All the Experiences you Need to Discover when in Santorini
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SANTORINI
Greeks say with the words of Pindar, «Γλυκύ δ’ αἰεί το κατὰ θάλασσαν», Sweet is always life by the sea, a timeless truth that finds its purest expression in Santorini.
Nowhere does this philosophy feel more natural than in Santorini, where time seems to pause as whitewashed villages spill over volcanic cliffs and the Aegean shimmers endlessly below.
Here, indulgence takes many forms: languid afternoons by an infinity pool, candlelit dinners paired with the island’s celebrated Assyrtiko wines, and private yacht sails that reveal hidden coves untouched by the crowds.
Between ancient wonders, bespoke spa rituals, and sunset vistas that defy imagination, Santorini invites you to embrace stillness and beauty in equal measure, an island where every moment is crafted for timeless luxury.
Experience the essence of Santorini
Santorini is an island like no other. From the moment your feet touch its volcanic soil, you feel its powerful energy, while your eyes are captivated by the grandeur of its breathtaking landscape.
Endless blue against a backdrop of pure white. Santorini overflows with romance, wild beauty, and a mysterious allure.
The southernmost of the Cyclades, shaped by the uniqueness of its volcano, it holds the crown of timeless glamour and the unceasing fascination of travelers. Its charm is irresistible, and to it, you can only surrender.
POTTERY
Where? Megalochori, Santorini
Nestled in the village of Megalochori, Santorini, the Earth & Water Art Pottery Studio is both a workshop and gallery where Andreas Makaris, a fifth-generation potter, practices and teaches his craft.
At the studio, visitors can admire and purchase his distinctive works, and also participate in lessons for all ages.
Andreas sees clay as a living medium, sometimes rejecting his own creations to push his artistry further, and draws inspiration every day f rom the volcanic landscape, the shifting light, and Santorini’s dramatic contrasts.
Horse Riding
Where? Vlychada, Santorini
Saddle up for a journey where nature and tradition meet. From the quiet stables of Megalochori, the trail winds through sculpted volcanic canyons before opening to the wild beauty of Eros Beach. Here, the black sand shimmers under the Aegean sun, cliffs rise like silent guardians, and the horses leave gentle prints along the shoreline. The rhythm of hoofbeats blends with the sound of waves, offering a moment of pure connection with Santorini’s untamed soul. At sunset, the landscape glows in gold and crimson, turning a simple ride into an unforgettable memory, a timeless encounter between earth, sea, and sky.
RED BEACH
Where? Below Akrotiri, Santorini
Beneath towering cliffs of deep rust and crimson lies Red Beach, a volcanic cove of raw beauty where earth, sea, and f ire converge. The sand and pebbles glow in hues of red and blackash and iron forged f rom the island’s ancient eruption while the Aegean laps against the shore in brilliant sapphire.
Nestled near Akrotiri, the beach is accessed via a rugged path or by sea, and invites the visitor to pause, stare upward at the dramatic cliffs, and feel as though they’ve stepped onto a different planet. But this beauty carries a reminder of nature’s power: warning signs caution against rockfall, and in some years parts of the beach are restricted for safety.
WINE TASTING
Where? Baxes, Oia, Santorini
Wine tasting in Santorini is unlike anywhere else in the world, famous for the volcanic ground that def ines the island’s terroir. The porous lava, ash, and pumice absorb the morning dew, giving life to centuries-old vines trained in the traditional kouloura basket shape. From this soil, Santorini extracts its essence, the crisp minerality of Assyrtiko, the delicate aromas of Aidani, and the depth of rare reds like Mavrotragano.
Among the island’s most celebrated wineries, Domaine Sigalas offers an experience that goes beyond tasting. Here, visitors can walk through the vineyards, learn the philosophy behind sustainable cultivation, and sit down for a guided food and wine pairing that highlights both tradition and innovation. Local dishes from creamy fava and sun-dried tomatoes to grilled seafood are artfully matched with each wine, allowing the flavors of Santorini’s land and sea to unfold in perfect harmony.
