoid the hustle & bustle of the crowds from the main port area – then you’ll come across quaint spots to explore.
The best way to explore Fira – is to choose a direction, follow your own path and see where it takes you. The town is pretty small, so you’ll find yourself from one end to the other in no time. But as you explore, you’ll come across narrow alleyways, hidden chapels, beautiful quaint houses, arching doorways, lookout points, and many other surprises.
Out of the hidden chapels, you come across, the Saint Minas Holy Orthodox Church and the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist are the popular ones. These churches dramatize the Cycladic architecture in a modern way, with beautiful Byzantine frescoes and mosaics embedded. You’ll also want to explore the Three Bells of Fira (a famous landmark) – known to be Greece’s popular photo-shoot spot.
Nonethless, visiting Fira is one of the best things to do in Santorini with family.
Out of all the things you explore, do not forget to visit some of the finest Fira hotels in Santorini. Some of them include visiting –
- Kapari Taverna
- Selene
- Fanari Restaurant
- Mama’s House
HIKE FROM FIRA TO OIA
For adventure-lovers and hiking enthusiasts, Santorini has a perfect hiking trail, which takes you from Fira to Oia. Personally, it’s one of my favorite experiences in Santorini, as you move through the Greek villages of Fira, Firostefani, Imerovigli, and Oia.
The hiking trail is about 10.5 kilometers long, which roughly takes between 3 to 5 hours (depending on your speed) to complete. Expect a few dirt trails and down hillsides, with many height differences and climbs along your way. Most of the further route is paved – meaning you won’t find much difficulty hiking these trails.
But it’s all worth it – because you’ll be handsomely rewarded with splendid views over Oia and the caldera.
VISIT SKAROS ROCK
Just below Imerovigli, you’ll see a large rock formation overlooking the rugged coastline, known as ‘Skaros Rock’.
The hike to Skaros Rock is relatively shorter compared to the Fira to Oia trail. It hardly takes 15 minutes to reach, but the path is a bit moderate to walk upon. This location was the earlier land of an ancient castle and old Venetian fortress. But now, it’s a popular photography spot.
The best part about visiting Skaros Rock hike – is the ability to see both sides of the island (north & south of caldera). There’s also a beautiful-looking white church nestled alongside the hilltop, which can you visit.
DO A WINE TOUR IN SANTORINI
One of the perfect ways to indulge in a Greek experience – is to go on a wine tasting tour. Santorini is home to an amazing collection of wines, especially assyrtiko – which is the main grape grown here. Assyrtiko wines are famous across all Greek Islands, and tourists enjoy its rich authentic taste.
The grapevines in Santorini aren’t grown vertically, but instead in baskets on the ground. This then allows the vines to get their nourishment right from the volcanic soil that embeds moisture. The concept of growing & maintaining the quality of vines is especially to avoid the island’s notoriously strong winds.
The best way to enjoy Santorini’s rich wine culture is by taking guided tour excursions. This allows you to not only immerse yourself but also understand the story behind cultivating rich wines.
Santorini Wine Adventure – This half-day guided tour will take you across three traditional wineries in Santorini. Explore the volcanic vineyard, wine cellars, and a selection of Santorini’s different wines (served with local cheese and snacks).
Magnum Grand Private Wine Tour – Hop on a private tour excursion to some of Santorini’s distinctive wineries and estates. You’ll cover five traditional estates, along with 20 different wine tastings at one of the wineries. Additionally, enjoy a wholesome 3-course lunch whilst soaking in the charming countryside.
For more wine tours in Santorini & experiences, visit here.
EXPLORE AMMOUDI BAY
Tucked away on the seafront, just below Oia – is a small port of Ammoudi Bay. It’s a great place for you to enjoy seafood restaurants or have romantic sunset dinners. It is also the starting point for many boat trips that take tourists across different water areas for activities. The Volcano and Hot Springs boat tour depart from Ammoudi Bay as well.
VISIT THIRASSIA
The island of Thirassia is often known as ‘the hidden gem of Santorini’. It’s one of the places in Greece, where you feel you’re deeply connected to the Cycladic landscape. If ordinary travel bores you, then Thirassia is a perfect place for you to explore a different side of Greece.
