One of the all-time best destinations for couples is Santorini, Greece! Filled with breathtaking views all around, luxury white stone villas, stunning beaches and renowned dining, there is no doubt that Santorini is the perfect romantic escape.

Santorini, Greece is a crescent-shaped island that is entirely made up of volcanic rock, making it a caldera. In fact, it’s taken thousands of years of volcanic eruptions for the island to be made up of what it is today! Plus, it is the only caldera in the world that is inhabited. The island of Santorini is also renowned for wine making and offers beautiful vineyards and wineries.

I had the opportunity to visit Greece in July 2016 with friends and cousins. Our Greece trip started in the capital city, where we enjoyed all the best things to do in Athens Greece. We then made our way to the magical islands of Santorini, Paros and Mykonos.

In this article, discover all of the best experiences you could receive on the beautiful Greek island of Santorini. This post features the most romantic things to do in Santorini for couples, but is also great for solo travelers and families. Add these things to your Santorini Greece bucket list today!

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When to Experience the Best of Santorini Greece:

For me, personally, I traveled to the Greek Islands at the beginning of July, which is considered to be the prime for tourism.

Even though Greece makes for the perfect summer trip, the best time to visit Santorini is during the shoulder season. You can experience the ultimate best things to do in Santorini for couples during this time of the year due to less crowds! Let’s face it, no one enjoys mass amounts of people surrounding them.

Another reason why visiting Santorini during the shoulder season, like in September or October, is because the weather is a perfect temperature. You will not be dealing with extreme heat like I did when I traveled there in July.

If you’re traveling around the Greek Islands, it is best to stay in Santorini for at least 3 days or more. You can discover what to do in Santorini for 3 days below.

Traveling to Santorini, Greece:

It is easy to travel to Greece by taking a flight from anywhere in the world! I personally traveled to Greece by flying from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Athens International Airport. The best way to get around the Greek Islands are by taking ferries.

If you are traveling from Athens to Santorini, I recommend taking a short flight, since it is one of the further islands from mainland Greece. You can find affordable flights through Skyscanner!

Overall, it isn’t necessary to rent a car during a romantic Santorini trip. The only time you would need to is if you plan to road trip around the mainland and other Balkan countries.

Where to Stay in Santorini for Couples:

Whether your are celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary in Santorini, there are beautiful hotels for all budgets to choose from!

The best areas to stay in for couples are Oia, Fira, Imerovigli and Firostefani. All of these spots offer some of the most romantic things to do in Greece!

Even though you could find a lot of charming rental properties in Santorini, I recommend staying at a hotel overlooking the caldera. A bonus would be having your own private pool! Relaxing in a pool overlooking the sea is one of the top things to do in Santorini for couples during vacation.

There are also a lot of things to do in Santorini on a budget for couples. Because of that, there is a plethora of budget hostels to choose from.

Here are other great hotels to stay at in Santorini based on budget:

Luxury Accommodation: Andronis Arcadia

Boutique Accommodation: Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection

Mid-Budget Accommodation: Astro Palace Hotel

Budget Accommodation: Andromeda Villas

Best Things to do in Santorini Greece for Couples

Santorini may be famous for its blue domes and colorful buildings sloping down to the deep blue sea, but there are also plenty of fun activities to enjoy!

In this list of the top romantic things to do in Santorini for couples, I’ll also list memorable things to do in Santorini for families. If you are wondering what to see in Santorini as a solo traveler, I’ve also got you covered.

Spend the Day at Perivolos Beach:

This beautiful beach lies on the southern end of the island and features gorgeous blue waters and a tranquil atmosphere. Perivolos Beach was my first black sand beach experience, and there was no better way to enjoy it than in Santorini where most of the beaches are composed of volcanic sand.

One thing to note is that when you go to a black sand beach, especially during the summer or warmer weather, it is important to not forget sandals or water shoes.

If you think the sand at your local beach gets hot during summertime, then you have never stepped foot on a black sand beach in July. It is blistering hot, so be prepared.

