5 Essential Experiences for a Santorini Holiday

One of the most-visited Greek islands, Santorini is famed throughout for its unique beauty. The island’s whitewashed, blue‑domed buildings rise along a volcanic caldera, with views across the Aegean Sea and famously dramatic sunsets. From cliffside villages to hidden beaches and crystal‑clear waters, every corner of the island offers something unforgettable.

Discover the best ways to take in your stunning surroundings and experience Santorini beneath the surface in a round up by DSCENE Magazine’s Travel team.

5 must-try Experiences:

1. Celebrating the sunsets

The extraordinary scenery makes it unsurprising that Santorini is a popular option for proposals and honeymoons. However, the romantic energy goes beyond the setting. This island effortlessly encourages closeness, from the narrow lanes of the picturesque villages like Oia to the terrace cafés with uninterrupted ocean views.

Sunsets are the first thing that springs to mind when you think about this island, but you don’t need to leave your hotel, as the best resorts for Santorini holidays let you enjoy the breathtaking sunsets from the comfort of your room.

There are also plenty of lesser-known viewpoints where you can enjoy private moments, especially if you time it right and arrive early. These include Pyrgos and the Akrotiri Lighthouse. Why not back a small picnic so that you can toast the moment?

2. Taking a boat tour

Seeing Santorini from the water shows you how special this island really is. Sailing at the base of the cliffs shows you the drama of the volcanic rocks and gives you access to hot springs and hidden coves where you can enjoy the glittering turquoise sea uninterrupted. Choose an evening ride in a crewed catamaran for the full luxury experience, complete with drinks and food onboard. This will make your Santorini holiday an unforgettable one.

A boat tour also lets you explore beyond the shores. Visit nearby locations like Ios, just an hour away by ferry, or explore other islands in the Cyclades like Mykonos, which is loved for its buzzing nightlife. You could go further and create a multi-destination itinerary with days in Milos and Crete, Greece’s largest island.

3. Visiting Santorini Wineries

Santorini’s volcanic soil produces wines with a distinct mineral character, and visiting a winery is a wonderful way to elevate your holiday. Learning more about how the grapes are grown gives you a greater appreciation of the flavours and provides an opportunity to explore the local scenery away from the coast.

Book a guided tasting at a local estate and ask about the traditional kouloura vine training method. Seeing the vines coiled close to the ground helps you understand how growers protect them from wind and sun to sustain good growth. Follow up with a private tasting in a quiet spot and take time to toast your future. Many estates also offer vineyard walks and cellar tours, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the island’s long‑standing winemaking traditions.

4. Exploring Ancient Culture

Add depth to your trip with a journey back in time to understand Santorini’s and Greece’s wider heritage, which is brought to life by magical myths and preserved in glorious ancient ruins.

Akrotiri is a preserved Bronze Age settlement that reveals the Minoan civilisation that once thrived here. At the same time, Ancient Thera, with its archaeological museum, offers insight into the Hellenistic and Roman periods, set against sweeping island views. Explore further afield into the Cyclades, and you’ll reach the UNESCO-recognised island of Delos, championed as the birthplace of Apollo, where temples, sanctuaries, and mosaics paint a vivid picture of ancient Greek life.

5. Experiencing Local Festivals

Festivals run periodically throughout the year and are a special way to experience Santorini in a way most tourists cannot. Ifestia Festival recreates the island’s volcanic history with music and fireworks, while global events like Easter are celebrated in a unique style in spots like Pyrgos. Music lovers should go for the July Jazz Festival, or the annual International Music Festival held each September making it all perfect for your Santorini holiday.

Check local listings before your trip and plan an evening around one of these events. You’ll share the experience with residents as well as visitors, which creates a more authentic atmosphere. Traditional food and drink stalls often accompany the celebrations, so you can sample local dishes simultaneously.