Not many travelers visit Thirassia, and therefore the island looks like Santorini 50 years ago. It has been beautifully preserved so far, and you’ll genuinely find amazing places to explore around.
The untouched cave houses, lush green villages, unforgettable view of the Aegean Sea, and the never-ending horizon of the coastline – all make Thirassa a wonderful island escape location.
DISCOVER IMEROVIGLI
Imerovigli is one of the villages in Santorini, where you can expect fewer crowds. That said, the village has been gaining its tourist popularity for quite some time, due to the five-star hotels & villas it houses offering picturesque scenes from rooms.
The village of Imerovigli is situated at an impressive height of 300 meters above sea level. Often known as ‘the balcony to the Aegean’ – imagine the views you could get from the top. Imerovigli has numerous churches and chapels tucked away on the cliff edge – out of which the popular ones are – Panagia Malteza Church and the chapel of Panagia Theoskepasti. Additionally, you could visit the female monastery of Agios Nikolaos here.
Imerovigli village is not known for shopping places or small cafes but is still an ideal choice for many travelers to witness beautiful scenes of whitewashed houses, flowers, and cobblestone alleys.
SANTORINI VOLCANO AND HOT SPRINGS
The island of Santorini was a formation of a huge volcanic eruption that happened ages ago. As a result, the core of the island’s center sank and reshaped into a crescent. And because of all the transformation that happened since the eruption, you could see why the island has extreme cliffs and steep slopes.
But the formation also gave birth to the geological natural wonders – which you could witness today. Guided tours & short excursions will take you to places around Santorini – to discover lava craters and hot springs. Here you can swim and experience the warmth of the springs mixing against the strong wind currents.
AKROTIRI ARCHEOLOGICAL SITE
The archaeological site of Akrotiri is home to an ancient Minoan settlement – that features insights of distant people living in the 3rd and 4th millennium BC. The city of Akrotiri got buried by an earthquake in the 16th century BC, causing havoc across the settlement. It is quite similar to what happened in Pompeii, Italy.
It’s estimated by the excavation archaeologists, that only a third of the city has been discovered so far. It could probably go on for another century – to find all the ruins of buildings & structures of the Akrotiri city.
Akrotiri is located towards the south of the island and is a 25-minute drive from Fira. You could reach the site, by taking one of the regular buses that run from Fira to Akrotiri.
VISIT ANCIENT THIRA
Perched on a rocky promontory, Ancient Thira is an archaeological site in Santorini Cyclades. In the 9th century BC – the city got inhabited, due to which you could see the remains spread across.
As you walk along the site area, you’ll hit a walking trail that will take you across picturesque locations of Kamari and Fira. Since the Ancient Thira is located above the cliffs, you’ll also observe some stunning panoramic views of the surrounding islands.
To date, Ancient Thira is known to accommodate a unique collection of vestiges that belonged to different historical timelines of the Aegean civilization. Furthermore, you’ll also witness Hellenistic shops and Byzantine Walls featuring depictions of ancient culture.
Self-driving to this archaeological site is difficult, and I recommend not to travel via your rental car. Instead, take up a bus ride from Kamari that leaves every hour.
Timings of Ancient Thira – 8.30 am to 2.30 pm
SANTORINI’S LOCAL CUISINE
Who doesn’t love trying out new delicacies and local cuisine? It’s a very touristy thing to do wherever we travel. And Santorini doesn’t disappoint you in terms of what Greek food has to offer.
The island is home to world-class restaurants, pretty small cafes & eatery joints that serves delicious local cooked food to indulge in. The tiny cafes out here, filled with flowered pillars and decorated roof-tops, make an ideal place for you to enjoy your Greek food in style.
Most of the cuisine prepared here relies on local fishing, animal breeding, and migratory fowl. The ingredients used are simple but have a powerful flavor when combined with a modern sublimity. Some of the famous ones you should try out include – Saganaki, Fava, Tomato Keftedes, Apache, and Brantada.
Not to forget the delicious yogurt, which is served at every restaurant as a dessert (topped with honey & sprinkled biscuits). The dish may sound like a simple delicacy to you, but the ones served in Greece (especially Santorini) is top-notch and flavourful.