The best part of Perivolos Beach is swimming in the beautiful and clear Aegean Sea. The cliffs that surround the beach, and the dark sand that you don’t get to see every day are surreal when swimming in the refreshing water. You have to pinch yourself a few times to actually believe where you are. It is amazing and one of the best of Santorini, Greece!

In addition, Perivolos Beach offers lounge chairs and bamboo umbrellas so that you can relax comfortably in the shade. Discover the best beach clubs in Santorini. This beach is also a fun spot for solo travelers!

Another great thing about this beach is that you don’t even need to leave your lounge chair to get some traditional Greek food or a drink. The beach has servers that come over to your chair and take your order. It’s what makes relaxing at Perivolos Beach one of the best things to do in Santorini for couples.

Party in Fira – The Best of Santorini Nightlife:

Fira is the capital of Santorini and the liveliest part of the island. It is located on the western side of the crescent-shaped island and features gorgeous caldera cliffs, opposite a volcano, that overlook the Aegean Sea and breathtaking white Cycladic houses situated on the cliffs.

It is here where you could also grab a nice Greek dinner, enjoy drinks, dance the night away and get wonderful sunset views! The party scene in Fira is what makes Santorini the best Greek Island for a young couples holiday.

Speaking of the sunsets, the Greek Islands is where you can catch the best views during golden hour. One of my favorite sayings is “Sunsets are proof that no matter what happens, every day can end beautifully.”

The sunset in Fira is breathtaking! Watching it is one of the top romantic things to do in Santorini for couples!

Ride the Santorini Cable Car – Fun Things to do in Santorini for Couples:

You’ll want to pre-book your tickets to avoid the long line for the cable car in Santorini! The cable car is the easiest way into Fira Town from Old Port or vice versa. It is one of the best ways to enjoy incredible views of Santorini!

Attend a Greek Wedding Show – Things to do in Santorini for Families:

One thing you cannot miss out on when you go to Greece is to attend a Greek wedding show. Located in Fira is The White Door Theatro where you can get the party going!

Set in the post-World War II years, we took part as “invited” guests (aka the cousins) of a fun and strong-willed Greek family. The show begins in the interior of the home where you get to meet each member of the family.

We then headed out to the courtyard where we sat at dining tables and enjoyed delicious wine along with a selection of Greek tapas.

After we ate, we had an amazing time listening to the best Greek wedding music, dancing with all of the family members and wishing good luck to the newlyweds by participating in their tradition of breaking plates against the floor.

We had such an amazing time laughing, dancing, singing and making memories with our new Greek family! You too are sure to have a great time.

Enjoy a Morning in Kamari Beach:

A great place to start your day is by soaking up the Greek sun at Kamari Beach. Situated in the southeast part of the island is a beach covered with small black rocks.

Just like in Perivolos Beach, I recommend you bring water shoes to Kamari Beach since it is tough to walk barefoot over the rocks.

Kamari Beach has lounge chairs and bamboo umbrellas where you can take a nap in the shade and feel the breeze coming off the sea. They also have servers that come around and serve food and drinks.

Since we went to Kamari Beach in the morning, there were servers coming around with homemade donuts. There were even masseuses walking around and giving people massage services.

On the right side of the beach (looking out to the sea) is an enormous rock that ascends from the crystal blue sea and leads up to the highest point in Santorini. Even though we didn’t get to go to Kamari Beach at night, locals informed us that the rocks shine at night as the sea peacefully flows over them.

In addition to swimming and sunbathing, you can also enjoy the best water activities in Santorini.

Savor the Views at Profitis Ilias:

Another one of the best things to do in Santorini for couples is to drive up to the highest peak of the island. It is a monastery of the Profitis Ilias (Prophet Elias) and one of the best romantic spots in Santorini.

The drive up to the mountain is along the edge of a cliff, so I recommend closing your eyes or not looking out the window if you are scared or get carsick easily. Once you’re at the top, the views are phenomenal!

Spot a Donkey in Pyrgos:

When you think of a traditional Greek village, Pyrgos is definitely that. This beautiful area in Santorini is built around an old fortress and is the perfect Cycladic village.

It is in Pyrgos where you can catch people riding donkeys as a form of transportation. It reminded me of my favorite tween book and movie, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

Sip Wine at Venetsanos Winery:

I wish I could transport back to Santorini right now because I went to the most beautiful winery along the cliffs.

