Santorini. The name alone conjures images of white-domed churches, blue-painted rooftops, and a sun melting into the Aegean. And yes, it’s every bit as beautiful as those Instagram photos suggest. But what the photos don’t show you is the 600 other tourists standing just out of frame, all trying to capture the same shot.
We spent 5 days on this island in June 2024, and by day two we’d figured out that the real Santorini lives between the tourist hotspots. Here’s what we actually did — and loved.
1. Watch the Sunset from Imerovigli, Not Oia
Everyone goes to Oia for the sunset. Which means by 6 PM, every viewpoint in Oia is a shoulder-to-shoulder situation. Imerovigli sits on the highest point of the caldera rim, gives you the same view, and is genuinely half as crowded. Get there an hour early and you’ll find a spot easily.
Pro tip for Indians: Imerovigli has a small café called Avocado that serves decent chai — a welcome comfort if you’re missing home comforts.
2. Hire a Quad Bike and Drive to Akrotiri
The ancient ruins at Akrotiri are one of the best-preserved Bronze Age settlements in the world — essentially the Pompeii of the Aegean, buried under volcanic ash 3,600 years ago. Most tours don’t include it (or rush through it), but the site is genuinely fascinating. Allow 2 hours.
Hire a quad bike (around €35/day) and drive down the southern coast to get there. The road hugs the cliff edge and the views are spectacular.
3. Swim at the Red Beach — Early
The Red Beach gets its name from the dramatic rust-red volcanic cliffs that tower over it. It’s extraordinary-looking. But it’s also small and gets very crowded by 11 AM.
Get there at 9 AM, when the light is soft and the beach is half-empty. Bring your own water — there’s no shade and the sand (actually pebbles and volcanic rock) gets searingly hot.
4. Eat Breakfast in Firostefani
Firostefani sits between Fira and Imerovigli, and it’s where locals actually eat breakfast. Skip the overpriced cafés on the caldera rim in Fira and walk ten minutes to Firostefani instead. The tavernas here serve proper Greek breakfast — thick Greek yoghurt with honey, fresh bread, local cheese — for half the price.
5. Take the Donkey Path from Fira to Old Port
Yes, there’s a cable car. And yes, most tourists take it. But the old donkey path down to the old port is one of the most atmospheric walks on the island — 588 steps carved into the caldera cliff, with views that change at every turn.
Note for Indians: The path has actual donkeys on it. They’re used to carry luggage. They can be a bit startling if one comes up behind you on a narrow section. Just step aside and let them pass.
6. Visit the Volcanic Hot Springs at Nea Kameni
A short boat trip from Fira’s old port takes you to the uninhabited volcanic island of Nea Kameni, where you can hike to an active volcanic crater. From there, you swim (or wade) to nearby hot springs — the water is warm and the colour of rust from the sulphur.
The boat trip costs around €15–20 and runs several times a day. It’s not glamorous, but it’s genuinely unlike anything else.
7. Explore Pyrgos Village
Pyrgos is the highest village in Santorini and also its oldest — a maze of medieval alleys, Venetian towers, and cats sunning themselves on doorsteps. It’s far less visited than Oia or Fira and has a handful of excellent restaurants.
Franco’s Café in Pyrgos has some of the best coffee on the island and a terrace view that stretches across the entire southern coast.
8. Try Local Wine at a Winery
Santorini’s volcanic soil produces a uniquely mineral white wine called Assyrtiko — it’s one of Greece’s finest wines and you can only really get the proper stuff on the island. Santo Wines and Domaine Sigalas both offer tastings and have caldera views. Budget around €20–30 per person for a proper tasting.
For Indian palates — Assyrtiko is dry and crisp, nothing like what most of us grew up drinking. Start with the one aged in oak if you prefer something rounder.
9. Walk the Caldera Trail from Fira to Oia
This 9 km trail hugs the caldera edge the entire way from Fira to Oia. It’s not difficult — mostly flat with some gentle ups and downs — but do it early in the morning (start by 7:30 AM) before the heat becomes serious. Allow 3–4 hours.
The views from the trail are better than anything you’ll see from a viewpoint. Bring water, sunscreen, and comfortable shoes. This was honestly the best thing we did on the island.
10. Have Dinner in Perissa or Perivolos
The black sand beaches on Santorini’s southern coast — Perissa and Perivolos — have a strip of beach restaurants that are excellent value and completely unpretentious. The food is good (fresh fish, proper Greek salad, cold Mythos beer), the vibe is relaxed, and the prices are roughly half what you’d pay in Fira.
It’s where young Europeans on budget trips eat, which is a good sign.
Practical Notes for Indian Travellers
- Language: Most people speak English. No issues at all.
- Currency: Euro. Cards accepted almost everywhere. Carry some cash for smaller tavernas.
- Vegetarian food: Fairly easy. Greek salad, spanakopita (spinach pie), gemista (stuffed vegetables) are all vegetarian. Vegan is harder.
- Schengen visa: Santorini is in Greece, which is a Schengen country. You’ll need a Schengen visa. Apply to the Greek embassy. Allow 4–6 weeks.
- Getting there: There are direct flights from Mumbai and Delhi to Athens; from Athens, you take a 45-minute domestic flight to Santorini (or a ferry — beautiful but takes 8 hours).
- Best time to go: May, June, and September are ideal. July–August is peak season — hotter, more crowded, more expensive.
Have questions about Santorini? We offer a Personal Guide where you can ask us anything about your specific trip.