VISIT FAMOUS BEACHES
Santorini is home to unique beaches that needs to be visited by every traveler exploring Greece. They are quite colorful, and have some distinctive feature that differentiates well amongst other beaches.
The Red Beach in Santorini is one of the most visited ones. The color is due to the red volcanic cliffs that tear down. It’s ideally a calm place overall, but in the afternoon you could expect large crowds. You can also visit Red Beach via a boat trip.
Just around the corner, you’ll come across the Santorini White Beach. It gets its distinctive features from the white cliffs that surround the area. The only way to reach this spot is to travel by boat.
Another popular attraction is the Black Sand beaches of Perivolos and Perissa. It’s an ideal family spot for you to spend an entire day – relaxing & enjoying small shops, cafes, and beach bars.
HOW TO VISIT SANTORINI
Even being an island, Santorini is one of the most accessible places in Greece. You can easily travel from one island to the other via ferries. They are the most feasible, convenient, and affordable option when it comes to saving a few bucks on travel.
But if you’re wondering how to travel Santorini with a large family and how you could easily get around the island, then here’s a few options –
Ferry – Daily ferries run from the capital center of Greece (Athens) to Santorini and other main islands. They are a convenient and comfortable option, especially if you’re hopping on & off between islands to travel across Greece. The high-speed vessel is the fastest one that completes the trip in about 5 hours. Whilst the slower vessels can roughly take about 8-9 hours.
The best part about traveling via ferry is you could get scenic views of the sparkling Aegean Sea throughout your journey. It does add up to your overall experience, even before you reach a particular location.
Plane – The fastest way to reach Santorini is via direct flight from Athens. There are multiple domestic flights throughout the day that operates – Olympic, Aegean, and Sky Express are a few options to consider. Flights become convenient during the low season, as the options for the ferry are limited.
It’s highly advisable to book your inter-travel flight tickets in advance. They get sold out pretty quickly during the high summer season.
GETTING AROUND SANTORINI
Being a smaller island, traveling within Santorini becomes way easier. You could travel from North to South in about 45-50 minutes approx. You can visit the major attractions of Santorini in a couple of days. However, I’d recommend staying 3 to 4 night’s minimum – so that you could get the most out of a Greek experience. It’s in any way an ideal length for all sorts of travelers to do various activities.
Public Transport – If you’re looking for the cheapest way to travel around Santorini, then public transport is the best mode. Buses run across the towns & villages of the island, but the main junction is the Fira (capital), from where each bus departs. Therefore, I’d recommend you book up your hotel stay in the capital itself so that traveling via bus becomes feasible.
Santorini Car Rental – If public transport isn’t your preferred option, then why not rent a car and explore the island at your leisure? Moreover, this is a perfect choice for a friendly Santorini family vacation. Its safe, accessible and you will be in total control of your tour. Rental cars will be fully air-conditional and they can be booked from the Santorini airport or port hubs.
| PRO TIP – If you are renting a car to travel in Santorini before sunsets, make sure you reach early (late afternoon) near the parking spot. Parking can be extremely difficult to get, as spaces are already crowded with giant tourist buses. |
Again, it’s advisable to book your rental car before you travel. During the high season, most of the rental car companies are booked and it’s very difficult to find an alternative at the last moment.
Taxi – Most travelers do not prefer taxis for their entire travel duration in Santorini. However, it’s a good option to reach ferry ports or airports. I wouldn’t recommend this option, but still better to include to give you guys a gist.
BEST TIME TO VISIT SANTORINI
The best time to visit Santorini is from September to October, and from late April to June. The weather is comparatively cooler, between 20-25 degrees, with a moderate current of breeze flowing around the island. Prices for accommodations and activities don’t touch their peak point, so you could get a pretty decent deal. The early you book, the better package rates you’ll get.
WRAP UP
We hope this guide helped you figure out the best things to do in Santorini with family. We covered pretty much everything about Santorini’s activities in one single guide. If there’s anything you would like to add – maybe a few unique experiences, activities, or excursions – please use the comment box below to post. We will be soon coming up with Santorini Itineraries for 2, 3, and 4 days – combining all of the activities listed above. We are sure this will give you a better picture in terms of traveling & staying in Santorini.
Till then, happy traveling!
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