Free walking tours in Santorini and what to see

Must-sees

Santorini is what remains of a volcano that blew apart more than 3,500 years ago: a caldera of red and black cliffs with white villages along the rim. The clifftop path from Fira to Oia, about 10 km, is the best way to see it, through Firostefani and Imerovigli.

Besides the sunsets, the island has the ruins of Akrotiri, a Minoan town buried in ash, the black-sand beaches of Kamari and Perissa, Red Beach and wineries where you can taste the white assyrtiko. From Fira’s old port you go up by cable car or by 600 steps.

Free tours and guided visits

Santorini has guided tours of the island, Akrotiri and the wineries, and above all boat trips around the caldera: to the Nea Kameni volcano, the hot springs and Thirasia island, many of them at sunset.

How long to spend

Three days cover the caldera, Oia, Akrotiri, a beach and the boat to the volcano. If you arrive by ferry from Athens or another island, allow half a day to get there.

Where to stay

Fira is the most practical base without a car. Imerovigli and Oia have the hotels with the best views and the highest prices, and Kamari and Perissa, on the beach, are much cheaper.