admin
Friendly disclaimer!
We want to be as accurate as possible, but given these challenging times, we urge you to recheck that the venues are open when you decide to visit.
A volcanic island located amidst the Cyclades, Santorini astonishes you with her quintessentially Greek white-washed buildings and photogenic blue dome churches. Its otherworldly volcanic landscape is dotted with a myriad of colourful beaches, the scent of wine grapes and buzzing nightlife. Not to mention its sheer cliffs soaring above the torquiest Aegean sea that offer one of the most sought-after sunset views in the world.
Experience the best of what this Greek island has to offer with the help of our two-day Santorini itinerary.
Two-day Santorini itinerary at a glance
Day 1
On your first day in Santorini, hop on a cruise to the volcanic islands of Nea Kameni, Palea Kameni, and Thirassia. Pump up the adrenaline as you hike up an active volcano, take a refreshing dip in its hot springs or swim in the open waters of the Aegean Sea. For the second half of the day, take things slow and learn about the unfortunate history of the Minoan port city of Akrotiri. From there take a short walk down to the scenic Red Beach and cherish its contrasting hues. Catch the breathtaking sunset from the Akrotiri lighthouse at dawn before making your way back to Fira. Hit the cocktail bars and nightclubs of Fira before calling it a day.
- Cruise the Caldera
- Ancient Akrotiri
- Red Beach
- Sunset at Akrotiri lighthouse
- Experience the nightlife at Fira
Day 2
Head to the medieval village of Pyrgos on your second day in Santorini and experience the island’s lesser-known gem. From here make your way down to Kamari beach. While here, lounge under the sun or take part in some thrilling water sports. Later, tour the famous wineries of Santorini and taste some of the best wines in the world. Head back to Fira for the second half of the day and take the scenic route to Oia on foot, right in time for one of the most memorable sunsets of your life. The perfect ending to the perfect two days in Santorini.
- Explore Pyrgos
- Kamari Beach
- Winery Tour
- Hike from Fira to Oia
- Sunset at Oia
Detailed 2-day Santorini itinerary
Day 1
Cruise the caldera to the volcanic islands of Santorini
Cruise Santorini’s caldera (flooded volcanic crater) and witness its beautiful beaches, volcanic islands, and hot springs. With several operators offering pirate to semi-private half-day tours on everything from your average sailboats to deluxe catamarans and luxury yachts, this is a must-try experience for adrenaline junkies and beach lovers.
Things to do:
- Visit the islands of Nea Kameni and hike up an active volcano, take a rejuvenating dip in the thermal waters of Palea Kameni’s hot springs and take a scenic walk through the picturesque villages of Thirassia.
- Swimming in the open waters, snorkelling, and a traditional Greek lunch (or dinner) onboard are also included in most of these tours.
- Alternatively, you could also opt for a sunset catamaran cruise for an unforgettable Santorini sunset on the Aegean Sea.
Unravelog tip: There are no ferries to the volcanic islands and as such, the only way to reach them is by way of an organised tour.
Useful information:
- Timings: An average cruise lasts around 3 to 6 hours with the option of taking the cruise either on the first or second half of the day.
- Cost: Varies across operators with an average cruise starting at €20
- Website: A few popular cruises are offered by Viator, Get Your Guide, and Caldera’sBoats.
Go back in time at Ancient Akrotiri
The Minoan city of Akrotiri was once one of the most important port towns on the Aegean Sea. However, following its destruction by a volcanic eruption in the 17th century, it is often referred to as the ‘Greek Pompeii’. Buried in volcanic ash, the city was rediscovered in 1867 through an ongoing archaeological excavation and is today, Santorini’s most important archaeological site.
Unravelog tip: History buffs can also pay a visit to the Museum of Prehistoric Thira located at Thira, which houses ancient artefacts from various excavations across Santorini including those at Akrotiri.
Useful information:
- Location: Akrotiri, Santorini
- Timings: Wednesday to Monday, 08:30 am to 3:30 pm. Closed on Tuesdays.
- Cost:
-
- Full: €12, reduced: €6.
- One can also avail a special ticket package for €15 that covers the Archaeological Sites of Akrotiri, the Archaeological Sites of Ancient Thera and the Museum of Prehistoric Thera.
- Website: http://odysseus.culture.gr
- How to reach:
- Hire a taxi or rent a car or an ATV
- Board one of the regular buses from Fira to the Red Beach at Akrotiri (250-metre walk from here) or Akrotiri Village.
Witness the magical play of colours at the Red Beach
A short walk from the Akrotiri archaeological site takes you to the Red Beach, surrounded by lofty red volcanic cliffs that give the beach its unique colour. This palette of contrasting colours of soaring red cliffs and dark blue waters of the Aegean Sea make for an extraordinary setting and makes the Red beach one of the most beautiful beaches in Santorini.
Unravelog tip: The beach can get quite crowded during the summer months owing to its small size. It may be a good idea to admire the unique landscape of red and black volcanic rocks first from the top before heading down to the actual beach.
Things to do:
Although not the best beach for sunbathing owing to its rugged landscape, the unique rock formations and marine life make it a popular spot for Snorkelling.
Useful information:
- Location: Red Beach, Akotiri
- Timings: Always open
- Cost: Free entry
- How to reach:
-
- Hire a taxi or rent a car or an ATV
-
- Board a bus from Fira to Red Beach.
Watch the sunset from Akrotiri Lighthouse
Located on the edge of a cliff and surrounded by the Aegean sea, this 19th-century lighthouse offers an idyllic setting to catch Santorini’s famous sunsets. Originally built by a French merchant company in 1892, it is considered to be one of the oldest and most beautiful lighthouses in the Cyclades.
