The 7 most beautiful hikes to do in Santorini

Beautiful and very touristic island, hiking in Santorini will be the best way to get out of the beaten paths. Ancient paths go through places that are still uncommon, and allow you to enjoy the most beautiful views of the impressive caldeira.

One thing is certain, hiking in Santorini is not the favorite activity of the big visitors of the island, who prefer quads, scooters and cars to move. Yet, with its reduced dimensions, it is easy to discover Santorini on foot, quiet which is more. In a few days of randos, you will discover the essentials of the island and even more. There’s no need for state-of-the-art equipment, but you’ll have to stay on the easy ride, even if, as always in Greece, you’ll have to pay attention to your water reserves and the sun’s effects.

In the spring, April and May, Santorin is still free of too many visitors, and is displayed in surprising colors for such arid island. The back-season brings more freshness, and sometimes some clouds to vary the decor: the caldeira is just as impressive! Keep in mind that in the summer, and especially in August, the meltem, powerful north wind, blows on the Cyclades and allows to maintain heat at reasonable levels for walking.

From the top of the island to the edges of the caldeira, from the mysterious Thirassia to the craters of the active volcano, let us discover the most beautiful hikes of Santorini!

1. From Fira to Oia along the caldeira

A great classic is Santorini hiking. In one direction or in the other, the whole itinerary runs along the famous caldeira with many breathtaking views, and allows you to connect the capital Fira to the most famous village of Greece, Oia (pronounced Ia).

Without any notable difficulty, the path crosses the villages, overlooks the sea, coffee terraces and luxury hotel pools, but also some areas not built with basalts cut by erosion, a real condensed of Santorini.

The best times to start on this walk will be the morning, when the alleys are still quiet, and the end of the day, to calcify the arrival in Oia with its emblematic sunset (great flood in season...). The connection with the starting point is easily made by local bus.

2. The summit of Santorini: monastery of Profitis Ilias

It’s a bit the “true” hike of Santorini, with positive denial and some passages away from civilization. The itinerary is done in one direction as in the other: good climb from Perissa on the sides of the Profitis Ilias (Prophet Elie), to reach the eponymous monastery that covers the summit.

Here is one of the most beautiful views of Santorini: the island, the caldeira and the volcano, Thirassia, and later, other Cyclades that are perfectly distinguished by clear weather ( Amorgos , the summit of Naxos , Ios Sikinos...).

Easy redescent by a kalderimi , an old paved path for mules, to reach the pretty Pyrgos, known for its elegant Venetian kastro, its coffee terraces, and its amazing vines pushing to the ground, in the fashion of Santorini.

3. A tour on Thirassia

Thirassia, which faces Santorini, is a long time, a reflection of the island as if tourism had never existed, and it is so much better for walkers. Take the time to discover it in the day, with the little smuggler leaving the port of Oia early in the morning.

First, the hike leads you to the village of Manolas, well in its juice with its two taverns and supérette. Then, head to the monastery of Kimisis Theotokou, as at the end of the world at the tip of Thirassia, offering unpublished views of the caldeira and Santorini.

On the return, by the starting point or the port of Korfos, swim in the dark blue waters, before taking the boat. One of the most surprising hikes in Santorini.

4. Nea Kameni volcano

Here is a short hike in Santorini starting with a excursion by boat (to be booked at a local agency). Join Nea Kameni, the volcanic island active in the middle of the caldeira, to discover the basaltic black rocks freshly emulated from the innards of the earth, and the various craters.

As evidenced by Smokingolles and the heat of the soil, volcanism is still active on Nea Kameni, whose last (small) eruption dates from the 1950s only! You will not be alone in the middle of the season, far from there, but the climb to the top of the islet is worth a visit.

5. From Imerovigli to Skaros

This small hike in Santorini will allow you to enjoy one of the most iconic views of the island. To begin with, make the hook from the church of Agios Georgios, in Imerovigli (already a beautiful view), then descend the old path that joins the rock of Skaros.

In an unbelievable way, this promontory overlooking the Caldeira housed under the Venetians a fortified city, the capital of the island! Finally, back by the same path, which crosses the Fira-Oia path.

6. From Kamari to Perissa by the former Thira

At the departure of Kamari, the itinerary climbs seriously to Zoodochos Pigi, a charming little chapel and its hidden source in a cave of the mountain of Profitis Ilias. A corner of rare freshness in Santorini!

Higher, the visit of the ancient Thira, an ancient city at the top of the Mesa Vouno, is an integral part of this beautiful hike of Santorini: the best preserved archaeological site of the island, and the view of the Aegean is splendid! Then descent on the seaside resort of Perissa and its long black sand beach, for a well-deserved swim.

7. The stairs of the port of Fira

It is not so much a trip from Santorini as a small sporting challenge as to climb the stairs of the port of Fira, where there are many boat trips on the caldeira.

Thus, it is 588 steps to climb by avoiding the mules going up the less courageous tourists, arranged to the same volcanic multicolored cliffs overlooking the caldeira, to reach the animated streets of Fira.