8 day trips from Santorini • Wanderlix

Are you in Santorini and would like to explore the region and islands around? Here are the 8 day trips from Santorini we recommend!

A dream destination for many holidaymakers, Greece is famous for its scattered islands. Everyone has their identity and history. Traveling to the Greek islands is evading the happy holiday season!

With its white houses, Santorin is presented as the showcase island of the Cyclades archipelago. Although it is not known to visitors, Santorin is actually formed by a volcanic caldera, today largely immersed, and which gave this form so special to the island. This caldera is also the subject of day trips from Santorini.

Speaking of escapades, here are the 8 trips from Santorini that we have selected for you!

1. Thirassía

In all honesty, it is difficult to separate Thirassía from Nea Kameni. These two destinations form the essential day trips from Santorini. Logic when you know that they are both part of the archipelago of Santorini! However, some excursions give priority to Thirassía, which is different from Nea Kameni.

Thirassía is one of the emerged parts of the volcanic caldera of Santorini. The special formation of the island of Thirassía is the worthy representation of what is a volcanic island: small area but high relief, absent vegetation, difficulty to move there. Thirassía is therefore a unique destination of its kind, different and particularly appreciated.

In Thirassía, after discovering the village of Manolas, you will have the opportunity to make beautiful hikes with a strong denial! The reward is to enjoy sublime views from the top of the cliffs. If there are a few beaches, the particularity of the places makes that they cannot have a blue as pure as in Santorini. But we still like it!

2. Nea Kameni

When local agencies tell you about a trip to the Santorini caldera, they evoke Nea Kameni rather than Thirassía, where you are just passing through. Nea Kameni is therefore the most requested and most common day trip from Santorini. The tour we offer combines the visit of Nea Kameni and a free time in Thirassía, to at least enjoy the view from the top of the cliffs.

Nea Kameni is a volcanic island, the heart of the submerged caldera. His volcano, the Tholos Naftilos, is in relative activity, the last eruption dating from 1950. One can reach his crater without major difficulty, the hike being not the most difficult. In addition to the particularity of a hike around a crater, one particularly appreciates the view of the island of Santorini from the heights.

In Nea Kameni there are also hot water sources that you can enjoy during your trip. Finally, during the stop in Thirassía, you can stay in Manolas to enjoy a good drink with a beautiful view.

3. Heraklion

Although the two islands are far away, it is quite possible to go to Crete for a day trip from Santorini. The best served town on the great southern island is its "capital", Heraklion. And there's something to do there!

First, Heraklion is a cultural city, with two of the three most important museums in Crete: the archaeological museum of the city and the historical museum of the island. Visitors can learn a lot of things about the history of Crete, its various occupations and the remains found in recent decades. Museums also represent a little freshness during the summer months, where heat can be torrid!

If it is not as enchanting as that of La Canée, the old town of Heraklion is still worth a visit. We like to discover his little alleys and find little hidden treasures. Located at the end of the old town, the port is a popular and ideal place to enjoy the restaurant and discover local culinary specialties based on fish and seafood. Finally, if time allows, do not miss the palace of Cnossos, which is not in the city itself but a little outside.

4. Paros

Its location in the centre of the Cyclades archipelago makes Paros a trip from the most ideal Santorini. The island is particularly appreciated for its beautiful beaches and white houses, as in Santorini. Once you arrive in Paros, your steps will lead you to the villages of Parikia, Naoussa and Lefkes.

Parikia is the port of Paros, famous for its beautiful winding streets, overlooked by the castle built with the marble of an ancient temple. It is in Parikia that the immense Byzantine church Panagia Ekatontapilian ("Church at the Cent Gates"), built in 326 and still of origin despite an earthquake in the 18th century.

The island is rather well served by bus and taxi. This will allow you to admire the village of Naoussa in the north, a pretty typical old port with beautiful white houses. Further south and in the land is Lefkes, which resembles the alleys of Santorini. It is clearly the best place on the island to enjoy a coffee on the terrace or lunch! Finally, nothing forbids you to visit the beautiful beaches of Paros at the end of the day!

5. Naxos

Although we never set foot in Greece, the name of Naxos resonates in our minds. Nothing more normal, Naxos is a very important island in the Cyclades Islands and Greek history. It is therefore quite normal to devote a day trip from Santorini.

Upon arrival at the port, Greek mythology welcomes us with the remains of the temple of Apollo, ideally located on a small promontory. It is possible to go there where, let’s be honest, the view is more appealing than the rare remains still present.

On the other hand, the temple of Demeter, located in the center of the island, is much better preserved. It is close to several old Orthodox churches and Apano Kastro. The latter represents the ruins of an old castle. If the weather allows, you are advised to go there, at least for the panorama from the heights!

The climb to the Apano Kastro represents one of the many hikes that Naxos offers and the walkers will only have the embarrassment of choice. Do you want to spend a relaxing time at the beach at the end of the day? The beach of Agios Prokopios is perhaps the most accessible for you and it will be impossible for you to resist its crystalline color!

6. Anafi

Would you like a little quiet for a trip from Santorini? Then choose without hesitation a small tower on the island of Anafi! An isolated small island, Anafi is located southeast of the Cyclades Islands. The island’s tourism development is one of the weakest in all of Greece.

As a result of this lack of tourism development, the activities are rather limited but, in exchange, you enjoy some tranquility. The hiking trail is the most popular activity of Anafi, sometimes even necessary because the island is not crowded. One can find an old monastery from which the view is splendid... but whose access by walking is not given to everyone and rather long!

Finally, if you like the beach but enjoy the crowd, Anafi will be your dream destination. Here, in addition to being sublime, the beaches are quite uncommon.

7. Ios

Classic day trip from Santorini, Ios Island has similarities to its famous neighbor. From the arrival to the port of Chora, the view of the white houses can only recall Santorini! We like to get lost in its paved, up and down streets, with its small houses, cafés and bars.

For fans of antique literature, Ios would be the last home of the famous poet Homer. Difficult to know the truth with accuracy, he always loved to spend time on Ios and his tomb is in the north of the island. You can also go there for the exceptional view of the great blue, from the promontory.

Speaking of large blue, there are many and beautiful beaches in Ios, so you can relax and enjoy a head before leaving for a few hikes on the island. Finally, be sure to test one of the many local restaurants to taste the culinary specialties of the famous Cretan diet.

8. Folégandros

A much lesser known island in the Cycladic Islands, Folegandros is a great idea of excursion from Santorini. Like Anafi, Folegandros is a less touristic island than its neighbors. As a result, it is a paradise still immaculate, renowned for its pleasant hikes along the cliffs and rocky hills.

On the village side, Chora pulls his pin from the game. In addition to the name found on other islands, Chora is characteristic of the Cyclades, with its pretty white houses. But what makes it unique is that any motor vehicle is forbidden! We can therefore enjoy it without a noise. Also the view from the church of the Virgin Mary is splendid.

If you have a little time, don't miss the small Folegandros folklore museum, located in the middle of nowhere. A typical museum, of a time that the youngest have not known: the one where the Greek islands were not yet invaded by mass tourism. Finally, there is no way to forget to make a little beach tour and taste local culinary specialties in one of the many taverns in Kastro, the village of Chora!