Things to do:
- Although visitors are not allowed entry inside the lighthouse, it is still worth visiting for the panoramic view it offers.
- Visit the nearby fish taverns and savour some of the seafood delicacies on offer.
Useful information:
- Location: Akrotiri Lighthouse, Akotiri
- Timings: Always open
- Cost: Free entry
- How to reach:
-
- Hire a taxi or rent a car or an ATV from Fira.
-
- The bus stop from Fira to Akrotiri village is located 5 kms from the lighthouse.
Experience Fira’s happening nightlife
If you thought the day ends with the sunset at Santorini, you thought wrong. With many up and coming beach bars and nightclubs, Fira is the most happening place on the Greek island after dawn. Afterall, the best way to enjoy Santorini’s out of the world volcanic vistas is with a cocktail in hand while lounging to some good music.
Things to do: Visit Kira Tira Jazz club – Fira’s oldest and one of the best bars with an intimate atmosphere, great cocktails and smooth jazz music. PK Cocktail Bar, Tango, Tropical and KOO Club also guarantee you a great night out among others.
Useful information:
- Location: Thera, Santorini
Day 2
Explore the medieval village of Pyrgos
Considered to be one of the best-preserved medieval settlements on the island, the village of Pyrgos is Santorini’s lesser-known gem. A medieval fortress surrounded by cobbled streets, it manages to keep hold of the allure of an old Greek village despite having opened up to the increasing flow of tourists.
Things to do:
- Being a relatively small village, the best thing to do at Pyrgos is to stroll along its medieval streets and discover the many hidden gems it has to offer.
- Relish the panoramic views atop Castelli of Pyrgos, one of the five castles of Santorini.
- Explore the remarkable wineries of Pyrgos where you can taste and learn about the history and production of the famed Santorini wine.
- Pyrgos also has a wealth of taverns, restaurants and traditional Greek cafes for you to enjoy a traditional Greek meal.
- Visit the many churches here with Panagia Eisodia being one of the largest ones.
- The monastery of Profitis Ilias is also worth a visit. Located near the village, it is one of the oldest churches on the island and an important Greek Orthodox landmark.
Useful information:
- Location: Pyrgos Kallistis
- How to reach:
-
- Hire a taxi or rent a car or an ATV from Fira.
- Board a bus to Pyrgos from Fira.
Kamari Beach
Located at the foot of the imposing Mesa Vouno Mountain in the seaside village of Kamari, the Kamari Beach is one of the most popular and most visited beaches in Santorini. Being a fully organised beach, it also offers a wide range of facilities including sunbeds, umbrellas and various types of water sport for you to choose from.
Things to do:
- Visit the diving centre located on the beach to experience a variety of water sports including water skiing, snorkelling, surfing and paddle boats.
- The Kamari beach also offers a host of seaside cafes, bars, restaurants and shops that are guaranteed to keep you busy during your visit.
- Experience the historic open-air cinema culture of Greece at Cine Kamari.
Useful information:
- Location: Kamari Beach, Kamari
- Timings: Always open
- Cost: Free entry
- How to reach:
-
- Hire a taxi or rent a car or an ATV from Fira.
-
- Board a bus from Fira to Kamari
Taste Santorini’s world-famous wines
Over a millennia of wine cultivation has led to the creation of indigenous grape varieties totally unique to the island including the likes of Assyrtiko and Vinsanto that are considered the finest white wines in Greece and among the best in the world. And as such, a trip to Santorini is incomplete without taking part in a wine tasting tour across the many wineries scattered across the island. Learn the art of winemaking at these indigenous wineries, a majority of which still follow traditional practices that are over 2,000 years old.
Unravelog tip: Although most wineries offer tours and wine tasting, the best way to visit multiple wineries is by way of a wine tour that takes care of your transport and even includes hotel pickup and dropoff.
Useful information:
- Cost and timings: Varies according to the tour chosen.
Take the scenic hike from Fira to Oia
The 10 km (about 6 miles) hike from Fira to Oia lets you witness some of the most scenic views across the island. Taking anywhere between three to five hours, the hike takes you through the edge of the caldera, across the towns of Imerovigli and Firostefani before finally ending up at the picturesque town of Oia.
Things to do: If you have more time at your disposal, take a detour to the Three bells of Thira at Agios Theodoros (also known as Virgin Mary Orthodox church) while at Firostefani or head to an outcropping of rocks near Imerovigli called Skaros Rock.
Unravelog tip: Being an uphill walk with little shade, start the hike earlier during the day and carry plenty of water if you’re attempting the same during the summer months.
Useful information:
- Location: The hike starts from the Atlantis Hotel at Fira.
- Cost: Free entry
Watch the Sunset from Oia
Santorini is famous for its spectacular sunsets. And what better place to witness this magical moment than the world-famous sunset viewing spot at Oia. Whether you want to capture that perfect shot on camera or just take it all in and be in the moment, Oia guarantees you one of the most memorable sunsets of your life.
Unravelog tip:
- The Castle of Agios Nikolaos (Oia Castle) offers the best spot to watch the sunset. However, owing to its popularity, it can get quite crowded, so make sure to reach there well in advance to find the best spots.
- Find the exact sunset timings for your visit here.
Useful Information:
- Timings: Open always
- Cost: Free entry
- How to reach:
-
- Hire a taxi or rent a car or an ATV from Fira.
- Board a bus from Fira to Oia
Check out these photo-spot ideas in Santorini for some epic Instagram shots! Looking for more things to do and see in Santorini? Check out our curated list of everything this Greek island has to offer.