Exploring Akrotiri, the Pompei of the Aegean
Where? Akrotiri, Santorini
Akrotiri in Santorini is one of Europe’s most important prehistoric settlements and also one of the best-designed archaeological sites.
Step inside the Museum of Prehistoric Thera in Fira, where Akrotiri’s ancient world comes to life. The museum houses vivid f rescoes, elegant pottery, ritual objects, and everyday tools excavated f rom the volcanic ash that preserved the Bronze Age city.
In the modern village of Akrotiri, wander narrow alleyways and climb toward the ruins of the Venetian castle, La Ponta or Goulas, which perch above as silent sentinels over ancient land.
At the island’s westernmost tip, the Akrotiri Lighthouse makes for a sublime sunset viewpoint a quiet place to watch the day fade into sea.
Imerovigli to Oia
By the time Oia’s domes and windmills appear, glowing in the late afternoon light, the journey itself has become the reward, a slow unfolding of Santorini’s untamed beauty.
The hike f rom Imerovigli to Oia follows the rim of the caldera, offering endless panoramas of the Aegean sea and dramatic volcanic cliffs.
The full trail is about 8 km one-way (longer if including the Fira → Imerovigli leg) and typically takes 1 h 45 min to 2 h 30 min, depending on your pace and stops for photos.
As you follow the winding path along the caldera rim, white chapels crown the cliffs, wildflowers push through volcanic rock, and the Aegean stretches endlessly in shifting shades of blue.
SANTORINI villages
The hidden gems of the island are yet to be discovered by you.
Megalochori is a village where time seems to slow down.
Whitewashed houses, neoclassical mansions, and winding alleys lead to a quiet square shaded by trees, where locals gather over wine and meze. Surrounded by vineyards, home to historic wineries and the famed “Heart of Santorini” viewpoint, Megalochori blends authenticity, tradition, and understated charm, a glimpse
of the island’s soul beyond the caldera’s cliffs.
Pyrgos reveals itself as a whisper of old Santorini, a maze of narrow alleys, whitewashed homes, hidden chapels, and the ruins of the Kasteli rising at its crown. From this vantage, you can drink in sweeping 360° views across the island, f rom the caldera rim to the distant sea. Once fortif ied under Venetian rule, the village still carries that sentinel spirit in its stone walls and labyrinthine paths. Less traversed than Oia or Fira, Pyrgos offers a quieter, more intimate pace: sip coffee in shady squares, explore corners of architectural intrigue, and experience sunsets that glow as if for insiders.
Vothonas is a villagebuilt almost into the rock, where houses are carved f rom volcanic stone and hidden beneath the earth’s surface. The paths wind through cavehomes and narrow alleys, guiding you to St. Anna, its oldest church (1827), and the cave-carved Panagia Sergena, a sanctuary echoing with reverence. Vothonas is a place for slow wandering, for discovering the architecture that blends shelter and earth, and for tasting the authentic flavor of island calm. Nearby, the Koutsogiannopoulos Wine Museum invites you underground into Santorini’s winemaking past, bathed in cool shadows, with tools and stories that reveal the island’s soul.
YACHTING TIMES
Sailing privately around Santorini is a dreamlike experience, where travelers drift past the caldera’s
dramatic cliffs, pause at volcanic hot springs, and dive into the crystalline waters of hidden coves and beaches like the striking Red and secluded White Beach.
On board, elegant catamarans or yachts offer gourmet dining with local delicacies, fine wines, and shaded lounges perfect for soaking in the views, while tailored routes allow guests to discover secret grottoes and the volcanic islets of Nea and Palea Kameni. Many choose to time their journey with a sunset tour, when the island’s skyline glows in gold and rose hues, creating one of the most romantic moments on earth.
Ifesteia Festival, a highlight of the year,
when the caldera erupts in spectacular fireworks that
mimic the island’s volcanic past, an awe-inspiring event best admired f rom the deck of a yacht, surrounded by the sea’s serenity.
Whether indulging in a full-day escape to nearby islets, savoring moonlit swims, or simply tracing the island’s coastline at leisure, Santorini yachting is an elegant, unforgettable celebration of sea, sun, and timeless beauty.
