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Swim at Ammoudi BayThere’s not a lot of accommodation at this tiny cove in the lower part of Oia. And that’s the point. Its remoteness and intimacy are key. Pristine water, warm rocks to lay a towel on and the seaside Ammoudi Fish Tavern for an excellent lunch. Try the grilled prawns.
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Swim at Ammoudi Bay

There’s not a lot of accommodation at this tiny cove in the lower part of Oia. And that’s the point. Its remoteness and intimacy are key. Pristine water, warm rocks to lay a towel on and the seaside Ammoudi Fish Tavern for an excellent lunch. Try the grilled prawns.

Step back in time at AkrotiriSo Santorini is obviously the remains of a volcano. But what you might not know is that it has its own version of Pompeii. In around 1450 BC - when the Minoan civilisation was thriving - the town of Akrotiri was covered in ash from an eruption. Today many of its building and homes have been preserved and you can explore them via a smart system of walkways.
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Step back in time at Akrotiri

So Santorini is obviously the remains of a volcano. But what you might not know is that it has its own version of Pompeii. In around 1450 BC - when the Minoan civilisation was thriving - the town of Akrotiri was covered in ash from an eruption. Today many of its building and homes have been preserved and you can explore them via a smart system of walkways.

Take a cruise If you haven’t seen Santorini from the water, you haven’t seen Santorini. Spiridakos Sailing Cruises’ Santorini Classic Catamaran Cruise is one of the mainstays for good reason. It’s a five-hour affair with a Greek buffet, soft drinks, wine, snorkelling gear and pick up from your hotel. You get to see the Red Beach and White Beach then take a dip at Mesa Pigadia. After which you cruise by the Indian Rocks en route to Palea Kameni where you can swim to the hot springs. Then, it’s onto the Nea Kameni, a northern cove of the volcano, for more swimming before finishing up at the southern port of Vlychada. Quite the day out.Book here
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Take a cruise 

If you haven’t seen Santorini from the water, you haven’t seen Santorini. Spiridakos Sailing Cruises’ Santorini Classic Catamaran Cruise is one of the mainstays for good reason. It’s a five-hour affair with a Greek buffet, soft drinks, wine, snorkelling gear and pick up from your hotel. You get to see the Red Beach and White Beach then take a dip at Mesa Pigadia. After which you cruise by the Indian Rocks en route to Palea Kameni where you can swim to the hot springs. Then, it’s onto the Nea Kameni, a northern cove of the volcano, for more swimming before finishing up at the southern port of Vlychada. Quite the day out.

Book here

Laze on the Red BeachSantorini’s volcanic legacy has resulted in some truly wondrous landscapes. And while the grey and black beaches are undoubtedly striking, it’s this one that truly feels like you’re slip, slop, slapping on a martian landscape. Especially since the area around it has not been overly developed.
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Laze on the Red Beach

Santorini’s volcanic legacy has resulted in some truly wondrous landscapes. And while the grey and black beaches are undoubtedly striking, it’s this one that truly feels like you’re slip, slop, slapping on a martian landscape. Especially since the area around it has not been overly developed.

Take flight at Sigalas You wouldn’t immediately think of Santorini as a thriving viticulture destination but the volcanic soil is ideal for certain grape varieties. Such as assyrtiko, mandilaria and mavrotragano. The Sigalas winery is one of the bougiest and it’s well worth a wander around the basket vines with a sommelier if wine is your thing.
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Take flight at Sigalas 

You wouldn’t immediately think of Santorini as a thriving viticulture destination but the volcanic soil is ideal for certain grape varieties. Such as assyrtiko, mandilaria and mavrotragano. The Sigalas winery is one of the bougiest and it’s well worth a wander around the basket vines with a sommelier if wine is your thing.

Get the shot of a lifetime at the Akrotiri LighthouseSantorini’s popularity is its curse and come sundown, you’re most likely to be battling hordes of wannabe influencers elbowing their way into your holiday. If you’d prefer something less crowded but just as striking head to this 19th century lighthouse southern edge of the island. The cliffside road will undoubtedly raise your heart rate with sheer drops just inches from your tyres but once you get there. OMG.
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Get the shot of a lifetime at the Akrotiri Lighthouse

Santorini’s popularity is its curse and come sundown, you’re most likely to be battling hordes of wannabe influencers elbowing their way into your holiday. If you’d prefer something less crowded but just as striking head to this 19th century lighthouse southern edge of the island. The cliffside road will undoubtedly raise your heart rate with sheer drops just inches from your tyres but once you get there. OMG.

Hike the caldera townsThe seemingly precariously stacked wedding cake villages of Santorini are its clear draw cards but if you want to experience them in a more active manner, we highly recommend the Fira (pictured) to Oia hiking trail. You need to be fairly fit for the 10.5 kilometre journey, you absolutely must stay hydrated and it’s probably best to do it in the early morning or late afternoon when the temps start to drop. But play by these rules and you will enjoy views that few other less motivated tourists get to see.
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Hike the caldera towns

The seemingly precariously stacked wedding cake villages of Santorini are its clear draw cards but if you want to experience them in a more active manner, we highly recommend the Fira (pictured) to Oia hiking trail. You need to be fairly fit for the 10.5 kilometre journey, you absolutely must stay hydrated and it’s probably best to do it in the early morning or late afternoon when the temps start to drop. But play by these rules and you will enjoy views that few other less motivated tourists get to see.

Have a meal at SeleneLocated in what was once an 18th century Catholic monastery, Selene restaurant was founded in 1985 and in 2021 Michelin-starred chef Ettore Botrini brought his unique vision to the menu. It’s all about local ingredients exquisitely prepared with a cracking wine list to boot. Book way, way, way head. It’s located in Fira town but nearby Pyrgos is also worth a wander to see how the locals live.
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Have a meal at Selene

Located in what was once an 18th century Catholic monastery, Selene restaurant was founded in 1985 and in 2021 Michelin-starred chef Ettore Botrini brought his unique vision to the menu. It’s all about local ingredients exquisitely prepared with a cracking wine list to boot. Book way, way, way head. It’s located in Fira town but nearby Pyrgos is also worth a wander to see how the locals live.

Dance the night away at Tango BarYou want three things from your night out in Santorini: excellent views at sunset, cocktails galore and a dance floor. Tango supplies the trio and then some. There are guest djs and the venue promises “the beautiful people stepping down the steps that lead to the Tango Bar’s premises will be your company for the nights of Santorini full of flirting and romance.” Picture: Instagram/tangobarsantorini
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Dance the night away at Tango Bar

You want three things from your night out in Santorini: excellent views at sunset, cocktails galore and a dance floor. Tango supplies the trio and then some. There are guest djs and the venue promises “the beautiful people stepping down the steps that lead to the Tango Bar’s premises will be your company for the nights of Santorini full of flirting and romance.” Picture: Instagram/tangobarsantorini

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/lifestyle/best-things-to-do-in-santorini/image-gallery/340372d77565088d1878a0f7015e8071