Honeymoon in Santorini: The Ultimate Guide
Key Takeaways
- The mesmerizing caldera views, volcanic beaches, and awe-inspiring sunsets of Santorini make for incredible moments of romance and tranquility.
- Santorini offers a wide range of luxurious accommodation options, including boutique hotels, private villas, and resorts perfect for a romantic getaway
- Known for its exceptional wines, honeymooners should indulge in a Santorinian wine-tasting experience, visiting local wineries and vineyards.
- Santorini provides plenty of romantic activities to enhance your honeymoon experience, such as sunset cruises around the caldera or an exploration of its charming villages.
Santorini island - credits: Food Travel Stockforlife/Shutterstock.com
If you recently exchanged vows of eternal love, congratulations on the beginning of your new life! It's time to plan your honeymoon in Santorini, Greece, and celebrate love the way it deserves!
A memorable honeymoon must take place in a memorable setting, and Santorini is a Greek island made of honeymooners' dreams.
Luxury honeymoon, Santorini - credits: turtix/Shutterstock.com
Not only striking but also convenient, the island of Santorini is easy to access by boat from the port of Piraeus or by airplane from Athens International Airport.
Not to mention that it is within a few-hour ferry ride from other idyllic destinations, such as Mykonos or Crete.
Apart from swimming in gorgeous beaches and private plunge pools, sunbathing, relaxing, and the islands’ main attractions, there are some special activities to engage in your Santorini honeymoon and make every moment on this island together with your significant other matter from the moment you step foot on Santorini airport.
Things to Do on your Santorini Honeymoon
Enjoy the Sunset in Santorini
The lighthouse in Akrotiri - credits: cge2010/Shutterstock.com
It is no secret that Santorini tops the list of the best spots to catch the sunset in Greece.
Therefore, one of the top recommendations for your Santorini honeymoon is to catch one of the magical sunsets the island is known for. Although you can watch the sunset from the popular villages of Oia or in Fira, we'd suggest something a bit different when you arrive from Athens to Santorini.
On the edge of a cliff, on the southern tip of Santorini near Akrotiri, lies the lighthouse, or “Faros” in Greek, a beloved spot by the locals who claim that it is the best spot to watch the sunset.
The lighthouse was built in 1892 and is used today by the Greek navy. If you happen to be there during August, you will be able to visit the building on International Lighthouse Day. If not, the idyllic scenery alone will soothe your soul and become a fond memory for years to come.
Hike the Paths of Santorini.
One of the island's paths - credits: Andrew Mayovskyy/Shutterstock.com
Hiking in Greece is an amazing experience, and Santorini has many traditional paths -the island's old path network- which connect the villages.
Nowadays, they are still used by the inhabitants, as well as by the visitors, for hiking and exploring the Santorinian land.
A route that follows the curve alongside the Caldera is the one that connects the four major settlements of Fira, Firostephani, Imerovigli, and Oia, and it is approximately 3km long.
If you are not that much into hiking, you have the option of wandering around the alleys and the pathways of Oia.
Cruise the Aegean Sea When You Visit Santorini.
Sailing with a catamaran - credits: dancar/Shutterstock.com
Sailing around the Caldera or the neighboring islets and islands - especially in the evening while the sun is setting- is too romantic of a Santorini honeymoon activity to miss!
Various sailing tours are available to choose from when you visit Santorini. In other words, arrange your unique cruise and day trips from Santorini according to your preferences and sail like the “Pirates of the Aegean” -the alternative Greek title for the novel “Archipelago on Fire” by Jules Verne.
Watch a Movie at the Open-air Cinema
Watching movies while on the island shouldn't be limited to the setting of your honeymoon hotel in Santorini.
Of course, there is nothing wrong with cuddling next to your spouse during your romantic honeymoon in one of the stunning hotels in Santorini for couples.
Couple in front of Santorini's windmills - credits: Santorines/Shutterstock.com
However, it is not worth visiting Santorini for a romantic getaway, only to stay within the walls of the island's luxury suites.
In Kamari, there is a small romantic cinema where you can spend some time watching a movie and drinking your cocktails under the stars. You can see the cinema's program here.
Exchange Gifts
Shopping during your Santorini honeymoon - credits: Chubykin Arkady/Shutterstock.com
We don't mean to be materialistic, but exchanging gifts will be a lovely gesture during your honeymoon in Santorini, and you can present your gift while overlooking the Caldera cliff in your infinity pool. I mean, it can't get more idyllic than that!
Santorini, Greece, honeymoon - credits: cge2010/Shutterstock.com
Go shopping in Fira and Oia, where you can find plenty of shops, a wide variety of products, and just the perfect gift for your soulmate, along with a Greek souvenir to take back home.
Handicrafts of delicate art, clothes, shoes, accessories, and jewels are mind-boggling. Carry the energy of Santorini everywhere you go by wearing jewelry from volcanic rocks!
Visit the Most Romantic Bookstore.
