Incredible Day Trips from Santorini to Elevate Your Vacation Experience
Key Takeaways
- Day trips from Santorini often lead to stunning landscapes and breathtaking views.
- Taking a cruise around the Santorini Caldera is a must to admire the island's stunning cliffs, the volcano on Nea Kameni, and the therapeutic hot springs of Palea Kameni.
- The nearby islands of Mykonos, Folegandros, Milos, and even Crete are also perfect destinations for day trips if you want to further explore the Greek coastline.
Santorini is one of the most popular Cyclades islands with romantic hotels for every taste.
Many know Fira, Oia, Mealochori, and other Santorini villages due to their beautiful white-washed buildings, the blue domes that top them, and the fact that they are perfect spots for a Santorini elopement or wedding.
The nearby Aegean Sea and volcano caldera amaze thousands of tourists every year due to the sparkling blue water and endless Santorini views, which make the island a perfect destination for a sunset tour.
If you plan to spend several days on this island, taking advantage of day trips from Santorini is highly recommended. Here are some of the best ways to take Santorini day trips and get around Santorini the best way!
Unique Ways to Spend a Day in Santorini
Some unique ideas to spend a day on your Santorini trip include:
- Take a full-day highlights Santorini tour that includes landmarks of the island, such as a visit to the volcanic beaches, a wine-tasting tour, and an explanation of the history of this magical island. There are countless Santorini tours that can elevate your experience!
- Check out the ancient Akrotiri village and Venetian castle. The previous inhabitants of this town built it in the Bronze Age. A volcanic eruption buried the town, meaning that it is surprisingly well-preserved.
- Get to know the island's incredible wine through an exclusive wine-tasting tour. This private tour includes a trip to three different wineries and the opportunity to try 12 different kinds of locally-produced Greek and Santorini wine.
Top 5 Day Trips from Santorini
1. Take a Volcano Tour from Santorini
The volcano tour from Santorini is one of the most popular day trip options for tourists who visit Santorini. The volcano of Santorini is not only one of the most stunning sites to visit but also one of the most significant contributions to how the topography of the island formed. Most tours include a visit to both the hot springs and the volcano.
The unique Santorini Catamaran cruises are a fantastic way to see the volcano and the Aegean Sea. This sunset cruise, for example, offers snorkeling, a volcanic hot springs tour, and magical views of both the volcano and Santorini during the most magical part of the day in just a few hours. It is one of the best ways to enjoy the island and caldera.
2. Discover the Beauty and History of Crete
Though many people choose to spend more time in Crete, the largest island in Greece, than Santorini, if you forgot to add this location to your itinerary, you must make a pit stop at this incredible island.
The best way to take advantage of a day trip to Crete is to book a tour in advance. A day tour guarantees you won't waste any time looking for lunch spots and tourist attractions.
Prioritize the aspects of Crete you would be most interested in learning about when booking a tour.
For example, foodies should focus on a tour that includes wine tasting and opportunities to taste the local cuisine.
Those more interested in local culture should consider touring Crete's charming countryside towns and surrounding nature.
One of Crete's most famous highlights for history buffs is the Minoan Palace of Knossos. You can easily tour Heraklion and the Palace on the same day.
Ferries from Santorini to Crete can last as little as two hours, so spending a day in Crete is easy to fit into a tight schedule.
3. Spend a Day (or Night) in Mykonos
Many tourists know Mykonos for its incredible and sometimes wild nightlife. If you love to party and intend to include this in your vacation plans, spending a night in Mykonos is highly recommendable.
Even though Mykonos nightlife has a reputation, it is worth visiting during the day as well. Mykonos boasts exclusive and elegant beaches, fine-dining experiences, shopping, and more. On top of these highlights, you can easily catch one of the 4 ferries per day (in the summer) from Santorini to Mykonos.
For those who enjoy an adventure or simply love to spend a day out on the sea, Mykonos also has fantastic options for swimming, snorkeling, and boat tours. This Mykonos tour is ideal for anyone who loves to admire beautiful ruins and sea life. You will see the stunning Delos archaeological site and enjoy snorkeling at one of the uninhabited nearby islands.
4. Relax, Wander, and Hike in Folegandros
Tourists do not visit Folegandros as much as some of the other islands, meaning that this Santorini day trip is a great way to take a break from the crowds.
The amazing beaches are more secluded and only accessible by hiking down rocky trails or taking a boat.
The center of the island capital, Chora, is only accessible by foot, offering an experience uninterrupted by modern life if you plan to wander the city.
The ferry from Santorini takes about three hours, so hiring a private tour, boat tour, or guide is worth the time you will save from trying to keep up with the ferry schedule.
You may also consider hiring a bike or moped when you get to this small island. Since Folegrandos is only 32 kilometers long, a car is not necessary.
5. Enjoy a Romantic Day in Milos
For anyone on their honeymoon in Greece or a romantic vacation, Milos is a quieter and more romantic island. Couples can enjoy picturesque rocky and sandy beaches such as:
- Tsigrado
- Sarakiniko
- Plathiena
- Firiplaka
- Provatas
- Papafragas (beach and caves)
- Firopotamos
Plaka is the capital of Milos and the perfect place for a day of wandering while you check out local shops and restaurants. If you like extreme sports like snorkeling or scuba diving, Kleftiko is a popular spot. Kleftiko is peaceful and secluded, boasting clear water and many submerged natural rock formations.
One of the best parts of day trips from Santorini Island to Milos is that high-speed ferries are available year-round. So, if you have taken a trip off-season, you can easily squeeze this quaint and romantic Greek island into your vacation itinerary.
Final Thoughts: Create Your Ideal Santorini Itinerary with Greeking.me
Alleviate the stress of planning day trips from Santorini by requesting the help of an expert.
At Greeking.me, we can help you take advantage of the short time you have in Santorini by providing options for transportation from Athens to Santorini, day tours or even planning the entire itinerary for your trip to the Greek islands. Call us at +1 (518) 406-8975 for an astonishing trip to Santorini today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are day trips suitable for children or elderly travelers?
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