Venetsanos Winery is located right above the port of Athinos, overlooking the breathtaking caldera in Santorini. It is the perfect place to enjoy refreshing wine, take a wine tour and make countless memories.

Visiting a winery in Greece makes for the most romantic things to do in Santorini and it’s also the perfect wedding or proposal spot too! As you walk around sipping your wine, you can catch gorgeous views of the Aegean Sea as well as the small islands surrounding the caldera. There are even walking trails that take you down the cliff to the port.

In addition to enjoying the views at Venetsanos Winery, you can even take an informative small group tour of the winery and learn the historical and modern wine making techniques. After the tour I did in 2016, I enjoyed a tasting of four different wines – red, white, rosé and a dessert wine.

Click here to discover more amazing wineries in Santorini.

Watch the Sunset in Oia:

Catching a Santorini sunset should be at the top of every list of the most romantic things to do in Santorini. In fact, it’s one of the best things to do in Oia – the most breathtaking area of the crescent-shaped island.

Overall, you cannot go to Santorini without visiting the quaint and charming village of Oia. The reason why Oia is universally famous is because the town is known for its three iconic and beautiful blue dome buildings and the best sunsets on the island. The area also offers wonderful restaurants, shops and bars.

It is a little tricky, but when you are in Oia, it is a MUST to find the iconic postcard shot of the blue domed churches overlooking the caldera. In that same area, you can even find the three bells of Firá that overlook the water. This area in Oia is the best place to take your travel photos!

After you get your photography in, head over to the famous Oia windmill to catch the best sunset you will ever see! As my cousins, friends and I watched the sunset, during our Greece trip, we enjoyed sharing stories and laughter while sipping on cocktails.

Sail to Akrotiri – Best Things Couples Can Do in Santorini

Another amazing adventure to participate in during your time in Santorini is sailing to the beautiful red sand beach of Akrotiri.

You can take a boat taxi from Kamari Beach (mentioned above) to the red beach or you could even book your own private boat tour.

Getting to the red sand beach is weather permitting. When the tides are rough or if there is a storm, this beach can be very dangerous. There are a lot of rocks and the area is known for having some avalanches. On a beautiful day, it is amazing!

Boat Tours in Santorini:

Depending on your budget and how many are in your party, a boat tour is a great way to see more of Santorini and the volcanic craters.

A catamaran cruise is one option, but there are also lots of other boat tours you can take. These range from private tours to small group tours to some larger group sunset cruises.

Taking a boat trip is the only way to visit Nea Kameni and Palea Kameni and their famous hot springs. Taking a sunset cruise is another popular option (but make sure to spend at least one sunset in Oia).

Best Romantic Restaurants in Santorini, Greece:

Another one of the most romantic things to do in Greece for couples is to enjoy Santorini’s romantic restaurants. Below are the best restaurants to enjoy on the island of Santorini:

• Argo (Mediterranean Food)
• Selene (Greek Fine Dining)
• Metaxi Mas (Local Dishes)
• Ammoudi Fish Tavern (Seafood Restaurant)
• Ambrosia Restaurant (Romantic Fine Dining)
• Cacio e Pepe (Italian Restaurant)
• Yalos (Greek Restaurant)

Other memorable things to do in Santorini for couples is to take a Greek cooking class!

Now that you know what to do in Santorini, don’t miss these other Greek tips:

The Complete Guide to Paros Greece

Top Things to Do in Athens Greece

Best Things to Do in Mykonos for Party-Lovers

Best Girl Trip Destinations in the World

Planning an epic European vacation? Find more Europe travel tips here.

If you have any questions about my time in Santorini, please feel free to email me at info@browneyedflowerchild.com.

Basic Facts of Greece:

Currency: Euro, Capital: Athens, Time Zone: Eastern European Standard Time

Looking for the best agency to book your next bespoke travel experience? Contact Crawford Concierge!

*Anything could happen during your travels. Always make sure you are insured in case there are unforeseen circumstances such as lost luggage/theft, natural disasters, personal liabilities and more. Click here to get insured for your next trip.

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