Atlantis Books in Oia - credits: http://www.greece-is. com
The relaxing vibe of your honeymoon in Santorini sets the perfect setting for reading. Atlantis Books in Oia is the most picturesque bookshop on the island and one of the cutest bookshops in Greece.
The name is interesting -since Santorini was once considered to be the island of lost Atlantis- and has a collection of various books in English and several other languages.
In this 'hobbit cave,' there are cool reading spots and the companion of jazz music to relax you. An absolute must-visit if you're a book lover!
Eat and Drink like a Local on a Greek island.
Petra Restaurant - credits: canaves. com
The traditional Santorinian cuisine is worth every single calorie and experiencing it will be one of the highlight experiences of your honeymoon.
We highly suggest you book a private candlelight dinner with a view of the Caldera and the volcano -just ponder where else in the world you could do this.
Local wine in Santorini - credits: Songquan Deng/Shutterstock.com
Petra restaurant in Canaves Oia, Argo in Fira, and Dimitris in Ammoudi are just a few of the many places to experience this magical moment.
If you want to explore the island’s countryside, you can go to Selene in Pyrgos and Psaraki in Vlychada. And, of course, make sure to check out our Santorini food guide to learn everything you need to know about the local cuisine and have even more recommendations at hand during your honeymoon in Santorini!
Party Until the Early Morning Hours
Nightview of Santorini - credits: ian woolcock/Shutterstock.com
The rumors you've heard about the vigorous nightlife of Santorini are true. Especially in Fira, there are numerous choices of bars and clubs like Enigma and Koo Club.
Another fun way to spend your time feasting and celebrating your honeymoon in Santorini would be to join one of the traditional festivities, with lots of dance, music, and many delightful treats.
Best Time to Visit the Island for your Santorini Honeymoon
Akrotiri Church, Santorini - credits: Mariia_Boiko/Shutterstock.com
A romantic honeymoon in Greece in Santorini requires an idyllic environment the high season months of summer hardly ever offer.
While the weather is beach perfect during the month of mid-June, July, and August, the massive tourist crowds are not the ideal background for your honeymoon photos.
Couple toasting in Santorini island -credits: cultura_Motion/Shutterstock.com
will occur between late April and early October. Mostly warm during the summer with minimal rainfall. Alternatively, if you prefer swimming, sunbathing, and enjoying hot weather, it's a perfect time to visit.
Where to Stay in Santorini - Santorini Honeymoon Hotels
We highly recommend staying in a luxury boutique hotel or one of the honeymoon Santorini beach hotels in the three villages: Oia, Imerovigli, and Fira, in roughly this order, if possible, where you will revel in the luxury of honeymoon suites and spa treatments that will make you feel like royalty.
It is possible for travelers to stay in honeymoon hotels in Santorini elsewhere, like the more budget-friendly Kamari and Perissa, but the picturesque villages along the caldera offer the perfect setting to enjoy the iconic views from your honeymoon suite, and the hotels in Imerovigli will take your breath away.
Pyrgos, Santorini - credits: cge2010/Shutterstock.com
Most couples choose to stay in a honeymoon suite on the west side of the island, close to the Caldera, with their own private balcony or private terrace overlooking the imposing landscape. Imerovigli is a really nice option with less hustle.
Two very interesting suggestions for newlyweds in regard to Santorini hotels would be to stay in a cave hotel or in a windmill hotel -both inspired by the traditional local architecture- like Yposkafo and Golden Sunset Villas, which is one of the best hotels in Oia.
Oia, Santorini - credits: Mariia_Boiko/Shutterstock.com
In most luxury hotels, you can also require your room to include your own private plunge pool and take your romantic experience to a whole other level.
I mean, can you think of something more exceptional than swimming in your private plunge pool while admiring stunning views of the volcanic landscape?
A woman enjoying a Santorini sunset and wine-tasting - credits: Littleaom/Shutterstock.com
Regardless, any boutique hotel that cannot offer that will compensate you with pampering services included in the price of your honeymoon suite. After all, there is nothing that can even come close to swimming in the Aegean Sea.
Of course, all Santorini honeymoon hotels boast honeymoon suites, while the best honeymoon hotels -which are romantic hotels by nature- offer exclusive services that will make you and your other half feel spoiled rotten.
Final Thoughts
Dinner in Santorini island - credits: Santorines/Shutterstock.com
You just can’t get enough of Santorini. That’s why you need to be ready for exploration and plan your journey well, or let the experts do the work by booking honeymoon packages.
Whatever you choose to do, regardless of which of the best honeymoon hotels you will stay in and wherever the road may lead you on the island, your Santorini honeymoon is going to leave an unforgettable mark on your shared memories that you will treasure forever!
Sunset in Santorini - credits: Georgios Tsichlis/Shutterstock.com
To further explore your options in regard to your Greek honeymoon, see also:
If you're considering a Santorini elopement, you can browse not only our Santorini honeymoon packages but also our Santorini tours:
- Santorini sunset cruise
- Santorini private bespoke tour with local driver-guide
- Santorini highlights a full-day tour
- Santorini sunset wine tour
Get in touch with our travel specialists and design the ideal honeymoon trip to Greece!