Things to do in Santorini beyond a single viewpoint
The things to do in Santorini make more sense when you separate the caldera villages from the inland settlements and the beach coast. Fira, Oia and Imerovigli sit above the caldera; Pyrgos brings traditional settlement architecture into the picture, while Kamari and Perissa are beach towns. Choose a main interest before adding another part of the island, rather than treating every place as a quick photo stop.
For a first look at the caldera, pair time in Fira with a visit to Oia. If archaeology matters more, give Akrotiri its own place in the day. A walk, a museum visit and a boat departure each need different preparation. Leaving room between them is more useful than collecting village names on an ambitious checklist.
Imerovigli and the caldera landscape
Imerovigli stands high on the caldera rim. Skaros and the church of Panagia Malteza are reference points in the village landscape. Make the settlement itself the focus of a visit: the relationship between white buildings, steep ground and the caldera is part of what distinguishes this side of Santorini from the beach coast.
Keep a visit to Imerovigli separate from a decision to walk onto Skaros. Follow local access notices for any additional path. For a longer outing, the Fira to Oia hiking guide explains the route, rough volcanic ground and return journey. Wear firm shoes and take water even when your plan centres on village walking.
An island outing
This minibus outing combines a driver-guide with free time for swimming at Black Beach.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. Prices are indicative starting prices in euros (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Oia, villages and Black Beach by minibus
This island outing combines Oia, traditional villages and Black Beach with driver commentary and free time.
Pyrgos Santorini and its Kasteli
Pyrgos offers a different starting point for understanding Santorini: an inland settlement around a Kasteli rather than a sequence of caldera viewpoints. The municipal history dates the Kasteli to 1580. Use that history to frame a walk through the settlement, without expecting every building to belong to the same period or treating the whole village as a single ticketed attraction.
The wine landscape also belongs in this picture. Basket-shaped vine training, known as kouloura, and Assyrtiko are part of the island’s documented wine-growing tradition, including the area around Pyrgos. A wine tasting outing gives this agricultural side a separate focus. Choose it for wine rather than assuming that a village visit includes a tasting or access to vineyards.
Architecture and ancient streets
Oia is characterised by cave houses and captains’ houses; Fira also has cave houses and churches. Look at how the settlements occupy the slope rather than seeking a roof to stand on. Keep to permitted public routes and respect private entrances. Attractive buildings are part of a living settlement, so plan your visit around walking and observing rather than an assumed right to enter.
Akrotiri adds a much earlier urban landscape, with multi-storey houses, streets and drainage. It is the prehistoric settlement in the south. Ancient Thera on Mesa Vouno is a separate archaeological site from another historical phase. In Fira, the Museum of Prehistoric Thera displays finds and frescoes from Akrotiri and has its own ticket.
Coast, transport and choosing an outing
Kamari, Perissa and Perivolos have black sand; Vlychada combines dark sand with pale volcanic cliffs. Read the beach guide before choosing a coastal stop, particularly for the reported Red Beach footpath closure. A coastline seen from a boat and a beach reached on foot are different experiences, with different access considerations.
The five-hour minibus outing featured here names Oia, traditional villages and Black Beach. It includes an air-conditioned minibus, driver commentary and bottled water, with free time for swimming and lunch. Free time for lunch is time to buy a meal. Its meeting point is above the cable car in Fira; allow for reaching that point separately, especially from a cruise tender. Choose this format for an island overview rather than a museum-led day.
Frequently asked questions
Can I walk from Fira to Oia?
The caldera route has a planning distance of 10.5 km and a walking guideline of 3 to 5 hours. Prepare for steps, uneven volcanic ground and heat, and arrange the return journey. Follow current local access notices.
Is Pyrgos the same sort of visit as Oia?
Pyrgos centres on an inland Kasteli and traditional settlement architecture. Oia combines cave houses and captains’ houses with a caldera setting. Choose according to the landscape and history you want to explore.
Does the village outing visit Red Beach?
The featured outing names Black Beach, Oia and traditional villages. Use the beach guide for Red Beach access advice and keep its cliff-path restrictions separate from this itinerary.